Cooking Freedom Under the Open Sky: My Experience with the 20x14" Blackstone Camping Griddle
- Food Blogger Journey
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
By Dirk Ebener
There is something magical about hiking, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors. The air feels fresher, the food tastes richer, and the sizzle of bacon or steak blends with the wind in the trees. On a recent weekend getaway trip, one piece of gear made this magic possible and earned a permanent spot in my future travel and food kit: the 20x14" Blackstone Camping Griddle.
Anyone who has cooked while camping knows the challenges of uneven fires, unpredictable heat, and juggling too many tools. The Blackstone solves these problems in one portable package. You can cook any time, anywhere—by a mountain stream, at a picnic spot, or in your backyard on a lazy Sunday.
The Blackstone Camping Griddle: Compact Power for Outdoor Cooking
At first, the 20x14" Blackstone Camping Griddle looks modest, but once you fire it up, its performance shines. The cooktop offers plenty of space for multiple dishes—pancakes and bacon for breakfast, or steaks, burgers and grilled veggies for dinner.
A propane connection heats the griddle evenly across its cold-rolled steel surface, so you never have to search for hot spots. Its H-shaped burner provides steady, consistent heat, essential for cooking outdoors. Use low heat for fish or high heat for searing steaks.
The portable frame is travel-ready. It’s light enough to carry to camp and compact enough to slide into your vehicle without major rearranging. Rubberized feet keep it stable, even on uneven tables or surfaces.
Cook Any Time, Anywhere
This griddle’s real strength is adaptability. It doesn’t need a perfect environment—just a flat surface and propane. Whether you’re far from power or at a tailgate, the Blackstone lets you cook with home-kitchen confidence.
Its portability and size mean it’s not just for camping. It’s equally at home in:
Hiking basecamps — Wake up after a long trek and start your morning with a hot, hearty breakfast.
Beach days — Cook fresh-caught fish right there by the waves.
Road trips — Turn a rest area stop into a gourmet lunch break.
Cabin stays — Skip the tiny stovetop and use your griddle for everything from breakfast to late-night snacks.
With the 20x14" Blackstone, you can turn any place into an outdoor kitchen.
My Recent Hiking Trip: A Personal Review
On this recent trip with a friend to the North Georgia Mountains, he brought the Blackstone for a two-night weekend. Our plan was simple: pack light, put in some hiking hike, and eat well.
After scenic, relaxing and fun hikes, we returned to the cabin location. The cabin provided the perfect opportunity to put the Blackstone to the test.
10-Sentence Personal Review:
Setup was a breeze - in under five minutes, we had the Blackstone griddle sitting on a small table, propane attached, and ready to ignite.
The push-button ignition worked flawlessly; within seconds, the steel surface was heating evenly.
We cooked our first meal - thick bacon strips and breakfast potatoes—without a single cold spot or unevenly cooked area.
The flat surface let us cook bacon, potatoes, and eggs together, so everyone’s food stayed hot and ready.
Cleanup was easy. Once cooled, we scraped the surface, wiped it with a damp cloth, and applied a thin layer of oil.
We appreciated the fact that the grease management system collected drippings neatly, preventing a mess on the table or ground.
The griddle is light enough to carry, but sturdy enough to stay steady during cooking.
Transporting it back to the car was easy -it slid in with no fuss or greasy smell thanks to the easy-to-clean surface.
On the second morning, we made pancakes and served them with sausage. The even heat made flipping pancakes feel like cooking at home.
The griddle elevated our camping meals from “survival food” to restaurant-quality outdoor dining. Now, I can’t imagine hiking without it.
Ease of Cleaning and Storage
One of the factors that can make or break a camping cooking tool is the effort required to clean it in the field. The Blackstone earns top marks here. The cold-rolled steel surface is naturally non-stick when properly seasoned, which means food residue comes off with just a metal scraper and a cloth.
The grease trap channels drippings away, avoiding messy oil puddles. We cleaned it in under five minutes without running water, essential when off-grid.
Storage is stress-free. Once cleaned and oiled to prevent rust, it slips into its carry bag (sold separately and worth it). The bag keeps other gear clean and makes transport easy.
Why the Blackstone Stands Out
There are numerous portable cooking options available for campers, including small gas stoves, open fire grates, and compact charcoal grills. Compared to small gas stoves, the Blackstone's cooking surface is significantly larger, allowing you to prepare multiple dishes simultaneously instead of one at a time. Unlike open fire grates, it provides reliable, even heating and doesn't require constant management of wood or coals. And while compact charcoal grills can give smoky flavor, they lack the easy cleanup and quick ignition of the Blackstone. That’s why the 20x14" Blackstone Camping Griddle stands apart: Large cooking surface in a portable design.
Even heat distribution thanks to the H-shaped burner.
Quick setup and teardown, ideal for spontaneous cooking.
Versatility — from pancakes to stir-fries to steaks, it handles it all.
Ease of cleaning without the need for running water or soap.
It's more than a tool—it makes camping meals enjoyable, creative, and satisfying.
Cooking Inspiration for Your Next Trip
Here are a few ideas I’ve tested and loved on the Blackstone while outdoors:
Breakfast: Crispy hash browns, fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes—all cooked at once.
Lunch: Smash burgers with grilled onions, served on toasted buns.
Dinner: Chicken fajitas with sizzling peppers and onions.
Dessert: Grilled cinnamon-sugar tortillas with a drizzle of honey.
The flat, even surface lets you cook fish or vegetables without worrying about food falling through grates.
Final Thoughts - The Joy of Cooking Outdoors
Cooking on the Blackstone reminded me how much fun it can be to blend a getaway weekend with great food. The griddle let me slow down, enjoy the moment, and share meals as memorable as the hike.
Each trip reminds me that good food is more than fuel. It is part of the adventure. The 20x14" Blackstone Camping Griddle does not just enable outdoor cooking; it makes it unforgettable.
If you are serious about upgrading camping and hiking meals, this griddle could become your most valued gear. It is portable, versatile, and dependable. Everything you need when cooking under the open sky.
Dirk Ebener is the founder and creator behind the Food Blogger Journey website, drawing on over 40 years of international travel across more than 60 countries. His global adventures have deepened his understanding of regional cuisines, local customs, and the powerful connection between food and culture. From bustling street markets in Asia to quiet vineyard dinners in Europe, Dirk captures authentic culinary experiences through immersive storytelling. Through Food Blogger Journey, he invites readers to explore the world one dish at a time.
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Disclosure: All reviews are based on my personal experience with the products. I have not received any compensation, sponsorship, or free items from the manufacturers mentioned. My opinions are entirely my own and reflect my honest evaluation.
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