There’s something magical about grub prepared and savored in the great outdoors – whether it’s sizzling over an open flame, on a charcoal grill, or a trusty propane camp stove with a top-end griddle.
Videos by Outdoors
But sometimes when you’re camping, the cooking part can feel like a bit of a mission, but griddles are great for cooking eggs, bacon, steak, or frying vegetables. Enter the game-changer: the best camping portable griddle.
With so many options out there, it can be hard to tell which portable camping griddle reigns supreme. Well, like any outdoor gear, it depends on your camping style.
If you’re into car camping, RV adventures, or glamping, we’ve got the lowdown on the best portable griddles for your kind of outdoor adventures.
If you’re in the market for a new camp griddle, we recommend the Camp Chef Reversible Pre-Seasoned Griddle, due to it’s compact size and because it’s pre-seasoned.
This post contains affiliate links. Outdoors.com may earn a commission when you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for your support.
Our Picks for the Best Portable Griddle for Camping
- Best Overall – Camp Chef Reversible Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
- Best Table Top Set Up – Blackstone 17-22″ Table Top Griddle
- Best Non-Stick – GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle
- Best Electric Option – Presto Electric Griddle 22 In.
- Best for Small Camping Groups – Lodge 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Griddle
Best Overall – Camp Chef Reversible Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
This griddle is awesome because it’s easy to pack, small, and gives you options when you’re camping and cooking outside. This camping griddle comes in two sizes, so you can expand your cooking surface from one burner to two or easily use it over a fire.
This reversible griddle is easily more useful than just a griddle standalone. It’s cast iron and comes with a pre-seasoned finish, so you can use it right away. You’ll probably want to keep seasoning it after each use, but this cast iron griddle is perfect for both frying bacon and grilling burgers.
The flat top design allows you to have the perfect breakfast set up to cook pancakes, and then flip it over for the griddle to make steaks at night.
It’s cast iron, so it holds its temperature well and maintains a hot surface with even heat distribution for frying and cooking, and has two handles for easy carrying.
Why we love it: the reversible feature makes it more versatile than just a cast iron grill or griddle.
Things we’d change: it doesn’t have a heating feature, so you will still need a stove or fire to grill.
Best Table Top Set Up – Blackstone 17-22″ Table Top Griddle
If you’re gearing up for a pancake extravaganza or planning to whip up some cheesesteaks on your next camping escapade, the Blackstone Tabletop Gas Griddle has got your back!
There are many different models of gas griddles, so you can choose your dimensions, 17 in for more compact cooking or 22 in for the largest cooking surface. This stainless steel griddle is amazing, no matter the size.
The Blackstone 1666 Griddle is our pick due to its lower cost, with the double burner and extra power, but the 17 in or 22 in griddles are just as great but have a higher price point because they are newer models. Fueled by propane, this gas griddle is ready to handle a feast in just a few seconds.
The two-burner system with independent controls lets you cook different foods simultaneously at varying temperatures, thanks to the “H” style burners ensuring optimal heat distribution.
This tabletop griddle is a breeze to transport, making it an excellent choice for camping, picnics, and tailgating. Plus, built-in igniters and a grease management system make setup, cooking, and cleanup super easy.
Why we love it: it’s so fast and easy to use. Set up in five minutes and you’re ready to cook.
Things we’d change: it’s very heavy, so it’s best for car camping with lots of space, and users found low temperatures are still very hot.
Best Non-Stick – GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle
The GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle combines stainless and aluminum materials with a Teflon non-stick surface, making it a lightweight and easy-to-use griddle for cooking while camping. It has a metal utensil-friendly design, an easy-to-clean surface, and heats up quickly.
Weighing barely anything, the GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle impressively covers two propane burners and is 18.6 in x 10.9 in. The user-friendly features include large carry handles for easy movement, transitioning from the stove to the table, even when hot.
It has deep sides for grease retention for easy cleanup.
Laser-etched pockets filled with Teflon coating create a non-stick surface, while the grid construction allows the use of standard metal spatulas without damaging the Teflon coating – a major bonus.
The GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle stands out as an easy-to-use stainless steel griddle for crowd-pleasing camp cooking with hassle-free cleanup and is a great addition to your camp kitchen.
Why we love it: incredibly light, and easy to store, and simple to clean up.
Things we’d change: a tendency to warp slightly during cooling and may compromise its flatness over time.
Best Electric Option – Presto Electric Griddle 22 in
To ensure we’ve got every angle covered, let’s not forget this compact design electric griddle. When it comes to electric grills, this one takes the cake for an RV camper.
Boasting a premium nonstick ceramic surface and a slide-out drip tray for effortless cleanup, it’s a practical and portable choice for RV camping.
The Presto 22-inch Electric Griddle offers stick-free cooking and effortless cleaning with the ceramic nonstick surface and convenient removable handles ensure easy cleaning and compact storage in your RV or car, fitting neatly into 18 in spaces without the need for tools.
Crafted from a virtually warp-proof aluminum base, this appliance features Control Master® heat control for automatic temperature maintenance for even heat distribution.
Setting up is a breeze, and with a generous large cooking surface, you can easily whip up a family-sized feast with enough food for everyone without firing up the grill. Compact at 18 inches, it’s versatile enough for use inside your RV or outdoors.
