When we’re camping, having some of our creature comforts is always worth an extra couple of pieces of gear. This is most true when it comes to cooking while we’re camping.
Having a camping griddle allows you to cook a wide variety of foods, such as burgers, steaks, grilled vegetables, pancakes, and bacon, all with just one additional piece of gear.
Some of my fondest childhood memories of camping are waking up to hot pancakes cooked over a camping griddle.
My top recommendation for the best camping griddle is the Lodge Reversible Griddle/Grill. It has a load of features and will work for a variety of different camping conditions. And it cooks equally well over a camp stove or a campfire.
I reviewed the camping griddle models on the market today to find which are the best for your next camping trip!
Look below for a review of my top 5 camping griddle picks.
Best Camping Griddle
- Lodge Reversible Griddle/Grill – Overall Best Camping Griddle
- Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle – Best Camping Griddle Over Fire
- Coghlan’s Two Burner Non-Stick Camp Griddle – Best Basic Camping Griddle
- Blackstone Tabletop Griddle-1666 – Best All-In-One Camping Griddle
- Camp Chef Reversible Cast Iron Griddle – Runner-up Reversible Griddle
Reviews of the Best Camping Griddle Models
There are a lot of camping griddle models on the market with a variety of different features to choose from. Here are my top 5 choices of camping griddle that cover every budget and camper.
Lodge Reversible Griddle/Grill
The Lodge LDP3 Reversible Grill/Griddle is a versatile camping cast iron griddle that is also a great griddle for camping stove users.
This grill/griddle combination offers two cooking surfaces in one, allowing you to switch between grilling and griddle cooking with ease.
The camping griddle is quite heavy, weighing 9 lbs 2 oz. But it has a good surface area (16.75 inch x 9.5 inch) cooking surface to cook your favorite camping meals.
Key features of the camping griddle are its:
- Reversible Design: The griddle features a reversible design, with a smooth griddle surface on one side and a ribbed grill surface on the other. This provides flexibility in cooking various types of food, from pancakes and eggs to burgers and grilled vegetables.
- Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron: The griddle is made from high-quality cast iron and comes pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, ensuring a non-stick surface and excellent heat retention.
- Even Heat Distribution: The cast iron construction ensures even heat distribution, resulting in consistent cooking results.
When camping, I always look for items that can serve multiple rolls to reduce the number of objects you need to pack. That’s why I love the Lodge LDP3 Reversible Grill/Griddle because it gives you both a griddle and a grill in the same cooking device!
Reviewers noted that it fits perfectly on a standard sized camping stove, and because it’s made of cast iron, it doesn’t warp when heated like some lower quality camping griddles.
However, some reviewers have noted that the size of the griddle is a little small for larger groups, so you might need to consider a bigger model (such the Lodge Pro Reversible Grill/Griddle) if you’re camping with more than a couple of people.
Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle
Lodge has built a reputation as the best cast iron cookware for campers and home chefs alike. When you buy cookware from Lodge, you know you are going to get a quality item that will last for decades if properly cared for.
The Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle is a versatile piece of cookware for camping. It has 10.5 inch diameter, making it a great option for cooking skillet pizzas when camping, or any other foods that require a skillet or griddle such as pancakes and bacon.
Key features of the camping griddle are its:
- Cast iron construction: Constructed with rugged cast iron, the camping griddle will last for years and is resilient to the standard wear-and-tear associated with camping.
- Pre-seasoned surface: The griddle comes pre-seasoned with natural vegetable oil, making it ready for immediate use and ensuring a non-stick surface
- Versatility of heat source: Because of its cast iron construction, it is rugged enough to cook over a camp stove or campfire.
- Even heat distribution: Cast iron cookware is well-known for its even heat distribution leading to optimal cooking of a variety of foods.
People love how easy it is to clean (even when camping) with its pre-seasoned surface. They also enjoy the variety of foods that can be cooked on this griddle. Many have noted that their Lodge Cast Iron Round Griddle have lasted for years and they know they have many more years of use ahead of them.
The main downside noted by reviewers is the weight of the griddle (4.5 lbs). But that is to be expected for a piece of camping cookware made of cast iron and is lighter than other cast iron models on my list.
Coghlan’s Two Burner Non-Stick Camp Griddle
The Coghlan Two Burner Non-Stick Camp Griddle is a versatile outdoor cooking accessory designed to enhance your camping experience.
Measuring 16.5 x 10 inches, this griddle offers ample space to cook most meals for your camping group.
Key features of the camping griddle are its:
- Non-stick surface: Makes cleaning during camping a breeze
- Two-burner compatibility: Easily fits two burner camp stoves for simple cooking
- Even heat distribution: Great for being able to utilize the entire cooking surface
- Lightweight: Weighing just 1.8 lbs, it is lighter than many other models
Owners have noted how great the non-stick surface is and how it makes clean-up a breeze while camping. They also note that the even heat distribution allows food to be perfectly cooked every time.
Some have noted that the camping griddle could be improved if it included handles as it can be a bit tricky to remove the griddle from the stove without getting burned.
Blackstone Tabletop Griddle-1666
If you know that you’re going to be slinging up a ton of pancakes, or making cheesesteaks on your next camping trip, then the Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle is probably the right choice for you!
With a cooking surface of 19 x 22 inches, and 24,000 BTUs of propane-fueled heat, you’ll have no trouble cooking up a feast for your camping party. But this device is definitely not for a lightweight camper, weighing in at 32 lbs.
Key features of the camping griddle are its:
- Portable Design: The tabletop griddle is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport and ideal for camping, picnics, tailgating, and other outdoor activities.
- Two-Burner System: With two independently controlled burners you can cook different foods simultaneously at different temperatures. The “H” style burners ensure optimal heat distribution and even cooking.
