Grills and Griddles
What Size Griddle for a Family of 2? A 17 Inch Tabletop
Quick answer
Two people need about 170 square inches of griddle at 85 square inches each, so a 17 inch tabletop with 268 square inches of cooking surface is enough. Step up to a 22 inch model at 361 square inches if you cook full breakfasts with pancakes, eggs and bacon at the same time.
Griddles are sold by width but sized by cooking surface. A 17 inch tabletop gives 268 square inches, a 22 inch gives 361, and the jump between them is bigger than the names suggest. For two people the smaller one covers dinner comfortably; breakfast is where it gets tight, because eggs, pancakes and bacon all want space at once.
Run your own numbers through the griddle size calculator, which adds an allowance for breakfasts and takes one away for smash burgers cooked in rotation.
On this page
What size griddle do I need for 2 people?
| Group | Everyday surface | Whole meal at once | Griddle that fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 170 sq in | 200 to 260 sq in | 17 in tabletop, 268 sq in |
| 2 people, full breakfasts | 213 sq in | 260 sq in | 17 in tabletop, 268 sq in |
| 3 people | 255 sq in | 300 to 390 sq in | 22 in tabletop, 361 sq in |
| 2 people who host 4 | 170 sq in | 400 to 520 sq in | 22 in tabletop, 361 sq in |
Planning figures at 85 square inches per person, and 100 to 130 per person when a whole meal cooks at once. Surfaces are the standard sizes used by the griddle size calculator.
How much fits on a 17 inch griddle?
| Griddle | Cooking surface | Burgers at once | 5 in pancakes at once | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 in tabletop | 268 sq in | 10 | 13 | 1 to 3 people |
| 22 in tabletop | 361 sq in | 14 | 18 | 2 to 4 people |
| 28 in, 2 burners | 524 sq in | 20 | 26 | 4 to 6 people |
| 36 in, 4 burners | 768 sq in | 30 | 38 | 6 to 10 people |
Burgers assume about 25 square inches each with room to press and flip; 5 inch pancakes about 20 square inches. Surfaces are typical published figures for models of each width.
Which griddles fit a household of two?
| Griddle | Width | Cooking surface | Hood | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 17 in. Tabletop Propane Griddle | 17 in | 268 sq in | No | $159.99 |
| Blackstone 22 in. Original Tabletop Griddle with Hood | 22 in | 361 sq in | Yes | $219.99 |
| Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday 24 in. Portable Griddle | 24 in | 240 sq in | Yes | $299.00 |
Cooking areas are the manufacturers' published figures from our catalog. Where a maker does not publish a primary area, the table says so rather than estimating one. The Camp Chef is wider overall than the 22 inch Blackstone but lists less cooking surface, which is a good reminder that width on the box is not cooking area.
Is a tabletop griddle big enough for two?
Yes, with one caveat about fuel. Tabletop models usually run on 1 lb disposable cylinders, which cost far more per hour of cooking than a 20 lb tank, and they run out at inconvenient moments. If the manufacturer allows it, an adapter hose solves both problems: the Blackstone 5471 Propane Adapter Hose and Regulator is made for the 17 and 22 inch tabletop models, and the Gas One 4 ft. 1 lb to 20 lb Propane Adapter Hose is a generic option for 1 lb appliances.
The other consideration is the hood. A hood lets you steam cheese onto a smash burger and holds heat on a cold morning, which is why the 22 inch model with a hood is a common upgrade even for two people. Seasoning and care are covered in how to season a griddle, and small-model picks are in the best tabletop griddles.
Which small griddles should I buy?
Tabletop models, plus the accessories that actually get used. More options are in the best flat top griddles.
Blackstone 17 in. Tabletop Propane Griddle
$159.99268 square inches on a single burner, which covers breakfast for two and stores on a shelf. Blackstone lists it for camping breakfasts for a family of four cooked in rounds.
Best for: couples, campers and small balconies
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Blackstone 22 in. Original Tabletop Griddle with Hood
$219.99361 square inches with a hood, which is what lets you melt cheese and hold heat. The extra 93 square inches over the 17 inch model is the difference at breakfast.
Best for: two people who cook full breakfasts
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Camp Chef Gridiron Gameday 24 in. Portable Griddle
$299.00240 square inches across two burners with a proper lid, so you get two heat zones in a portable body rather than one.
Best for: tailgates and campsites
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Blackstone 5471 Propane Adapter Hose and Regulator
$16.97An adapter hose and regulator for the 17 and 22 inch tabletop griddles, which moves them onto a 20 lb tank and off expensive 1 lb cylinders.
Best for: tabletop Blackstone owners who cook weekly
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Blackstone Pro 22-Piece Griddle Tool Kit
$58.99Spatulas, scrapers, squeeze bottles and the rest in one purchase, which is what a new griddle actually needs before the first cook.
Best for: first-time griddle owners
Check price on AmazonHow we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 17 inch griddle big enough for 2 people?
Yes. At 268 square inches it covers the roughly 170 square inches two people need for an everyday meal and still has room for sides. It gets tight only when a whole breakfast cooks at once, since pancakes, eggs and bacon together want 100 to 130 square inches per person. For that, a 22 inch model at 361 square inches is the better fit.
Should I buy a tabletop or a full-size griddle for two?
Tabletop, unless you host often. It stores on a shelf, uses less fuel and heats quickly, and 268 to 361 square inches is genuinely enough for two people. Full-size 28 and 36 inch griddles are about feeding four or more and about running several heat zones at once, neither of which a household of two needs on a weeknight.
Can I run a tabletop griddle off a 20 lb tank?
Usually yes, with the adapter hose and regulator the manufacturer sells or approves for that model. It is worth doing, because 1 lb disposable cylinders cost far more per hour of cooking and run out without warning. Use the hose the maker lists for your griddle rather than a generic fitting, and check the connection with soapy water before lighting.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.