6 Best Flat Top Grills and Outdoor Griddles in 2024 – Blackstone, Royal Gourmet & More!

Flat top grills are popular both in restaurants and backyards because they are versatile and easy to use.

The larger models are great for having barbecue parties and cooking for big families. But if you’re planning to take your griddle along on a trip or camping adventure, you can choose a more portable option.

One of the best things about flat top grills and griddles is their versatility. You can cook almost anything with them. A flat top gas grill also heats up fast and is easy to clean.

6 Best Flat Top Grills and Outdoor Griddles Reviewed

Now, let’s take a proper look at our recommended flat top grills:

Best Overall: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Flat Top Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

Royal Gourmet grill and griddle combo is our number one pick from the full-sized flat top gas grills. This sturdy propane gas unit is made of quality materials.

It’s a versatile cooking gadget that has enough space for preparing a meal for a small army!

So why the Royal Gourmet is our top pick?

Of dozens of great options available on the market, we chose this one as our number one recommendation.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes this griddle and grill combo so good:

Great Design and Versatility

This 4-burner flat top grill features 2 large cooking surfaces — one with regular grill grates and the other with flat top griddle.

The griddle cooktop is made of ceramic-coated steel, which is a great material for the purpose. It provides even heat and your eggs, fish, or pancakes won’t stick to it when frying them.

The porcelain-enameled cast iron grill grates are excellent for grilling steaks and burgers. You can also place a frying pan or a removable griddle on it if you need more frying space.

The Royal Gourmet has legs and side tables that can be folded to make it a compact and portable package. This allows you to take it along for camping trips and minimizes the required storage space.

High-Quality Burners

The grill has 4 durable stainless steel burners that put out 48,000 BTUs. That’s enough heating power to make it hot in no time!

You can control each burner individually — just use the griddle side to fry some eggs and bacon or set everything to full blast and cook for a crowd!

Grease Management and Usability

The grease management system is well-designed, and cleaning the cooking surfaces takes only a few minutes.

Other useful features include two side shelves for extra working space, a matchless ignition system, and a propane tank holder on the side.

The grill also has a hanging bar with hooks to place your tools and accessories out of the way but within hand’s reach. The lockable caster wheels allow you to easily move it around on flat surfaces.

Conclusion

Overall, the Royal Gourmet 4-burner flat top grill is a great option for any backyard chef. Especially if you’re looking for an all-around cooking station that can handle large amounts of food.

The Runner-Up: Blackstone 4-Burner Outdoor Grill and Griddle Station

If you already have a gas grill, then you’ll probably want to choose a dedicated griddle — and the Blackstone is the perfect choice!

With a 720 square-inch cooking surface and 60,000 BTUs of heating power, this 4-burner griddle station is the biggest and most powerful unit included in this review.

The grill is easy to assemble and, despite its large size, it’s portable. You can remove the griddle top and fold the legs for transportation or storage. This comes in handy if you are planning to bring it around for tailgating or other outdoor events.

Just like with the Royal Gourmet grill, the stainless steel burners can be controlled independently. This allows you to create different heat zones or use only one burner when you are cooking just a few portions.

The Blackstone has all the basic features, including push-button ignition and folding side shelves. However, the grease drain could be improved as it sometimes lets a dribble of hot blubber down the leg.

Overall, this is definitely one of the best Blackstone griddles on the market and makes a great choice for cooking on your terrace or backyard.

The cold-rolled steel cooking surface is big enough for hosting parties and with those 4 wheels, you can move it around easily. And this griddle has an even larger cooking area than the Royal Gourmet model reviewed earlier in this guide.

Best Built-In Option: Blaze Premium LTE Built-In Gas Griddle

The Blaze Premium LTE built-in flat top grill is an exquisite addition to any outdoor kitchen. Made with high-quality 304 stainless steel, this durable griddle has great features and offers outstanding cooking performance.

