The Best Flat Top Grills and Griddles According to Pros

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Pros: The four burners offer plenty of temperature control, and the Camp Chef converts into a gas grill. Cons: As with many outdoor cookers, you should plan to spend about $60 more for a soft cover to protect the griddle.

Whether it's cooking for two or a crowd, finding a grill to suit all comers is a moving target. But experts agree that having more BTUs, multiple burners, and a bigger chunk of steel gives the griddle added versatility so you can cook for parties, or on just half of it for a weeknight meal.

After researching the options, the Camp Chef Flat Top 600's 31-inch wide cold-rolled steel surface — a size that is often referred to as a 36-inch griddle, given the cart's overall width — is ideal for an average patio or deck.м

The size of the griddle is nearly the most important factor with any outdoor cooking rig. The rule of thumb is figuring on about 72 square inches of cooking surface space per person, or about the same visual space as a dinner plate. That means the Camp Chef's 604 square inches should be able to handle about enough food for about eight people.

The griddle arrives seasoned, so you can start cooking immediately without having to repeatedly heat and oil the surface. Underneath the heavy griddle top is a series of removable grates that convert the unit to a grill. Under those grates are covers protecting the burners, as you'd see on a Weber, to shed grease.

The cart consists of sturdy, powder-coated steel with a couple of shelves to store supplies and a pair of fold-out tables that can help you keep track of raw and cooked food or act as a place to set down utensils. The grease trap is mounted in the front, so you can keep an eye on it during cooking.

– Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 37 inches – Capacity: 604 square inches – BTUs: 48,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Pros: It's easy to fold up for storage and it's portable. Cons: There is no adjustment to make the griddle level.

The Adventure Ready grill is designed to sit on your patio or deck, but it can also travel to tailgates, Airbnb rentals, or the campsite. At 448 square inches, the griddle surface is enough to cook about 44 hot dogs or 18 burgers.

The two burners can crank to full heat and sear steaks or you set one side to warm, then hold cooked food there until you're ready to serve.

The rear grease trap, cut into the wall of the griddle top, makes it easy to push or funnel all the fat and schmutz out of the way so you can work on a clean surface.

The fold-out table can hold platters and utensils and the shelf below is recessed, which can help prevent items, like a roll of paper towels, from falling off. To travel, remove the top and the tank, collapse the legs, then put it all into an SUV.

If you plan to go mobile with the Blackstone often, consider investing in purpose-built bags to make carrying the two parts easier.

– Dimensions: 44.5 x 33.5 x 19.5 inches – Capacity: 448 square inches – BTUs: 34,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Pros: Six burners offer the ability to have multiple heat zones. Cons: At 6.5-feet long, this griddle eats up a lot of real estate. Though it has wheels, you may need help moving it.

The Flat Top 900 is a supersized version of our pick for the best overall griddle: the same stable chassis, reliable ignition, storage, and folding tables. The big difference is the griddle's added width, going from 37 to 45.5 inches.

With 877 square inches of cooking surface, you can easily feed a dozen people in short order with enough room for multiple cooks in the kitchen.

Like Camp Chef's other griddles, the Flat Top 900 comes seasoned and ready to cook. We appreciate touches like the hex head screws at the corners, which let you level the griddle's surface on an uneven patio, deck, or lawn. At this size, it's important to get the grease draining in the right direction.

Each of the six burners cranks out 12,000 BTUs with chunky dials that help adjust the temp from sear down to a simmer, so you can add a pot to boil water or a skillet to reduce a pan sauce.

Unlike our top pick, however, the Flat Top 900 does not convert into a grill — not that you'd want to often lift off the very heavy steel top.

– Dimensions: 78 x 20.5 x 37 inches – Capacity: 877 square inches – BTUs: 72,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Pros: Ceramic non-stick coating means food releases and the surface won't rust. Cons: You can't use metal utensils on it, so you'll have to stick with nylon, plastic, or silicone.

Sure, the Pit Boss comes with a cart, but at its core, this is a road warrior griddle that you can take just about anywhere. The griddle has four short feet that rest into pockets built into the cart.

The griddle is as easy to use and maintain as it is to carry around since the steel top is coated with a ceramic nonstick material, which means it should resist rusting in the long run. That's a blessing and a curse since it means relying on wood, silicone, or nylon utensils.

The nearly 430-square inch top has two burners and a nifty grease drawer that slides in and out. The funnel for the grease is tucked into a corner, which does eat into the usable griddle surface, but this tends to be an area that doesn't get as hot as the rest of the steel slab.

