Do you want a multi-functional grill? A grill that lets you cook eggs while also searing meat? What if we told you that a flat top grill can save you from all your grilling troubles? If you are someone who is seeking to improve your grilling experience, then you have come to the right place.
A flat top grill is a cooking appliance that is worthy of being in your kitchen or in your backyard. The best flat top grills will be sure to create a surface that reaches high temperatures. Since the heating element is circular, you will be sure to see the heat distribute evenly across the cooking surface. The best flat top grills will last you for a lifetime.
You can take your flat top grill on an adventure with you. You could use it while you are on a boat trip or while camping. Flat top grills are also great for parties. You can steam, boil or sear your meals by using just one grill. A plus point is that the flat top grills do not require much maintenance and a good investment will last you for a long time.
Best Pick
The Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill is our best pick because it gives you the ultimate griddle experience. This grill is versatile and has high functionality. It is also easy to maintain.
Budget Pick
The Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle is our budget pick because it offers a large cooking area while having a compact design. This is the type of grill that would serve you best if taken on adventures. The Royal Gourmet PD1300 is definitely worth the hype.
Quick Comparison: The 10 Best Flat Top Grills
| Product Name | Cooking Surface (in square inches) | BTUs | Weight (in pounds) | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill | 470 | 30,000 | 75 | A |
| Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle | 316.20 | 27,000 | 20 | A |
| Blackstone Table Top Grill - 17 Inch Portable Gas Griddle | 260 | 12,000 | 21 | B |
| Camp Chef Flat Top Grill | 1,105 | 48,000 | 139.65 | A |
| Cuisinart CGG-888 Flat Top Gas Grill | 380 | 30,000 | 60 | A |
| Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Two Burner Gas Griddle | 285 | 20,000 | 1 | A |
| Royal Gourmet GD401C Portable Propane Flat Top Gas Grill | 584 | 48,000 | 106.6 | B |
| Royal Gourmet Regal GB2000 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle | 486 | 26,000 | 79 | B |
| Happybuy Double Burner Stove Flat Top Griddle | 544 | 150,000 | 50.3 | A |
| Cuisinart Flat Top Professional Quality Propane CGG-0028 | 644 | 30,000 | 50 | A |
1. Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill is perfect for outdoor use. Be it camping, tailgating or even a backyard party, this grill has got your back. It has a compact design which makes it easy to store and set up during events. Although this gas grill weighs 75 pounds, you can easily move it from one place to another since it has two caster wheels.
The cooking surface on this grill is 470 square inches which means that you will be able to cook a wide variety of food at once. This grill lets you set two different cooking zones with the addition of dual stainless steel H-burners. You will be able to grill your steak while sauteing your vegetables at the same time. You could also keep your food that is already cooked warm while cooking other meals.
This grill has a solid construction. It has a black powder-coated steel frame and the cooking surface is made with cold-rolled steel. The grill has two separate stainless steel burners, each blasting 15,000 BTUs of grilling power. This creates four different heat zones with adjustable heat control. The chance of burning your food decreases substantially. You will also be able to have slow-cooked meals by using this grill.
Pros
Cons
2. Royal Gourmet PD1300 Portable 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle
This grill has three separate ring-shaped burners that blast out a total of 27,000 BTUs of grilling power. Each burner has the ability to produce 9,000 BTUs of grilling power. This feature allows for even heat distribution throughout the entire cooktop.
With a grilling surface of 316.20 square inches, you will have plenty of space to cook enough for your family and friends. This grill is perfect for when you are cooking for long hours. The large removable grease drip cup stores all the drippings without making a mess. This makes your cooking process easier. It also makes it easier to clean your grill.
The porcelain-enamelled grates have the ability to retain heat well. As a result, your steaks will be juicier since the moisture is trapped in. Moreover, the porcelain-enamelled grates let you cook without having to season the grates. This reduces prep time.
The grill weighs only 20 pounds which makes it easy to move from one place to another. This makes it highly portable and suitable for outdoor use. The grill is easy to assemble and set up as clear instructions are given.
Pros
Cons
3. Blackstone Table Top Grill - 17 Inch Portable Gas Griddle
This Blackstone Table Top Grill offers 260 square inches of grilling space. You can fit up to a dozen eggs or 9 small sized burgers on the grilling surface. This means that you can easily feed a lot of people using this premium grill.
