5 Best Griddles For An Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor cooking has evolved far beyond the traditional grill. Today’s outdoor kitchen enthusiasts are increasingly turning to griddles for their versatility, ease of use, and ability to cook a wide variety of foods. From sizzling breakfast spreads to perfectly seared smash burgers, outdoor griddles offer a cooking experience that traditional grills simply can’t match.
Unlike conventional grills with grates, griddles feature a flat cooking surface that provides even heat distribution and prevents food from falling through. This makes them ideal for cooking smaller items like eggs and pancakes, as well as achieving the perfect sear on burgers and steaks. The large cooking surface also allows you to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously, making griddles perfect for entertaining.
After extensive research across multiple authoritative sources, analysis of thousands of user reviews, and comparison of specifications and features, we’ve identified the five best griddles for outdoor kitchens in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor chef or just beginning to expand your outdoor cooking capabilities, this guide will help you find the perfect griddle to elevate your outdoor kitchen experience.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Griddle
Before diving into our top picks, it’s important to understand the key factors that separate exceptional outdoor griddles from average ones:
Cooking Surface Area: The size of the cooking surface determines how much food you can prepare at once. Larger families or those who frequently entertain should consider models with at least 700 square inches of cooking space.
BTU Output: BTU (British Thermal Unit) ratings indicate heating power. Higher BTU ratings generally mean faster heating and better heat retention, though even distribution is equally important.
Number of Burners: Multiple independently controlled burners allow for creating different temperature zones, enabling you to sear meat on high heat while simultaneously warming tortillas on low heat.
Construction Materials: Look for griddles with thick, high-quality steel cooking surfaces (preferably carbon steel) and durable, weather-resistant frames.
Additional Features: Consider conveniences like hinged lids, side shelves, tool hooks, and grease management systems that make cooking and cleanup easier.
Price and Value: While premium models offer additional features and potentially greater durability, there are excellent options at various price points.
With these considerations in mind, let’s explore the five best outdoor griddles available in 2025.
1. Blackstone 36″ Omnivore Griddle with Folding Side Shelves
Price Range: $399
The Blackstone 36″ Omnivore Griddle stands as the undisputed champion of outdoor griddles in 2025, earning top marks from both expert reviewers and everyday users. With over 10,000 Amazon reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars, this griddle has proven itself as the gold standard in outdoor flat-top cooking.
Why It’s Our Top Pick
The Blackstone 36″ Omnivore achieves an exceptional balance of cooking capacity, power, durability, and value. Its spacious 756-square-inch cooking surface provides ample room to prepare food for large gatherings, while four independently controlled burners delivering a combined 60,000 BTUs ensure powerful, even heating across the entire surface.
What truly sets this griddle apart is its thoughtful design. The folding side shelves provide convenient workspace when needed and can be folded down for storage. Built-in tool hooks keep spatulas and other accessories within easy reach, and the powder-coated steel frame offers excellent durability against the elements.
Users consistently praise the Blackstone’s versatility, noting its ability to handle everything from breakfast classics like pancakes and eggs to dinner favorites such as smash burgers, stir-fries, and fajitas. The carbon steel cooking surface, once properly seasoned, develops an excellent non-stick patina that improves with use.
Real-World Performance
In real-world use, the Blackstone excels at heat distribution and temperature control. Users report that the four-burner system allows for creating distinct cooking zones, making it possible to simultaneously cook different foods at different temperatures. The griddle heats up quickly and maintains consistent temperatures, even when loaded with food.
Assembly is straightforward, typically taking about 15-20 minutes with basic tools. Blackstone’s customer service also receives high marks, with users reporting prompt and helpful responses to any issues.
Considerations
While the Blackstone 36″ Omnivore is an exceptional griddle, it’s not without minor drawbacks. Some users note that the grease management system occasionally allows grease to miss the collection cup, though this can be remedied with simple modifications. Additionally, like all carbon steel griddles, it requires proper seasoning before first use and regular maintenance to prevent rusting.
Ideal For
The Blackstone 36″ Omnivore is ideal for serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want a proven, reliable griddle with ample cooking space for entertaining. It’s perfect for families, those who frequently host gatherings, and anyone who values versatility in their outdoor cooking equipment.
2. Pit Boss 5-Burner Griddle with Folding Shelves
Price Range: $530
Earning the “Best Overall” designation from Good Housekeeping in 2025, the Pit Boss 5-Burner Griddle secures our second spot with its impressive power, exceptional temperature control, and thoughtful design features.
Why It’s Outstanding
The Pit Boss distinguishes itself with class-leading power, boasting five independently controlled burners that deliver a combined 62,000 BTUs—the highest output among our top picks. This translates to rapid heating and excellent heat retention, even when cooking large quantities of food.
With 753 square inches of cooking surface, the Pit Boss offers nearly identical cooking capacity to our top pick, but with the added benefit of a fifth burner for even more precise temperature control. This makes it particularly well-suited for complex meals requiring multiple temperature zones.
