Solo Stove Drops Portable Gas Griddle
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Solo Stove just released the Steelfire 22-inch table top griddle, continuing its expansion from outdoor stainless steel fire pits into other types of products. The launch follows the debut of the brand's 30-inch stainless steel griddle last September. This tabletop gas-powered griddle has a single burner that produces 14,000 BTUs and works with a 1-lb. propane canister.
Specs:
- Dimensions: 24.3" L x 22.4" D x 8.6" H
- Weight: 38.7 lbs (17.6 kg)
- Cooking Surface: 322 square inches
- Material: Stainless steel
Designed for Even Heating
Like the larger Steelfire, the 22-inch version also has what Solo calls the racetrack burner, which is an oval shaped burner designed to create even heat across the entire cooking surface, minimizing any cool spots, a common problem with gas griddles. While this is a smart design, it does limit the Steelfire to a single burner and hence a single cooking zone. Other similarly sized tabletop gas griddles have two or even three zones, making it easier to cook different types of foods simultaneously.
Stainless Steel Cooking Surface
The steelfire is also a departure from traditional gas griddles in that it uses stainless steel as opposed to a cast iron for its cooking surface. This has its pros and cons. The stainless steel surface doesn't require seasoning like cast iron. The Steelfire will also reach searing temps in just seven minutes, which is much quicker than a cast iron griddle. And given that the Steelfire is made entirely from stainless steel, you don’t have to worry about it rusting, which can be an issue with cast iron griddles. That said, cooking on stainless steel requires more skill to prevent certain foods, such as pancakes, eggs, and burgers, from sticking to it.
Related: Lodge Releases Patriotic Cast Iron Skillets Honoring America’s 250th
Portable Size and Weight
The Steelfire is also compact and light enough to take camping or tailgating. Since the griddle sits on insulated feet, you can safely rest it on a wood table or composite picnic table without having to worry about it scorching the wood or melting the plastic surface.
The Verdict
At $400, the 22-inch Steelfire isn’t cheap. For comparison, Blackstone’s 22-inch tabletop griddle costs just $220. That said, given Solo's reputation for exceptional build quality, you can count on its Steelfire griddles to be made with thicker gauge, higher quality stainless steel. In short, this is a tabletop griddle that should last a long long time and is hence worth the investment.