The 17-inch grill has one H-style burner that produces a total of 12,000 BTUs of grilling power. This means that the grill can reach high temperatures quickly that helps to cook food faster. The burner is placed right in the middle to distribute heat evenly. The portable gas griddle weighs only 21 pounds and has a compact design. This feature makes it easy to store.
4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
This 139.65 pound grill is ideal for when you’re hosting a party for a big crowd. This grill has a 604 square inch griddle surface and a grilling surface of up to 501 square inches. To give you a visual, you can cook 24 pancakes, 40 strips of bacon or 36 jumbo burgers at once using this grill.
With this flat top grill, you will be able to cook for at least 50-100 people in just one hour. As a result, the need to cook in batches is eliminated which saves you a lot of time.
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill has four stainless steel burners that generate a total heat output of 48,000 BTUs. This feature allows for even heat distribution and heat retention throughout the cooking area. Thanks to the large griddle and heat dispersing design, your food will cook evenly. You do not have to worry about having any hot or cold spots on the griddle.
An interesting feature of this grill is that it has two large interchangeable griddles that allow you to cook in different styles. You can use the griddle to cook breakfast items such as pancakes, bacon and sausages. If you wish to cook complex dishes, simply remove the griddle and place your food on the grill. Plus point is that the grill has a non-stick grilling surface.
Pros
Cons
5. Cuisinart CGG-888 Flat Top Gas Grill
The Cuisinart CGG-888 has a 360° griddle cooking centre with a diameter of 22 inches wide. It has a cooking surface of 380 square inches. You can easily cook for a small crowd of friends and family.
The grill has two separate burners that blast out 15,000 BTUs of grilling power individually. This creates two heat zones which allow for efficient cooking. The temperature range is pretty convenient. It can be set at a minimum of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and goes till a maximum of 550 degrees Fahrenheit. With this grill, you can flip burgers, cook a pizza or sear meat with ease.
The cold-rolled steel griddle top retains heat well. Heat is distributed evenly throughout the grilling surface. The grill comes with a lid that helps to maintain high temperatures inside the grill. The lid has air vents that help to add versatility to your cooking styles.
The grill comes with a foldable side table and a paper towel holder. This design makes your cooking process easier. You can place the required ingredients on the side table and clean up any mess with easy access to your paper towels.
You can do anything with this grill. You can steam vegetables, bake a loaf of bread or even smoke meat under the lid. You can also roast your food using this grill. This grill weighs only 60 pounds but it has the capability to cook in four different styles. This round outdoor flat top grill has a modern design that you can show off to your friends.
Pros
Cons
6. Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Two Burner Gas Griddle
The Cuisinart CGG-501 is a one-pound compact grill. The low weight makes it extremely easy to carry from one place to another. This is the type of grill that you would want to take with you on adventures.
The flat top grill has a cooking surface of 285 square inches made of cold-rolled steel. The cooking surface is enough to cook for a small group of family and friends. As the name suggests, this gas griddle has two burners made of stainless steel. Each burner produces 10,000 BTUs and the two burners together give a maximum of 20,000 BTUs of heat. This feature allows for even heat distribution. It also allows the grill to reach a high temperature quickly which helps to cook your food faster.
The grill comes with 20 lb. TP tanks attached to it that lets you cook for a longer period of time. This feature makes it great for outdoor parties, camping or even tailgating.
Pros
Cons
7. Royal Gourmet GD401C Portable Propane Flat Top Gas Grill
The Royal Gourmet GD401C is a versatile flat top grill that lets you have the best of both worlds. You can use the classic propane gas grill and use the griddle side by side to cook delicious, juicy meals. You do not have to choose between the two, as we see with most flat top grills.
The griddle and the gas grill each has 292 square inches of cooking space. This gives you a total of 584 square inches. You can easily cook for a big group of people using this grill. The Royal Gourmet GD401C has 4 burners that each produce 12,000 BTUs of grilling power, giving you a total of 48,000 BTUs. This allows you to create four different heat zones that let you cook in different styles.
The grill has black porcelain coated flame trainers that enable even heat distribution throughout the cooking surface. You do not need to worry about having hot or cold spots anymore.
Although this grill weighs 106.6 pounds, you might not have difficulty moving it around with the addition of four casters. The wheels have a brake system and they can be locked for instant stability. This grill is made for your outdoor adventures.
