If you’re serious about outdoor cooking, you’ve probably come across the Camp Chef name more than once. Camp Chef griddles don’t just elevate outdoor meals—they redefine them, offering a level of versatility that can transform the way you cook, whether you’re at home or at the campsite. With standout products like the Camp Chef Flat Top 600 and the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X, plus must-have accessories like the Camp Chef Pizza Oven and Camp Chef BBQ Box, it’s no wonder Camp Chef is trusted by everyone from weekend warriors to hardcore hunters feeding a hungry crew after a long day in the field.
In this review, I break down over two years of hands-on use with both of these griddles and a wide range of accessories—covering performance, durability, takeaways from my experience, along with some must-have accessories to get the most out of your Camp Chef setup.
Camp Chef Griddle Options – What I Tested
Camp Chef offers a wide range of options, but I had the opportunity to test two versatile and game-changing solutions for outdoor cooking: the Portable Flat Top 600 and the VersaTop 2X. Both are engineered to handle real-world outdoor cooking, whether you’re feeding a large group or working with a compact setup.
Note: Camp Chef recently released the new Camp Chef Gridiron, but unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a larger portable version available as of this writing.
How They Were Tested
Over two years, both the Portable Flat Top 600 and the VersaTop 2X were tested in real-world conditions—from backyard meals to high-altitude hunting camps. They replaced my traditional gas grill, cooked for over 20 people, and made trips to remote campsites. Performance, durability, and ease of maintenance were evaluated under consistent use throughout the two-year testing period.
Cleaning and Maintenance – Camp Chef Flat Top Griddle
Both units use the same cleaning process: scrape while hot, wipe down with water and a paper towel using the Camp Chef Griddle Scraper, and apply a light coat of oil to re-season. Deep cleaning should be done occasionally as needed. Regular maintenance includes re-seasoning, burner checks, and grease trap cleaning.
Make sure to check out our other gear reviews and the Backwoods Pursuit YouTube Channel to help you decide what gear will help you stay out in the field longer!
If you are new to a flat top griddle, there’s a slight learning curve that can feel a bit intimidating compared to simply brushing the grates of your old BBQ grill, but once you get the process down, it’s quite simple and easy.
The Review – Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle
BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN
With four burners and 604 square inches of cooking space, the Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle features a foldable frame that is ideal for transporting to the park or your favorite camping spot. That said, it’s a large portable griddle and a bit heavy, so it’s more of a chore to tote around compared to the smaller VersaTop or VersaTop 2X. If you don’t need the mobility though, the new backyard version of this griddle- the Camp Chef Gridiron 36– is loaded with features and includes an integrated lid, which I wish the Portable Flat Top 600 offered.
Performance – Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle
Throughout our testing of the Camp Chef Flat Top grills, we found that the Flat Top 600 provided excellent heat distribution, quick ignition, and the ability to run multiple temperature zones when needed. There were a few instances where we noticed slight hot spots on the surface, but nothing significant. From fish to steaks, this griddle performed without fail.
IGNITION
The ignition system on the Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 generally performed reliably throughout testing. In most cases, it sparked quickly and got the burners lit without much hassle. However, there were occasional instances when it required multiple attempts to ignite—especially as the unit aged and saw heavier use. While not a deal-breaker, it’s something to be aware of if you expect a flawless, one-click start every time. Overall, it’s a dependable system, though not without minor inconsistencies.
PORTABILITY
While the Flat Top 600 is undeniably a large griddle, Camp Chef designed it with portability in mind. It folds down relatively compact for its size, making storage and transport more manageable than you might expect. However, unlike the VersaTop 2X—which allows the user to keep the griddle top attached to the body during transport—the Flat Top 600 requires two separate carry cases: one for the heavier griddle top and another for the legs and frame. This adds a layer of inconvenience, particularly when packing or loading gear.
That said, dividing the weight between two cases actually helps keep each component manageable for one person to carry. It’s a smart approach for a unit of this size, even if it’s not quite as streamlined as the VersaTop 2X. Just keep in mind that both carry cases are sold separately, which adds extra cost.
