Trying to choose a portable griddle

[joelshort]

I'm looking for a highly portable griddle for a small travel trailer (16ft) with very limited storage space. I've read through countless threads and am having a tough time deciding.

The Blackstone Adventure Ready 20x14 griddle checks all the boxes and is pretty much what I'm looking for. The problem is, the reviews for it are not great. Many people have reported broken handles and broken hinges. Also, I had actually bought a Blackstone 17" griddle but returned it because it seemed very cheaply made and it was very heavy and bulky. So this has all put me off the Adventure Ready 20x14.

I came across the Solaire Everywhere grill that looks awesome, but it's a grill instead of a griddle. I wonder if I could simply add a griddle top on it for breakfast foods when not cooking meat?

I've reviewed all of the major brands and typically recommended griddles and several of them look great but aren't very portable or "packable" (stackable).

So before I spring for the Blackstone 20x14 and hope for the best, I would love to hear any recommendations for similar griddles that are higher quality.

Thanks in advance!

[Mark_K5LXP]

What problem are you trying to solve? Meaning, what do you make on these things so compelling that warrants hauling around another cooking appliance?

I just got a blackstone 17". I am summarily unimpressed, it doesn't get to temps I think a griddle should get (it struggles to hit 425). To transport it in the carry bag you need to break it down. It's bulky and heavy for something you have to schlep around in a camper.

Until now I used a small propane grill and a 2 burner coleman stove with a cast griddle. The griddle gets stinkin' hot with the 2 burners on full and makes respectable smashburgers. The blackstone gets points for greater surface area and temperature control through placement at different areas of the surface, but at the end of the day this is just a big frypan. I see people get all worked up about blackstones, there's tons of videos and I guess if you're into heart stopper oil fried food then this is your fix. But I'm open to learning what I'm missing, I just don't get the hype.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[joelshort]

This will not be "another cooking appliance". This will be the only cooking appliance. Outdoor cooking of burgers, brats, steak and other meats, but also breakfast foods. A griddle can do all of that. A grill cannot.

I feel the same about the 17" Blackstone: unimpressed.

[Papa Foxtrot]

We have a small two burner grill(Members Mark from Sams Club) and I bought a griddle off Amazon that fits inside the grill. It does take a while to heat up, but we're not in a hurry. We've cooked eggs, bacon, pancakes and fajitas on it so far. Haven't tried smashburgers as we use the grill for burgers.

A small Coleman stove and a similar griddle like ours will likely take up less room, be lighter and work better than the Blackstone. I've got a two burner Blackstone that I'd give away - not impressed.

[DarkSideJeep]

I have a 17" Blackstone EE serries electric griddle that I am very happy with.

https://www.amazon.com/Blackstones-E...s%2C203&sr=8-3

I was lucky I got mine on sale at Walmart for $179.00 two years ago.

I have not had any issues with not getting enough heat will it get to 550 degrees probably not, but I don't need it to be that hot to cook a steaks or burgers where 400 degrees will do it. Although a grill is much better for steaks. The Blackstone E-series is perfect for bacon, eggs, pancakes and French toast. even think I could heat a frozen pizza I have not tried that yet. It is intended as an outdoor appliance, but it can be used inside in a pinch on a rainy morning.

[boiledowl]

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

What problem are you trying to solve? Meaning, what do you make on these things so compelling that warrants hauling around another cooking appliance?

I just got a blackstone 17". I am summarily unimpressed, it doesn't get to temps I think a griddle should get (it struggles to hit 425). To transport it in the carry bag you need to break it down. It's bulky and heavy for something you have to schlep around in a camper.

