HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle Review: The Ultimate Portable Flat-Top for Outdoor Feasts?

There’s a certain romanticism to cooking over an open campfire, but let’s be honest: the reality often involves chasing hot spots, dealing with unevenly cooked food, and a constant battle against flare-ups and ash. I remember one particularly frustrating camping trip where my grand vision of a perfect bacon and egg breakfast for the family devolved into a smoky mess of burnt bacon strips and undercooked, runny eggs. The single-burner camp stove was no better, creating a tiny, searingly hot circle in the middle of the pan while the edges remained lukewarm. We were hungry, frustrated, and I knew there had to be a better way to bring the joy and versatility of a great kitchen cooking surface into the great outdoors. This quest for a reliable, portable, and powerful cooking solution is what led me to explore the world of tabletop griddles, and specifically, to get my hands on the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Propane Griddle

A portable propane griddle is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking culinary freedom wherever you go. Unlike traditional grills with grates, a flat-top griddle offers a solid, continuous cooking surface that excels at everything from delicate pancakes and eggs to perfectly seared smash burgers and hibachi-style stir-fries. The main benefit is control and consistency. The solid surface distributes heat more evenly, prevents food from falling through, and allows you to cook with sauces and smaller ingredients like chopped vegetables without a second thought. It essentially transforms any picnic table or tailgate into a fully functional outdoor kitchen, eliminating the guesswork and frustration of more primitive cooking methods. For those who love creating memorable meals outdoors, this type of cooking station is a genuine game-changer.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values convenience, versatility, and quality food on their adventures. This includes RV enthusiasts, frequent campers, tailgating superfans, and even apartment dwellers with small patios who want a capable outdoor cooking device without the footprint of a full-sized grill. It’s for the person who, like me, is accustomed to the performance of a larger home griddle and doesn’t want to compromise on quality when they travel. On the other hand, it might not be suitable for those who exclusively cook for very large crowds (requiring a 36-inch or larger model) or for individuals who strongly prefer the distinct char and grill marks that only come from cooking over open grates. For those users, a larger stationary grill or a traditional portable grate-style grill might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A portable griddle lives a life of compromise between cooking area and portability. The HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle strikes a nice balance, offering enough space to cook a full meal for a small family without being too cumbersome. Always measure your vehicle’s trunk space and the table you plan to use it on to ensure a comfortable and safe fit. Its 30-pound weight is manageable for one person to carry from the car to the campsite.
• Capacity/Performance: This is where the burner design becomes critical. Many budget griddles suffer from terrible heat distribution, but HongTaok’s use of two H-shaped burners is a significant advantage. This design aims to eliminate hot and cold spots, providing consistent temperature across the entire flat top. Total BTU output is important, but how that heat is applied is what truly separates a great griddle from a mediocre one.
• Materials & Durability: Look for robust materials that can withstand the rigors of travel and high heat. The HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle features stainless steel components, particularly on the front plate, which offers excellent resistance to rust and corrosion. The quality of the metal cooktop itself will also determine how well it holds heat and how easy it is to season and maintain over time. SGS certification adds a layer of confidence in its construction standards.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Your griddle shouldn’t be a chore to use or clean. Features like a simple ignition system, intuitive controls, and an effective grease management system are essential. Flat-top griddles require seasoning, much like a cast-iron skillet, to build up a non-stick surface. We found the cleanup on this model to be straightforward, a crucial factor when you’re at a campsite with limited resources.

Making the right choice ensures countless delicious meals on the road, while the wrong one can lead to the same old cooking frustrations in a new location.

While the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing and First Impressions: A Solid Contender Emerges

Pulling the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle from its box, my first impression was one of substance. At 30 pounds, it has a reassuring heft that speaks to its metal construction, a welcome departure from flimsy, lightweight camp gear that feels like it might buckle under pressure. Assembly was minimal and intuitive, requiring little more than a quick scan of the instruction manual before we were ready to connect the propane. The stainless steel front plate isn’t just for show; it gives the unit a professional look and feels durable to the touch. The griddle top itself was thick and solid, promising good heat retention. What truly caught my expert eye, however, was the underside—the dual H-shaped burners. This design is a clear indicator that the manufacturer prioritized even heating, a common pain point in portable griddles. It felt thoughtfully engineered, designed by people who understand what makes a flat-top griddle perform well. You can see the quality of the build in the detailed product photos online.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the HongTaok Griddle to the Test

A griddle’s true worth is proven not on a spec sheet, but over the sizzle of bacon and the searing of steak. We put the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle through a series of demanding culinary tests, from a full-scale campsite breakfast to a quick weeknight dinner on the patio, to see if its performance matched its promising design.