This grill has a sizable 30-inch cooking surface providing ample space to cook multiple items simultaneously – a feature particularly advantageous when entertaining guests. The even heat distribution across the griddle surface ensures consistent cooking results, negating the common issue of hotspots that plague some other models.

The 304 stainless-steel construction not only grants the Blaze LTE a sleek, modern aesthetic but also assures durability and resistance against the outdoor elements. This robust griddle weighs in at over 120 pounds — it’s built to last.

The Blaze LTE also features LED light-up control knobs and an excellent grease catcher system. The stainless steel lid 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.

Compact & Convenient: Cuisinart CGG-888 Stainless Steel Outdoor Cooking Center

Cuisinart is a brand mainly known for its kitchen appliances, like coffee makers and food processors. I didn’t even know that they also make grills. However, this is not a reason to ignore the CGG-888 outdoor cooking center.

We really like the compact circular design of this flat top grill. It has a big cooking surface with a 19-inch diameter and 2 burners providing plenty of heating power. Yet, you can fit it in a quite small space, especially if you fold the side tray down.

This gas griddle also includes a lid that makes it even more versatile. You can use it for roasting, steaming, baking, and with a bit of imagination, even for smoking. The downside of the lid is that it’s quite low, so you can’t fit a whole turkey under it.

The CGG-888 is easy to set up and heats up fast. It is convenient to use and fast to clean. In addition, it has some nice features like a paper towel holder and a removable grease cup.

If you have limited space and need a versatile cooking station that can be easily moved around, this stainless steel griddle from Cuisinart might be just what you’re looking for.

Best Tabletop Griddle: Royal Gourmet PD1301S 3-Burner Propane Gas Griddle

You don’t necessarily need big and expensive equipment to prepare tasty food. Royal Gourmet PD1300 is a great example of a well-designed and compact gas griddle that delivers a solid cooking experience.

This portable tabletop griddle is ideal for camping, tailgating, and traveling. It has a porcelain enamel coated 312 square inch griddle, that is big enough to fit about 10 burger patties. It also packs enough heating power to give you a proper sear.

One of the main advantages of this portable 3-burner tabletop griddle is the fast and easy setup. Getting it out of storage, or the trunk of your car, and making it hot and ready to use happens in a matter of minutes. A cover for convenient storage and transport is included.

Its 3 burners can be individually controlled and provide an evenly heated cooking surface. However, reaching the right temperature is not that easy at first. You need to pay attention as it might get too hot and burn your food.

This Royal Gourmet gas griddle is very affordable. Yet, it features a push-button ignition system, a heavy-duty cooking surface, and an adequate grease management system.

Small and Portable: Blackstone Portable 17 Inch Tabletop Flat Top Grill and Griddle

Looking for something small and portable? Here we have a convenient mini-griddle from Blackstone.

This is one most convenient options to take along for camping or tailgating. It’s lightweight and you can cook for several hours even with a small 1-pound propane bottle.

This 17-inch tabletop griddle takes very little space and is easy and fast to set up. It still has 267 square inches of cooking space, which is big enough for cooking a nice lunch for a family of 5.

It heats up fast, and your eggs, bacon, burgers, or pancakes will be ready in no time. Cleaning it up takes no more than a minute. In addition, this portable griddle offers very good value for the money.

Brand Comparison: Royal Gourmet vs Blackstone Griddles

Royal Gourmet and Blackstone are the biggest names in the outdoor griddle game, so let’s take a quick look at these two brands to help you choose. Whether you are looking for a larger standalone unit or a more portable option, both brands offer some reasonably priced options with great cooking performance.

The main difference is that Royal Gourmet cooking surfaces are made with porcelain-coated cast iron while Blackstone uses cold-rolled steel.

Both options are durable and work great, so which type of cooking surface you choose is a matter of personal preference.

Cold-rolled carbon steel has better heat conductivity and volumetric heat capacity than cast iron so it heats up faster and provides a great sear. On the other hand, porcelain-coated cast iron doesn’t need seasoning so it’s easier to maintain.

