Flat top grills may not be as popular as classic grills with grates…
…but they are still a great outdoor cooking appliance…
…that can effectively cook many of your favorite foods.
Your flat top grill can be used for a variety of dishes…
…from burgers to veggies to eggs to breakfast meat.
Even though you won’t get the signature sear marks from grill grates…
…this method is extremely effective in caramelizing meats…
…and vegetables at high temperatures.
A flat top grill is a great addition to any grill setup…
…whether you want another toy for your outdoor cooking setup…
…or you want to take your outdoor entertaining to the next level.
We will hear Eddie’s story before moving on to the next section…
Soon I had white new balances, cargo shorts, and developed an obsession
with mowing the lawn after buying this flat top grill.
This brings me back to the pure joy I get from cooking on a machine derived from the gods.
I encourage you to try a grill if you haven’t already.
The experience will change you forever.
So what can you make with it? Essentially anything you could possibly imagine.
Now is the time to get started…
What to Look for in a Flat Top Grill
Price
Flat top grills can cost anywhere from $100 to $3,000…
…so setting a budget and knowing what you want are crucial…
…to your shopping experience.
Cast iron griddles are usually more expensive than stainless steel…
…but it also depends on the grill’s design.
Your grill will be more expensive if you want more burners.
Models with electric starts are also more expensive.
Surface Area
A flat top grill’s most important feature is how many burners it offers…
…which is often reflected in how much surface area you have to cook on.
Choosing the right size will depend on how many people you typically cook…
…for and how much food is being prepared at the same time.
A grill smaller than two burners is fine if you’re cooking for a family of four.
However, if you’re cooking for large groups or have a lot of food…
…you probably should consider something that’s larger than two burners.
Flat-top grills can also be shaped like a circle rather than a rectangle…
…which allows more people to grill at the same time…
…and gives you 360 degrees of access to your food.
Design
These grills come with several features that are worth considering.
If natural gas hookups are important to you, make sure your model has them.
Many come with side shelves and tables for extra prep space…
…while others are fitted with shelves and cabinets for storage and convenience.
You will need a stone outdoor cooking set up to place these built-in models into…
…since some are built-in. Some standalone models have wheels for easy transportation.
You can find smaller, lighter portable versions…
…that are ideal for camping and outdoor excursions.
Material
Stainless steel cooktops are available on some flat top grills…
…while cast iron cooktops are available on others.
Maintaining and caring for each material differs slightly…
…so if you have a preference, it is definitely worth considering.
Generally, cast iron is heavier, more durable, takes longer to heat up…
…but distributes heat extremely evenly, and requires more care.
Stainless steel is thinner, lighter, and easier to care for…
..but it does not get as hot or distribute heat as well.
Stainless steel is usually less expensive than cast iron.
Here’s the main thing…
Our Top Picks for Flat Top Grills
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Blackstone 1517 Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle 2 Burner Propane Fuelled Rear Grease Management System 28” Outdoor Station for Camping with Built in Cutting Board and Garbage Holder, 28 Inch, Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-in Propane Gas Griddle with Lights - BLZ-Griddle-LTE-LP | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill Propane Fuelled Restaurant Grade Professional 36” Outdoor Griddle Station with Side Shelf, Black (New Edition-Black) | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | BIG HORN OUTDOORS Portable Gas Grill Propane Tabletop Grill 3 Burners Gas Griddle 23 Inch Flat Top Grill For Outdoor Cooking While Party, Picnicking Or Camping | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Royal Gourmet GD401 Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Side Table | 4-Burner, Folding Legs,Versatile, Outdoor | Black | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
- RESTAURANT STYLE COOKING - With 470sq inches of flat top grilling, This griddle is perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cook eggs, pancakes, Quesadillas, grilled cheese, steak, Potatoes, Teppanyaki style foods and more. Also enjoy a bottom shelf and two side shelves for food storage and prep
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A restaurant-quality flat top (470 square inches of surface area)…
…you can get for under $250.
The stainless steel burners have 15,000 BTUs each…
…providing a powerful flame you can turn easily from low to high heat.
With wheels on the bottom, it’s easy to move…
…and the battery-powered push ignition makes it easy for beginners to use.
There is an additional rack for storage and convenience.
Pros:
- Battery push start ignition
- Easy to transport
- Powerful burners
Cons:
- Only two burners
“When it comes to its portability, you get two heavy-duty wheels to move the 75-pound griddle station into your backyard. For convenience, the makers offered removable griddle top and foldable legs to the station for secure storage too.”
Brian Hebert – Writer at 1848 BBQ
Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Griddle
- Blaze Grills offers a best-in-class Lifetime warranty
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In addition to offering high-powered burners (18,800 BTUs per burner)…
…this stainless steel griddle also boasts a chic, simple design.
It can be placed on a cart or incorporated into your outdoor cooking setup.
The push start ignition makes lighting and operating the grill a breeze.
This grill also includes a best-in-class lifetime warranty.
Due to the nearly 500 square inches of cooking area…
…you still have plenty of surface area even with only two burners.
Pros:
- Natural gas hookups
- Chic design
- High power
Cons:
- Expensive
Keep reading…
Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill
- Add custom text here
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Keeping your grill well-maintained is key to ensuring that it operates…
…at its peak performance and will last you a long time.
Grease drains on both the rear and front of this model…
…ensure a quick and painless cleanup.
This griddle has impressed reviewers with its size and durability…
…as well as how easily it cleans up after use.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Griddle is sturdy and durable
- Ample cooking space
Cons:
- Expensive
Go on…
Big Horn Outdoors Portable Gas Grill
- 【Rapid Heating】- Portable griddle has three independently controlled S/S straight burner, 8,500 BTU each, total up to 25,500 BTU, can put cooking area into three, meet the multi-temperature needs of food.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This portable grill is the best option if you want to take your flat-top grill with you.
The three burners of this grill have an average of 8,500 BTUs each…
…(which is pretty good for such a portable grill)…
…and you can control the temperature in each zone with ease.
For your next camping trip or outdoor excursion…
…this compact grill weighs less than 30 pounds. It can also be used indoors.
Pros:
- Light and compact
- Three burners
- Easy to start
Cons:
- Small surface cooking area
Royal Gourmet GD401 Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo
- Combination of gas grill and griddle with two individual cooking zones | Easy assembly required
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You can still invest in a grill with both grates and a griddle…
…if you are not ready to commit solely to the flat-top grill.
By doing so, you will be able to switch between cooking surfaces simultaneously.
Side tables and legs fold for easy storage…
…and wheels on the bottom allow for easy transportation.
The four burners on this grill not only allow you to choose…
…between grates and griddles, but you can also operate various heat zones independently.
Pros:
- Four high-powered burners
- Grate and griddle options
- Foldable legs and tables
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with any wind deflectors
Sum Up!
The surface you choose for a flat top grill depends…
…on what you typically cook on a grill, or what you would like to cook on one.
If you can’t decide between a grill or griddle cooking surface…
…some flat top grill models offer both.
The last consideration is the size of the meals-or how many people you’ll be feeding.
Most small families can utilize a two-burner grill…
…while four-burner grills are better for larger families or cookouts with friends.
It may be necessary to purchase five or more burners…
…if you do intend to entertain larger parties.
Conclusion
With the Blackstone 28-Inch Outdoor Flat Top Grill…
…you can serve up restaurant-quality meats at a great value.
Are you looking for something portable and affordable?
Choose the Big Horns Outdoors Portable Gas Grill, which can also be used indoors.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
