One of the pleasures of camping is that food just seems to taste better when prepared and eaten outdoors. But getting that food cooked, whether over an open fire or on a charcoal grill or propane camp stove, can be a chore. A portable griddle, though, can make that work much easier.
But which portable griddle is the best? As with most outdoor gear, that will depend on the type of camping you do. Read on for our recommendations on the best portable griddle options for car camping, RV camping, and glamping.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Blackstone 1814 Propane Griddle
Best Budget Option
Amazon Basics Reversible Griddle/Grill
Best for RV Camping
Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Griddle
Best Overall
Blackstone 1814 Propane Griddle
Weighing in at less than 20 pounds, the Blackstone 1814 Propane Griddle is an ideal portable griddle for car camping, RV camping, and glamping. Its 268-square-inch cooking surface means that it is easily able to feed at least four people at any one time.
Putting that capacity into perspective, the Blackstone 1814 griddle can cook up to nine hamburgers, nine pancakes, or a dozen eggs at once. But capacity is just one reason the Blackstone 1814 has earned our recommendation as the best portable griddle.
Underneath the cooking surface is an “H”-style burner for even heating, so everything is properly cooked as it comes off the griddle. Plus, the griddle’s built-in igniter allows you to adjust its heat intensity from low to high.
Cleaning the cooking surface is as easy as swiping it with a paper towel. Also part of the Blackstone 1814 is a well-designed grease tray that also helps with clean-up.
Finally, the Blackstone 1814 can be operated with either the convenient 1-pound propane gas tank or through the standard 20-pound propane tank.
Pros
- In addition to camping, suitable for use at home
- Cooks food quickly
- Does equally well with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus
Cons
- Griddle heating may be too slow for some users
- Self-igniter may not operate correctly for some users
- Maybe a bit heavy for some users to consider portable
Best Budget Option
Amazon Basics Reversible Griddle/Grill
If you don’t want to invest in a propane- or electric-powered griddle, the Amazon Basics Reversible Griddle/Grill is your perfect portable griddle solution. Made of cast iron, the 20-inch long, 11-inch wide combination grill and griddle can sit atop your campfire, your barbecue grill, or your RV stove.
With a flat griddle surface on one side and a ribbed grilling surface on the other, this tool can handle everything from pancakes to hamburgers. And with a weight of less than a dozen pounds, it’s a no-brainer addition to your stock of camping gear.
Priced at just over $30, the Amazon Basics Reversible Griddle/Grill earns our recommendation as the best budget option for a portable griddle. That recommendation recognizes that this griddle grill is more than a bargain. It’s a great value.
Pros
- Does well with a variety of foods, from French toast to hamburgers
- Size allows for making large meals
- Can be heated to 400 degrees
Cons
- Pre-seasoning may not be adequate to keep food from sticking
- Could use a larger lip for grease collection
- May not cook as evenly as some users expect
Best for RV Camping
Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Griddle
The versatility of the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Electric Indoor Griddle makes it a great choice as a portable griddle for RV camping. With two separately-controlled heating areas and two reversible cooking surfaces, it can serve as both a griddle and a grill.
What that means is that different parts of the same meal can be cooked at the same time. Or, if the family or friends with whom you’re camping want different things, they can all be ready at the same time.
With a 180-square-inch combined cooking surface, this Hamilton Beach electric portable griddle can cook as many as eight servings at a time. And the non-stick cooking surfaces are removable, making for easy clean-up.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Great for situations with limited counter space
- Handles different types of food at same time
Cons
- Food sticking to cooking surface may be an issue for some users
- Dial markings may rub off
- All grease may not flow correctly into the grease container
Best for Car Camping
Royal Gourmet 24-Inch 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle
The propane-powered Royal Gourmet 24-Inch 3-Burner Tabletop Griddle is our choice for the best portable griddle for car camping. This griddle’s three burners cover a 312-square-inch cooking surface, enough to handle large meals for family and friends.
Designed for tabletop use, the Royal Gourmet requires no assembly when you and your family and friends arrive at your campsite. And this griddle’s durability means that you can use it throughout even the longest camping adventure.
Beyond all that, you need not limit yourself to using the Royal Gourmet for camping. It works equally well for tailgating at your can’t-miss sporting events and for backyard cookouts.
Pros
- Ceramic coating provides for easy clean-up
- Fits nearly a whole package of bacon
- Great for lengthy camping trips
Cons
- Grease trap is too small
- Heating may not be as even as some users would like
- Burner design not optimal for outdoor use
Best for Glamping
DASH Deluxe Everyday Electric Griddle
One of the reasons to go glamping is to have touches of luxury in the great outdoors. When it comes to preparing meals while glamping, the DASH Deluxe electric portable griddle is an excellent way to enhance your outdoor stay.
The nonstick cooking surface of the DASH griddle is perfect for handling everything from eggs to quesadillas to burgers. And its 200-square-inch cooking surface is more than ample for preparing meals for you and your group of glamping friends.
As a bonus, the DASH Deluxe comes with its own cookbook and links to online recipes perfect for our recommended portable griddle for glamping.