COOKING HEAT
Generally speaking I found the Camp Chef Flat Top 600 to run on the hot side, so I almost always used the “low” setting during cooking. The only time I found myself using “high” was when searing tri-tip I’d just smoked in the Camp Chef Smoke Vault. The “high” setting was perfect for this, but one important thing to note is that the griddle takes a while to heat up and cool down—unlike a traditional gas grill.
What I Liked – Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle
Once you start using a flat top griddle like the Camp Chef Flat Top 600 or VersaTop 2X, it’s hard to go back to the old gas BBQ grill. Sure they still have their place- but I found myself using the flat top almost exclusively (when I wasn’t smoking meat). Here are the things I like the most.
- Large cooking surface
- Excellent cooking versatility
- Foldable & mobile design
- Powerful, reliable burners
- Mostly even heat distribution
- Built-in leveling screws
- No flame-ups on chicken, burgers, etc.
- Perfect for cooking breakfast outdoors
- Easy to clean
What I Disliked – Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle
Despite my love for the Camp Chef Flat Top 600, there were a few things that could have been improved.
NO LID
This is by far the primary thing I don’t like about both the Portable Flat Top 600 and the VersaTop 2X. Sure, you can cover your food with a dome, but built-in lid option would be a welcome addition. I’m glad the new Camp Chef Gridiron 36 has an integrated lid, but also disappointed they no longer offer a larger portable option for those big family camping trips.
GREASE DRAIN
Another issue I came across was having the grease drain get plugged from time to time. This wasn’t a huge deal—however, the opening was just small enough to let it clog up and cause grease to back up occasionally. Again, Camp Chef fixed this with the new Gridiron 36, which is a welcome change.
Best Uses – Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 Griddle
It might go without saying at this point, but the size and ability to fold up into a carrying case make Portable Camp Chef Flat Top 600 an ideal unit for camping or hunting trips for large groups. I even used it as my daily backyard griddle, and it was excellent- aside from the previously mentioned lack of a lid option.
The Review – Camp Chef VersaTop 2X Griddle
It’s all in a name. The Camp Chef VersaTop 2X is exactly that….versatile. Both the 1 burner VersaTop and the 2 burner VersaTop 2X give you the ability to convert them from a flat top griddle, to a BBQ using the Camp Chef BBQ Box, as well as a full blown oven, using the Camp Chef Pizza Oven. I took full advantage of each of these options, using the pizza oven for some take ‘n bake pizza on a hunting trip, grilling up some chicken tenders on the BBQ box, baking English muffins for the whole family, and grilling up breakfast sandwiches.
Performance – Camp Chef VersaTop 2X Griddle
Overall I found the performance of the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X to be excellent. Much like the Flat Top 600, it offers a fantastic heating surface that is perfectly sized for family camping trips. While not quite the unit I would select for regular backyard use, it served as a secondary flat top griddle for some particularly large gatherings we hosted- streamlining the cooking process with both the Flat Top 600 and VersaTop 2X going at once.
IGNITION
The ignition of the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X worked well overall, but like the Flat Top 600, more I used it, the less reliable it became in firing up on the first try. At times, it took a few clicks to get it going, but it always lit, and never let me down.
PORTABILITY
I certainly preferred the portability of the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X over the Flat Top 600, as it is much easier to pack up and takes up less space in the truck. However, during trips with only 1–3 people, I found the VersaTop 2X to be a bit large, and would recommend the 1-burner VersaTop instead.
HEAT
Like the Flat Top 600, I found the VersaTop 2X to run on the hot side. I typically used the low setting for cooking and warmed the griddle top using the high setting. Again, because of the thick cold-rolled steel, it takes a solid 7–10 minutes to fully heat up, so plan accordingly. I did note a few hot spots that seemed a bit inconsistent, but nothing drastic—overall, the VersaTop 2X delivered a nicely even cooking surface.
BEST USES
I found the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X to be best suited for camping trips with up to four people, tailgates, or a day at the park or beach when you’re cooking for a small group.
