Yes, the title is a bit misleading, because unlike your Gas Cooktop, Microwave, and Oven Convection, propane Iron Griddles aren’t meant to be used in the kitchen. They’re the kind of appliance that you’d take with you during your picnics and outdoor trips when you want to enjoy delicious food with good company and brag all day about your Ramsey-style cooking skills. Sounds intriguing, isn’t it?
If you’re planning to host a backyard party soon, you need to start making your preparations for the food galore you’re going to present. Otherwise, how would you impress your in-laws? And while an electric or cast-iron griddle would do, you don’t want to keep going in and out of the kitchen, which is why a propane griddle is the way to go.
So, which are the best propane griddles available today? Let’s find out!
Propane Griddle Review Center 2021
| Image | Propane Griddle | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - ATOSA US Commercial Griddle | 99% |
 | #2 - Blackstone 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station | 96% |
 | #3 - Blackstone Tabletop Grill | 93% |
 | #4 - Camp Chef Flat Top Grill | 89% |
 | #5 - Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Two Burner Gas Griddle | 85% |
Want to learn more?
Now that you’ve seen our top 5 recommendations, we’ll give you more detail on each of them, including why we liked them. When you’re ready, click the yellow button to get the best price on Amazon!
#1 – ATOSA US Commercial Griddle
Steep price? Yes. Worth every penny? Absolutely! The ATOSA US Commercial Griddle does cost a lot of money, so it’s not for the faint of heart, nor is it intended for your typical local park hamburger runs. As the name indicates, this is a commercial propane griddle, which means that it’s designed for heavy-duty outdoor cooking, namely during gatherings or parties.
The exterior of this griddle is made of durable stainless steel, and features a pretty ergonomic design, as the manual control knobs are well protected against splitting grease thanks to the stainless steel landing ledge and your walls and kitchen equipment are safe from any unwanted mess thanks to the welded splash guards. The stainless steel construction itself is pretty easy to clean, and this outdoor griddle comes with a slide-out grease pan, which adds to the convenience. Talk about effortless cooking, huh?
The ATOSA Propane Griddle sports four burners, each of which can produce 30,000 BTU, for a grand total of 120.000 BTU/h, allowing it to double as a professional griddle capable of providing a continuous supply of burgers, pancakes, or French toast, and a massive party food producer that’s suitable for the biggest of your outdoor events. The manual-control burners are independent, which allows this burner to save on energy big time, and they sit underneath a thick 36-inch stainless steel plate that heats evenly and quickly for fast and fair service.
Although the ATOSA US Commercial Griddle comes dissembled out of the box, it’s pretty easy to assemble, and the 4” legs are adjustable, which means that it can suit any kitchen and chef.
What we like about it:
The ATOSA US 36-inch Griddle is expensive; there’s no denying that, but that’s only natural considering that it’s mainly designed for professional use. Once set-up and good to go, you can start cooking right away on the 120.000-BTU burners, which provide even heat across the whole surface. This griddle heats food pretty fast, which is something that any chef would dig, and it comes with adjustable legs and independent burners to accommodate different needs. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty griddle and you’re willing to pay the price for it, the ATOSA 36-inch Griddle is the way to go.
#2 – Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
Although not as big and majestic as the ATOSA US 36-inch Griddle, Blackstone’s 36-inch Outdoor griddle is still an excellent option to consider if you’re looking for a propane griddle that’s suitable for both professional and home use.
First things first; the construction. The Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station is made of premium materials that ensure durability and longevity, with stainless Steel burners, a thick cold Rolled Steel cooktop, and a powder coated Black Steel frame. It comes dissembled out of the box, but it’s easy to put together, and it features four caster wheels for easy transportation around the house and to the campsite.
Now, addressing the big elephant in the room; the cooking power and cooking surface. The Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor griddle boasts four independent burners, each of which can produce 15,000 BTUs for a whopping 60,000 BTUs in total, which can be controlled from low to high heat to accommodate different cooking needs. The burners can heat the 720-sq inch area evenly and quickly so you can have peace of mind when preparing pancakes, eggs, grilled cheese, and steak. Want even more good news? This griddle sports Blackstone’s new rear grease management system, which can keep all the cooking mess at bay.
For convenience, this griddle features Blackstone’s new and improved side shelf on both sides, which comes with a removable cutting board, Garbage Disposal hooks, and paper towel holder. No need to have your equipment spread over your backyard. With the Blackstone griddle, everything can be neatly organized within reach.
