Technique

You Can—and Should—Use Your Griddle on the Grill. Here’s Why.

It’s prime time for outdoor summer cooking. Here's how to make the most of it with your trusty Carbon Steel Griddle.

By Kara Elder
Jun 7, 2024
A person grills burgers on an outdoor barbecue grill using a spatula.

We’ve mentioned the possibility of using our fan-favorite Griddle over open flames, but let this be the definitive answer to your burning question: yes, you can put a griddle on a grill.

Our Carbon Steel Griddle is compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops, but the magic really starts when you pop it over a grill or campfire. And since it’s lightweight, you can start inside and carry the grill outside to give your food a kiss of smoke. Read on to learn more about using your grill outdoors.

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    We’ve mentioned the possibility of using our fan-favorite Griddle over open flames, but let this be the definitive answer to your burning question: yes, you can put a griddle on a grill.

    Our Carbon Steel Griddle is compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops, but the magic really starts when you pop it over a grill or campfire. And since it’s lightweight, you can start inside and carry the grill outside to give your food a kiss of smoke. Read on to learn more about using your grill outdoors.

    How to Use a Griddle on the Grill

    Hands prepare a barbecue grill with a clean flat plate for cooking outdoors.

    It’s difficult to emphasize how easy it is to use your griddle on a grill, so here’s a numbered step-by-step guide to illustrate:

    1. Put the griddle on the grill—setting it on cold allows the griddle to slowly preheat as the grill warms up.
    2. Turn on the grill: for gas, set it at medium to high, depending on what you’re cooking. For charcoal, use enough charcoal for a medium to high heat.
    3. When the griddle is hot, you’re good to go.

    It really is that easy! Do keep in mind that you shouldn’t heat the griddle to more than 1200F. You can use a surface thermometer to check the temperature, or splash a few drops of water onto the cooking surface. If the water instantly evaporates, it’s too hot.

    A few other safety things to keep in mind: always remove the leather handle covers if you’re using them, and remember that those handles will be hot after they’re exposed to open flames. Use grilling mitts or your preferred method of safely handling hot cooking surfaces.

    Since our Griddle features a flat cooking surface with gently sloped sides, you shouldn’t need to worry about grease flare ups. If your food puts off a lot of grease as it’s cooking, take care when moving the griddle off the grill, or use a big spoon, bench scraper, or your grease removal method of choice to scoop up some of the grease before moving it off the grill.

    What are the Benefits of Using a Griddle on the Grill?

    griddle on grill

    There are more reasons than we can count to take your griddle for a spin on the grill this summer—but here are just a few that stand above the rest.

    Value and Versatility

    Maybe you’ve recently found yourself wandering the aisles of hardware and restaurant supply stores, coveting the flattop grills that would make your backyard the spot to be over the summer. (No? Just me?)

    But instead of investing in a somewhat bulky—not to mention pricey—piece of equipment, you can get a Carbon Steel Griddle and instantly gain a versatile, portable cooking surface for a fraction of the price.

    Durability and Heat Retention

    Like our entire Carbon Steel Collection, the Griddle’s construction matches the heat retention of cast iron with the control of stainless steel. The result is an incredibly durable yet non stick cooking surface that’s safe up to 1200F.

    The griddle fares beautifully inside, but it really shines when set on a charcoal or gas grill—or rested over an open fire—to sear, smoke, and sauté using the power of live fire.

    Portability and Performance

    Weighing in at just under 10 pounds (9.9 to be exact), the Carbon Steel Griddle is lighter than cast iron and easy to tuck into a campfire cooking kit or carry from your stove to an outdoor grill.

    The hand-welded, raised handles provide an ergonomic carry, too (just be sure to remove the optional leather handle covers before putting your griddle over a fire). The griddle really shines when used on a grill, as it lends those smoky flavors while still giving you a convenient, flat, non stick cooking surface that saves even the smallest ingredients from slipping through the grates.

    What Can You Cook on a Griddle on the Grill?

    A charcoal grill is cooking sausages and bacon outdoors next to a table with condiments.

    Our Carbon Steel Griddle provides ample space to cook nearly anything, from breakfast to lunch to dinner. The non stick cooking surface makes it easy to griddle up morning faves like pancakes, fried eggs, and bacon; if it’s taco night, you can sear your filling on one side and warm the tortillas on the other.

    Smashburgers are the classic choice—we designed this griddle just for them!—and our culinary director created our ideal smashburger recipe. Don’t sleep on griddled seafood and vegetables, either: see our collection of grilling recipes for more inspiration.

    Maintenance and Care for Your Carbon Steel Griddle

    A person's hand cleans a griddle with a scraper on an outdoor grill.

    Once you’re done cooking, you’ll need to clean your griddle to maintain its non stick properties. Let it cool, scrape off any easily removable food residue, then clean it with warm water—avoiding soap unless you really need to scrub something off—and dry with a clean towel. You can gain further guidance from our guide to caring for your Carbon Steel Griddle.

    After the griddle is clean and dry, store it inside to avoid rust and other damage. If you stack other cookware on top, place a towel or non-scratching trivet in between to avoid scratching the surface. Another good place to keep your griddle? Right on your stovetop, so it’s always ready for you.

    Ready to Cook?

    Our Carbon Steel Griddle turns any grill into a flat top cooking surface, adding instant versatility to your cooking repertoire. Browse through our Griddle collection and ready yourself for peak summer grilling vibes.