Flat top griddles have no competition, when it comes to versatility in cooking. They are comparatively easier to use and clean than kamado grills. There is a variety of dishes you can whip up using a flat top grill and it’s not just breakfast dishes, you can prepare an array of food dishes ranging from pancakes, bacon, or grilled cheese to fried rice and chicken, sauted veggies, or hamburgers. You name it and you have it!
Usually, these flat tops are propane-fuelled, easy to assemble, and comparatively hassle-free, aiding you to cook some scrumptious meals in no time, straight out of the box. No flare-ups and no temperature regulation. Do you know what is the best thing that makes a flat top grill even more unique? It is the fact that the season over time, the longer you use them the better they get.
If you are planning to bring one home, there are some important features that you might want to consider and then perhaps go to the one that works for you best. First of all, the construction material, whether you are seeking a cast-iron surface for better heat retention or chrome-coated surface, is more on the expensive side but no less in terms of utility.
The second feature that should be considered is the number of burners and overall cooking surface area. If you are serving a large family and seek to adorn your deck or patio with a flat top grill you might want to go for the ones that are bulky and heavyweight. For smaller families, you may go for the ones that are comparatively compact and space-efficient.
Thirdly, the portability and ease of cleaning. Flat tops with collapsible build are more portable and easy to store, you can carry them easily.
A good flat top griddle grill is something which is perfect for outside cooking. Perfect for someone with a large luscious green backyard. A griddle grill can be used for making a variety of things like pancakes, steaks, chicken burgers, sausages, grilled chicken – all the mouthwatering party delicacies. Griddles are of different sizes and are made up of different materials but the best are those made of stainless steel or black stone.
If you plan a thanksgiving party or a new years party in your backyard and have a bunch of people coming over, a flat top griddle is definitely a must buy item. It not only lets you have a barbecue- like setup in your lawn, but also lets you cook in large quantities – some griddles can cook up to 30 burgers at once!
Choosing a griddle can be tough, especially if this is your first time buying one. To make your task easy, we’ve shortlisted 5 such grills – all of which are tested and carefully judged on the basis of their performance!
I have huddled up a few of them keeping these features in mind. Read further to check them out and see what works the best for you.
10 Best Flat Top Griddle Grills in 2023
Contents
Best Overall Griddle Grill: Country Smokers CSGDL0370
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Best Value Griddle Grill: Cuisinart CGG-888
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Best In 4 Burner Griddle Grill: Blackstone 1554
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Best Tabletop Griddle Grill: Royal Gourmet PD1301S
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Best Large Capacity Griddle Grill: Royal Gourmet GB4000F
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Best Portable Griddle Grill: Cuisinart CGG-501
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Best Seasoned Griddle Grill: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
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Best Heavy-Duty Griddle Grill: Blackstone griddle 1666
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Best Movable Griddle Grill: Razor Griddle GGC1643M
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Best In 5 Burner Griddle Grill: PIT BOSS 10762
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Best Overall Griddle Grill: Country Smokers CSGDL0370 Horizon Series
Country smokes horizon series flat top is a lightweight and beginner-friendly. This flat top grill that is constructed out of heavy gauge stainless steel which makes it durable. Ready to bear the hard walloping of the outdoors this flat top will prove its efficiency to you in no time.
It is equipped with collapsible legs which rather makes it easy to carry. Weighing only 31.9 pounds this smoker is lightweight, a quality that further aids the portability. Also, this flat top is adorned with a solid 373 square inches of open griddle space, which is sufficient to feed 5-6 people in a go.
Moreover, this flat top is pre-seasoned with organic plant-based oil, thus it can be used straight of the box. Adorned with impeccable stainless steel burner for beginners, this variant is furnished with two burners with 11,000 BTU each. These burners offer you powerful heat within seconds without much worrying about the temperature control.
Additionally, there are protective burner covers attached, thus lessening almost all fuss about heat control on a windy day. This flat-top grill is a great companion for cooking outdoors.