The Heart of the Heat: A Closer Look at the Dual H-Burner System

The single most important feature of any griddle is its ability to heat evenly, and this is where the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle truly shines. The dual H-shaped burners are, without a doubt, the star of the show. Upon firing it up for the first time, we performed a simple “toast test” by laying slices of bread across the entire surface. The result was impressive: a nearly uniform golden-brown color across all slices, with only very minor variations at the extreme edges. This is a stark contrast to cheaper single-tube or circular burners that create a distinct “ring of fire,” leaving you with burnt centers and raw outsides.

In practice, this translates to incredible cooking control. For our breakfast test, we loaded one side with a dozen strips of bacon and the other with pancake batter. The bacon cooked through evenly without needing constant rearranging, and the pancakes developed a beautiful, consistent color without scorched spots. We could maintain a lower temperature on one side for holding cooked items while continuing to cook on high heat on the other. One user, clearly experienced with larger griddles, confirmed our findings, noting that the “burner covers the flat top perfectly” and “it cooks evenly.” This level of performance is what separates a frustrating cooking experience from a joyful one. Whether searing smash burgers that get a perfect crust from edge to edge or stir-frying vegetables where every piece is cooked to tender-crisp perfection, the H-burner system delivers a consistency that exceeded our expectations for a unit in this portable class.

Built for the Road: Portability and Construction

A portable griddle has to be, well, portable. HongTaok seems to have found the sweet spot between a robust build and manageable portability. The unit’s dimensions (roughly 32.6″ L x 21.3″ W) allowed it to fit comfortably in the trunk of a standard SUV with plenty of room for a cooler and other camping gear. The 30-pound weight is significant enough to feel sturdy on a table, but not so heavy that it’s a burden to carry from the car to the picnic area. We never felt like we were dealing with a fragile piece of equipment; the metal body and solid cooktop feel like they are built to handle the bumps and scrapes of outdoor life.

The use of stainless steel on the front plate and other key components is a smart choice for a product designed for the outdoors. After a weekend of use, including one damp morning, we saw no signs of rust or corrosion. The knobs feel secure, and the propane regulator attaches easily and without any fuss. It’s important to note, as one user did, that “you do have to have a table top in order to reach it.” This is standard for tabletop models, but it’s a crucial consideration for your setup. The SGS certification, while just a sticker to some, provides peace of mind that the product adheres to recognized quality and safety standards. This isn’t just a disposable piece of camp gear; it’s a durable cooking appliance you can rely on for many seasons of adventure.

The Full Experience: From Seasoning to Sizzle and Cleanup

Using the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle is a satisfying and straightforward process. Before our first cook, we completed the essential seasoning step. Following the user’s advice, we “laid some oil and cranked the burners as high as they’d go.” We applied a thin layer of cooking oil and let it heat until it smoked off, repeating the process three to four times. This simple procedure created a slick, dark, polymerized surface that provided a fantastic low-stick cooking experience.

It’s critical to understand that this is not a Teflon-coated, non-stick pan. As a user correctly points out, “This isn’t entirely non-stick. You’ll still need to use oil.” This is the nature of a true steel griddle top, and it’s a benefit, not a drawback, as it allows for high-heat searing that coated pans can’t handle. Cooking on it was a delight. Smash burgers sizzled instantly, developing a deep brown crust. Fried eggs slid around with ease. The grease management system, a small removable cup at the back, worked effectively to collect excess oil and bacon grease, keeping the cooktop cleaner during use.

