My romance with outdoor griddles began during a sweltering summer spent evaluating cooking equipment in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the oppressive 90-degree heat and suffocating humidity that defines a Southern summer, these expansive cooking surfaces completely won me over. Perhaps it was the extreme weather, but I found myself absolutely enchanted by their remarkable versatility.

There’s something truly magnificent about a gas-powered cast iron griddle. The generous cooking surface heats quickly and evenly, while all the smoke and steam escape outdoors instead of filling your kitchen. During our rigorous testing sessions, I watched smash burgers develop perfect sears in record time, and witnessed bacon achieve levels of crispiness that seemed almost impossible. It was culinary love at first sight.

Upon returning home, I embarked on a mission to convince my skeptical husband that an outdoor griddle wasn’t merely a luxury—it was an essential addition to our already substantial collection of backyard cooking equipment. This collection already included two pizza ovens, a smoker, and a traditional grill, so his hesitation was understandable.

After eight months of gentle persuasion, I successfully convinced my doubtful spouse that we could explore the world of outdoor griddle cooking with the Weber Rust-Resistant Griddle Insert. This decision proved to be absolutely brilliant. The insert fits seamlessly into my existing Weber gas grill, instantly transforming it from a standard grilling appliance into a versatile cast iron griddle capable of handling any short-order cooking task. The results have been nothing short of spectacular.

What Makes the Weber Griddle Insert Outstanding

While we’re fortunate to have a reasonably spacious backyard, my husband made a valid observation about our lawn gradually resembling an outdoor equipment showroom. Adding another full-sized appliance would have been overkill.

The Weber griddle insert offers an elegant solution—it’s a compact yet substantial carbon steel slab that stores easily in your garage or basement when not in use. Installation couldn’t be simpler: remove your existing grill grates and slide the insert into place. Just ensure the grease drainage channel aligns properly with the drip tray, unless you want your “brunch” to become “burnt lunch.” Once your grill is fired up, grab your tongs and offset spatula, and you’re ready to start cooking.

My Weber Genesis E-325 provides 513 square inches of cooking space, and the griddle insert matches this dimension perfectly, offering plenty of room for elaborate meals. I can effortlessly prepare complete brunch spreads featuring bacon, sausages, and perfectly cooked over-easy eggs, then reduce the heat to toast bread slices.

The insert also excels at creating smash burgers—a truly transcendent experience that eliminates kitchen smoke entirely. Operating like a professional short-order cook, I can simultaneously smash multiple patties and scrape them from the scorching surface, achieving those coveted lacy, caramelized edges. The first time I served my husband two perfectly crispy burger patties nestled in soft potato buns, he instantly became a flat-top grill convert.

Related Griddle Tips and Recipes

If you’re interested in more ways to enjoy your cast iron griddle, consider trying some popular blackstone griddle recipes—these have been favorites in our cooking experiments. From breakfast classics to creative dinners, these recipes highlight the versatility of outdoor griddles.

For those new to griddle care, learning how to season a blackstone griddle is essential. Proper seasoning maintains the surface’s non-stick quality and protects it from rust, ensuring your griddle lasts for many grilling seasons.

If you’re a camping enthusiast, a blackstone camping griddle is a perfect companion, offering portable, durable cooking surfaces for outdoor adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Weber Grills Are Compatible with This Griddle Insert?

Weber manufactures full-size griddle inserts designed to work with numerous models from their product lineup. Compatible grills include the updated Spirit series, Searwood pellet grills, Genesis collection, Summit line, and even select charcoal grill models.

How Should You Maintain the Weber Griddle Insert?

Maintenance is refreshingly straightforward. After the griddle cools completely, use an offset spatula to scrape away any food residue. Wipe the entire surface with a damp paper towel, then apply a thin layer of food-safe oil to maintain the cooking surface. That’s all there is to it.

About the Author

Grace Kelly serves as a senior editor at Serious Eats, specializing in comprehensive kitchen equipment testing and evaluation. Her background includes restaurant experience and equipment review work with America’s Test Kitchen. She’s passionate about her Weber grill and appreciates the added versatility that griddle functionality provides.