However, there are some concerns regarding the warping of griddle after a few uses. I would recommend that you get an additional efficient covering for the time when you are not using the flat top, to enhance the durability.
Pros
- Lightweight and Portable
- 373 sq. in cooking surface
- Great for backyard cooking
- Perfect size for 5-6 peoples
- 2 independent protective burners
- Removable grease bucket
Cons
- Concerns regarding warping of the griddle
- It needs to be handled with care at times
Best Value Griddle Grill: Cuisinart CGG-888 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Surface Gas Grill
Cuisinart has a huge reputation in the vertical of kitchen appliances, because this brand delivers quality products at reasonable prices. This CGG-888, variant from Cuisinart is perhaps no less. To start with, this gas grill is equipped with two independently controlled burners of 15000 BTU each that equip you with sufficient power to put together a decent meal.
These burners provide you heat power in seconds, giving you full control to manage the hot and cold zones on the surface.
Moreover, this flat top features a 380 square-inch steel surface that is forged into a 360-degree grease pan which channels all the grease to the grease cup instead of letting it accumulate in the middle. This makes the whole ordeal of cleaning relatively easier.
The Cuisinart gas grill comes bundled with a foldaway table and a paper towel holder which comes handy when managing all the food distribution or managing grease. Further, it is attached with a stainless steel lid with an integrated vent system, this features enhances the utility, aiding you with several features that include steaming, roasting, smoking, and warming.
Although the griddle surface area is bit on the smaller side, however, considering the features, pricing, and attachments that come along with this flat top, the small surface area is rather compensated.
Pros
- Dual independently heat controlled burners
- Easy to assemble
- Cold rolled steel cooking top
- Easy to clean
- Comes with foldable side table
Cons
- Concerns regarding customer service
- Quality control issues
Best In 4 Burner Griddle Grill: Blackstone 1554 Flat Top Outdoor Griddle Station
Next on my list of best flat-top grills is this king model by Blackstone. It is sturdy, compact, and durable making it the perfect model for larger families or anyone who entertains guests frequently. This grill has 4 independently controlled burners with 15000 BTU each and is constructed out of cast iron, thus it is efficient enough to supply those ultra-high temperatures that too with a small push of ignition button.
With a total weight of 120 pounds, this flat top grill is adorned with a whopping 720 square inches of flat top grilling. The cold-rolled steel surface is expertly crafted for even distribution of heat, therefore, allowing the food to cook consistently and evenly. Further, it has updated rear grease management to collect all the grease drain.
It is also furnished with two side shelves and bottom shelves, that helps you in organizing the ingredients and the cooked food on the grill itself. There is comparatively little fuss when everything is within your reach.
Few complaints, however, are regarding the patchy customer service, warping of the griddle, and improper location of the grease trap.
Pros
- 720sq in. flat top for perfect grilling
- 4 independent heat controller
- Easy to use with push-button Ignition
- Removable griddle top
- Easy to control stainless steel burners
Cons
- Concerns regrading Customer service
Best Tabletop Griddle Grill: Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable Table Top Gas Grill Griddle
If you are not into manhandling those bulky and heavy grill tops, you might want to go for this portable flat top grill by Royal gourmet. It is compact, space-efficient, and portable, which is the perfect companion for your outdoor grilling endeavors. Tag this along, while camping, fishing, or tailgating and whip up some delicious grilled food in no time. It is rather a cakewalk to use and easy to assemble.
PD1301s is all stainless steel weighing 20 pounds. It features three separately controlled burners offering a whopping heat content of 25, 500 BTU overall. You can easily control the hot and cold zones depending upon your cooking needs, just push the integrated piezo igniter to ignite the power.
Further, it is adorned with a spacious cooking surface of 316 square inches that allow you to whip up some home cooked meals without much worry. The easily removable slide-out grease cups collect the accumulated grease making the top easier to clean. You can whip up anything from a sunny side up to grilled shrimps, bacon, salami, or hot dogs.
To add the cherry on the top, these attachments include a waterproof grill cover with PVC coating that further adds to the durability and longevity.
