6 Best Blackstone Griddles For Van Life Cooking That Nomads Swear By

You pull into a dispersed campsite just as the sun dips below the horizon, and the age-old question arises: what’s for dinner? Instead of fumbling with multiple pans on a tiny camp stove, you see your neighbor effortlessly searing steaks, veggies, and potatoes all at once on a flat-top griddle. This is the scene that has converted thousands of nomads to the Blackstone griddle, a tool that transforms van life cooking from a chore into an event.

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Why Blackstone Griddles Dominate Van Life Cooking

There’s a reason you see Blackstone griddles at nearly every van gathering. It’s about versatility. A single seasoned steel surface can handle breakfast pancakes and bacon, smash burgers for lunch, and a full stir-fry for dinner, drastically reducing the number of pots and pans you need to store and wash.

This isn’t just about saving space; it’s about changing how you cook and live on the road. Cooking becomes an outdoor activity, keeping heat, smoke, and grease out of your small living space. It’s also inherently social. Friends can gather around the griddle, making mealtime a shared experience rather than a solo task crammed into a tiny galley kitchen. The cleanup is another huge win—a quick scrape and wipe with oil is often all it takes, saving precious water.

Blackstone 17" Tabletop: The Compact Classic

The 17-inch tabletop griddle is the entry point for most van lifers, and for good reason. Its compact footprint is its greatest asset. In a van where every square inch is prime real estate, this model can be tucked away in a drawer, under a bench, or in an external storage box without much fuss.

Powered by a single 1lb propane canister, it’s incredibly efficient for solo travelers or couples. It heats up fast and provides enough space for a full breakfast or a couple of burgers and veggies. The trade-off is obvious: cooking for a crowd is a challenge. You’ll be cooking in batches, but for day-to-day use for one or two people, the 17" model strikes the perfect balance between capability and size.

Blackstone 22" Tabletop: More Space for Feasts

If you frequently travel with a partner, family, or just love hosting campsite cookouts, the 22-inch model is a significant upgrade. The real game-changer isn’t just the extra five inches of cooking space; it’s the dual H-burners. This creates two independent heat zones, allowing you to sear steak on one side while gently warming tortillas on the other.

This added capability comes with a cost in space and weight. The 22-inch griddle is noticeably heavier and bulkier than its smaller sibling, demanding a dedicated storage spot. You’ll also burn through propane faster with two burners running. But for those who see their outdoor kitchen as a cornerstone of their travel style, the enhanced cooking flexibility is well worth the compromise.

Adventure Ready 17" Griddle: Built for the Road

Blackstone saw the nomad community’s love for their products and created the Adventure Ready line. This isn’t a completely different griddle, but rather a 17-inch model with key features optimized for travel. It typically includes an integrated hood that latches shut, which is a massive improvement for life on the move.

The hood does more than just protect the cooking surface during transport. It traps heat for more even cooking, acts as a wind guard on blustery days, and helps melt cheese on your burgers to perfection. The Adventure Ready model is for the van lifer who plans to use their griddle in varied conditions and wants a self-contained, grab-and-go unit without needing separate accessories. It’s a small refinement, but one that makes a big difference in daily use.

Blackstone E-Series 17": The Propane-Free Option

The E-Series electric griddle is an intriguing option, but it comes with a serious reality check. The primary appeal is eliminating the need to carry propane canisters, which simplifies your setup and allows for indoor use (with proper ventilation). It plugs into a standard outlet, offering a convenient solution if you’re at a paid campsite with shore power.

However, for off-grid van lifers, this model requires a robust electrical system. We’re not talking about a simple solar setup for charging phones. You’ll need a large battery bank (think 200Ah of lithium or more) and a powerful inverter (at least 1500W) to handle the high-wattage draw. Running it off-grid will drain your batteries quickly. It’s a fantastic tool for the right build, but a non-starter for anyone with a basic or mid-range electrical system.

On The Go 17" with Hood: All-Weather Versatility

The "On The Go" models are all about creating a complete cooking station. The 17-inch version with a hood is similar to the Adventure Ready model, but often packaged as a more comprehensive kit. The hood is the star player here, turning your griddle into a far more versatile appliance.

Imagine trying to cook in a steady 15 mph wind—a common occurrence in the desert or on the coast. Without a hood or windscreen, your griddle will struggle to maintain temperature. The hood blocks the wind, traps heat, and contains splatter, making cooking in less-than-ideal weather not just possible, but easy. This model is for the nomad who doesn’t let a little wind or drizzle stop them from making a great meal outside.

On The Go 22" with Stand: Ultimate Convenience

For the van lifer who has prioritized their outdoor living space, the 22-inch On The Go griddle with an integrated stand is the pinnacle of convenience. This setup eliminates the need to find a level picnic table or sacrifice your camp table for cooking. The collapsible scissor-leg stand is sturdy, sets up in seconds, and puts the griddle at a comfortable working height.

The trade-off is significant: this is the largest and most cumbersome option to store. It demands a dedicated spot, often in a garage space or a large external storage box. It’s not for the minimalist van build. But if you envision your campsite as an extension of your living room and your outdoor kitchen is central to your van life experience, the sheer ease of use is unmatched. You pull up, set up your station, and you’re cooking in minutes.

Choosing Your Ideal Blackstone Griddle for the Road

There’s no single "best" griddle; there’s only the best griddle for your van, your crew, and your travel style. Don’t just buy the most popular one. Instead, make your decision based on these key factors:

• How many are you cooking for? A solo traveler’s needs are vastly different from a family of four. Be realistic about your daily use. The 17" is perfect for 1-2 people, while the 22" is the clear choice for 3 or more.
• What is your storage situation? This is non-negotiable. Measure your available space before you buy. A tabletop model can fit in a cabinet, but a model with a stand requires a much larger, dedicated slot.
• What’s your power source? The vast majority of van lifers should stick with propane. Only consider the E-Series if you have an intentionally oversized electrical system designed for high-draw appliances.
• Where will you be cooking? If you frequent windy locations or want all-weather capability, a model with a built-in hood like the Adventure Ready or On The Go is a smart investment over a basic tabletop model.

Ultimately, a Blackstone griddle is more than just a cooking appliance; it’s a tool that enables a certain kind of van life—one that’s social, outdoors-focused, and full of great food. By matching the model to your real-world needs for space, power, and cooking style, you’ll end up with a piece of gear that you’ll use and love every single day on the road.