Outdoor Griddles

Outdoor Griddles for Every Patio

A flat top opens up cooking a grate never could — smash burgers, fried rice, breakfast for a crowd, teppanyaki at home — and the right format depends on your space, fuel, and budget. Here's how the four styles compare.

Built-In & Drop-In Gas Griddles

The centerpiece option for outdoor kitchens: a dedicated griddle built into your island alongside the grill. Blaze, Le Griddle, Summerset, Alfresco, Fire Magic, and TrueFlame all make built-in gas griddles with thick stainless plates that hold rock-steady heat across the whole surface — read our Blaze vs Summerset vs Le Griddle comparison to pick between the big three.

Freestanding Carts & Stand-Up Griddles

Want flat top cooking without building it in? Freestanding griddles and stand-up griddle carts roll anywhere on the patio, with folding side shelves and propane tank storage built in — the same heavy stainless cooktop, no installation.

Electric & Tabletop Griddles

No gas line? No problem. Outdoor electric griddles from Le Griddle and Blackstone run on a standard 120V outlet — ideal for covered patios, balconies, and condos where open flame is restricted. The compact Le Griddle Wee even works as a tabletop griddle for small spaces.

Drop-In Griddle Inserts & Plates for Gas Grills

The fastest, most affordable path to a flat top: a drop-in griddle insert sits directly on your existing grill grates, converting half or all of your gas grill into a griddle top in seconds — then lifts off when you want open-flame grilling again. Sized for Blaze, Fire Magic, Napoleon, Coyote, and most major grill brands.

Rust-Resistant Griddles: Stainless vs Cold-Rolled Steel

Most consumer flat tops use cold-rolled steel that starts rusting the moment its seasoning wears thin — a constant battle in outdoor humidity. The rust-resistant griddle plates on Le Griddle, Blaze, and Summerset units are 304 stainless steel: they shrug off weather, skip the obsessive re-seasoning routine, and still build the nonstick patina flat top cooks want. Add a cover from our griddle accessories and the surface stays pristine year-round.

Luxury Griddles vs Blackstone, Weber & Camp Chef

Blackstone, Weber, Camp Chef, and Pit Boss make capable consumer flat top grills — and for tailgates and first griddles, they're a fine start (we even carry Blackstone griddles for exactly that). The difference in this collection is construction grade: 304 stainless bodies and plates instead of painted cold-rolled steel, thicker plates for steadier heat, permanent installation into outdoor kitchens, and warranties measured in decades, not seasons. If a Blackstone is the daily driver, these are the ones you build a patio around — and the cooking surface never becomes a rust project.

Outdoor Griddle FAQ

What is the best outdoor griddle?
For built-in outdoor kitchens, the Le Griddle Grand Texan and Blaze 30-inch lead on plate thickness and BBQ-grade heat control. For upgrading an existing grill, a stainless griddle insert delivers most of the flat-top grill experience for a fraction of the price.

Is a gas or electric outdoor griddle better?
Gas heats faster and sears harder — choose a propane griddle for portability or natural gas for endless fuel. Electric wins where gas can't go: covered patios, balconies, and anywhere without a gas line. Every model we carry is outdoor-rated.

Can I turn my gas grill into a griddle?
Yes — a drop-in griddle plate sits right on your existing grates. Measure your grill's cooking surface, match the insert size, and you're flat top cooking in seconds with no installation.

Do stainless steel griddles need seasoning?
Less than cold-rolled steel. A light oil seasoning improves food release on the cooktop, but stainless won't rust if you skip a week — which is exactly why it's the right material outdoors.