Pros
- Porcelain enameled griddle top
- Perfect for small camping and tailgating
- 316 sq. in. spacious cooking surface
- 3 independently controlled burners
- Detachable Griddle top with grease management
- Comes with waterproof PVC grill cover
Cons
- Concerns regarding grease cup not aligned
- Even heat distribution at times
Best Large Capacity Griddle Grill: Royal Gourmet GB4000F 36-Inch Flat Top Gas Griddle
Another Royal Gourmet gas griddle made into my list. This variant however is comparatively heavier than the previous enlisted product. Constructed out of alloy steel and stainless steel this gas griddle weighs 129 pounds and has an expansive flat top open surface of 748 square inches. You can cook ample dishes for your guests and family all at once.
This griddle is equipped with four independently controlled stainless steel burners that provide you a fair amount of heat content of 52,000 BTU overall, 13000 BTU each. Further, this steel flat top comes pre-seasoned with organic plant-based oil making the product ready to use straight out of the box.
If warping is something that annoys you, the manufacturers have looked into that aspect as well and have provided you with a flat top that resists bending and cracking. Moreover, you have large side shelves and four hook designs for the accessories, and extra cooking space. these shelves fold over the top thus preventing any unwanted element on the top of your grill.
There are several complaints regarding bad quality control, so you might want to check the product as soon as it arrives to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Pros
- 784 sq. in. spacious cooking area
- Four individually controlled powerful burners
- Ceramic coating griddle top for quick heat-up
- Easy to clean
- Dual foldable side shelves
- 4 caster wheels helps easy to moving
Cons
- Concerns regarding quality control
- No wind guard
Best Portable Griddle Grill: Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle
One thing, that makes gas griddle stand out from the rest of the cooking appliances is its versatility, and this variant from Cuisinart gives you that. This lightweight portable grill is constructed out of stainless steel, it is ideal for balconies, patios, and decks. It is travel-friendly and easy to transport, adding the needed spice to your camping ventures.
The Griddle features 285 square inches of an open flat surface, which is sufficient to cook a scrumptious meal for family and friends. The surface is constructed out of thick cold rolled steel which imparts it the much-needed durability and efficiency.
Moreover, the griddle is equipped with two independent burners with a heat content of 10,000 each. These burners are rather quite flexible and easy to use, the light in no time with the twist ignition, and can be easily controlled via a control dial designated for each burner.
This variant also adorns a built-in-hose that can work with 20 pounds propane tank that adds to the efficiency of the flat top, giving you longer hours for cooking.
Pros
- 2 independent burners to control over heat
- 285sq. in. cold rolled steel cooking surface
- Great for outdoor cooking
- 12000-BTU tabletop gas grill with stainless-steel burner
- Large capacity with grease cup option
- Easy to use
Cons
- Tank hose is rather short
- Small grease cup
Best Seasoned Griddle Grill: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Camp Chef is a great choice for you if you are looking for an all-round cooking flat top. This flat top is unique because of many reasons especially the cooking surface, which is cast- iron, it includes both a top griddle surface of 604 square inches and a grilling cooking surface of 501 square inches.
Use the griddle for preparing pancakes, omelets, veggies, hash browns, or bacon or remove the griddle and use the appliance as a grill for those medium cooked steaks, yummy hamburgers, fried rice, and chicken. The surface is true seasoned, nonstick, and ready to use. You can easily feed 40- 50 people per hour with multiple dishes as the surface is quite accommodating.
The flat top is featured with four burners of 12,000 BTU each, they provide you enough heat power in no time with easy to use ignition system. They heat the food evenly and consequently they give you a consistently cooked meal.
It is attached with a grease tray, a catch bucket, and griddle levelers that all together combine with a proper grease management system, making the cleaning process a lot easier. The side shelves deliver extra space allowing better organization without cluttering the whole place with foodstuffs, skillets, and pans.
