The 9 Best Griddle Grills [2024]

Have you ever had the joy of dining at a restaurant where food was cooked in front of you via a flat-top grill?

Ever wished you could cook food the exact same way at home?

Luckily griddle grills are not just limited to restaurants anymore.

Within the past few years, outdoor, electric, or manual griddle grills have grown in popularity all across the globe.

What Is a Griddle Grill?

Flat top grills, also known as griddle grills, are similar to a hot plate as a level smooth metal surface sits directly above a heating instrument.

The only difference between a griddle and a hot plate is the shape.

Hot plates are usually round, while griddles are usually rectangular.

There are no cooking grates, unlike grills, so the food is cooked directly on the griddle’s surface.

Essentially, a griddle is like a flat, large skillet without the sides or the handles.

Griddles can be used indoors, outdoors, at home, or commercially in restaurants. Depending on how it is used, griddles can vary in size.

Benefits of Griddle Grills

Cooking instruments like griddle grills would not be so popular unless they came with a hefty list of benefits.

For example, griddles have excellent temperature control.

Unlike the oven, there’s no need to worry about hotspots. Griddles are usually designed with several burners so you can set them up so the entire surface maintains one temperature.

Additionally, you can also set the griddle up so that one side of it remains hot while the other side remains cooler to create a double zone cooking surface.

Ever got frustrated because your precious food kept falling through the grills cooking grates?

Since a griddle is a flat surface, there are no gaps between the cooking surface that food can fall through. Griddles are the ideal cooker for scallops or small vegetables.

Furthermore, griddles provide an excellent non-stick surface. In fact, they give you a more superior non-stick surface than conventional grill grates.

So whether you are cooking chicken, fish, or other fragile meats, the chances of them clinging to a griddle are little to none.

Griddle grills also respond better to the Milliard reaction. As a result, these cooking instruments can not only speed up the rate at which the milliard reaction occurs, but they can also sear meats more evenly than most traditional grills.

Griddles are extremely easy to clean. Most flat-top grills feature a fastened grease trap that you can push rendered fat or residual food particles into.

The grease trap can quickly be emptied and cleaned, making cleaning a griddle grill a breeze.

What To Look For in a Griddle Grill

Like any other cooking instrument, there are disadvantages and advantages associated with flat-top grills.

This is why you must know what to look for in a griddle, so you end up with more benefits than limitations.

Griddle Plate Thickness

A griddles plate thickness controls some of the cooking instrument’s key features.

For example, one of the most critical elements of a griddle is that it has the ability to remain level. If a griddle is not level, rendered fat or liquids will accumulate on the sides of the device.

For this reason, when it comes to griddles, griddles with plates give you precise cooking quality and heat retention.

In addition to this, thinner plates are prone to warping, which will create an unlevel cooking surface.

Furthermore, thicker plates also provide increased durability.

Your flat-top grill will be able to withstand the repeated stress that comes with constantly heating up and cooling down the griddle without showing signs of warping.

Even though thicker plates will allow you to cook more food for years to come, thinner plates can heat up quicker and are more affordable.

Griddle Plate Finish

Choose a griddle with a chrome finish. Typically, a vast majority of commercial griddle plates are constructed from a steel alloy or stainless steel.

However, some of these plates are finished with a layer of chrome, providing the plate with unique capabilities.

First, chrome is nonporous, so the chances of your steak tasting like fish are slim to none.

Second, a chrome finish can also prevent foods from sticking to the cooking surface while eradicating the need to coat the cooking surface with a neutral-flavored oil.

Lastly, chrome is a nonreactive material which means your acidic foods will not develop a metallic taste, and lighter colored foods such as vegetables will not turn dark.

Size

Before committing to a griddle, ensure it will fit in your kitchen.

Consider how tall the griddle is or how much space it has to have from the walls or other kitchen appliances. When it comes to size, griddle depth and width are the most important factors.

When measured from the grills plants anterior to its posterior, the grill plate depth can vary between 20-30-inches.

On the other hand, the griddle width is defined as the wall-to-wall measurement of the instrument.

Griddle grills that usually have width increments of 12 inches can vary between 24 to 72 inches wide.

Both the depth and width measurements circumscribe how much food you can cook in one batch in addition to how much real estate the griddle will take up your kitchen.

Griddle Controls

Some people prefer allowing the cooking instrument to determine the best temperature, while others prefer to manually control the temperature themselves.