The griddle’s control panel earns special praise for its clear labeling and intuitive design, making it exceptionally user-friendly even for griddle newcomers. The folding shelves serve double duty, providing workspace during cooking and doubling as griddle covers when the unit is cool, helping to protect the cooking surface when not in use.
Performance Highlights
Expert testers note that the Pit Boss delivers outstanding cooking performance, with chicken turning out “more crisp and juicy than on a grill.” The five-burner system provides exceptional versatility, allowing users to create multiple distinct cooking zones.
The griddle’s sturdy construction inspires confidence, with users reporting minimal wobbling even on slightly uneven surfaces. Assembly is straightforward, and the unit feels built to last through many seasons of outdoor cooking.
Considerations
The primary drawback of the Pit Boss is its higher price point compared to our top pick, coming in at approximately $130 more than the Blackstone 36″. Additionally, like other light-colored griddles, it tends to discolor with use—a normal cosmetic issue that doesn’t affect performance.
Ideal For
The Pit Boss 5-Burner Griddle is perfect for power users who demand precise temperature control and maximum cooking versatility. It’s an excellent choice for experienced outdoor cooks who appreciate the additional control offered by the fifth burner and are willing to invest a bit more for premium features.
3. Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle
Price Range: Premium (specific price not available)
Selected as Wirecutter’s “Upgrade Pick” for 2025, the Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle represents the premium end of the outdoor griddle market, offering exceptional build quality and innovative features for discerning outdoor chefs.
Why It’s Premium
The Traeger Flatrock immediately stands out with its superior cooking surface quality. Experts note that its rough surface texture allows for deeper penetration of seasoning and creates a more prominent sear while cooking. Foods slide effortlessly across the surface with minimal sticking, creating what testers describe as a “luxurious” cooking experience.
What truly distinguishes the Traeger is its compartmentalized burner system. Unlike traditional griddles where heat naturally spreads across the entire surface, the Traeger features physical walls between its three U-shaped burners, creating genuinely distinct temperature zones. This innovative design allows for more precise temperature control than any other griddle in our lineup.
The thoughtful extras further elevate the Traeger experience. A built-in fuel gauge eliminates the guesswork of propane levels, while the removable cooktop offers easier maintenance and cleaning. The generous side tables provide ample workspace, and the overall fit and finish reflect Traeger’s reputation for quality.
Performance Excellence
In testing, the Traeger Flatrock demonstrated exceptional heating speed and evenness. Each U-shaped burner produces two rows of flames, ensuring consistent heat distribution within each zone. The distinct temperature zones excel in situations where you need to cook different foods simultaneously at different temperatures.
The cooking surface, at nearly 600 square inches, is slightly smaller than our top two picks but is designed with a wider, more accessible layout that makes it easy to reach all areas of the griddle.
Considerations
The premium features of the Traeger Flatrock come with a premium price tag, making it significantly more expensive than most competitors. Additionally, the cooking surface is somewhat smaller than other high-end models, which may be a consideration for those who regularly cook for large groups.
Ideal For
The Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle is ideal for cooking enthusiasts who are willing to invest in premium quality and features for a superior cooking experience. It’s perfect for those who value precise temperature control, exceptional build quality, and innovative design—and have the budget to match.
4. Blackstone 28″ XL Omnivore Griddle with Hood
Price Range: Lower than 36″ models
Named Wirecutter’s “Top Pick” and Forbes’ “Best Overall” flat-top grill for 2025, the Blackstone 28″ XL Omnivore offers the same exceptional quality as our top pick in a more compact package, making it perfect for smaller spaces and households.
Why It’s Exceptional
The Blackstone 28″ XL Omnivore delivers impressive performance in a more manageable footprint. With a cooking surface between 524-616 square inches (sources vary slightly), it provides ample space for most cooking needs while requiring less patio real estate than larger models.
A standout feature is the built-in hinged hood, which experts consistently recommend as a must-have feature. The hood helps protect the griddle from the elements, prevents debris from landing on the cooking surface, and can be used to trap heat for certain cooking applications.
Despite its smaller size, the 28″ XL Omnivore doesn’t compromise on quality. It features the same excellent construction as its larger sibling, with a durable powder-coated steel frame and a thick carbon steel cooking surface that develops an excellent non-stick patina with use.
Performance Highlights
In expert testing, the Blackstone 28″ XL Omnivore earned high marks for its even heating and precise temperature control. Testers noted that it performed exceptionally well at both high-heat searing and gentle, low-temperature cooking.
The griddle produced “crisp and juicy smashburgers, brown and fluffy pancakes, and perfect sunny-side-up eggs that slid right off the surface” in Wirecutter’s tests. Users appreciate its quick heating and the ability to maintain consistent temperatures, even when cooking multiple items.
Considerations
With 24,000 BTUs from its burners, the 28″ model offers less raw power than larger griddles. However, testers note that this is appropriate for its size and that the griddle still heats quickly and maintains temperatures well. Like all Blackstone griddles, it requires proper seasoning before first use to develop its non-stick properties.