The only drawback, of course, is its reliance on an electrical connection, but if you are camping near an electrical outlet or camp in an RV, then it’s the perfect choice.
Why we love it: incredibly light, and easy to store in your RV, and simple to clean up thanks to the detachable handles.
Things we’d change: it needs an electrical outlet and it doesn’t get as hot as gas griddles.
Best for Small Camping Groups – Lodge 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Griddle
The 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Griddle stands out with its thoughtful design, featuring slightly raised edges that effectively contain oil, batter, and other ingredients during cooking. Its easy-grip handle not only provides better control during use but also facilitates convenient hanging storage, optimizing storage space.
This griddle excels in heat distribution and retention, ensuring consistent and even cooking results every time. As an added convenience, it comes seasoned and ready to use, eliminating the need for initial seasoning and making it a hassle-free addition to your camping packing list.
Since this griddle is already seasoned, it enhances its non-stick properties and contributes to its overall durability. It retains heat well and cooks evenly, making it a great portable griddle suitable for frying breakfast, bacon, burgers, and other food.
Whether you prefer using it in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, or even over a campfire, this griddle can handle it all. It goes beyond basic cooking tasks, allowing you to achieve a restaurant-quality sear or use it for searing, sautéing, baking, broiling, and grilling.
Emphasizing its commitment to quality, this Cast Iron Griddle is proudly made in the USA, adhering to the high standards set by the brand. Importantly, it is made without PFOA or PTFE, contributing to a healthier cooking experience.
For those seeking a reliable, versatile, and American-made cast iron griddle, the 10.5 Inch Cast Iron Griddle with its impressive features and craftsmanship stands as a standout choice.
Why we love it: it’s cheaper and easy to pack.
Things we’d change: it only covers one burner and is heavier than aluminum or steel options.
What to Look for in Camping Griddles
There are two types of camping griddles across basic categories, griddles that are for placing over the fire or stove, or griddles that include their own power source, like an electrical griddle or a propane gas griddle.
The many types of griddles are also separated by their material stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic, and aluminum. Each is defined by the qualities of the material, from light to heavy, from easy to clean to requiring a bit more effort, like with cast iron.
Your specific camping setup with determine which one is best for you, including whether you have the space to pack a larger propane gas griddle or will have access to electricity. You may not want to use a griddle all the time, in which case picking a standalone griddle is a better option.
Features You Should Look for
Griddle Sizes
When choosing a griddle, one of the key features to consider is its size. Ensure the cooking surface dimensions align with your intended use, accommodating the amount of food you plan to prepare. If you don’t want to use two griddles, you’ll need a griddle that can cover two burners.
A larger griddle size is ideal for cooking for larger groups or when preparing multiple dishes for lunch or dinner.
On the other hand, more compact size is suitable for couples or solo camping because they’re easy to store and travel with. It’s best to tailor your cooking surface size based on your needs and the number of people you typically cook for.
Weight
Some griddles, especially cast iron griddles, are very heavy. If that’s a major concern for you, the cooks in your family may want something of a more compact size.
Cleaning
Great griddles are easy to clean. The griddles we’ve listed above, all have easy-to-clean features, like the Presto and its accompanying dip tray. The last thing you want to do on your camping trip is spend hours cleaning up a messy stove and griddle.
Material
Griddles are commonly crafted from materials such as cast iron, carbon steel, and stainless steel, each with its unique advantages and drawbacks. Cast iron, although heavy, offers exceptional durability and even heating, requiring diligent maintenance to retain its non-stick properties.
Griddles with a nonstick surface are easier to clean and also promise efficient and healthier cooking without having to add a lot of grease and oil to the griddle. They also tend to be lighter and more compact, making them easier to pack for your camping trip.
On the other hand, carbon steel shares similar characteristics with cast iron but is lighter, although it is more susceptible to warping with extreme temperature changes and prone to rust.
Stainless steel, while less prone to rust, can result in food sticking unless treated with a non-stick surface. However, the longevity of non-stick surfaces, such as the Teflon on the GSI Outdoors Gourmet Griddle, may diminish over time due to flaking.
Brands We Trust
When it comes to portable camping griddles, several brands have earned our trust for their reliability and performance, and we’ve chosen the best camping griddles among many griddle brands.
If you want to pick out your own griddle, Blackstone stands out for its durable and versatile tabletop griddles, offering compact solutions ideal for various outdoor activities.
Brands like Coleman, Camp Chef, Lodge, and Royal Gourmet offer versatile griddles for your camping trip. These trusted brands have consistently delivered quality and innovation, making them go-to choices for those seeking reliable portable versatile camping griddles.
Portable Camping Griddles Q&A
Do all griddles need to be seasoned?
Not all griddles need to be seasoned but cast iron griddles do. It’s always best to clean grease off of your griddle regardless of whether it’s cast iron to preserve the life of the skillet.
Is an outdoor griddle worth it?
The primary motivation for investing in a griddle top for a camping trip is its versatility and speed for cooking. Griddles have a larger cooking space. The expansive, flat surface enables you to create a variety of dishes beyond a conventional camp stove. Imagine whipping up pancakes, eggs, grilling chicken, sausages, juicy steak, and much more in just a few minutes.
Why griddles are better than grills?
Griddles are better than grills because they have more versatility and are efficient. You can cook burgers as well as eggs on a griddle due to their flat surface. They make lunch or dinner while camping a breeze.