As a result, most affordable griddles are designed to be controlled manually.

This allows consumers to control the heat of each burner, whether it be high or low.

If you prefer controlling the temperature of the griddle manually, choose a griddle with thermostat controls.

This gives you the option to cook food between a temperature of 150 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Griddle grills usually have 3 primary thermostat controls: modulating, snap-action, and solid-state thermostatic controls.

Cheaper grills are usually designed with a modulating thermostatic control.

This particular thermostat control maintains precise temperatures within 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit of the preprogrammed temperature, making them the most inaccurate option.

On the other hand, typically, medium-duty flat-top grills are designed with snap-action thermostats.

This kind of thermostat will maintain a temperature within 15 degrees Fahrenheit of the set temperature.

Snap-action thermostat griddles give you both an accurate and economical griddle grill.

In contrast, heavy-duty griddles usually feature solid-state thermostats.

This type of thermostat keeps the griddle’s temperature within 5 degrees Fahrenheit range of the original, preprogrammed temperature.

Griddle Burner Btus

The degree of heat a griddle grill produces is measured using British Thermal Unit (BTU), which measures energy.

Essentially, the more BTUs a griddle has, the hotter the griddle will be.

In addition to this, because more BTUs equals quicker cooking times, the shorter the refractory period between batches of food will be.

Cheaper griddles can feature a burner that generates a sparse 20,000 BTUs per hour.

On the other hand, medium or heavy-weight griddles can generate up to 30,000 BTUs per burner or more.

Types of Griddles

Like any good kitchen cookware, there are several types of griddles. Knowing which griddle is best for you will help you to limit your choices from hundreds to a reasonable number.

A countertop griddle may be the best option if you do not have a designated spot for your griddle.

As the name implies, countertop griddles conveniently sit on your countertop.

In addition, countertop griddles offer consumers the luxury of transportability as they can be stored or transported to different locations easier than other kinds of griddles.

Drop-in griddles are usually situated in a cutout area inside of a countertop or table to create a makeshift level surface.

Drop-in griddles are the ideal choice if you want to cook food in front of your dinner guests.

Teppanyaki griddles, also known as Japanese griddles, are also drop-in machines.

However, the heating instrument is located in the center of the teppanyaki griddle, which allows you to cook your food in the center of the griddle and transfer it to the lower edges to keep it warm until you are ready to serve your family and friends.

Teppanyaki griddles are typically found in hibachi-style restaurants.

The last type of griddles is electric griddles. As the name implies, electric griddles can be plugged into the wall.

In addition to this, electric griddles are completely flat without any edges.

Electric grills are often more popular because they are more economical than gas griddles.

Electricity is readily available, while you may not always be able to source gas.

In addition to this, electricity is thought to be safer than gas and will have lower operating costs as electric griddles are energy efficient.

How To Cook on a Griddle Grill

Purchasing a griddle is only half the battle. First, you must know how to cook on your griddle.

Before you place any food on your griddle, it must be seasoned. Seasoning the griddle grill helps the griddle absorb the oil bond with its pores to create a non-stick surface.

Most griddles come pre-seasoned. However, if your griddle did not come pre-seasoned, you can always use the manufacturer’s instructions to season your griddle.

Griddles usually work best if the set temperature is lower than the smoking point of the oil or butter you are using to cook your food. In addition to this, make sure you purchase a quality stainless steel spatula along with your griddle gas.

Stainless steel spatulas will allow you to easily turn your food over or mix ingredients if you are cooking fried rice on your griddle.

Flat-top griddles usually cook food faster, which means you must make sure you have all of your ingredients and tools on hand before you start cooking.

In addition, having your ingredients on hand prevents you from overcooking or burning your food while it is on the griddle.

Ensure you always cover the griddle with the included lid or purchase a separate lid to cover your griddle.

If you intend to store your grill in your backyard or outdoor kitchen, purchase a grill cover. Covering the griddle keeps its exterior keeps it protected, especially if it is stored in the outside elements.

How To Clean a Griddle Grill Properly

Knowing how to clean your griddle is just as important as knowing how to prepare food with it. Clean your griddle grill every time you use it.

Not only will it extend the griddle’s life span, but it will ensure it is ready to use the next time you cook with it.

Use a superior quality metal spatula to push or scrape any residual grease or food particles into the grease trap or the garbage to clean your griddle.

Though it is natural to want to clean your griddle with soap, avoid using soap at all costs.