Pros
- Cooking surface is easy to clean
- Instructions are very easy to follow
- Makes perfect pancakes
Cons
- Heat distribution may be a problem for some users
- Cooking time may be too long for some users
- Handle can break
Best Portable Griddle Buyer’s Guide
Now that you’ve seen our recommendations for the best portable griddle for camping, it’s time for a detailed look at camping griddles. Read on for some guidance to help you choose the type of camping griddle that best suits your preferences.
Propane Griddles
While electric griddles are routinely designed for tabletop use, propane griddles come in a variety of cooktop sizes. That’s certainly an advantage over electric griddles, but it also means that you should be careful with your choice of propane griddle.
If you’re considering a propane griddle for camping, make sure to balance cooktop size with portability. It’s nice to have a massive cooking area, but that advantage diminishes if it is difficult to set up or move the griddle.
Another thing to remember about propane griddles is that they are designed primarily for outdoor use. You can use them indoors in glamping structures or cabins, but be sure the space is adequately ventilated.
Finally, you should be prepared to pay more for a propane portable griddle than an electric protable griddle.
Electric Griddles
If you’re looking at an electric portable griddle to add to your camping gear, you’ll be pleased with its portability in comparison with propane griddles. The tradeoff, though, will be that it takes longer to cook with an electric griddle.
Also, an electric griddle does not allow the same range of temperature control as a propane griddle. That means there are some things you could cook on a propane griddle that you won’t be able to manage on a propane griddle.
Additionally, you’re limited to using an electric griddle in camping areas that have electrical service.
On the plus side, however, is that electric griddles are easier to clean than propane griddles, requiring little more than wiping down with a damp cloth.
Campfire Griddles
Campfire griddles are square or rectangular plates that can be placed across a campfire, atop a propane- or electric-powered griddle, or even in an oven. They must be made of cast iron to be effective.
Your best bet will be to buy a cast-iron campfire griddle that has both a flat surface and a ribbed surface. The flat surface is for pancakes and other foods, while the ribbed surface is for hamburgers and other meats.
When using your campfire griddle with a propane or electric stove, be sure that it fits the burner pattern to be the most effective.
Best Portable Griddle Frequently Asked Questions
Even after our detailed look at the best portable griddle options, you probably have other questions about adding a griddle to your camping gear. Read on for answers to a few of the remaining questions you may have.
Which is better, a propane griddle or an electric griddle?
In terms of quick and even heating, a propane-fueled griddle is going to be your best choice. With electric-powered griddles, burner shape and location may mean some areas will heat to a higher or lower temperature than other areas.
However, if you’re looking for ease of use and convenience, an electric griddle is a perfectly reasonable choice. With an electric griddle, you won’t have to deal with carrying a propane tank, as long as your campsite has electrical access.
Additionally, electric griddles routinely will be more portable than propane griddles. But, the tradeoff is that electric griddles will routinely have smaller cooking areas than propane griddles. Practically speaking, that means it will take longer to feed a family-sized group of campers with an electric griddle.
In the end, your choice will depend on a number of factors. Things to consider include the number of people with whom you’ll regularly be camping and your comfort with using propane over electricity.
What are some tips for cooking with a campfire griddle?
Whether you’re cooking with a portable griddle atop a campfire, or using a stand-alone propane or electric griddle, remember to preheat the griddle before cooking.
And before you preheat your griddle, apply a thin coating of some cooking oil to keep your food from getting burned. But don’t worry about what kind of oil you use. Anything from basic cooking oil to fancy olive oil will work just fine.
While many griddles will come with attached preparation areas like fold-down metal trays, that won’t always be true. So, before you get started with your griddle, make sure you have a preparation area nearby to hold food, seasoning, and utensils.
What is the best way to clean a portable cast-iron griddle?
If you have a griddle with a cast-iron cooking surface, you’ll need to take special care in cleaning it after use. First, after you’ve finished cooking and while the griddle is still warm, clean off any food particles stuck on its surface. If some of the bits of food won’t readily come off, use a chainmail scrubber.
Next, wash the griddle with warm water and mild, non-abrasive dish soap. After rinsing and drying thoroughly, apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the griddle. Use paper towels to spread the oil across the griddle’s entire surface.
Heat the griddle until the oil starts to smoke. Wipe any excess oil from the surface, and after the griddle has completely cooled, store it in a cool, dry place.
Wrapping up the Best Portable Griddle
A portable griddle can add a lot to your camping experience, easily expanding your outdoor cooking possibilities. And now that you’ve learned about the portable griddle choices that can be used outdoors, you’re ready to choose your own.
As a reminder, our choice for the best overall portable griddle is the Blackstone 1814 Propane Griddle.
Beyond The Tent is a great resource for learning more about cooking and cooking gear outdoors. As just a few examples, check out our guide to camp cooking, suggestions for RV kitchen accessories, and a look at the best foldable tables.
- About the Author
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Jim Thompson grew up tent camping with his family, and was introduced to backpacking with the Boy Scouts. He attended a military college, where he was introduced to rappelling, an outdoor activity which he has not pursued.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia, and spent 35 years as a newspaper writer and editor before become a writer for Apple Pie Media.
Jim can be reached at jimt3rd@yahoo.com