Other details we like: the lid that helps protect the surface from leaves, pollen, and water can also trap steam to melt cheese on burgers, and the left side of the cart has holders for a roll of paper towels and a trash bag.

– Dimensions: 28.66 x 50.12 x 37 inches – Capacity: 421 square inches – BTUs: 26,000 – Warranty: 2 years

Pros: It easily converts a standard gas grill into a griddle, and cleaning is effortless. Cons: It won't fit a kettle or very small gas grills.

The Little Griddle plops down right on top of an existing gas grill's grates. The griddles in most commercial kitchens, like Five Guys and Shake Shack, are stainless steel because it heats up faster than the cold-rolled steel on most consumer griddles.

Adding the Little Griddle gives you the responsiveness of a commercial griddle top, provided your rectangular grill is slightly larger than 25 by 16 inches to accommodate it.

Its 400 square inches can cook enough for a family of four or five. In front, there is a grease trench the full width of the griddle. Once the griddle is cool, you can remove it, then pour and dispose of the grease.

We appreciate the four-inch sidewalls here, which are taller than those found on traditional griddles. That can help prevent food from falling off and down through the grill grates. At about 16 pounds, it's pretty easy to move the Little Griddle around.

– Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 6.5 inches – Capacity: 400 square inches – Warranty: Lifetime

Pros: You can grill and griddle at the same time, and on one machine. Cons: The griddle area is small at less than 300 square inches, and it doesn't come with a cover.

If you're not ready to go full in on a griddle, or you have limited space for outdoor cooking gear, this hybrid can please all comers. Grill off a skirt or flank steak on one side while you brown onions, peppers, and tortillas on the other for fajita night.

Each side of the grill has two burners, for added control. With 48,000 BTUs in total, the half of the Royal Gourmet that is a griddle is roughly the size of a smaller portable griddle.

The cart, which is foldable to make storing and transport easier, has a few nice details on it that help make cooking easier. We like the rail with hooks to store things like tongs and spatulas.

The side tables don't fold down, which adds to the bulk of the unit but allows for sturdy storage. The grease cup is mounted in the back of the griddle, which keeps the front's stainless steel cover plate and chrome knobs looking clean.

– Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.7 x 36.6 inches – Capacity: 606.3 square inches (292 square inches of griddle) – BTUs: 48,000 – Warranty: 1 year

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The Best Flat Top Grills and Griddles According to Pros

Pros: The four burners offer plenty of temperature control, and the Camp Chef converts into a gas grill. Cons: As with many outdoor cookers, you should plan to spend about $60 more for a soft cover to protect the griddle.

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

Whether it's cooking for two or a crowd, finding a grill to suit all comers is a moving target. But experts agree that having more BTUs, multiple burners, and a bigger chunk of steel gives the griddle added versatility so you can cook for parties, or on just half of it for a weeknight meal.

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

After researching the options, the Camp Chef Flat Top 600's 31-inch wide cold-rolled steel surface — a size that is often referred to as a 36-inch griddle, given the cart's overall width — is ideal for an average patio or deck.м

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

The cart consists of sturdy, powder-coated steel with a couple of shelves to store supplies and a pair of fold-out tables that can help you keep track of raw and cooked food or act as a place to set down utensils. The grease trap is mounted in the front, so you can keep an eye on it during cooking.

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

– Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 37 inches – Capacity: 604 square inches – BTUs: 48,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Best Overall: Camp Chef Flat Top 600

Pros: It's easy to fold up for storage and it's portable. Cons: There is no adjustment to make the griddle level.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

The Adventure Ready grill is designed to sit on your patio or deck, but it can also travel to tailgates, Airbnb rentals, or the campsite. At 448 square inches, the griddle surface is enough to cook about 44 hot dogs or 18 burgers.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

The two burners can crank to full heat and sear steaks or you set one side to warm, then hold cooked food there until you're ready to serve.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

The rear grease trap, cut into the wall of the griddle top, makes it easy to push or funnel all the fat and schmutz out of the way so you can work on a clean surface.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

The fold-out table can hold platters and utensils and the shelf below is recessed, which can help prevent items, like a roll of paper towels, from falling off. To travel, remove the top and the tank, collapse the legs, then put it all into an SUV.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

If you plan to go mobile with the Blackstone often, consider investing in purpose-built bags to make carrying the two parts easier.

