BAM! Outdoor griddles are my absolute favorite, and I’ve been a proud owner of the 28″ Blackstone model with a side burner for quite a few years now. The convenience it adds to outdoor cooking is unmatched, and I’ve even got a small portable version that accompanies us on our camping adventures. However, there’s one design quirk with the Blackstone that occasionally irks me – the placement of the grease catcher at the back of the grill. It’s not the most user-friendly location, and the way it dangles off the back sometimes leads to unexpected spills, especially when I’m trying to put the cover on. Nothing’s worse than dumping some hot grease on the deck and getting it all over your cover.

Given our love for outdoor cooking, adding a griddle to our deck at Lake Sherwood was a non-negotiable, and my excitement peaked when I stumbled upon the Weber Griddle at the Ace Hardware store in WI Rapids. Hands down, the best hardware and sporting goods store on the planet, in my opinion. What sold me on the Weber Griddle was its ingeniously designed grease tray, situated at the front like a convenient drawer on the left corner. It was an instant sell for me. This Weber Griddle is a 28″ marvel equipped with three burners, but if you’re looking for something even more substantial, they offer a 36″ version with four burners, albeit at an additional cost of around 120 bucks.

So after have a few sips of coffee on the deck overlooking Lake Sherwood, fire up the the griddle for whipping up some bacon, pancakes, smash-burgers, stir fry, quesadillas, eggs, or whatever culinary delight strikes your fancy. (did I mention bacon?) I’d love it if you could share some pictures with us – it’s always a great to see others are making on the flat top!