Pros
- Huge interchangeable flat top
- Propane tank holder for quick ignition
- 4 independent burners
- 604 sq. in spacious cooking and grilling surface
- Easy to use matchless ignition system
- Grease management for easy cleanup
Cons
- Concerns regarding quality control
- Complaints about customer service
Best Heavy-Duty Griddle Grill: Blackstone tabletop griddle 1666
Blackstone tabletop griddle is constructed out of alloy steel and weighs 32 pounds, providing you with an optimum amalgamation of compactness, lightweight, and portability. This black beauty is convenient and a heavy-duty flat top griddle that can be an appropriate choice for you to bring along while tailgating or outdoor camping.
The uniquely designed ‘H’ shaped burners ensure optimum distribution of heat and consistent cooking. There are two burners attached with an overall heat content of 24,000 BTU. Moreover, they are provided with built-in ignition and are independently regulated giving you more control over temperature and more discretion when it comes to deciding the hot and cold zones.
The medium cooking space of 339 square inches is enough for cooking eggs dishes, searing steak, bacon, hash browns, etc. If you are fussed about the grease accumulation, this flat top comes attached with a rear grease trap that collects all the grease and makes the task of cleaning rather easy.
The Blackstone griddle works like breeze, very beginner-friendly, and easy to clean. I would however make a little recommendation of seasoning the griddle well to avoid rusting and for a smoother cooking experience.
Pros
- Two independently controlled burners produce 24,000 BTUs of heat
- 352 sq. in. large cooking surface
- Travel friendly and easy portability
- 2 H shaped burners for even heat distribution
- Adjustable height rubber feet
- Propane fuel type
Cons
- Bit of learning curve for grilling
- The surface could have been smoother
Best Movable Griddle Grill: Razor Griddle With 4 Burner
There are several features that this flat top provides, including an integrated zone for searing. Weighing nearly 118 pounds, the primary body of this flat top griddle is made of steel while the griddle is made of thick rolled steel and is pre-seasoned.
Its collapsible build makes it all set for any outdoor cooking, you can bring it along on your deck, camping trip or you can cook in your backyard, this griddle prepares a home-cooked meal for you or your family in no time, despite its larger build.
This easy to assemble flat top is provided with a large cooking capacity of solid 750 square inches, which is enough to feed 45-60 people per hour. Whip up those fried rice, garlic chicken, and broccoli or hamburgers, saute the veggies, sear the bacon and eggs, you get ample cooking options with free-standing burners. This flat top griddle features four stainless steel burners with overall heat power of 62,000 BTU.
The side shelves are versatile as they let you organize your essential cooking stuff without making a mess. When not in need you can simply fold them, to avoid any unnecessary element on your griddle.
Pros
- 750 sq. in. seasoned griddle
- 4 stainless steel burners to diversify heat level
- Easy push option for ignition
- Side shelves fold to cover the cooking surface
- 57 burger capacity
Cons
- Inconsistent heat zones
- Griddle build is not that smooth
Best In 5 Burner Griddle Grill: PIT BOSS Standard 5 Burner Griddle
Although this is the last one on my list it is nowhere the least. The 5 burner variant by Pit Boss gives you utmost utility to prepare a meal for your family and guests, it gives you space and ease. To start with the construction material, this flat top is made of heavy-duty steel that imparts its stability and durability.
Additionally, the feature that makes it stand out is the fact that it furnishes 5 stainless steel burners boasting a total heat content of 62,000 BTU. This feature gives you more flexibility in terms of heat regulation, you can sear the bacon or veggies at one side while roasting the chicken breast on the other side, thus controlling the high-temperature area and low-temperature area.
The griddle itself is forged out of 4.5mm thick steel, with 753 square inches of cooking surface. It is pre-seasoned with organic oil and ready to use, using the easy turn and push ignition.
Moreover, the side shelves serve the dual purpose of acting as extra space and as a locking griddle cover when the flat top is not in use. What else makes this whole ordeal even better is the 2-year warranty that comes along with it.