Perhaps most surprisingly, cleanup was a breeze. While the griddle was still warm, we used a scraper to push any food debris into the grease trap, then wiped the surface down with a paper towel. A final thin coat of oil protects the surface until its next use. One reviewer summed it up perfectly, stating it was “super easy to clean.” This simplicity is invaluable at a campsite or after a long day, making you far more likely to use the griddle regularly. The combination of high-performance cooking and low-effort maintenance makes the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle a truly practical tool for any outdoor chef.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the feedback from users confirms our own positive experience with the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle. The sentiment is one of pleasant surprise, with the griddle often outperforming expectations. One user, who is accustomed to a much larger 36″ Blackstone griddle at home, bought this specifically for camping and was impressed. They noted the importance of using oil to maintain the cooking surface but highlighted that it makes cleanup significantly easier, a crucial insight for new flat-top owners.

Another reviewer came in with low expectations and was completely won over, stating it “worked way better than I expected it.” They specifically praised the perfect, even coverage of the burners, the ease of cleaning, and the flexibility to use any size of propane tank. This feedback is particularly valuable as it underscores the griddle’s core strengths: consistent performance and user-friendly design. There is very little negative feedback, with the primary “cons” simply being inherent characteristics of this product type: the need for oil and a separate table, which are standard for any steel tabletop griddle.

How the HongTaok Griddle Stacks Up Against the Competition

The HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle operates in a crowded market. To understand its value, it’s essential to compare it not just to direct competitors, but to other types of outdoor cookers that a potential buyer might be considering.

1. Captiva Designs Propane and Charcoal Grill Combo

The Captiva Designs combo grill is a completely different beast, designed for the backyard barbecue enthusiast who wants ultimate fuel versatility. With separate chambers for propane and charcoal, a side burner, and a massive 690 square inches of cooking area, it’s a stationary command center for your patio. This is the choice for someone who hosts large gatherings and wants the option of a quick propane-grilled weeknight dinner or a slow-smoked charcoal brisket on the weekend. It is not portable in any practical sense. You would choose the Captiva for its sheer size and multi-fuel capability at home, whereas the HongTaok is the clear winner for anyone who needs to take their cooking on the road.

2. Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Gas Grill

The Coleman RoadTrip 225 is a more direct competitor in the portable cooking space. It’s a well-known, reliable portable grill with traditional grates, making it ideal for those who prioritize classic grilling—think hot dogs, chicken breasts, and steaks with distinct sear marks. However, its open-grate design makes it unsuitable for breakfast foods, chopped vegetables, or smash burgers. The HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle offers far more culinary versatility with its flat-top surface. The choice here comes down to cooking style: if you want a classic grill experience in a portable package, the Coleman is a strong contender. If you want the do-it-all versatility of a griddle, the HongTaok is superior.

3. Weber SPIRIT E-325 3-Burner Propane Grill

The Weber SPIRIT E-325 represents the premium, mid-size backyard grill category. It’s a high-quality, permanent fixture for a home patio or deck, known for Weber’s legendary build quality, powerful burners, and excellent heat retention. It offers a large cooking area and is built to last for a decade or more. Comparing it to the HongTaok is about lifestyle, not just features. The Weber is an investment in your home’s outdoor entertaining space. The HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle is an investment in your freedom and ability to cook great food anywhere you go. It’s not a replacement for a Weber, but rather the perfect companion to it for adventures away from home.

Our Final Verdict on the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle is a phenomenal piece of outdoor cooking equipment that punches well above its weight. It masterfully solves the problem of achieving consistent, versatile, and enjoyable cooking in portable settings. Its standout feature is the dual H-burner system, which delivers the kind of even heating we’d expect from a much larger and more expensive stationary unit. This, combined with its durable construction and easy cleanup, makes it an absolute joy to use.

We recommend the HongTaok 23 Inch Tabletop Propane Grill Griddle without hesitation to campers, tailgaters, RV owners, and anyone looking for a powerful and compact flat-top for a small patio. It offers an incredible combination of performance and portability that is hard to beat. If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor cooking and leave the frustrations of camp stoves and uneven fire pits behind, this griddle is a fantastic investment in countless future delicious meals. You can check the current price and see more details right here.