I Joined The Griddle Gang

Old406Kid

Old406Kid

Legend
I had some old Amazon gift cards that needed to be used so I decided to do some portable griddle shopping while I'm 'buttbound' as I recuperate from a major surgery. This turned into an entire evening event as I researched and watched Youtube videos on alot of brands, Blackstone, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, etc.
In the end I chose this Royal Gourmet for 99$. What swayed me was three stainless burners with individual temp controls, the griddle itself seemed to be nonstick with out alot of dicking around, and it comes ready to hook up to a real propane bottle.
After reading many reviews the only thing of concern to me was that the grease drain hole on some units didn't line up exactly wit the hole to the grease cup,
something I think I could easily remedy. Another negative was that the cover that comes with it looks pretty cheesy, again a minor issue to me.



It should arrive Saturday so I'll give an update on the overall quality. Unfortunately my current soft food diet won't let me get too creative on the cooking end of things just yet.

Oh, any recommendations on griddle tools and recipe favorites appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Old406Kid said:
I had some old Amazon gift cards that needed to be used so I decided to do some portable griddle shopping while I'm 'buttbound' as I recuperate from a major surgery. This turned into an entire evening event as I researched and watched Youtube videos on alot of brands, Blackstone, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, etc.
In the end I chose this Royal Gourmet for 99$. What swayed me was three stainless burners with individual temp controls, the griddle itself seemed to be nonstick with out alot of dicking around, and it comes ready to hook up to a real propane bottle.
After reading many reviews the only thing of concern to me was that the grease drain hole on some units didn't line up exactly wit the hole to the grease cup,
something I think I could easily remedy. Another negative was that the cover that comes with it looks pretty cheesy, again a minor issue to me.

It should arrive Saturday so I'll give an update on the overall quality. Unfortunately my current soft food diet won't let me get too creative on the cooking end of things just yet.

Oh, any recommendations on griddle tools and recipe favorites appreciated.
Click to expand...

I'll let you cook for me!
 
That looks to be decent, and at a good price. I have the camp chef one, only because I already had a two burner to put it on. I really like it for pancakes and burgers, when we have a bunch of people to feed. A pair of tongs and a spatula are all I use. My favorite spatula came from cash and carry, now Chef's Store.
 
Blackstone sells a nice 5 piece tool kit that will cover most of your needs. You already have tongs so those won't be necessary. The 5 pieces are 2 heavy duty spatulas, a pastry-type of scraper and 2 squirt bottles, one for water and one for oil. Standard lightweight spatulas probably aren't adequate for doing things like hash browns or fried rice and certainly not smashburgers. The scraper quickly removes residue and pushes it to the edges and the bottles are really handy for spreading oil and then for cleanup while the griddle is still hot.

As far as recipes are concerned, anything that you can eat in a cafe with a griddle can be cooked on your new unit. Bacon, eggs and hashbrowns at breakfast, burgers,brats, hot dogs, cabbage steaks and so much more. I sear steaks on it some times after coming out of sous vide. It is fun cooking because it involves participation rather than just pushing a button.

Let us know how it works out, it has Made in China written all over it and I hope it turns out to be a reputable product. Good luck and I hope you get back on solid food soon.
 
iveofione said:
it has Made in China written all over it
Click to expand...
My safety valve is that I ordered from Amazon rather than an independent.
Reviews are reviews but I was pretty happy to see this one.

This review rates it as 3 out of 10.


Alot of the other units I looked at had uneven heat as the number one complaint and it was evident on several when they did their burn off and seasoning.
All that said, fingers crossed that I made a good choice. :)
Thanks for the tool recommendations.
 
Last edited:
I like it and will be interested in your experience with it. Could be something that we add to our trailer. For now, I’ll use the two cast iron pans gifted to me by my parents (see the “what’s in your cast iron thread.”
 
big fan of both griddle and cast iron pan in/on the gas bbq...cooks wonderfully, retains moisture, eliminates charring and makes clean-up a breeze..during summer, likely 4 out of every 5 meals cooked that way...
 