Ideal For
The Blackstone 28″ XL Omnivore is perfect for those with space constraints or smaller households who still want Blackstone quality and performance. It’s an excellent choice for couples, small families, or anyone with limited outdoor space who doesn’t want to compromise on cooking quality.
5. Weber Slate 36-inch Rust-Resistant Outdoor Griddle
Price Range: $1,049
Rounding out our top five is the Weber Slate 36-inch Griddle, which brings Weber’s renowned quality and innovation to the outdoor griddle category with several unique features that set it apart from the competition.
Why It’s Innovative
The Weber Slate immediately distinguishes itself with its pre-seasoned cooking surface—the only griddle in our lineup that comes ready to use out of the box. This rust-resistant carbon steel surface has been treated with extreme heat and pressure (not coatings) to naturally resist rust, eliminating one of the most common pain points of griddle ownership.
Technology integration is another area where the Weber excels. Its digital temperature display provides precise feedback on cooking temperatures, allowing for more accurate cooking than the “by feel” approach required by most griddles. The four independent heat sources can reach temperatures up to 500 degrees, providing exceptional versatility.
With 756 square inches of cooking space, the Weber offers generous capacity comparable to our top picks. The spacious design can accommodate up to 30 burgers simultaneously, making it excellent for entertaining. An extendable side table provides additional workspace when needed and can be retracted when not in use.
Performance Excellence
The Weber Slate delivers the consistent performance and thoughtful design that have made Weber a trusted name in outdoor cooking. Its four independent heat sources provide excellent temperature control across the cooking surface, and the pre-seasoned surface offers good food release right from the start.
The sleek design reflects Weber’s modern aesthetic, with clean lines and a sophisticated appearance that elevates any outdoor kitchen. Build quality is exceptional, with materials and construction designed to withstand years of outdoor use.
Considerations
The Weber Slate’s premium features come with a premium price tag—at approximately $1,049, it’s significantly more expensive than most competitors. Some users also note that while the pre-seasoned surface is convenient, it still benefits from additional seasoning to develop optimal non-stick properties.
Ideal For
The Weber Slate is ideal for those who prioritize durability, precision, and convenience features and are willing to pay a premium price. It’s perfect for tech-savvy outdoor cooks who appreciate the digital temperature display and those who want to minimize maintenance concerns with the pre-seasoned, rust-resistant surface.
Comparison Table: Key Specifications
ModelCooking AreaBurnersBTUsStandout FeaturesPrice RangeBlackstone 36″ Omnivore756 sq. in.460,000Folding side shelves, tool hooks$399Pit Boss 5-Burner753 sq. in.562,000Folding shelves/covers, clear controls$530Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone~600 sq. in.3 zonesNot specifiedCompartmentalized burners, fuel gaugePremiumBlackstone 28″ XL Omnivore524-616 sq. in.2-324,000Hinged hood, compact designLower than 36″Weber Slate 36-inch756 sq. in.448,000Pre-seasoned surface, digital display$1,049
Honorable Mention
While it didn’t quite make our top five, the Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Griddle ($392) deserves recognition as Good Housekeeping’s “Best Value” pick for 2025. It offers solid performance with 60,000 BTUs and 756 square inches of cooking space at a more accessible price point than many competitors. With features like a condiment caddy and towel rack, it provides excellent value for those on a tighter budget.
Griddle Maintenance and Care
Regardless of which griddle you choose, proper maintenance is essential for optimal performance and longevity:
Initial Seasoning: Most griddles (except the pre-seasoned Weber) require seasoning before first use. This typically involves applying a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil and heating the griddle to create a natural non-stick surface.
Regular Cleaning: Clean your griddle after each use while it’s still warm. Use a scraper to remove food residue, then wipe with a paper towel or cloth. Avoid soap and water on the cooking surface as this can remove seasoning.
Rust Prevention: Always ensure your griddle is completely dry before storing, and apply a light coat of oil after cleaning. Use a cover when the griddle is not in use, especially if stored outdoors.
Grease Management: Regularly empty and clean the grease trap to prevent overflow and potential fire hazards.
Seasonal Maintenance: At the beginning and end of each grilling season, perform a deep clean and re-seasoning to keep your griddle in optimal condition.
Conclusion: The Best Outdoor Griddles For Your Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor griddles have revolutionized backyard cooking, offering versatility and performance that traditional grills can’t match. Whether you’re flipping pancakes for a weekend breakfast, searing perfect smash burgers, or preparing a hibachi-style dinner for friends, the right griddle can transform your outdoor kitchen into a culinary powerhouse.
Our top pick, the Blackstone 36″ Omnivore Griddle, offers the best combination of performance, features, and value for most outdoor cooks. However, each of our selected griddles excels in different areas, from the raw power of the Pit Boss to the innovative design of the Traeger Flatrock and the convenience features of the Weber Slate.
When selecting the best griddle for your outdoor kitchen, consider your specific needs, available space, and budget. With proper care and maintenance, any of these top-rated griddles will provide years of enjoyable outdoor cooking experiences and delicious meals for family and friends.
Happy griddle cooking!
