Adding a griddle to your grilling setup can open a whole new world of outdoor cooking for you and your family. But there are so many on the market today, how do you find a good one? We looked at all of them, and I mean all of them.
We came up with the five grill griddle combos for everyone, from campers and tailgaters to backyard chefs. Dive in and see which one will be yours.
Here we go. Be sure to check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions and the factors you should consider after our reviews.
Best Grill Griddle Combos
1. Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Grill
This one is big and hot. Four long burners below the grate put out more heat than you’ll ever need.
You just put the griddle surface over the grate to make it a griddle. Take it off to go back to grilling. It’s really simple and easy enough for one person to do.
We think this is the outdoor grill and griddle combo for anyone looking for a nice unit for their yard. There are smaller ones available if you want one to take camping.
People love the even heat and the easy conversion from grill to griddle and vice versa. But come complain that this unit is not very portable. The casters make it easy to roll across hard surfaces, but it doesn’t fit well into cars. It’s also difficult to roll it across grass and gravel.
Features
- 584 sq in a cooking surface is big enough to cook for an entire family
- 48,000 BTUs generate a lot of heat
- Four burners for even heat
- A removable griddle top makes for an easy conversion
- Two foldable side shelves for convenience
Pros
- Lots of cooking space
- Impressive heat
- Easy to change from grilling to frying and searing
Cons
- Hard to roll across any surface but the hardest
2. Weber Q1200 Propane Grill
Here’s a BBQ grill and griddle combo that’s just as at home at a campsite as it is on a tailgate. It’s easy to fold up and pack for trips.
It uses those small propane cylinders, but you can get an adaptor to run it off of the larger exchangeable tanks.
You’ll have to buy the griddle for outdoor gas grill conversion. It’s a separate purchase, but it’s well worth it when you consider the versatility you’ll gain. The griddle is made of the same durable, non-stick porcelain-on-iron that the grate is made of.
Campers like that they can easily fit this grill in with their larger gear. Even backyard grillers find its small size to be a pro when it comes time for off-season storage.
There have been some people who wish that they could use larger 20-pound propane tanks. Maybe they’ve never heard of adaptors.
Features
- 189 sq in cooking space is good for camping and smaller get-togethers
- 8,500 BTU-per-hour cooks burgers to medium in about five minutes
- The single-burner design makes it easy to dial in the heat
- Electronic ignition is safe and quick
- Only 20” 40” and 25” high for portability and easy storage
- The porcelain-coated iron grill will last forever
- Uses one-pound disposable propane cylinders, so you never have to worry about refills
Pros
- Easily transportable and storable
- Very durable grate
- Uses disposable propane cylinders
Cons
- The small disposable cylinders can also be a drawback because they don’t last very long
3. Blackstone 1819 Griddle and Charcoal Combo
You don’t have to buy and maintain a separate charcoal grill and griddle anymore.
This grill converts almost effortlessly from grill to griddle. You just place the flat cooktop in place of the grate.
It’ll last for years, too. The frame is powder-coated steel, which won’t rust as long as the coating isn’t scratched up too badly. The grate and griddle are both made of cold-rolled steel. It won’t get dinged up too easily. Learn how to season steel to make it non-stick in the FAQs below.
Many people who bought this outdoor grill and griddle combo started out looking for just a regular charcoal grill. But they were pleasantly surprised when they found out that they could have all that charcoal flavor and a flat cooktop to boot.
Features
- About 1,000 sq in a cooking area is enough for big parties
- Uses charcoal for heat
- Cold-rolled steel griddle supplies even heat while cooking on the griddle
- A small side shelf and large bottom tray let you keep all of your utensils and spices within easy reach
Pros
- Combines the flavor of charcoal with the versatility of a griddle
- Plenty of storage space for cooking essentials
- Pretty easy to roll around
- No propane needed
Cons
- It’s a little hard to clean, considering all the angles, nooks, and crannies
4. Camp Chef Versatop Portable Grill And Griddle Combo
It’s hard to find a gas grill and flat top combo that is as versatile as this.
You can remove the grilling grate and drop the griddle in place quickly enough. That makes it a flat-top cooker. But it doesn’t end there. There are many accessories available that make this a complete outdoor kitchen.
One of our favorites is the BBQ box, but we’re also quite fond of the artisan oven. You can grill, sear, fry, bake, and barbeque with this cool little grill.
The accessories are all the rage. Many who ended up buying this one are looking for an all-in-one cooking option for camping and backyard affairs. Everyone seems very pleased with this top-rated grill.