Until now I used a small propane grill and a 2 burner coleman stove with a cast griddle. The griddle gets stinkin' hot with the 2 burners on full and makes respectable smashburgers. The blackstone gets points for greater surface area and temperature control through placement at different areas of the surface, but at the end of the day this is just a big frypan. I see people get all worked up about blackstones, there's tons of videos and I guess if you're into heart stopper oil fried food then this is your fix. But I'm open to learning what I'm missing, I just don't get the hype.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I got a 17" BS too. Have not used it a whole lot but it is not the best. It is heavy and I have trouble with the ignitor so I bought a long neck bic lighter. The heat is suspect too. Someone else on here showed he used a pastry type scrapers that hang over the edge griddle plate to keep it hotter by blocking air, I used these once and seemed to help but then we haven't used it since. So I am hoping it works better.

[vito.a]

We have a 24" Blackstone griddle with dual burners. It was a Walmart special with a stand and bag. It has held up well. I like the larger dual burner griddle because I can cook different foods on it simultaneously.

[scenic route]

We've had our Weber Q-100 (now the Q-1000) for 15 years now. We bought their griddle last year that replaces the grate for breakfast cooking outside. Also drilled a hole in the lid and installed a temp gauge where their larger models have them. The grill is fueled with a 20lb bottle but if you need the space, those small bottles are available as well. Feel like we have the best of both worlds in a pretty small package.

[joelshort]

Originally Posted by scenic route

We've had our Weber Q-100 (now the Q-1000) for 15 years now. We bought their griddle last year that replaces the grate for breakfast cooking outside. Also drilled a hole in the lid and installed a temp gauge where their larger models have them. The grill is fueled with a 20lb bottle but if you need the space, those small bottles are available as well. Feel like we have the best of both worlds in a pretty small package.

The Q1000 certainly looks like a great grill. The thing I don't like is the awkward shape for storage. I have to use every available inch of storage space and I can't stack anything on top with the rounded shape.

[Unplanned Tourist]

We still have our good old "Storm Kitchen" that we cooked EVERTHING on for nearly a year while we backpacked around the world in 1989. Small, packs up into a neat bundle, has 2 pots, a kettle, frying pan and uses alcohol. Cooks in windy conditions nearly anywhere. And apparently they still sell them.

Now we have a big bus, so the Trangia cook set is put away, but I just might get it out again to take along on a fishing trip this summer.

[David 70]

I have the Weber Q2000. I got the griddle part for half of the surface. It works ok, it is heavy, (maybe just my advanced age makes it seem so). The only thing I don't care for is it only has one burner. It seems to have a low flame but if you light it and let it burn for 5-6 minutes it is very warm. I do breakfast on the griddle part and burgers and steaks on the grille part. I kept having problems with what I thought was the regulator/control, but it is mostly in the safety valve from opening the valve too quick.

[fluffywhtdgs]

I love my Camp Chef. It can be a griddle, a BBQ, heck, I even got the pizza oven this year and can't wait to use it!. So much more versatile than a Blackstone!

[High Road Travelers]

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

What problem are you trying to solve? Meaning, what do you make on these things so compelling that warrants hauling around another cooking appliance?

I just got a blackstone 17". I am summarily unimpressed, it doesn't get to temps I think a griddle should get (it struggles to hit 425). To transport it in the carry bag you need to break it down. It's bulky and heavy for something you have to schlep around in a camper.

Until now I used a small propane grill and a 2 burner coleman stove with a cast griddle. The griddle gets stinkin' hot with the 2 burners on full and makes respectable smashburgers. The blackstone gets points for greater surface area and temperature control through placement at different areas of the surface, but at the end of the day this is just a big frypan. I see people get all worked up about blackstones, there's tons of videos and I guess if you're into heart stopper oil fried food then this is your fix. But I'm open to learning what I'm missing, I just don't get the hype.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Agree with Mark, the Coleman two burner stove and a cast iron griddle or skillet seems to make a lot of sense, especially to save space. Also you can use it to boil water to make coffee in a drip pot or use it as a stove for other foods. It is not as specialized as the griddles you are looking for; it will do everything.
Thanks,

[PushedAround]

We have this grill in an older version. It came with one 1/2 griddle and 1/2 grill and I bought a full griddle for when we made those big breakfasts. Pretty efficient with the propane usage as well.