Cleaning a griddle with soap is the quickest way to erase your non-stick coating.

While it is hot, pour one cup of room temperature water onto the griddle, and once it begins to boil, scrape any baked-on residual food particles from the griddle using a metal griddle scraper or hard metal spatula.

Do not add ice water to your griddle grill. It will cause generate thermal shock, which will cause the metal to warp or bend.

Boiling water and a little scraping action is enough to clean your griddle.

However, you can also add a little vinegar to the water and use a copper brush which will help to dissolve stubborn grease deposits.

After cleaning the griddle’s plates, use a clean damp cloth that will not leave stray fibers on your machine to wipe the griddle down.

In addition to this, use a pair of tongs to hold the cloth, so you do not get burned.

Once you have wiped the griddle down, switch it to the off position. Pour 1 teaspoon onto a sheet of paper towel and wipe the griddle’s plate down with the oil.

This will preserve the griddle’s non-stick coating. Always season your griddle grill after you clean it.

You should also deep clean your griddle every few weeks, especially if you use it religiously.

To deep clean, your griddle grill, remove the clean excess greases or baked-on food debris from the bottom of the griddle pan.

Inspect your burner protectors and clean them from time to time.

Burner protectors are designed to make sure excess grease does not accumulate, and excess grease build-up can cause a flare-up.

Carefully pull the burners out and clean any fat or gunk off of them to keep them in prime working conditions.

Next, detach the trays from the base of the griddle grill and clean them thoroughly by using a brush to remove the gunk.

The Best Griddle Grills

Like any other cookware, there are thousands if not millions of griddle grills on the market, all claiming to be the best flat-top grill.

However, this can quickly become frustrating as choosing a griddle grill can seem impossible. Luckily you now have access to the best 9 griddle grills on the market.

Lodge Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle

The lodge’s pre-seasoned griddle and grill is a beauty to behold. The most attractive part of this griddle grill is the fact that it’s reversible.

One side is perfect for making grilled cheese, eggs, or pancakes, while the other is side is perfect for cooking or grilling steaks, fish, burgers, and chicken. Furthermore, this griddle comes seasoned ad ready to use.

Coated with a natural, non-stick release finish that gets better with time.

The lodge pre-seasoned griddle is built to withstand cooking for decades. The lodge pre-seasoned griddle grill can be used in the oven, on the grill, over a campfire, or on the stove. The dual handles give you precise control while you are cooking over two stovetop burners.

With the unparalleled heat retention and even heating, you can use this griddle to sear, bake, broil, grill, or fry foods.

Seasoned with 1% natural vegetable oil, this unit has a maximum heating temperature of 502 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overall, the lodge pre-seasoned reversible griddle grill is for those individuals who do not have a lot of kitchen real estate and those who do not want a large griddle.

Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle

The Blackstone flat top gas grill griddle is designed to replicate restaurant cooking.

With 470 square inches of cooking space, this griddle is ideal for cooking breakfast, lunch, or dinner, from classic breakfast foods like eggs and pancakes to quesadillas, grilled cheese, steak, Potatoes, and Teppanyaki-inspired dishes, and so much more.

The Blackstone griddle grill is equipped with a bottom shelf as well as two side shelves to store all of your prepped food items and utensils.

It is so easy to use that you will be able to use it within a short time of pulling it out of the box.

There’s no need to struggle with kerosene, charcoal, or matches, as this griddle is designed with a simple battery powdered push-button start button.

Furthermore, you can transport this griddle grill with ease.

Whether you are transporting it to the backyard or to a campsite, the removable griddle top, industrial-strength caster wheels, and foldable legs allow you to move the griddle from location to location without breaking your back.

The Blackstone griddle is also equipped with 4 adjustable heat zones that allow you to cook several foods simultaneously or keep food warm without burning a single item.

Even though this cooker can be used if you are having a large gathering or catering an event, it can also be used to prepare small portions for 1 person.

If you are cooking for your family or a larger crowd, the Blackstone griddle grill will allow you to achieve your greatest culinary masterpieces.

With 2 solid stainless steel H burners, you can easily set 2 different cooking zones and cook any meal you desire.

Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle

Not only is the royal gourmet gas grill and griddle duo, but it is also easy to set up. With the ability to set up two cooking zones, this griddle is equipped with 292 square inches of cooking space on both the griddle and grill.