Pros
- 753 sq. in. large cooking surface
- Excellent product for outdoor chefs
- Propane gas fuel option
- Easy to cary with two side handle option
- Locking caster swivel wheels option
- Effortless drain system help quick cooking
Cons
- Quality control patchy
How We Selected These Flat-Top Grills
Things to consider when choosing Flat Top griddle grills
Dimensions
The dimensions of a flat top griddle is an important factor when selecting which one to buy. If you have to cook for a large family or have a party at your place tonight, a large cooking griddle will be a good idea! Otherwise there are options like medium and small sized griddle too!
Burners
3-4 burners are very necessary in a flat top griddle to evenly heat up the surface. A good griddle is characterized by the number of items it can cook at once, and the amount of space it has. But the number of items cooked together also depends on the strength of the burners. Therefore, it is implied that a griddle with more burners will cook more and better.
Temperature control
A good griddle grill will always have a thermostatic control that lets you control temperature! The maximum temperature in most of the griddles is 300 C , lowest starting from 50 C. Temperature control systems will not only make you have total control over the food, but also ensure that every inch of it is cooked with proper heat! So always see whether the griddle you’re choosing lets you be the dominant person and have control on your food!
Surface area
A flat top griddle has a cooking surface which is much heavier than the one we find in normal griddles. Always go for that one which has a cooking surface made up of stainless steel or rolled steel. These two are very durable and won’t rust. Another good material is cast iron.
Cleaning
Can we just agree that cleaning is the most frustrating part about cooking? Always look whether your griddles can be easily washed/cleaned with a wipe. Whether a griddle is non-stick or not also comes into consideration about cleaning decisions. A nonstick surface can be easily cleaned in no time as the food never sticks to it!
FAQ’s
What are the food options for flat top grills?
There are plenty of options that can be made with a griddle grill, like grilled salmon, grilled broccoli, the most famous grilled cheese sandwich, pancakes, hot dogs, Hash Brown Casserole Griddle Cakes – the list is never ending.
So do not restrict yourself when it comes to cooking in a griddle grill!
Is it necessary to clean a flat top grill before use?
Yes, we would suggest cleaning it once, for your own safety so that whatever dust particles sit on it, get washed away. So remember to always wash the griddle before use even if it does not appear to be dirty!
How should I clean my griddle?
First, after your cooking is done, let it cool until it cools down. Once the room temperature is attained use a scraper to take out the sticky food particles from the surface. If you think the scrapper is taking too much time, you can dip the apparatus into warm water and then continue with the scrapping as warm water helps in loosening up the particles.
Once that is done, use a wet wipe to clean it. Lastly, you can oil it for future use so that the surface isn’t sticky.
How do I season a flat top grill?
The steps are pretty simple. Clean the surface thoroughly. Turn on the gas and let it heat. Once it starts to heat, turn the gas knob off and put some oil and spread it across all corners with a cloth.
Again turn on the gas. Heat till the top starts to blacken.
Wait for a few minutes, and there it is, your seasoned flat top griddle !
What’s the best way to store a flat top grill?
The best place for storing a griddle is the cool and dry places, protecting the surface from all kinds of heat and humidity for better longevity.
Verdict
When talking about the culinary experience in general, flat-top griddles are more practical than grills. If you relish the idea of home cooked hamburgers or tender steak, or that yummy grilled cheese sandwich, then you can not ignore the utility of griddles.
They provide you with an uninterrupted cooking surface where you can experiment and perhaps master the art of cooking good food. I personally like to whip up some caramelized onion and ham sandwiches for myself, and I am telling you it tastes great!
However, there can be nothing as bad as buying a flat top that is more or less to your expectations. So, it is super essential that you are aware of what you are looking for.
It won’t be a good idea if you are a family of two or less and you buy an extravagant griddle like Pit Boss, Camp Chef, or Blackstone with four burners. Flat tops like Cuisinart Gourmet gas griddle might prove a more practical choice for you.
Similarly, if you are a travel freak, you might want to go more portable options like Blackstone table top griddle, or Royal Gourmet table top PD1301s.
I hope was able to aid you in your quest to look for a perfect flat top. Happy cooking!