Is Walmart's New Outdoor Griddle A Suitable Affordable Alternative To A Grill?

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Whether you spend a lot of time on your outdoor patio or host your fair share of backyard barbecues, you might have compared the prices and advantages of different grills. After all, transforming your backyard into a party space or one where you can whip up barbecue favorites on a whim requires you to have the appropriate appliances. The problem, however, is that it can be a pricey endeavor. To save some money, you could DIY a portable grilling station for backyard entertainment, but if you don't have the time, you might consider purchasing the KingChii Outdoor Propane Grill from Walmart. It could totally change the way you enjoy your outdoor meals — and at an affordable price point of $130.

Now, the question remains: Is this outdoor griddle a suitable alternative to a full grill? With an overall customer rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, it's safe to say that many see it that way, although some are still skeptical about completely replacing their tried-and-true grills. That said, there's a lot to consider about this product. For one, the compact, 28-inch propane griddle has 420 square inches of cooking space. Plus, its portable design makes it easy to haul with you, whether you're planning your next tailgate or camping trip. For more reasons why buyers of this griddle love it, and why they don't, you can rely on verified customer reviews.

There are plenty of reasons to love this griddle. Many verified purchasers note that the griddle is easy to assemble. It goes without saying that having a portable griddle can be convenient, especially when you're on the go and need something compact enough to transport. But don't let its size fool you — it's big enough to get the job done. Per one 5-star review for the costlier version that comes with a hard cover, "...The large cooking surface and even heat distribution make it ideal for all our family meals...Highly recommended!" They also note how simple the cleanup is, so you don't need to worry about making a crucial mistake while cleaning your grill.

Another 5-star review shares that the three burners make for optimal heat control. When it comes to the overall quality of the griddle, many reviews share that this product met their expectations. "Just recently purchased this product, it's very sturdy, and the parts feel high-quality. The value for the size is also great, would definitely recommend it," explains one 5-star review.

While this product has a plethora of upsides, from affordability to accessibility, even some customers who purchased the product and ranked it high had some notes. "This is so fun! I do wish the sides on the griddle [were] higher — had a few veggies jump ship on its maiden voyage, but my food was delicious," one writes. And because the base, cheaper version of the griddle doesn't have a lid, it makes the product even more susceptible to damage from the elements and rusting.

According to one unhappy buyer, they noticed grill oxidation shortly after using it for the first time. "Since the first use, even taking care of the platform/griddle was unusable by the next day! The oxidation is awful, and even [after] cleaning it, it comes back over and over," they explain, and it's an experience that's shared by other 1-star reviews. One 2-star review says that the material warped after just two uses and has poor heat distribution. Similarly, there are overall concerns about the quality of the materials used, as one review calls the griddle "cheaply made."