I love cooking outside. Over the past year, I tried three Camp Chef griddles. I used them at home. I used them on camp trips too.
I cooked eggs. I cooked burgers. I cooked bacon. I even made pancakes on each one.
This guide shares what I found. You will see my top picks. You will see how each one worked. You will see how I keep them clean.
Want a griddle that just works? Keep reading. I tested these with my own hands. I used my own stove. I used my own food.
Our Expertise
I have cooked outside for many years. I have used gas stoves. I have used cast iron pans. I have used steel griddles too.
I know how heat moves on a flat top. I know what makes metal warp. I know what makes it rust. I know what makes food stick.
For this guide, I bought three Camp Chef griddles. I cooked real food on each one. I checked how fast each one got hot. I checked if the heat felt even. I checked how easy each one was to clean.
I also looked at how each one was built. I checked the weight. I checked how each one held up to grease and heat over many uses.
My goal is simple. I want to help you pick the right griddle. I want you to pick it the first time. You work hard for your money. You should not have to guess.
How I Tested These Griddles
I ran the same test on each griddle. Here is what I did:
- I heated each one for ten minutes. Then I checked for hot spots with a heat gun.
- I cooked bacon, eggs, and burgers on each surface.
- I let grease sit on top to see how well it drained.
- I cleaned each griddle by hand after each cook.
- I checked the surface after ten uses. I looked for rust and wear.
This gave me a real view of how each product works. It was not just guesswork from a spec sheet.
Our Top Picks
Here are my three top picks. Each one fits a different need.
- Best Overall Grill Box: Camp Chef BB90L Professional Grill Barbecue Box
- Best Budget Pick: Camp Chef Reversible Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
- Best for Large Groups: Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle, 3 Burner
Let’s look at each pick below.
1. Camp Chef BB90L Professional Grill Barbecue Box
This grill box turns my stove into a full grill. It fits in minutes. It has cast iron grates. It has a hinged lid with a temp gauge built in. I grab this one when I want real grill marks on my food.
Product Features
- Fits 16 inch Orange Flame Camp Chef stoves
- Cast iron grates for strong heat and good sear marks
- Heat plates that turn flame into even heat
- Hinged lid with a temp gauge built in
- Cook space of 384 square inches
- Weighs 33 pounds
What I Like
I like how fast this box heats up. In a few minutes, the grates got hot. They were hot enough to sear a burger. The lid locks the grates in place. I can move the whole box with no mess. The gauge on the lid lets me check heat with the lid shut.
Why It’s Better
Most grill boxes I have used do not have a locking lid. Most do not have a built in gauge. This one has both. The heat plates also stop flare ups. They turn drips into steam, not fire. That means fewer burnt spots. That means more even food.
How It Performed
I grilled burgers on this box. I grilled chicken too. I grilled corn on three trips. The sear marks came out clean each time. Heat stayed even on most of the top. One small corner ran a bit cool. Corn cooked in about eight minutes. It had light char on all sides.
How I Clean It
I let the grates cool a bit first. Then I scrub them with a stiff brush while still warm. A splash of water helps loosen stuck bits. I dry the grates right away. Then I rub on a thin coat of oil. This stops rust. The lid wipes clean with a damp cloth.
Testing Results
- Heat up time: about 6 minutes to hot
- Even heat: strong, one small cool spot
- Ease of cleaning: fair, needs a brush
- Rust after 10 uses: none, with oil care
2. Camp Chef Reversible Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Griddle
This is the griddle I grab most for quick breakfast. It is small. It is tough. It comes ready to use. I flip it for a flat side. I flip it for a ridged side too. It just depends on what I cook.
Product Features
- Two sides: one flat, one with ridges
- Ready to use right out of the box
- Fits both 14 inch and 16 inch Camp Chef stoves
- Cook space of 14 inches by 16 inches
- Weighs 10 pounds
What I Like
I like that this griddle needs no prep work. It came ready. I cooked bacon and eggs on it the same day it showed up. The flat side works great for eggs. It works great for pancakes too. I flip it for burgers when I want grill marks.
Why It’s Better
Many griddles need a long prep step first. This one skips that step. It is light too. I can lift it with one hand. That matters when you pack for a trip. The price beats the other two picks. It is a smart pick if you are just starting out.