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

– Dimensions: 44.5 x 33.5 x 19.5 inches – Capacity: 448 square inches – BTUs: 34,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Best Value: Blackstone Adventure Ready 28-inch Griddle Cooking Station

Pros: Six burners offer the ability to have multiple heat zones. Cons: At 6.5-feet long, this griddle eats up a lot of real estate. Though it has wheels, you may need help moving it.

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

The Flat Top 900 is a supersized version of our pick for the best overall griddle: the same stable chassis, reliable ignition, storage, and folding tables. The big difference is the griddle's added width, going from 37 to 45.5 inches.

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

With 877 square inches of cooking surface, you can easily feed a dozen people in short order with enough room for multiple cooks in the kitchen.

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

Each of the six burners cranks out 12,000 BTUs with chunky dials that help adjust the temp from sear down to a simmer, so you can add a pot to boil water or a skillet to reduce a pan sauce.

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

Unlike our top pick, however, the Flat Top 900 does not convert into a grill — not that you'd want to often lift off the very heavy steel top.

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

– Dimensions: 78 x 20.5 x 37 inches – Capacity: 877 square inches – BTUs: 72,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Best for Entertaining: Camp Chef Flat Top 900

Pros: Ceramic non-stick coating means food releases and the surface won't rust. Cons: You can't use metal utensils on it, so you'll have to stick with nylon, plastic, or silicone.

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

Sure, the Pit Boss comes with a cart, but at its core, this is a road warrior griddle that you can take just about anywhere. The griddle has four short feet that rest into pockets built into the cart.

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

The griddle is as easy to use and maintain as it is to carry around since the steel top is coated with a ceramic nonstick material, which means it should resist rusting in the long run. That's a blessing and a curse since it means relying on wood, silicone, or nylon utensils.

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

The nearly 430-square inch top has two burners and a nifty grease drawer that slides in and out. The funnel for the grease is tucked into a corner, which does eat into the usable griddle surface, but this tends to be an area that doesn't get as hot as the rest of the steel slab.

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

Other details we like: the lid that helps protect the surface from leaves, pollen, and water can also trap steam to melt cheese on burgers, and the left side of the cart has holders for a roll of paper towels and a trash bag.

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

– Dimensions: 28.66 x 50.12 x 37 inches – Capacity: 421 square inches – BTUs: 26,000 – Warranty: 2 years

Best Portable: Pit Boss 2 Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Griddle

Pros: It easily converts a standard gas grill into a griddle, and cleaning is effortless. Cons: It won't fit a kettle or very small gas grills.

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

The Little Griddle plops down right on top of an existing gas grill's grates. The griddles in most commercial kitchens, like Five Guys and Shake Shack, are stainless steel because it heats up faster than the cold-rolled steel on most consumer griddles.

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

Adding the Little Griddle gives you the responsiveness of a commercial griddle top, provided your rectangular grill is slightly larger than 25 by 16 inches to accommodate it.

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

Its 400 square inches can cook enough for a family of four or five. In front, there is a grease trench the full width of the griddle. Once the griddle is cool, you can remove it, then pour and dispose of the grease.

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

We appreciate the four-inch sidewalls here, which are taller than those found on traditional griddles. That can help prevent food from falling off and down through the grill grates. At about 16 pounds, it's pretty easy to move the Little Griddle around.

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

– Dimensions: 25 x 16 x 6.5 inches – Capacity: 400 square inches – Warranty: Lifetime

Best for Gas Grills: Little Griddle Professional Series Full-Size Stainless ($125)

Pros: You can grill and griddle at the same time, and on one machine. Cons: The griddle area is small at less than 300 square inches, and it doesn't come with a cover.

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

If you're not ready to go full in on a griddle, or you have limited space for outdoor cooking gear, this hybrid can please all comers. Grill off a skirt or flank steak on one side while you brown onions, peppers, and tortillas on the other for fajita night.

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

Each side of the grill has two burners, for added control. With 48,000 BTUs in total, the half of the Royal Gourmet that is a griddle is roughly the size of a smaller portable griddle.

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

The cart, which is foldable to make storing and transport easier, has a few nice details on it that help make cooking easier. We like the rail with hooks to store things like tongs and spatulas.

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

The side tables don't fold down, which adds to the bulk of the unit but allows for sturdy storage. The grease cup is mounted in the back of the griddle, which keeps the front's stainless steel cover plate and chrome knobs looking clean.

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

– Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.7 x 36.6 inches – Capacity: 606.3 square inches (292 square inches of griddle) – BTUs: 48,000 – Warranty: 1 year

Best Hybrid: Royal Gourmet 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle Combo with Folding Legs

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