Whichever brand you choose you can’t really go wrong — both offer quality products with excellent value for money. The choice is more about what specific model best suits your needs.

If are looking for more top-rated flat top grill brands, check out my comparison of Pit Boss and Blackstone griddles.

What’s Great About Flat Top Grills

What I love most about flat top grills is their versatility.

You wake up on a Sunday morning craving some bacon and eggs. Maybe some pancakes too?

Just light up that flat top gas grill and your breakfast will be done in no time.

Well, soon it’s time for lunch. Maybe some burgers? Or how about some Mexican food this time — maybe fajitas or tacos?

Whichever you choose, one of the best ways to cook them is on a flat top grill.

Then later in the evening, you might wanna surprise your family with a steak dinner. On the other hand, something lighter, like a fish fillet could also be nice. With a flat top grill, you can cook either one!

Next, I recommend that you watch this short video with great tips for flat top grilling:

How To Grill on a Flat Top

How to Choose the Best Flat Top Grill for Your Needs

Here are the most important things to consider before buying a flat top grill or outdoor griddle:

1. Size and Heating Power

One of the most important things is to choose a unit that will safely fit in the designated area and has a large enough cooking surface.

Size and Cooking Area

The first thing to think about is the area where you are going to use the grill.

Ýou would want to have a unit that will conveniently fit in the assigned grilling area. It’s also good to have some space around the grill and make sure that no flammable objects are nearby. So sometimes a small unit can be the best option.

Heat and Cooking Surface

You’ll definitely want to have a cooking surface that is suitable for your needs.

Are you mostly just cooking for yourself and your spouse? Or do you like to host big gatherings and cook 20 burgers at a time?

In that case, getting a big enough grill with decent heating power will make things a lot easier.

2. Durability and Warranty

A cheap grill that is easy to use and cooks tasty food is nice. Yet, it can be very disappointing if it starts rusting or malfunctioning after a few years.

If you think about your wallet and the environment, in the long run, it’s better to get a high-quality grill with durable parts.

Choosing a brand with reliable customer service and a long warranty is also a good idea. In case of problems, you won’t be left alone but you can get the needed advice and replacement parts.

3. Features

When selecting a flat top grill or griddle, beyond the foundational elements like size, material, and fuel type, numerous additional features can optimize your cooking experience and provide added convenience.

The most important features to consider include:

• Grease Management System: A well-designed grease management system helps in efficiently collecting and managing grease, preventing messy spills and facilitating easier cleanup.
• Easy to Clean: Features like a removable drip tray, non-stick surface, or detachable parts can simplify the cleaning process.
• Heat Control: Look for a grill that allows for versatile and precise control over heat zones, especially if you’ll be cooking diverse items simultaneously.
• Storage and Workspace: Additional storage space for tools, spices, and possibly a side table or extra workspace can be very beneficial.
• Lid or Cover: A lid can be vital for trapping heat and facilitating more versatile cooking options, such as roasting or steaming.
• Safety Features: Ensure the grill has stable construction and, if applicable, safe connection points for gas tanks to prioritize safety.
• Accessories: Extra accessories like grill covers, spatulas, or even additional griddle plates might come in handy.
• Compatibility with Cooking Accessories: Consider choosing a griddle that is compatible with accessories like grill grates or pizza stones, expanding your cooking possibilities.
• Temperature Gauge: An accurate and clear temperature gauge or indicator ensures that you maintain the desired heat levels while cooking.

4. Portable or Not?

Planning to put your flat top grill in a certain place and keep it there? Then a bigger and heavier freestanding option might be the best choice.

If you want to use it for tailgating and camping, a portable model will be more convenient. In general, the portable tabletop griddles are fast to set up and easy to use. They are also very affordable.

You should also consider how easy it is to assemble, disassemble, and store the griddle, especially if space is a limiting factor.

We have included the best options for both full-sized and portable types of gas grills in this guide.