8. Royal Gourmet Regal GB2000 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle
The Royal Gourmet Regal GB2000 has a large cooking surface of 486 square inches. You can easily cook for a small crowd of 4-6 people. With this grill, you can cook about any meal since it has a powerful heating system.
The two stainless steel tube burners are independently controlled and can produce a maximum of 26,000 BTUs of grilling power. Each burner is capable of producing 13,000 BTUs of heat output.
This enables even heat distribution throughout the grilling space. The grill can reach high temperatures quickly. The ceramic coated griddle helps to retain heat well and protects the grill from rust and corrosion. The ceramic coating also adds a glossy texture to the grill which makes it look new and fresh.
Another feature that makes this grill user-friendly is the electric ignition button. A simple push will ignite your grill and get the flames going. This grill comes with a large grease tray that is removable. This makes cleaning up easier. You can hang your spatulas, tongs, grill brush and other grilling accessories on the hanging bar. This allows easy access to the necessary tools and makes your cooking process much simpler.
Moreover, this grill has four legs of which two of them have caster wheels. The wheels have a brake system and are sturdy enough to move on uneven grounds. Although this grill weighs 79 pounds, the wheels make it easy to move from one place to another. You do not need any fancy brushes or special materials to clean this grill. A paper towel will work just fine.
Pros
Cons
9. Happybuy Double Burner Stove Flat Top Griddle
The Happybuy Double Burner Stove Flat Top Griddle is a powerful, versatile portable grill. The legs are foldable which means that you can take this griddle on any adventure that you like.
You can also remove the legs and place the grill on a tabletop which makes it ideal for tailgating or a backyard party. Be it a boat trip or a camping trip, this grill will meet your expectations.
The two burners produce a maximum of 150,000 BTUs of heat output. The cast iron enables the grill to reach high temperatures in a very short period of time. It has the ability to retain heat well. The adjustable burners also allow you to create heating zones to your preference.
The grill has a cooking surface of 544 square inches. This means that you can cook several foods at once. You can easily cook enough for 6-8 people in just one go. If you want, you can remove the flat top griddle and use other grilling accessories such as a BBQ grill or a pizza stone. It also has a rotary switch. This enables you to cook in different styles.
Pros
Cons
10. Cuisinart Flat Top Professional Quality Propane CGG-0028
This propane gas griddle allows you to cook restaurant-worthy meals with ease. With a cooking surface of 644 square inches, you can easily cook for at least 12 people at once. You will not face any problems when cooking for a large group of friends and family.
The griddle top is made with cold-rolled stainless steel. The grill has two stainless steel burners that produce a maximum heat output of 30,000 BTUs. This enables even cooking and consistent temperatures.
The dual burners allow you to adjust the temperature according to your preference. You can set a minimum temperature of 200 degrees and a maximum temperature of 450 degrees. You can saute vegetables or sear your meat by adjusting the temperature.
The grill has two easily accessible grease cups that help to manage the grease. You can cook for longer hours without having to worry about the cups overflowing. This design makes cleaning up easier as the grease does not splatter everywhere.
Since the griddle is foldable, it makes the unit easy to store as it does not take up much space. The handle grip on one side and the two wheels on the other side make it easy to move the 50-pound grill from one place to another. This means that the flat top grill is highly portable and is suitable for adventures and outdoor cookouts.
Pros
Cons
Things To Consider Before Buying A Flat Top Grill
Size
A flat top grill that has a compact design will be easier to store in your garage as it will take up less space. A compact design will also enable you to fit it inside your vehicle easily. You will have more free space for other goods. On the other hand, grills that are greater in size usually have a more versatile design. There are likely to be more cooking options and better temperature control. Usually, a flat top grill that is bigger in size offers more cooking surface compared to the ones that are smaller in size.
Cooking Surface
The cooking surface of your grill will depend largely on the number of mouths to feed. A large cooking surface of at least 900 square inches will be enough to feed 100 people in just one go. You will not need to cook in batches which will save you time. This allows you to spend more time and enjoy with your loved ones. If you have a big family, then we suggest that you invest in a flat top grill with a cooking surface of at least 500 square inches. A cooking surface of 300 square inches will work just fine for feeding about 4-6 people.
A large cooking surface will enable you to cook several items at once. This will come in handy during BBQ parties or a family cookout. You may want to invest in a flat top grill with a large cooking surface even if you do not intend to cook for a lot of people. This is because grills with larger cooking surfaces often have multiple heating zones that allow you to cook in different styles at the same time.
