Griddles are replacing the traditional BBQ in a lot of Irish gardens, and it's easy to see why. One flat surface. No grates. No flare-ups. You can cook a full breakfast, smash burgers, fajitas, and stir-fries all on the same piece of kit.
This guide covers models from Blackstone and Weber available at Keans, from €199 to €1,079, so you can find the right fit for your space and budget.
Why a Griddle Beats a Traditional BBQ
A BBQ cooks over open flame through metal grates. That works well for certain things, but small items fall through, delicate food breaks apart, and anything needing a flat surface (eggs, pancakes, rice) simply doesn't work.
A griddle's solid steel surface heats evenly across the whole cooking area. Better browning, more control, and far more flexibility in what you can cook. Connect the gas, press the ignition, and you're cooking in minutes, no charcoal, no waiting, no wind problem. That suits Irish weather well.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Griddle for Your Needs
What Size Griddle Do You Need?
Size is the most important decision, and it comes down to how many people you're typically cooking for:
- 17 inches suits solo cooks, couples, or anyone with limited outdoor space. It's also the most portable option, easy to transport and store.
- 22 inches is a step up in cooking area with dual heat zones, making it a strong choice for small families or those who want something they can take camping as well as use at home.
- 28 inches is the sweet spot for most Irish households, large enough to cook a full spread for a group, manageable enough to store without too much hassle.
- 36 inches if you're regularly cooking for larger groups or want the most feature-rich setup available, this is where to look.
Our outdoor cooking team at Keans recommends the 28" as the right starting point for most homes, it covers the widest range of use cases without becoming unwieldy.
Key Features to Look For
Beyond size, a few features make a real difference to how useful your griddle turns out to be in practice:
- Heat zones: The ability to run different temperatures on different parts of the surface is one of the most practical features on a griddle. You can sear burgers on a high-heat zone while keeping buns warm on a lower one, or cook eggs gently while bacon crisps up beside them. Look for models with at least dual independent burners.
- A hood: A hood isn't essential, but it adds meaningful versatility. It lets you trap heat for faster cooking, steam certain foods, and protect the surface when not in use. For Irish weather, it also helps retain heat on cooler or windier days.
- Grease management: A rear-mounted grease trap keeps the cooking surface clean without constant effort. It's a small detail that makes a big difference after a long cooking session.
- Portability: If you want to take your griddle camping or to a family gathering, weight and fold-down design matter. Tabletop models are the right choice here.
The Best Griddles Available in Ireland - Compared
Keans stocks griddles from two of the most trusted names in outdoor flat-top cooking, Blackstone and Weber. All six models below are available at Keans with nationwide delivery across Ireland.
Blackstone 17" Tabletop Griddle | Best for Beginners & Small Spaces
Compact, affordable, and easy to clean. The removable surface and built-in grease catcher keep things simple, and it still delivers over 12,000 BTUs despite the small footprint. A solid entry point for beginners or anyone with limited outdoor space.
Best for: Beginners, small patios, solo or couples cooking, camping.
Blackstone 22" Tabletop Griddle with Hood | Best Portable Option
Dual heat zones and a hood in a frame you can still load into the boot of a car. Portable enough for camping trips, capable enough for regular home use. A good middle ground for small families who want flexibility.
Best for: Families of 2–4, camping, flexible home use.
Blackstone 28" Griddle with Hood | Best Overall
The model our team recommends most often. Large enough to cook a full spread for a group across dual heat zones, manageable enough for most patio setups. The hood earns its keep on cooler Irish evenings.
Best for: Most Irish households, garden entertaining, groups of 4–6.
Blackstone 36" Griddle with AirFryer | Best for Large Gatherings
Four independent burners, a large cooking surface, and an integrated air fryer, this is a permanent outdoor cooking station, not something you'll move around. Heavy, sizeable, and built for homeowners who entertain regularly.
Best for: Frequent entertainers, larger families, fixed outdoor kitchen setups.
Weber Slate GP 43cm Premium Griddle | Best Premium Portable
Weber's compact Slate griddle is a step up in surface quality. The porcelain-enamel cooktop is ready to cook on straight out of the box, no seasoning required, and reaches over 260°C for proper high-heat searing. Adjustable feet keep it stable on uneven surfaces, making it well suited to camping, picnics, or a patio table.
It runs on portable gas canisters (up to two hours per canister), and the fold-down lid protects the surface when stored or transported. If you want a genuinely portable griddle with a premium finish, this is the one to consider. 
Best for: Camping, picnics, patio tabletop use, those who want a no-fuss ready-to-cook surface.
Weber Slate GP 71cm Premium Griddle | Best Premium Full-Size
The 71cm Slate is Weber's full-size stand-up griddle and it's a serious piece of outdoor cooking kit. Three independently controlled burners deliver even, edge-to-edge heat up to 260°C, with integrated wind guards that maintain a steady temperature even on breezy days. The porcelain-enamel surface is non-stick from day one, requires no seasoning, and is safe for metal tools.
It includes a hinged hard cover, an extra-large grease drip pan, heavy-duty wheels for repositioning, and Weber Works side table compatibility for accessories. If you're investing in a premium outdoor setup and want something built to last, the Weber Slate is worth serious consideration alongside the Blackstone 36". 
Best for: outdoor cooks, premium garden setups, year-round use.
Quick Comparison
|
|
Blackstone 17" |
Blackstone 22" |
Blackstone 28" |
Blackstone 36" |
Weber Slate 43cm |
Weber Slate 71cm |
|
Best for |
Beginners / solo |
Portable + family |
Best overall |
Large gatherings |
Premium portable |
Premium full-size |
|
Cooking surface |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Extra large |
Compact |
Large |
|
Heat zones |
Single |
Dual |
Dual |
Multiple |
Single |
Triple |
|
Hood / cover |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Fold-down lid |
Hinged hard cover |
|
Ready out of box |
Season first |
Season first |
Season first |
Season first |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
What Can You Cook on a Griddle?
- Breakfast: Rashers, eggs, sausages, mushrooms, toast, all at once, on one surface
- Lunch: Smash burgers, quesadillas, halloumi wraps, toasted sandwiches
- Dinner: Fajitas, stir-fries, salmon fillets, chicken thighs, fried rice
- Sides: Grilled onions, corn, sliced courgette, hash browns
The ability to cook everything at different temperatures on the same surface is what makes a griddle so practical for groups. You're not moving things on and off to manage heat, you cook everything together and serve it together.
FAQs
Are griddles better than BBQs?
For versatility, yes. Griddles handle a much wider range of foods and are easier to manage. If you want that smoky charred flavour, a traditional BBQ still wins, but for most everyday outdoor cooking, a griddle gets used far more often.
Can you use a griddle in Ireland's weather?
Yes. Gas griddles light quickly even on cool or breezy days, and hooded models help retain heat in less-than-ideal conditions. Just keep the surface covered when not in use.
Is a hood necessary on an outdoor griddle?
Not essential, but recommended for Irish conditions. A hood retains heat on cooler evenings, speeds up cooking, and protects the surface between uses. The 22", 28", and 36" Blackstone models all include one.
How portable are Blackstone griddles?
The 17" and 22" tabletop models are easy to transport, ideal for camping or moving around a patio. The 28" suits a semi-permanent garden spot, and the 36" is best kept in a fixed outdoor space.
Ready to Find the Right Griddle for Your Garden?
Think about how many people you're cooking for, how much space you have, and whether you need something portable or fixed, and the right model tends to pick itself.
Browse the full Blackstone range or the Weber Slate range at Keans, with nationwide delivery across Ireland.