Eastside said:
I like it and will be interested in your experience with it. Could be something that we add to our trailer. For now, I’ll use the two cast iron pans gifted to me by my parents (see the “what’s in your cast iron thread.”
Click to expand...
I wish it had a locking lid but oh well. This unit has leveling legs on the griddle but another I looked at had the levelers on the base unit which made more sense especially if the unit is already hot. I think I'll throw in one of those little bubble levelers for RV's and check it before firing it up so the grease goes the right way.
 
Congrats, Dean . . . for the grill purchase too . . .
 
I like the idea of 3 burners as it gives a better chance for even heating and different temps for different sections of the griddle.

The complaints about uneven heat are universal on these kinds of units but a little testing will sort out any anomalies in a hurry. I made a drawing of my griddle surface and divided it into 9 zones-8 around the edges and one in the central area. Then with the heat set on a steady temp I used a laser thermometer and recorded the heat in each zone. It was remarkably uniform except for the center which was hotter. Now I have a map of the heat and know what to expect and where to place the food for best results.
 
iveofione said:
I like the idea of 3 burners as it gives a better chance for even heating and different temps for different sections of the griddle.

The complaints about uneven heat are universal on these kinds of units but a little testing will sort out any anomalies in a hurry. I made a drawing of my griddle surface and divided it into 9 zones-8 around the edges and one in the central area. Then with the heat set on a steady temp I used a laser thermometer and recorded the heat in each zone. It was remarkably uniform except for the center which was hotter. Now I have a map of the heat and know what to expect and where to place the food for best results.
Click to expand...
Sue's brother has a quality Fluke infrared gun that I'm going to borrow to do the same so will definitely add my results to my review.
I don't know if other brands have this but theres a heat shield on the bottom of the griddle. I'm no engineer but I assume it's to further promote even heating.
IMG-5260.jpg
The 'legs' shown on the griddle bottom are levelers that I mentioned.
Again, fingers crossed.:)
 
Old406Kid said:
Sue's brother has a quality Fluke infrared gun that I'm going to borrow to do the same so will definitely add my results to my review.
I don't know if other brands have this but theres a heat shield on the bottom of the griddle. I'm no engineer but I assume it's to further promote even heating.
View attachment 14256
The 'legs' shown on the griddle bottom are levelers that I mentioned.
Again, fingers crossed.:)
Click to expand...
I'm waiting for bacon, hash browns (crispy, please) and eggs over easy - all this lakeside next year in BC's Thompson/Nicola area.
 
I think heat shields inside the units usually are there to protect the burners from anything dripping on them. A heat shield on the outside would appear to be a safety device to keep heat from the burner from transferring to the surface below. It has an air gap much like you would see for a wood stove surround and the same theory as used when providing an air gap when solar panels are installed on an RV.

I have been traveling with a griddle in the Casa for 2 years now and it is SO much better than the gas grills I had used for the past 40 years. Smaller, easier to store, much easier to clean and far more versatile. And somehow food seems to taste better off a griddle than a non-stick pan.
 
iveofione said:
I have been traveling with a griddle in the Casa for 2 years now and it is SO much better than the gas grills
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly...I can see my portable grill as a dust collector going forward. The griddle along with a little single burner unit to heat my Dinty Moore :ROFLMAO: seems like the better choice.
 
20210522_183355.jpg20210522_132132.jpg

Screenshot_20210914-175347_Facebook.jpg


Griddles have always been my go to. I've even helped with design work on heat diffusers built in.

I have my portable 4 burner that goes with me to camps. I have my 1 burner I'll toss in my boats for shore side lunches and to toss in my camper for small trips. Then I have my big 6 burner that stays at home.

I do have a portable grill. But rarely ever use it.
 
I used my cast iron griddle atop my gas grill last night, which i do pretty regularly. Question if you don’t mind…. What does a griddle get me over that? Im giessing higher heat and maybe portability?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top