Portability
If you plan on taking your flat top grill on camping trips, tailgating parties or even on a boat trip, your grill needs to be highly portable. Flat top grills with side handles and foldable legs are easier to carry from one place to another. Moreover, grills with caster wheels are easier to move. Grills with wheels that can be locked improve stability, especially when you are cooking on uneven grounds.
There are grills that have removable legs as well. This allows you to use the flat top grill as a tabletop griddle as well. Flat top grills with removable griddles enable you to cook in different styles. This means that when you go on a camping trip, you can have other styles of meals rather than just grilled food.
Number Of Burners
The burners in a flat top grill are usually placed at the centre part of the grill. The flat top grills that have multiple burners are said to have better heat distribution throughout the cooking area. A large cooking surface will usually require more than one burner in order to distribute heat evenly.
BTUs
BTU is short for British Thermal Units. It measures the heat output that a grill produces. The higher the BTUs on your grill, the higher the temperature it can reach. A high BTUs of grilling power will heat up quickly and will retain heat well. This allows you to cook your food faster.
Surface Material
The surface material on your grill is important. You would want a non-stick cooking surface that retains heat well. A cold-rolled stainless steel griddle top or a cast-iron cooking surface might do the job well. Plus, a griddle top that is resistant to rust and corrosion will be easier to maintain.
Fuel Type
Whether to use propane or natural gas as your fuel source will depend largely on the type of grill you get and also on your personal preference. But keep in mind that with propane as your fuel source, you will be able to reach a higher temperature relative to natural gas. You could also invest in an electric flat top grill. Electric griddles usually have more even heat distribution compared to propane-fueled grills.
Storage
You should always store your flat top grill in a cool, dry place. It is best if you get a cover for your grill to protect it from dust and debris. If you live in a place with high humidity, your grill may start to rust. In order to prevent your grill from rusting, you should always get rid of the grease after each cooking session and make sure that the grill is completely dry.
Grilling Accessories
Flat top grills that have foldable side tables, built-in thermometers and hanging racks make your cooking process easier. You can chop up vegetables or place the uncooked food on the side table. The built-in thermometer helps you monitor the temperature inside the grill. This prevents the food from getting burnt. You can hang the pans, tongs, spatulas or towels on the bar. Grills with lids on top have the ability to retain the constant temperature inside the grill. This feature comes in handy if your flat top grill does not have good wind resistance.
Cleaning
It is true that flat top grills do not need much maintenance but you do need to clean it properly to make your grill function well. You need to clean the grill after each use. The best way to do this is by scraping the thick grease off the cooking surface. You may use a metal spatula for doing this. After you are done scraping the grease and debris off, you will want to take a towel and put a little bit of oil on it and just wipe the griddle with it. Make sure to repeat this process after each cooking session.
Assembly
Flat top grills that are easy to assemble will save you a lot of time. Most flat top grills have an easy assembly. All you need to do is screw in some parts and attach the griddle top. But there are flat top grills that have complicated assembly. If you do not have much free time, then you should pick a griddle that can be assembled and ready to use within half an hour.
Range of Temperature
Most flat top grills start at a minimum temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit and go up to a maximum of 500 or 550 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures will cook your food faster. It will also affect the flavour of your food.
Grease Trap
Having a removable grease trap makes cleaning up easier. The size of the grease drain should not be too small as it may get clogged up. You do not want your food to become greasy. It is best if your flat top grill has a large enough grease trap with a proper drainage system.
Conclusion
A flat top grill will allow you to cook restaurant-worthy meals. You can cook in many different styles and you will not have to worry about hot or cold spots on your grilling surface. Moreover, the solid surface of the cooking top will help to cook food faster and evenly. If you invest in a good flat top grill, not only will you save time and money but you will also be able to cook more flavourful food.
The best flat top grills will not only make your cooking experience better, but you will also be able to enhance the flavour of your foods. Do not forget to read the instructions carefully before cooking your favourite meal. Keep in mind that you do not have to be an expert at grilling in order to be able to operate a versatile flat top grill. All the flat top grills mentioned above come with clear instructions and are made for your convenience.
Im considering a flat top grill. I want to use it while camping, not too heavy, but also to cook for 2 to 4 people.
Need one without a regulator since there is one on the camper.
Please help.
Thanks,
Karen
Please see our budget pick one.