With each burner having a capacity of 12,000 BTU, this device is outfitted with an automatic ignition system that allows you to start this griddle up without any problems.

Designed with four big knobs on the stainless-steel control panel and two fixed side tables, you have copious amounts of space to prep all of your foods.

Furthermore, all of your cooking utensils will be within arm’s reach.

Its foldable legs are perfect for storing the unit in compact spaces, and with 4 locking caster wheels, you can move it with ease. In addition, the removable management system makes cleanup a breeze.

All in all, if you are the chef at most of your neighborhood cookouts, the royal gourmet portable griddle and grill combination is the perfect cooking machine for you.

Sizzle-q 100% Stainless Steel Universal Griddle

The sizzle-q griddle is constructed from 100% stainless steel and designed with sidewalls to keep your food on the griddle and off the floor.

Designed with a grease trough to prevent flare-ups and a welded cross bracing for stability and even heating, this griddle will last for years to come.

Featuring removable handles that fasten securely, you can easily move this unit if need be or clean it in a matter of minutes.

All in all, if you want a griddle grill that was engineered with perfection in mind, this is the perfect unit for you.

With a patented vented cross-brace system, the sizzle-q griddle grill allows you to cook foods evenly.

Hamilton Beach 3-In-1 Electric Indoor Grill Griddle

Because three is always better than one, the hamilton beach 3-in-1 electric griddle grill is versatile at its best.

Basting a full griddle and grill and reversible grates, you can griddle your heart away.

The hamilton beach griddle is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. From pancakes to eggs and bacon to hot sandwiches, steaks, chicken, pizza, burgers, veggies, and so much more, you could probably cook anything on this grill.

Featuring double cooking areas with independently adjustable heat and a center grease channel, and a drip tray underneath, this unit has 180 square inches of cooking space and easy-to-clean PFOA-free non-stick plates.

The drip trays are removable and dishwasher-safe, which mean means cleanup is extremely easy.

Overall, the hamilton grill griddle is perfect for singles as well as a family. With the ability to make up to 8 servings, this griddle is totally worth it.

NutriChef Cast Iron Reversible Grill Griddle 

With reversible sides, you can grill meats or cook breakfasts foods with the nutrichef cast-iron reversible grill griddle.

Produced from cast iron, it has a non-stick surface that releases food easily and allows you to create beautifully seared foods.

There’s no need to use butter, non-stick cooking spray, or oil with this unit, as your foods will easily slide it off the grill.

The nutrichef can safely heat up to 480° F, and the extra-wide flat griddle is equipped for cooking large meals.

In addition to this, it also includes heat-resistant silicone oven grab mitts.

The grill’s ridged surface keeps excess grease away from the food, which is perfect for those that eat healthy foods such as chicken, lean steaks, and vegetables.

The nutrichef’s griddle grill is compatible with all heating methods, including gas, induction, ceramic, and electric stoves.

This griddle is also resistant to staining and easy to clean.

In general, whether you love traditional grilling or searing food on a griddle, your entire family will love the foods you prepared with this cooker.

Razor Griddle Outdoor Steel 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle

The razor griddle outdoor grill griddle boasts 37-inches of firepower. With 4 stainless steel burners that have 62,000-BTU of power, it is easy to operate.

The push and turn ignition system fires up this grill to the optimal heat for cooking chicken, eggs, veggies, steak, and even sauces.

With two convenient folding shelves outfitted with stainless steel towel bars, you can store your spices, condiments, utensils, and plates, which also doubles as a protective lid.  

The extra-large surface area can let you cook up to 57 burgers in one sitting.

With four wheels, you can move your griddle grill from place to place without injuring your legs or back. In addition to this, this griddle is perfect if you prefer a hands-free griddling experience.

When you are done cooking, you can simply fold the shelves over the griddle and be on your way.

Camplux Propane Gas Griddle Grill

This grill and griddle duo boasts 180 square inches of grilling space and 225 square inches of flat-top griddle cooking space.

Pre-seasoned with organic oil, your perfectly cooked foods will not cling to the surface of the unit.

The camplux gas griddle grill is compact and lightweight is enough to be transported virtually anywhere.

This rapid heating unit features a specially designed U-shaped stainless steel burner and outputs more than 15000 BTUs of heat, which helps it retain heat as well as distribute heat evenly.

This way, all of your foods are guaranteed to come out flavorful and delicious.

