You could take your backyard cooking game to a whole new level
Adding a built-in griddle to your outdoor kitchen is totally possible.
A flat-top griddle expands your outdoor meal options to eggs, tacos, and more.
Built-ins are more visually appealing than a standalone griddle because you can hide a propane tank or gas line beneath your cooking surface.
Decide where you want to place the griddle, what your budget is, and call a local outdoor kitchen pro for their input.
Outdoor kitchens are usually made up of a prep surface, sink, and some sort of cooking area—it could be a grill, a pizza oven, or simply a fire pit. But why stop there? Create a built-in griddle for your outdoor kitchen; suddenly, the sky’s the limit on what you can cook for your family and friends. After all, everything tastes better outdoors.
Since outdoor kitchen costs can add up, it’s wise to make sure that the investment you make is as beneficial as possible and built to last. Let’s fire up all the details you should consider in your journey to adding a built-in griddle to your outdoor kitchen.
You don’t need to be a master chef to enjoy the convenience, novelty, and multifunctional uses of a built-in griddle. A flat-top griddle sits right alongside your prep surface and other outdoor kitchen tools, with its gas or propane connection hidden away for a cleaner, more elegant look.
You can make anything on a flat-top griddle, from the usual grilled hamburgers and hot dogs to fajitas, tacos, eggs, bacon, pancakes, and so much more. With a high-quality flat-top griddle built into your outdoor kitchen, you’ll feel the same luxury and comfort whether you’re cooking inside or out—and can socialize more freely while you do.
Before adding a built-in griddle to your outdoor kitchen, make sure that a built-in is the right option for you rather than a freestanding griddle. It all depends on your priorities and budget because in general, the biggest differences between the two are cost and visual design.
Built-in griddles are placed within a larger structure of an outdoor kitchen design. They hook up to a natural gas line or a propane tank that stays hidden beneath the counter or sink for a clean visual appearance. They’re also designed with ventilation in mind so that the other materials around the griddle don’t heat up or cause safety risks while you’re cooking up a storm.
Standalone griddles cost less than anything built-in but aren’t as customizable. It’s not easy to hide their less-than-attractive accompaniments, like a propane tank or a bag of charcoal. Since standalone appliances can be placed anywhere outside, the outdoor air naturally ventilates heat and smoke. Most standalone griddles are gas-powered, but there are many types of charcoal and electric models, too.
If you’ve made the call that a built-in is right for your space, follow these steps to installation.
First things first: decide where your griddle is going. If you have a covered outdoor kitchen, try to place it in a way that protects the appliance from rain or inclement weather since that could cause rust. Consider the layout of your outdoor space, where most foot traffic comes and goes, and how much room you need when you’re cooking.
If you decide on a gas-powered griddle—more on that below—you’ll want to make sure it’s positioned in a way that it can be connected to a gas line or has room to fit a propane tank. If it’s electric, you’ll need to make sure you can run electricity to your outdoor kitchen and have an outlet within the correct distance.
When choosing the brand or model of the built-in griddle for your outdoor kitchen, consider these elements:
Material: Make sure your griddle is built to last as long as your outdoor kitchen is. A lot of griddle models come in stainless steel because they’re less likely to rust and can withstand high heat.
Grease tray: The bigger your grease tray, the easier it is to clean your griddle between uses.
Ignition: Think about how you want to light your griddle. Newer models come with electronic or battery-powered ignition.
Covering: Consider what protects your built-in griddle when it’s not in use.
Ventilation: Avoid fire hazards by making sure your griddle is designed with ventilation in mind.
The quality of a griddle can fluctuate according to cost. These kinds of appliances can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Decide how much you’re willing to spend, and then find a griddle that fits your budget.
Unless you have a construction or contractor background and feel comfortable doing bigger jobs like this, you’ll probably want to hire a local outdoor kitchen builder to install a built-in griddle in your outdoor kitchen. It’s wise to call a few pros to hear their thoughts and rates before you decide who to work with.
A griddle is nearly the same as a grill and, therefore, just as worth the cost. Griddles offer more options in terms of what you can cook because there’s more contact between the food and the cooking surface. While flat-top griddles are great for steaks and burgers, they also work beautifully for nearly any protein or vegetable—zucchini, eggplant, fish, bacon, and more.
The biggest difference between an outdoor grill and a griddle is the surface you’re cooking on. Grills are made with grates, so the food is more exposed to the fire, ash, and smoke beneath it. Griddles have a flat top, like a giant cast iron pan or skillet. They’re easy to cook on, and you won’t have to worry about your food being overexposed to flames or falling through a grate.