What I liked – Camp Chef VersaTop 2X Griddle
The Camp Chef VersaTop 2X is a fantastic portable cooking top that gives you everything you need to cook for a medium sized crew and keep bellies full and satisfied. A few of my favorite features about the Versatop 2X include:
- Protected grease drain
- Adjustable leveling feet
- Compact and easy to transport
- No flame-ups like traditional gas grills or campfires
- All-in-one carry bag (sold separately)
What I Disliked – Camp Chef VersaTop 2X Griddle
There are also a few things that I’d like to see changed about the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X that would make it even better:
– No rubber feet – can slide around on smooth surfaces
– Lid not included or available as an accessory
My biggest complaint with the VersaTop 2X is the lack of a lid. I often found myself having to clean the surface off before each use because, well, when camping there are bugs and dirt. To mitigate this, I’d recommend covering the griddle once it has cooled down after each use to keep it clean and ready for use to cook up the next meal.
Recommended Accessories – Camp Chef Flat Top Griddle
PORTABLE FLAT TOP 600
After using this beast for over 2 years, here are the accessories I found to be super useful and would recommend picking up.
– Fitted lid or dome (if available)
– Weatherproof cover
– Paper towel holder
– Spatula and scraper kit
– Water and oil squeeze bottles
– Carry bag (essential if you plan to transport or take it camping)
VERSATOP 2X
– Camp Chef Pizza Oven
– Camp Chef BBQ Grill Box
– Scraper tool kit
– Water and oil squeeze bottles
– Hot pads or gloves (handy for changing the flat top to another accessory)
– Large propane tank hose adapter
– Carry bag (a must-have for safe, clean transport when camping)
Build a Camp Cooking Go-Box
To streamline camp prep, put together a dedicated go-box with essentials like spatulas, oil bottles, spices, paper goods, hot pads, trash bags, and soap. This makes packing for trips quicker and ensures you never forget key gear. Camp Chef offers a ton of accessories to help with this and make camping prep a whole lot easier.
Important Things I learned From Use
Through extensive hands-on testing with the Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 and the Camp Chef VersaTop 2X, I’ve identified a few key takeaways to help you get the most out of these griddles—whether in the field or at home:
Key Takeaways for Getting the Most Out of Your Camp Chef Flat Top 600 or VersaTop 2X:
- Always ensure the unit is level so that grease drains properly and doesn’t pool on the cook surface.
- Cleaning and re-seasoning immediately after cooking—while the surface is still hot—is the fastest and most effective way to maintain the griddle.
- Preheat the griddle on high for at least 5 minutes before cooking. Once hot, reduce the heat to low for most applications; this provides even, controllable cooking temperatures and helps prevent scorching.
- Steaks and thicker cuts of chicken can require extra attention to ensure even cooking—especially on colder days, due to the lack of a lid.
- Use the sides of the griddle to sear or finish cooking thicker items; this helps apply heat to the sides of steaks or chicken when needed.
Can the Flat Top 600 Replace your Gas BBQ Grill?
Yes, it absolutely can—and in my case, it did. After using the Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 regularly for over two years, I found myself reaching for it every time instead of my traditional gas BBQ grill. It became so reliable and versatile that I eventually got rid of the gas grill altogether, since it just wasn’t getting used anymore.
The Flat Top 600 handles just about everything you’d normally throw on a grill—steaks, burgers, brats, veggies, fish, stir fry and more. It offers more control, better surface area, and faster clean-up when used correctly. The ability to season the surface, prevent food from falling through grates, cook a wider range of meals, and maintain more consistent heat has made the Camp Chef griddles my go-to.
That said, there are still times when a traditional BBQ grill might be the better option—particularly if you’re after that open flame-char, cooking over wood pellets or charcoal which benefit from a closed-lid environment. But for the vast majority of day-to-day meals, the Flat Top 600 is more than capable of replacing a gas grill and doing it better.
Conclusion – Camp Chef Griddle Review
The Camp Chef Portable Flat Top 600 and the VersaTop 2X offer unmatched flexibility for outdoor cooks. From backyard grilling to dispersed camping, they deliver consistent performance. Pair them with smart accessories and a go-box, and you’ve got a complete, mobile outdoor kitchen- ready for any situation, big or small.
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