Furthermore, this griddle is easy to clean. Food will not easily cling to the griddle, and its enamel grill and grease traps can easily be detached and cleaned.

In addition to this, you only need a scaper, soapy water, and paper towels to clean this unit.

In addition to this, with 0.13 inches of colled rolled steel on the griddle plate, 5 steel base, the plates will not be deformed at high cooking temperatures.

The griddle can be attached to an RV gas, 20 lb, and 1 lb propane tank.

Whether you love taking your RV on road trips, cooking in the outdoors, or own a restaurant, the camplux griddle grill is perfect for family dinners or largescale gatherings.

Cookrite Commercial Natural Gas Griddle

The cookrite commercial natural gas is a powerful, effective griddle that is great for cooking all kinds of foods.

With 60,000 BTU, this griddle is constructed from easy-to-clean stain-resistant stainless steel.

The independent, manual controls allow you to conserve while the thick stain-less steel radiant plates heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly.

The cookrite griddle is a space saver as it does not take up loads of room. Therefore, you will still have enough kitchen real estate for your other kitchen appliances, tools, in addition to having an adequate workstation.

Furthermore, the adjustable legs allow you to customize your countertop griddle until it is in the perfect spot.

The large independent control knobs on the front side of the unit allow you to operate the burners. This means that you can set up direct and indirect cooking zones.

In addition, the waste trays that collect residual greases and food deposits are completely removable and make the cleanup a snap.

Constructed from stainless steel, this machine has a neutral color that fits nearly any kitchen scheme.

Overall, not only is the cookrite griddle easy to clean and maintain, but it is perfect for cooking up burgers, cheesesteaks, pancakes from your home, snack bar, restaurant, or concession stand.

The cookrite griddle is an efficient and strong addition to any kitchen.

FAQs About Gas Griddles

Let’s be honest, this is a lot of information to digest. So it would be no surprise that you would that you have a few lingering questions about griddle grills. These are the most common questions about griddle grills.

What Foods Are Best Cooked on a Griddle?

The most popular use for griddle grills is making pancakes, as you can make pancake stacks in no time at all due to its large surface area. However, griddle grills are not limited to pancakes. You can cook burgers, dogs, sausages, chicken and so much more.

Are Flat Top Grills Worth It?

Yes, griddle grills are worth it. With high heating temperatures and even heat distribution, what could be better? In some instances, you can even get a combination grill and griddle, which gives you the ability to cook nearly any food.

Are Griddle Grills Healthy?

It’s only natural to wonder if griddle grills are healthy, especially when everything seems to be unhealthy. However, cooking on a grill is no better than cooking on a grill.

In contrast, some people assert that grills are healthier than griddles. While the food cooks on the grill, the grease from the food drop’s through the grill’s grates. As the food cooks on the griddle, the fat has n where to go.

Can You Cook Fish on a Griddle?

Of course, you can cook fish on a griddle. Griddles are the only appliance that will give you an even sear while sealing in the juices. You can even steam your fish with a basting cover.

What’s the Difference Between a Skillet and a Griddle?

It’s understandable to get confused between two prominent kitchen tools, such as the skillet and griddle. Both tools can be used to whip up breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Even though griddles and skillets are cookware, there are still some differences between the two, like the size, shape, and surface issue. Griddles are bigger in size and typically have a rectangular shape. Skillets are much smaller in size and are round in shape.

Skillets usually have a flat surface, while some griddles have slanted surfaces to create sear marks on the food. In addition to this, skillets are relatively easier to use and more compact than griddle grills.

Skillets are also called frying pans and ideal for shallow frying, searing, and sauteeing. On the other hand, griddles are used similar to a BBQ grill to create sear marks or for making foods such as pancakes and a wide variety of foods.

Can I Place a Frying Pan on a Griddle?

Of course, you can use a pan on a griddle. The griddle is not limited to cooking directly on its surface. This feature of the griddle can come in quite handy if you are preparing a complicated recipe.

However, it is worth noting that placing a pan on a skillet can lengthen the cooking process. This is because you are literally heating a layer of metal on top of a metal surface, which will take longer to heat up whatever you are cooking in the pan.

Final Thoughts

Griddle grills are quite an efficient and easy way to cook food. With the ability to cook several different kinds of meats, vegetables, pancakes, and so much more, this cooker is definitely worth it.

The search for the perfect griddle grill is often filled with frustration and stress. Luckily you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about griddle grills as well as the 9 best griddle grills available on the market!