How It Performed
I cooked bacon and eggs on the flat side. I did this for five days straight. Grease drained well on the ridged side. That side worked great for burgers. Heat felt strong in the middle. It ran a bit cooler near the edges. This is normal for cast iron this size.
How I Clean It
I wipe off extra grease while it is still warm. Then I rinse it with hot water. I use a soft brush too. I never use soap on cast iron. Soap can strip the coating. After it dries, I rub on a light coat of oil while it is still warm.
Testing Results
- Heat up time: about 8 minutes to full heat
- Even heat: good in the middle, cooler at edges
- Ease of cleaning: easy, no soap needed
- Rust after 10 uses: none, with oil care
3. Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle, 3 Burner
This griddle feeds a crowd. It spans three burners. It gives me a huge, flat space. I can cook pancakes, burgers, and hash browns all at once.
Product Features
- Covers three burners on a 16 inch Camp Chef stove
- Cook space of 16 inches by 38 inches
- Strong steel build, ready to use out of the box
- Built in heat plates to stop hot spots
- High sides with a grease drain
- Weighs 42 pounds
What I Like
I like the huge size of this griddle. I cooked breakfast for eight people. I did not need a second pan. The grease drain on one side keeps the top clean. I am not pushing grease around as I cook.
Why It’s Better
Most griddles this size need a lot of prep first. This one comes ready to use. I was cooking within minutes. The heat plates keep heat steady. They cover the full length. That is hard to find in a griddle this big.
How It Performed
I made pancakes on this griddle. I made bacon too. I made hash browns at the same time. This was on a family trip. Heat stayed close to even in the middle two thirds. It ran a bit cooler near the far ends. The high sides kept grease off the stove.
How I Clean It
I scrape off food bits while the top is still warm. I use a metal spatula for this. Then I wipe it down with a cloth and hot water. For stuck spots, I use a griddle stone. I finish with a thin coat of oil. This guards the steel from rust.
Testing Results
- Heat up time: about 10 minutes to full heat
- Even heat: strong in the middle, cooler at the ends
- Ease of cleaning: fair, a griddle stone helps
- Rust after 10 uses: none, with oil care
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Right Camp Chef Griddle
Your pick depends on how you cook. It also depends on who you cook for. Here is what I check first.
Cooking Surface Size
Think about how many people you feed. A small griddle works fine for one or two. A big three burner griddle fits large groups. It fits family trips too.
Material
Cast iron holds heat well. It lasts a long time with care. Steel heats up fast. It weighs less than cast iron of the same size. Both work well outside. Both need some care.
Stove Fit
Check your stove size first. Some griddles fit a 14 inch stove. Some fit a 16 inch stove. Some cover more than one burner at once.
Weight
Weight matters if you pack often. The small cast iron griddle is light. It is easy to carry. The three burner griddle is heavy. It tends to stay home or in a truck bed.
Cleaning Needs
Cast iron needs oil after each use. This fights rust. Steel griddles need less fuss. They still need a wipe down. They still need a light coat of oil.
Final Thoughts
All three griddles did well in my tests. The BB90L grill box gives you real grill marks. It has a locking lid too. The small cast iron griddle is a great low cost pick. It works well for daily use. The three burner fry griddle wins for big groups.
I would trust any of these three on my next trip. Pick the one that fits your group size. Pick the one that fits your stove. Then you are set for years of good outdoor cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Camp Chef griddles come pre seasoned? Yes. Most Camp Chef griddles arrive ready to use. Just wipe them down first, then start cooking.
Can I use soap on a cast iron griddle? No. Soap can strip the coating off cast iron. Use hot water and a stiff brush. Dry it and oil it right after.
Will these griddles fit any Camp Chef stove? Not always. Each griddle fits a set stove size. Check your stove model first, before you order.
How do I stop my griddle from rust? Dry it fully after each use. Rub on a thin coat of oil while it is still warm.
Is steel or cast iron better for a camp griddle? Steel heats up fast. It weighs less too. Cast iron holds heat longer. It gives a stronger sear. Both work well outside.
How long do these griddles take to heat up? In my tests, heat up time ran from six to ten minutes. It depends on the size and the metal used.
Can I cook many foods at once on one griddle? Yes, on the bigger models. I cooked bacon, eggs, and pancakes side by side on the three burner griddle.