5. Fuel / Energy Source

Choosing between propane gas, natural gas, and electric griddles is usually an easy task since almost all models are propane-powered.

However, there are a few instances where you might want to choose a different fuel/energy source:

1. If you are looking for a built-in flat top grill for your outdoor kitchen, natural gas options are often available and might be the best choice.
2. If you want to use the griddle indoors, you should consider getting an electric griddle. According to safety experts, it’s not safe to use a gas griddle indoors (unless you install proper ventilation).

Here’s a breakdown of aspects you might want to consider for each fuel type:

Propane Gas Flat Top Grills

Most popular and widely available, propane gas griddles are the usual choice.

Pros:

• Portability: Propane tanks can be transported, making this option ideal for mobile outdoor cooking.
• High Heat: Propane grills can reach high temperatures quickly.
• No Power/Gas Outlets Needed: Good for remote or outdoor locations.

Cons:

• Tank Refills/Exchanges: You’ll need to refill or exchange propane tanks.
• Cost: Propane can be more expensive than natural gas.

Natural Gas Flat Top Grills

Often only available as built-in models, a natural gas griddle might be the ideal option for your outdoor kitchen.

Pros:

• Cost-Efficient: Natural gas tends to be less expensive than propane.
• Constant Supply: No need to worry about running out of fuel during cooking.

Cons:

• Installation: May require professional installation to access a gas line.
• Immobility: Generally, it’s not portable unless you have a mobile setup with a natural gas supply.

Electric Griddles

The main advantage of electric griddles is that they can be used both outdoors and indoors.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Simply plug it in and adjust the temperature.
• Indoor Use: No fumes make it safe for indoor use.
• Temperature Control: Often provides precise and easily adjustable temperature control.

Cons:

• Power Dependency: Requires access to a power outlet.
• Heating: May take longer to heat up and might not reach as high temperatures as gas grills.

One great option for indoor use is an electric teppanyaki grill.

Flat Top Grill and Griddle FAQ

Should I season my new flat top grill before using it?

Most flat top cooking surfaces are made of cast iron or cold-rolled steel and they should be cleaned and seasoned before using them for the first time.

Start by cleaning the cooking surface with warm water mixed with a bit of dishwashing soap. Then dry the surface and spread a thin layer of cooking oil (e.g. canola oil, sunflower oil, flax oil) on the surface. Next, turn up the heat and wait until the oil starts smoking. Keep the heat up until there is no more smoke and then turn the heat off and let it cool down. You can then wipe the surface with a damp soft cloth.

For more specific instructions, see the user manual of your flat top grill or griddle. Some brands recommend repeating the seasoning process several times to create many thin layers of seasoning.

How to clean flat top grill with rust?

If you keep your flat top grill well seasoned and clean, it shouldn’t rust easily. Yet, sometimes the layer of seasoning might get damaged and allow the cooking surface to start rusting.

You can clean the rust by first heating the grill to loosen the layer of rust and then letting it cool down a bit. Next, scrape the rust off and then add some cooking oil and scrub the surface with a grill stone or steel wool. Wipe it clean with a cloth. If there is still rust, repeat the process.

When the griddle surface is clean, season it properly to avoid rusting. Also, store the unit in a cool, dry place to avoid corrosion.

What are the pros and cons of flat top grills and outdoor griddles?

Flat top grills are very versatile and you can use them for searing steaks, burgers, chicken breasts, and hot dogs. They can also be used to cook things that normal grills can’t handle such as pancakes, eggs, and small pieces of meat and vegetables. Flat top gas grills and griddles are also easy to use and clean making them a great choice for beginners.

When it comes to big pieces of meat that require slow cooking, a flat top grill or griddle is not the best option. They usually don’t have a lid so cooking items like ribs, briskets, or whole chickens is not possible. In addition, you can’t get a smoky flavor when cooking on a flat top grill.

Want to read more outdoor griddle brand comparisons?

See also our guide with the battle of Blackstone vs Camp Chef.

Happy grilling!