Features
- About 350 sq of cooking space will handle around a dozen burgers at a time
- The 15,000 BTU burner is great for grilling and can sear juices into steaks quickly
- Compatible with the full line of Camp Chef 14” accessories
- Legs are easy to level, which is great for tailgating and camping
Pros
- Supreme versatility
- Uses disposable one-pound propane cylinders
- Small enough to be easy to transport, but designed to make the most out of the available cooking space
Cons
- The accessories, which are separate purchases, are rather expensive
5. Camp Chef Flap Top Grill
This combo heats very evenly, thanks to its four full-length burners. This means that there aren’t any hot spots.
You can grill full meals on it. It’s an easy and quick matter to go from grilling burgers or brats to frying eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. It takes about 30 seconds to place or remove the flat griddle top.
People who were looking for a nice-sized, durable gas grill with a removable griddle were glad to find this sweet combo. Those who wanted an easily transportable grill were happy to make another choice. This isn’t a camping grill, but it works great for backyard gatherings.
Features
- 500 sq in grilling surface is plenty of room for family barbeques – 600 sq in of griddle is nice for making a big breakfast for everyone
- Four burners with a total of 12,000 BTUs are great for all types of cooking
- Two big folding shelves keep everything you need while cooking right there where you need it
- Pre-seasoned finish for non-stick grilling and griddling right out of the box
Pros
- Good size for bigger events
- Well-seasoned at the factory
- Converts easily
Cons
- We feel like the price is a bit high for what you get
Factors To Consider
Knowing what you need is key to getting what you want. Think about these things to make the right choice for your next combination grill and griddle.
Size
Check out the dimensions. If you want a combo for camping, you want something that’s going to fit into your vehicle.
But you also need a grill that’s big enough to handle all the cooking you’re going to need to do on it.
As a general rule, each burger needs about 36 sq. in. of grill space. For cooking breakfast on a griddle, 400 sq. in. is enough room to make a good morning meal for four. That includes bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns.
BTUs
This is the measure of heat that a grill generates. The higher the number, the hotter the grill. Smaller grills for camping and tailgating generally hover in the 1,200 BTU range. That’ll cook hot dogs and burgers through in less than 15 minutes.
Larger grills can have 40,000 BTUs or more. They need it for the larger cooking area. A 40,000 BTU grill would be great for grilling for a big party.
Propane Tank Size
Portable grills are usually made of one-pound cylinders. But they don’t last long. On the other hand, these small cylinders take up much less space.
That makes them good for camping and tailgating. They’re also disposable, which saves you from the hassle of having them refilled.
Larger grills require at least 20-pound tanks. They need the extra capacity to put out all those BTUs for cooking big meals.
You can get an adaptor that allows you to refill disposable cylinders from large tanks. That gives you the best of both worlds.
Do yourself a favor if you get a grill that takes one-pound cylinders: Always keep an extra one on hand. You’ll probably need one.
Gas and Griddle Combo FAQs
What Type Of Cooking Surface Do I Need?It depends. Porcelain-covered steel grates and griddles are non-stick and never have to be seasoned. But they can get chipped if you’re not careful. There are several kinds of steel grates and griddles. They all work about the same. Cold-rolled steel is durable, but carbon steel should last forever. Any kind other than the more expensive porcelain-coated steel will have to be seasoned occasionally to keep the non-stick.
How Do I Season A Cooktop?Both grills and griddles need to be seasoned once in a while unless you get the porcelain kind. It’s not hard. Start with a clean top or grate. Coat it with cooking oil. Make sure you get everything covered evenly. Now gently heat it. This makes the oil soak into all the millions of microscopic pores in the metal. Keep the heat on low for a couple of hours. If your grill has a lid, keep it closed during the seasoning process.
Can I Hook A Gas And Griddle Combo Up To My RV?Any combo can be hooked up to your RV’s kitchen gas line. Then you can use it to cook inside. Some RVs even have an outdoor hose for cooking outside. Grills that use 20-pound or larger tanks may hook right up. Otherwise, you’ll need an adaptor. You can get them at home improvement stores. But we recommend going to an RV dealership. They’ll know exactly which adaptor you need. Even smaller grills that use one-pound cylinders can be used in your RV. You can get an adaptor that goes between the small grill’s gas fitting and the larger tank’s outlet. It may take two adaptors to accomplish this hookup. But beware The more adaptors you use, the more likely leaks are. Be safe. Check all connections by spraying them with soapy water. You’ll see bubbles if there is a leak.
Conclusion
The Royal Gourmet is the combo for grilling and cooking in the backyard. It’s got all the cooking area and heat you’ll need to cook for a large family.
If you need something smaller for camping, tailgating, or even smaller gatherings, take a good look at the Weber Q1200. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s easy to take along and has all the cooking room you need for up to four people.
If you want a gas grill with a griddle combo that can also cook just about everything else, we recommend the Camp Chef Versatop. Decide what accessories you want, and check the prices to make sure you won’t mind spending that much.
Are you ready to add that extra dimension to your outdoor cooking experience? Go ahead and get your grill and griddle combo today, and make plans for your next barbeque next weekend.
