If you’re into cooking outside, a grill may be an easy sell, but an outdoor griddle just might be more useful. I am a professional product tester and minimalist, so I don’t like too much of anything. I used to believe I could achieve everything I wanted outdoors with a grill — maybe a pizza oven if I was feeling fancy. But after testing seven of the best models on the market for weeks, I'm convinced every outdoor setup needs one. Our top picks The best outdoor griddle overall: The Solo Steel Fire The best budget outdoor griddle (it's portable too!): Blackstone 2 Burner Propane Griddle A flat-top griddle doesn’t just cook food differently than a grill does; it offers an entirely different experience. Unlike a grill with open grates and hot spots, a flat top offers a large, even cooking surface that can handle any meal. You can make eggs, toast buns, sauté vegetables alongside steaks , and cook an entire diner-style breakfast for a large crowd without juggling pans in your kitchen.…