Why cook on an outdoor griddle
An outdoor griddle gives you a solid stainless steel cooking surface instead of grates, and that changes what you can cook outside. Smash burgers get edge to edge crust, breakfast for a full house happens in one pass of eggs, bacon and pancakes, and diced vegetables, shrimp and rice stay on the plate instead of falling through. A flat top grill also holds steady heat across a wide area, so you can feed a crowd without working in small batches. Most cooks end up using a griddle alongside a grill rather than instead of one.
Built-in, countertop or freestanding cart
A built-in griddle drops into an island cutout and sits flush with the counter, which is the option to plan for while an outdoor kitchen is still being built. Many of the same units, including the Le Griddle Wee, Original and Ultimate, also work as countertop models that sit on a finished counter with no cutout required. Freestanding versions pair the same plate with a rolling cart, so the griddle can move or be stored out of season. Blaze, Bull, Wildfire and Halo all offer cart versions, and Coyote builds a 30-inch freestanding griddle grill. Check the manufacturer cutout dimensions before framing an island, and browse the built-in griddles collection for the drop-in models. Lids matter too: several griddles here ship with a lift-assist hood that turns the plate into a covered cooking surface and protects it between cooks.
Gas or electric
Most outdoor griddles run on gas. A natural gas model plumbs into a household line and never needs a refill, while a propane griddle runs off a tank, which is the easier route when there is no gas line where the griddle will sit. Le Griddle is unusual in offering the same plate sizes in both gas and an 1800W electric version, and electric is worth a look for balconies, condo patios and anywhere an open flame or a tank is not practical. Confirm which fuel a listing is configured for before ordering, since conversion is not always available.
What size griddle do you need
As general guidance, a 16-inch griddle suits one or two people and fits where counter space is tight. A 30-inch plate is the common family size and the one most brands here build, including Alfresco, Blaze, Bull, Summerset, TrueFlame and Broilmaster. Step up to 41 inches or wider when you regularly cook for a group and want separate temperature zones running at once. Burner count usually tracks width, so a larger griddle also gives you more control over the hot and cool areas of the surface.
Shop outdoor griddles by brand
Browsing by brand is the fastest way to narrow this down, especially when you are matching an existing outdoor kitchen. Le Griddle covers the widest range in this collection, from the 16-inch Wee to the Ranch Hand and the 41-inch Ultimate, in gas and electric. Halo builds the freestanding Elite series along with a countertop Elite1B. For built-in gas plates, see Alfresco gas griddles, Blaze gas griddles and Twin Eagles gas griddles, and for teppanyaki style plates look at Delta Heat. Bull, Wildfire, Coyote, Fire Magic and TrueFlame are represented in this collection as well.
Griddle plate care and what to pair it with
A stainless steel griddle plate lasts longest when it is seasoned and kept dry. Scrape the plate down while it is still warm, wipe a thin coat of high smoke point oil across it, and keep a cover on it between cooks. We stock fitted grill covers for the brands we carry, along with scrapers, spatulas and replacement parts in Le Griddle accessories. If the griddle is going into a new build, plan the surrounding cabinetry, refrigeration and storage at the same time in outdoor kitchens and more.
Capital Grills is an authorized dealer for every griddle brand on this page, with full manufacturer warranty support and free shipping on orders over $75. Call 1 (866) 850-3450 if you would like help matching a griddle to your cutout, your fuel type or the grill you already own.