- Built-in igniters: Two built-in igniters allow you to independently light each side of the camping griddle.
- Grease Management System: It features a built-in grease channel and a grease cup, allowing for easy cleanup and reducing the risk of flare-ups.
Owners love how quickly the Blackstone 1666 Tabletop Griddle heats up and how easy it is setup and clean.
Although some have noted that the camping griddle is a little challenging to obtain a low temperature on the griddle for cooking more delicate foods.
Camp Chef Reversible Cast Iron Griddle
The Camp Chef Reversible Cast Iron Griddle is another reversible griddle that gives you two different cooking surfaces for the price of one. This is always a great feature when camping as it helps reduce the number of items you need to pack to be fully-outfitted!
With a 17 x 15 inch cooking surface, it provides good space for cooking a nice meal for your family or friends while camping. It fits standard-sized camping stoves so no need to go buy a specific stove to cook with it.
And because it’s made of cast iron, you know it’s suitable for cooking directly over a campfire.
Weighing 10 lbs, it’s probably not the best option for those looking to pack lightly.
Key features of the camping griddle are its:
- Reversible Design: The griddle features a reversible design, with a flat griddle surface on one side and a ridged grill surface on the other. This provides flexibility in cooking various types of food, from pancakes and eggs to burgers and steaks.
- Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron: The griddle is made from high-quality cast iron and comes pre-seasoned, ensuring a non-stick surface and excellent heat retention.
- Dual Handles: The griddle is equipped with dual handles for easy handling and transportation. The handles also provide a safe grip while cooking.
Reviewers have noted that it has a large cooking surface great for entertaining.
But others have noted that they wish it had a better way of managing grease that is common when cooking on a camping griddle.
Guide to Buying the Best Camping Griddle
As with many items for camping, there are an overwhelming number of camping griddles to consider. It can be difficult to sort through all different options to determine what best fits your needs.
Below are some of the key considerations you should be aware of when deciding what camping griddle is right for you.
Size
There are a variety of sizes of camping griddles on the market. While the majority of camping griddles are designed to fit over a standard-sized camp stove, there are others that can be larger or smaller.
You’ll want to make sure the griddle will fit your stove. Also, certain stoves have specific-sized cook surfaces that might not accommodate standard-sized griddles. So make sure any potential griddle you buy will fit your stove.
It’s also important to consider first, how many people you’re likely to be cooking for on your camping trips. If it’s just you and a partner, you can likely get away with a smaller camping griddle. However, if you’re planning on cooking for an entire cub scout troop, you probably need a camping griddle on the larger end of the size spectrum.
Weight
Nobody likes carrying heavy items, especially if they are not necessary. Consider what type of camping you’ll be doing. If you’re most likely to camp out of your car, then weight is not really an issue.
However, if you’re planning on using your camping griddle on rafting trips or other activities where there might be weight restrictions, having a heavy camping cast iron griddle is probably not the best option. In that case, you might want to opt for a lighter-weight aluminum or stainless steel griddle.
Material
Camping griddles are manufactured with a number of different types of metals. And each type of metal have their own pros and cons.
For example, if you plan on using your camping griddle over fire, then you want a material, like cast iron, that can withstand the harsh heat of a campfire. Placing an aluminum camping griddle over a campfire could lead to warping and reduce the life of your griddle.
Camping griddles are typically manufactured with one of the three materials listed below.
Cast Iron: Cast iron is a popular material for camping griddles due to its exceptional heat retention and even heat distribution. It provides consistent cooking results and can withstand high temperatures. Cast iron griddles require seasoning to maintain a non-stick surface and prevent rusting, but this is easy as long as you do it consistently. Griddles made of cast iron are ideal for cooking over a campfire.
Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is a durable and corrosion-resistant material commonly used in camping griddles. It offers good heat conductivity and is relatively lightweight compared to cast iron. Stainless steel griddles are easy to clean and maintain, making them a popular choice among campers.
Aluminum: Aluminum is a lightweight material that heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly. Aluminum griddles are easy to carry and suitable for lightweight camping trips. They often feature non-stick coatings for convenient cooking and cleaning. But, they are more prone to warping by campfires so are probably best for cooking over a camping stove.
Camping Griddle Accessories
Cooking with a camping griddle can produce some truly great meals outdoors. Preparing a hearty breakfast before a long day of outdoor recreation, or delicious burgers at the end of the day make it so you no longer need to “rough it” while camping.
But, certain additional accessories can make your camping griddle even more functional and enjoyable. Consider the following accessories if you’re in the market for a camping griddle.
Griddle Turner
If you’re cooking over a griddle, you need a good utensil to flip and move your food on the cooking surface. The OXO Outdoor Camp Stove Griddle Turner is great for this task!
Heat-Resistant Gloves
Cooking with a camping griddle is going to require you to touch hot surfaces when removing the griddle from the stove or fire. I recommend heat-resistant gloves for this task. They are also a helpful tool while camping when dealing with campfires or other cooking-related tasks.
Camping Stove
While you can use some models of camping griddle over a campfire, often it’s just easier to cook over a camp stove. The Eureka Ignite Plus 2-Burner Camp Stove is a highly-rated option for you to consider.
Recommendation
After reviewing the camping griddle models on the market today, I recommend the Lodge LDP3 Reversible Grill/Griddle as the best overall camping griddle for your next trip.
It just has a ton of features that will make any camping trip more comfortable. And with the reversible design, you can grill steaks and flip flapjacks with ease. It’s also great over a camping stove or a campfire!
Obviously this won’t be the best fit for every type of camper, so be sure to consider what factors are most important to you when deciding the best camping griddle for your style of camping.
Looking for other camping cooking gear? Check out our other camping cooking gear reviews.
