Griddles are becoming more and more popular with backyard chefs. Whether you want a flattop grill to use along with a regular grill or you’d prefer to move entirely into the griddle arena, there’s a great model out there.
For those with outdoor kitchens, there are some beautiful stainless built-in griddles that rival the quality and functionality of regular gas and charcoal grills.
Here’s a look at the best built-in outdoor griddle options for your backyard culinary oasis.
Our recommendations for Best Built-In Outdoor Griddles:
- Best Overall: Blaze Premium LTE Gas Griddle
- The Premium Choice: Fire Magic Echelon Diamond Griddle
- Great Value for Money: Turbo Grills Gas Teppanyaki Grill
- Large and Affordable: Blackstone Griddle with Hood
- Unique Design: Evo Affinity Classic Flatop Gas Grill
- Budget Pick: Stanbroil Premium Stainless Griddle
Why Built-in Gas Griddles Are Great
Gas griddles are the perfect cooking appliance for a host of applications. Their proponents claim that you can cook almost anything on a griddle and that they are far more versatile than standard barbecue grills.
The biggest benefit they provide is that they don’t let those tasty juices get away. That means succulent steaks with the perfect all-over sear and juicy smash burgers that satisfy everyone in the family.
And it means that things that you could never cook on a grill will work, like chopped vegetables, bacon, or even eggs.
If you’ve got an outdoor kitchen, a griddle is the perfect accessory. Some folks prefer the flattop to a grill any day. They are perfect for everything from bacon, eggs, and pancakes for breakfast to fajitas and veggies for dinner.
But even if you’ll never give up the grates on your grill, you’ll still find plenty of uses for a griddle. They’re great for cooking sides and smaller items that just don’t work on your grill.
So is there anything you can’t cook with a built-in griddle?
While the flattop can cook a lot of things, it’s not a great option for bigger items that require slow cooking. And, of course, you can’t smoke on a griddle!
Ribs, roasts, or whole chickens are better saved for a smoker or a big grill with a hood.
So, for many chefs, there’s plenty of room in their backyard kitchen for both a grill and a griddle.
6 Best Outdoor Built-In Griddle Reviews
Below are reviews of the 6 best built-in outdoor gas griddles. Whether you are looking for the highest quality American-made product or a more budget-friendly option, you can find something suitable here.
When choosing a built-in griddle for your outdoor kitchen consider your budget and what size is the most suitable for you.
As with grills, the size of the built-in griddle you choose will come down to the space on your counter. Each griddle has cutout dimensions, so compare carefully and see which works best for your installation.
Best Overall: Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-In Gas Griddle
The Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch griddle shares some of the best features of other Blaze products. Namely, this griddle is made with high-quality 304 stainless steel and has a best-in-class lifetime warranty.
It also features LED light-up control knobs, a sharp-looking design, and an excellent grease catcher system.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane/natural gas
- Number of Main Burners: 2
- Total BTU: 36,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 495
- Weight: 121 lbs
- Build Materials: 304 stainless steel
- Dimensions: 30″ x 28.37″ x 12.37″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty for all stainless steel components and a 1-year warranty for electrical and ignition components
The great features of this griddle really stand out, but its quality and design shouldn’t be overlooked either — it’s very well thought-out. Everything works smoothly, from the flame-thrower ignition system to the power U-shaped burners.
The entire griddle is made from high-quality 304 stainless steel and weighs in at over 120 pounds. This is not a lightweight throw-away model. It’s built to last.
The Blaze fits in a cutout measuring 28-1/8 by 24-3/8 inches. The two-burner grilling area has 495 square inches of space, and the total power output is 36,000 BTUs.
The Blaze griddle comes with a stainless steel lid that protects it from dust and dirt but doesn’t really prevent rainwater from accumulating in the grease trap. So I recommend buying a grill cover or installing the griddle in an area that’s sheltered from rain.
What We Love
- Great cooking performance
- Easy and fun to use
- Made with durable stainless steel
- LED-illuminated control knobs
- Comes with a stainless steel lid
- Lifetime warranty for all stainless steel parts
What We Don’t
- If exposed to rain, water can accumulate in the grease trap
The Premium Choice: Fire Magic Echelon Diamond 30-Inch Built-In Griddle
The Blaze is a nice griddle, but there are other great premium examples if you want to drop the cash.
Want the best American-built griddle out there? Check out the Fire Magic Echelon Diamond E660i.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane/natural gas
- Number of Main Burners: 2
- Total BTU: 45,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 540
- Weight: 160 lbs
- Build Materials: 304 stainless steel
- Dimensions: 34.5″ x 29″ x 14″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: Depends on the part (click the link above to see details at BBQGuys)
This beautiful 30-inch griddle has 540 square inches of cooking space and an even more impressive 45,000 BTUs of cooking power. The griddle surface is 3/8-inch thick, meaning that it heats more evenly and stays hotter longer than other flattops.
The lighted knobs and contoured design look great in any outdoor kitchen space. It also includes a stainless steel lid to protect the cooking surface when not in use.
The Echelon Diamond’s cutout needs to be 31-1/4 by 23-1/2 inches. Note that this griddle requires a 120-volt power source for ignition and the LED lights.