What we like about it:
The Blackstone 36-inch griddle sits in the middle ground, with a reasonable price point that won’t break the bank and a set of impressive features that make for a great experience. You get four burners capable of producing 60,000 BTUs, a spacious cooking surface, side shelves for your extra equipment, such as your Steak Knife Sets and Grilling Tools, and caster wheels with a foldable grill for easy transportation, which means that this griddle does check all the boxes for an outdoor grill. If you’re looking for a balance between the cost and the features, this is the outdoor griddle for you.
#3 – Blackstone Tabletop Grill
Although too much cooking room and features isn’t necessarily a bad thing, owning a heavy-duty outdoor griddle like the ATOSA or Blackstone 36-inch griddle can be overkill when camping by yourself or with your small family. Thankfully, Blackstone also makes compact-sized griddles that are suitable for small gatherings and family trips, including the Blackstone Tabletop Grill.
the Blackstone Tabletop Grill comes at a compact size that allows for easy portability, meaning that you can easily take this propane griddle wherever you go without worrying about extra weight. Having a tailgate party with the fellas? Take the Blackstone grill. Need a cooking surface for your campsite? The Blackstone grill is what you seek. Want to host a small barbeque party in your backyard? The Blackstone grill is to the rescue.
Despite its packed size, the Blackstone Tabletop Grill doesn’t disappoint as far as the cooking surface goes, as it offers 330 square inches of cooking space on which you can prepare any meal hassle-free.
The cooking surface can be heated evenly and quickly thanks to the two burners that sit underneath it. As with the other outdoor griddles on our list, the heaters in the Blackstone tabletop grill are independently-controlled, which means that you can cook different foods without worrying about burning anything.
The Blackstone Tabletop Grill also features Blackstone’s rear grease management system, which means that you needn’t worry about leaving a mess behind when you’re enjoying some burgers under the stars.
What we like about it:
What really pushes the Blackstone 36-inch Outdoor up our list – above the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill and Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Two Burner Gas Griddle – are the price and features it offers. It has everything you need in an outdoor griddle in a compact size, and it doubles as an Indoor Grill and triples as one of the best Tailgate Grills available today. For the occasional camper, budget seeker, and/or hobbyist cook, this is all you’ll need for a good cooking session in the wild.
#4 – Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Back to the middle ground with a propane griddle that doubles as a professional and personal grill; the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill, an outdoor griddle that’s made by professionals, for professionals.
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill offers a large cooking surface, measuring 604 square inches for the griddle part and 501 square inches for the grilling one, which means that you can cook anything, including burgers, pancakes, sausage, and bacon, easily and efficiently without worrying about the lack of space.
This propane griddle also comes with two large, folding side shelves on which you can keep your equipment within an arm’s reach, and two underneath shelves, similar to the ones found in Microwave Carts, for all your Spice Racks and Spice Grinders.
How does this outdoor griddle perform when it comes to the actual cooking?
It turns out, it performs pretty well, with four stainless steel burners capable of producing 12,000 BTUs each, and a matchless ignition system that makes using this grill a breeze.
Another unique feature of the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill is the Propane tank holder, something that makes it easy to transport and move around, especially that it features four roller wheels and adjustable leg levelers, all of which make the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill a beast when it comes to portability.
What we like about it:
With a 600-square inch cooking surface and a whopping 48,000 BTU in total, the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill can heat your food quickly, evenly, and perfectly for everyone in your party or gathering to enjoy food continuously. The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill is also easy to move around and boasts a solid construction that makes for excellent durability. For an all-in-one professional and outdoor grilling solution, we recommend Camp Chef’s Flat Top Grill.
#5 – Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Two Burner Gas Griddle
The last griddle on our list is potentially the new addition to your Cuisinart Products, one that offers a restaurant-level performance in a compact size that makes it easy to move around during your camping trips and outdoor gatherings.
Compared to the other propane griddles on our list, the Cuisinart CGG-501 doesn’t offer outstanding cooking capabilities, as its two burners can only produce 20,000 BTUs in total. Measly number? Maybe, but it’s more than enough for a small gathering or camping trip, and it can definitely accommodate the heating needs of any home meal. The burners as independently-controlled for an even and quick cooking even for different kinds of food. They’re also easy to use thanks to the twist ignition, which gives you professional-grade control and flexibility in a home-sized griddle. Keep in mind that the control knobs may require some getting-used-to, but once you get the gist of using them, you’ll be set for a new, creative culinary journey in no time.
For the cooking surface, this outdoor gas griddle has 285 square inches, which is an ideal size for a steak meal during your backyard parties. Despite that, the Cuisinart CGG-501 still has a pretty compact size, making it an excellent choice for balconies, RVs, and patios.
