This Outdoor Griddle Is My New Favorite Cooking Appliance

As an avid hiker and paddleboarder, I love to spend as much time as possible outside. That goes for cooking as well. My outdoor kitchen setup is my most prized space, with the option to cook homemade pizzas in a pizza oven, infuse flavor into meat and veggies on a smoker, and cook just about anything else over a flat-top outdoor griddle. Cooking outside eliminates a pile of dishes in the sink for me. It also eliminates the need to heat up the house by using the oven or stove on one of the many 90°F to 100°F days I get in Oregon. Not to mention, it’s that much more fun when I have groups of friends or family over for themed dinners.

As a former bakery owner and recipe developer, I’ve tested 11 different pizza oven models and other outdoor cooking equipment over many years, but the Traeger Flatrock Griddle was the outdoor cooking tool I didn’t realize I needed until I added it to my space. I cook on it almost every night for dinner and often use it for breakfast or to heat up lunch the next day. From pancakes to fried rice and tacos, there are so many go-to stovetop recipes I’ve turned into favorite outdoor griddle recipes instead.

My Favorite Outdoor Griddle

Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill

$900 $800 at Amazon $800 at Williams Sonoma View on Traeger.com

Traeger is known for its pellet grills, providing easy-to-use equipment for smoking meats, vegetables, and other foods since the 1980s. But with the popularity of outdoor griddle cooking rising, Traeger introduced its version, the Flatrock, in 2023. The big difference? Instead of being fueled by wood pellets like other Traeger grills, this griddle is fueled by gas. It hooks up to a propane tank just like a regular barbecue does, and it has a hook on the bottom right to hang the tank so it’s out of the way. That hook also doubles as a fuel sensor, giving you a read-out on the top panel so you always know how much fuel is left in the tank without needing to give it a shake. The Flatrock also requires electricity for the ignitor to work, or it can be powered by a battery.

Just by looking at the grill, you know it means business. At 74 inches wide, it’s constructed of the same powder-coated steel as other Traeger models, which is long-lasting in a variety of weather—including rain and snow. There are large folding tables on each side which provide plenty of space while cooking, along with wheels on all four legs so it can be moved to the perfect spot and locked in place. The large lid protects the griddle when not in use, and it easily lifts up right before you’re ready to light the grill.

The main highlight of the Traeger Flatrock is its giant carbon steel cooktop which heats up fast and retains that heat well for excellent flavor. It’s built almost like a tray, with handles on either side. There’s a 1-inch to 2.5-inch tapered lip all the way around, which is taller at the back. That design helps to keep food on the griddle while cooking and keeps wind out so the temperature isn’t affected. To ignite, all you have to do is open the propane tank to get gas flowing, turn the three large knobs on the front, then push the ignition button. It lights instantly and is preheated within minutes, reaching temperatures of 600°F with all burners on high.

One of the qualities I’ve found I love most is that I can cook a variety of different things all at once. There’s plenty of space to spread out, and the three u-shaped burners can be adjusted to different temperatures based on what you’re cooking. This is helpful when I’m searing a steak while cooking vegetables to go with it. I really put it to the test when I had a breakfast for dinner party with friends, loading up the griddle with bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and a potato hash, cooking everything at the same time.

As for cleanup? Even while cooking steak, sausages, burgers, and bacon, I’ve found the grease to be relatively minimal. The grease shoot is located on the bottom mid-left corner of the Flatrock, so debris and grease can easily be scooped toward it. While its location is convenient, it sometimes makes cooking large batches of smaller items a bit tricky since food occasionally falls down. Once anything goes through that shoot, it drops into the grease and ash keg, which is lined with an aluminum liner. I haven’t needed to empty or replace the liner yet, but when I do, it’s as simple as removing the keg from the bottom of the grill, tossing the liner in the garbage, and replacing it with a new one. I love that this griddle has a built-in lid to protect the cooktop, though a grill cover to further protect it from the elements is sold separately.

Other Outdoor Griddles to Consider

The Traeger Flatrock has become my new favorite outdoor cooking tool, but there are certainly other griddle options on the market. Your preferences may depend on size, functionality, and price. Here are a few other outdoor griddle models to consider.

Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill

$375 at Amazon $30 at Walmart $700 $450 at Dick's

It’s hard not to consider Blackstone when you think of outdoor griddles. This option comes in at a much lower price point but with a significantly different look and feel. The 36-inch gas-powered griddle is constructed of powder-coated steel with a cold-rolled steel cooktop. Each burner is regulated by an individual knob, so you can cook a large quantity of the same food across the entire griddle, or cook multiple items like fried eggs, pancakes, and bacon at different temperatures at the same time. The cooktop offers 769 square inches of cooking space across four burners, which means you could prepare more than 20 pancakes all at once if you really wanted to.

The steel cooktop is housed on four legs each with wheels for easy movement and has a shelf on either side for food prep. There’s also a shelf underneath for storage. For easy cleanup, the grease management system is located at the back. When it’s time to cover up the griddle and put it away, a hard top cover or a weather-resistant fabric cover is essential. However, those are both sold separately.

Blackstone Original 28-Inch Flat Top Griddle With Side Shelf

$250 at Amazon $19 at Walmart $250 at Wayfair

If you’re looking for a griddle at a lower price point, this option is an excellent fit. Typically, the smaller the griddle, the lower the cost. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get anything done on it. This gas-powered griddle still packs plenty of power at 34,000 BTUs. It has two individual burners across 28 inches or 524 square inches of cooking space, which is still enough room to cook 21 cheeseburgers all at once if you’re feeding a crowd. Those two burners also allow for one side to be on high for cooking while the other is on low to keep foods warm for serving.

Constructed from weather-resistant powder-coated steel, the griddle has a simplistic design with four legs but only two wheels. There’s one side shelf for prep, along with a storage shelf underneath the griddle. This is definitely a great option for those interested in griddle cooking but have a smaller outdoor space, or those interested in doing more cooking outside without breaking the bank.

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 900 Outdoor Griddle

$900 at Amazon $903 at Lowe's View on Publiclands.com

One of the top advantages of cooking on an outdoor griddle is the ability to feed a crowd. Certainly, a typical barbecue allows you to cook plenty of hot dogs for a party, but it doesn’t let you cook other recipes like pancakes, French toast, fried rice, and everything you'd cook on an electric griddle indoors quite as easily. With 877 square inches of cooking area, this flat top grill allows you to do just that—cook a variety of meals for a crowd across plenty of space. Another great use for all that cooking space? Get meal prep for the week done in one fell swoop.

The griddle is constructed from steel with two folding side shelves, along with two storage shelves underneath. There are six individual burners across the expansive cooking space, each adjustable to specific temperatures so you can cook a wide variety of foods at the same time. And as an added bonus? The griddle comes already pre-seasoned so all you have to do is turn on the gas, ignite, and start cooking. To keep the grill in tip-top shape, hard and soft covers are sold separately.  

Why Take Our Word For It?

Molly Allen is a former bakery owner turned freelance writer, recipe developer, and product reviewer with a passion for exploring the outdoors and baking and cooking at home. Her work can also be found in Taste of Home, Good Housekeeping, Southern Living, Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, and Simply Recipes.