What We Love
- Excellent overall quality
- Thick griddle surface for even heat
- Plenty of heating power
- Made in the USA
- Includes a stainless steel lid
- LED-illuminated control knobs
What We Don’t
- Quite pricey
Great Value for Money: Turbo Grills By Barbeques Galore 32-Inch Gas Teppanyaki Grill
With this built-in flat top grill, Barbeques Galore has really come up with an outstanding product. Built with high-quality materials and stacked with luxurious features, this griddle is still a budget-friendly option.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane/natural gas
- Number of Main Burners: 2
- Total BTU: 40,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 457
- Weight: 131 lbs
- Build Materials: 304 stainless steel
- Dimensions: 32″ x 24″ x 10.5″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty for most parts (15 years for valves and 1 year for electrical components etc.)
This 32-inch teppanyaki griddle is built with heavy-duty 304 stainless steel. It includes a stainless lid to protect the grill from the weather. It also has control panel lighting.
The cooking surface is 8 mm thick, or about 5/16 inches. That means it will heat up evenly and be easier to cook on overall.
The two U-shaped, 20,000 BTU burners quickly heat the 457 square inches of cooking space. Best of all, this teppanyaki has a lifetime warranty on the burners, exterior, and griddle. The valves have a 15-year warranty; everything else is covered for one year.
The cutout must be 30-1/2 by 20 inches in your counter.
What We Love
- Built with high-quality materials
- Excellent quality for an affordable price
- Lifetime warranty for most parts
- Includes a protective lid
- Has control panel lights
What We Don’t
- The user manual could be better
Large and Affordable: Blackstone Stainless Steel 36-Inch Griddle with Hood
Blackstone is one of the most recognizable brands in griddles. The company can almost be credited with the griddle’s amazing popularity today.
They make a wide range of griddles for every use and every budget. This built-in model is beautifully finished, has a huge cooking area, and provides great value.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane/natural gas
- Number of Main Burners: 4
- Total BTU: 34,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 754
- Weight: 176 lbs
- Build Materials: Stainless steel
- Dimensions: 40.94″ x 29.13″ x 15.9″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: 1 year
The 754-square-inch cooking area on this griddle has four heat zones, giving you more flexibility than smaller griddles have.
The exterior is stainless steel with a hinged lid to protect it from the weather and an insulation jacket to keep it hot in the wind. The actual cooking surface is non-stick.
If this Blackstone griddle has any negative aspects, it will be the short warranty and finding space for it in your countertop. It requires a cutout measuring 45-3/4 by 27-9/20 inches.
What We Love
- Large cooking surface
- 4 independently controlled cooking zones
- Great value for money
- Comes with a protective hood
What We Don’t
- Only 1-year warranty
Unique Design: Evo Affinity 30G Built-In Flatop Gas Grill
Here’s a little something different, and it’s well worth the effort of fitting into your outdoor counter.
The Evo Affinity 30G is a round griddle powered by two super-efficient circular burners. The result is excellent heat control on a very functional griddle, with easy cleanup and an eye-catching design.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane/natural gas
- Number of Main Burners: 2
- Total BTU: 40,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 457
- Weight: 131 lbs
- Build Materials: 304 stainless steel
- Dimensions: 32″ x 24″ x 10.5″ (W x D x H)
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty for metal surfaces (1 year for electrical and gas components etc.)
The Evo Affinity cooking surface is 30 inches in diameter and crowned to allow grease to drip to the sides. It is a preseasoned non-stick surface.
A removable catch pan runs around the perimeter of the griddle for easy cleanup. The burners are round, one inside the other, allowing you to set cooking temperatures from 225 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit while getting even, edge-to-edge heating. Compared to side-by-side designs, this layout allows more heat to be applied to the entire cooking surface and gives you awesome temperature control.
Plus, the large hood that is included is more than just a weather cover. It’s designed to make this griddle into an outdoor oven. The vent on top can be opened or closed to control temperatures. When not used, the hood stores neatly on hooks over the drip pan.
The Evo’s circular design does mean that you might have to do a little more planning when putting it into your outdoor kitchen. However, once installed, the results are really beautiful. Few other appliances provide such family-friendly cooking, almost like visiting a hibachi-style restaurant.
The cutout needs to be about 27-17/32 by 26-1/4 inches. A cart model is also available if working out space on your counter is too much.
What We Love
- Stylish design
- Easy to use and clean
- Good temperature control
- Includes a hood that allows it to be used as an oven
- Made in the USA
What We Don’t
- Pricey
Budget Pick: Stanbroil 28-Inch Premium Stainless Griddle
Stanbroil makes a range of built-in options, from grills and griddles to drawers and doors. And this budget pick griddle has many great features that won’t leave you feeling like you’re missing out.
Specifications:
- Fuel Type: Propane gas
- Number of Main Burners: 2
- Total BTU: 34,000
- Cooking Area (sq.in): 412
- Weight: 120 lbs
- Build Materials: 304 stainless steel
- Dimensions: 30″ x 26.9″ x 13.8″ (W x D x H)
The Stanbroil 28-inch stainless griddle has a large enough, 412 square-inch cooking area. The two large H-shaped burners put out a total of 34,000 BTUs.
The 304 stainless design and large hinged hood allow a little more versatility than others, allowing you to bake or roast on the griddle. This griddle has a pull-out drip tray for easy cleanup.
The cutout should be 26 by 21.72 inches.
What We Love
- Good overall quality
- Affordable
- Has a weather-resistant lid
- The lid makes this griddle more versatile
What We Don’t
- Not the most stylish option