What we like about it:
With a couple of burners that can produce a whopping 20,000 BTUs and an extra thick, cold rolled steel surface, the Cuisinart CGG-501 checks off all the boxes for an outdoor propane griddle. It also comes at an affordable price point that’s hard to resist, making it the ideal choice for anyone who wants to quickly bolster their outdoor appliance arsenal with an incredibly sturdy and durable griddle that won’t blow a hole in their wallet.
How We Chose the Top Propane Griddles in Our List
When picking a propane griddle, or any kitchen appliance for that matter, it’s essential to look for certain features and functions that draw the line between the best outdoor grills and mediocre ones. That’s what we did when choosing and vetting the above products, and here are the criteria on which we based our selection:
Even Heating and Independent Burners
The last thing you want when hosting a party is to serve unevenly-cooked food, where the steaks are perfect, and the bacon is undercooked. How to avoid that? By getting a propane griddle that can distribute heat evenly, of course. All of the above grills feature independently burners, which, besides offering evenly-distributed heat all over the cooking surface, can work independent (duh), which means that you can easily cook different types of food without having to do it separately.
Large Cooking Surface
Imagine having a backyard gathering where some people are enjoying your finger-licking food while others are giving you the evil eye because they’ve been waiting for their Filet Mignon for hours. How disappointed would your mother be? If you want to avoid such a situation, you need a griddle with a large cooking space that can accommodate the needs of any group. All of the above gas griddles can do that but in different shades, so make sure to determine what you need the grill for before you leap.
Construction
An outdoor griddle, just like any other outdoor appliance, must have solid construction. Our recommended products are made of premium materials with stainless steel cooking surfaces, which means that they can last for a lifetime with proper maintenance.
Portability
Portability is a critical aspect to consider when looking for an outdoor griddle. The griddles that we chose are easy to transport and move around either thanks to roller wheels, which is the case for the Blackstone 36-inch griddle, or their lightweight, which is the case for the Blackstone tabletop grill and the Cuisinart CGG-501.
Price
When vetting the numerous outdoor griddles available today, we tried to choose products in different price ranges to accommodate the needs and budgets of different users.
Different Types of Propane Griddles
There are four types you should know about:
Propane Griddles Vs. Electric Griddles
The main difference between electric and propane griddle is – hey, surprise – the power supply. While an electric grill would be a great option for households where gas is not an option and for those who want to save up on energy, it’s less versatile than a propane griddle, which is faster to heat, easier to move around, and more suitable for outdoor use. Outdoor griddles use propane as a fuel, and they include either U or H-shaped burners, which gives them the edge when it comes to power and allows them to heat food more efficiently.
Propane Griddles Vs. Cast Iron Griddles
There’s a world of difference between a propane griddle and a cast iron one, as the first has its own heating system, while the latter requires an external power source. To put it simply, propane griddles are appliances; they can be used on their own. All you need is a propane tank, and you’ll be good to go on your camping trip. Cast iron griddles, on the other hand, are utensils, just like your saucepans and cookware sets, which means that you still need a campfire or a gas cooktop to use them.
Why You Need the Best Propane Griddle in Your Kitchen
Because who doesn’t enjoy great food during outdoor gatherings, parties, and camping trips? Jokes aside, getting a propane griddle can really change the way you have your outdoor events, and for a good reason.
First, propane griddles are easy to move around. Most of the products in this category come with roller wheels, something that makes transportation a breeze and takes portability to the limit. They’re also lightweight, so you needn’t worry about breaking your back whenever you need to cook some steak under the stars. Add that to their packed size, and you’ve finally got yourself the appliance that can mimic the work of your gas top wherever you go.
Despite their lightweight and compact size, the best propane griddles offer a large cooking surface that ranges from 285 square inches in the Cuisinart CGG-501 to 720 square inches in the Blackstone 36-inch outdoor griddle, which means that you can use them to cook enough food for different groups and occasions. Most of them also come with extra shelves that you can use to keep all of your cooking equipment nearby.
Lastly, the best propane griddles are easy to clean thanks to different grease management systems used in them. We all know that cleaning is a necessary evil when using different appliances, and the last thing you want when cooking burgers in the park is to leave a mess behind and ruin the place. Thanks to their stainless steel construction and ergonomic designs, outdoor griddles are effortless to clean and maintain, making them a godsend for those who dread spending hours dealing with the aftermath of cooking.
While you’re here, check out some of our other kitchen appliances!
Sources: