Best Flat Top Grills

Best Flat Top Grills

Like traditional gas grills, flat-top grills are propane powered, have multiple heat zones, and are designed exclusively for outdoor use.

But unlike gas or charcoal grills, flat-top grills can’t be used for barbecuing or smoking foods. Instead, they’re meant for cooking foods that are typically cooked on a griddle like pancakes, fried eggs, steak, burgers, and sliced vegetables.

In this article we will show you the best models and why you should choose these over other popular options.

Flat Top Grills Reviewed

*We select and review all products independently, based on our opinion and customer feedback. Some links on this page are affiliate links and if you make a purchase we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more info on our disclaimer page.

#1

1. Blackstone 36″ Flat Top Gas Grill/Griddle Station

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 60,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 720 sq in

– Rolled carbon 7-gauge steel flat-top, cart-style 

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Our Rating

#2

2. Cuisinart 28″ Flat Top Professional Two-Burner Gas Griddle

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2

– Cooking space: 644 sq in

– Cold rolled steel flat-top, cart-style griddle, innovative folding design

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Our Rating

#3

3. Blackstone Tabletop Gas Griddle

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2- Heat output: 24,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 330 sq in

– Sturdy construction, black cold rolled steel top

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Our Rating

#4

4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 48,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 1105 sq in

– Cold rolled steel griddle cooktop, cart-style 

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Our Rating

#5

5. Royal Gourmet GD401 Combo Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 48,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 584 sq in

– Steel cooktop, dual-function model

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Our Rating

#6

6. Blackstone 28″ Flat Top Gas Griddle Station

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2- Heat output: 30,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 470  sq in

– Thick cold rolled steel flat-top, durable 

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Our Rating

#7

7. Royal Gourmet Portable 3-Burner Propane Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 3- Heat output: 27,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 326  sq in

– Durable stainless steel construction, porcelain cooktop

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Our Rating

#8

8. Camp Chef 900

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 6- Heat output: 72,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 877 sq in

– Cold rolled steel surface, cart-style

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Our Rating

#9

9. Blackstone Griddle and Charcoal Combo

– Fuel type: charcoal/propane

– Burner: 1- Heat output: 12,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 519 sq in

– Heavy cold rolled steel cooktop, durable and eye-catching

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Our Rating

#1

1. Blackstone 36″ Flat Top Gas Grill/Griddle Station

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 60,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 720 sq in

– Rolled carbon 7-gauge steel flat-top, cart-style

Read Our Review

Our rating

#2

2. Cuisinart 28″ Flat Top Professional Two-Burner Gas Griddle

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2

– Cooking space: 644 sq in

– Cold rolled steel flat-top, cart-style griddle, innovative folding design

Read Our Review

Our rating

#3

3. Blackstone Tabletop Gas Griddle

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2- Heat output: 24,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 330 sq in

– Sturdy construction, black cold rolled steel top

Read Our Review

Our rating

#4

4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 48,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 1105 sq in

– Cold rolled steel griddle cooktop, cart-style

Read Our Review

Our rating

#5

5. Royal Gourmet GD401 Combo Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 4- Heat output: 48,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 584 sq in

– Steel cooktop, dual-function model

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Our rating

#6

6. Blackstone 28″ Flat Top Gas Griddle Station

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 2- Heat output: 30,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 470  sq in

– Thick cold rolled steel flat-top, durable

Read Our Review

Our rating

#7

7. Royal Gourmet Portable 3-Burner Propane Grill

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 3- Heat output: 27,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 326  sq in

– Durable stainless steel construction, porcelain cooktop

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Our rating

#8

8. Camp Chef 900

– Fuel type: propane

– Burners: 6- Heat output: 72,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 877 sq in

– Cold rolled steel surface, cart-style

Read Our Review

Our rating

#9

9. Blackstone Griddle and Charcoal Combo

– Fuel type: charcoal/propane

– Burner: 1- Heat output: 12,000 BTUs

– Cooking space: 519 sq in

– Heavy cold rolled steel cooktop, durable and eye-catching

Read Our Review

Our rating

Blackstone 36″ Flat Top Gas Grill/Griddle Station

Design and Construction:

This griddle station boasts a black powder-coated steel frame and a flat-top cooking surface made of rolled carbon 7-gauge steel. Four stainless steel burners offer durability and eye appeal. The cart-style construction features a built-in lower shelf and two side shelves for storage.

Usability:

Because of its simple yet effective design, this grill can be set up in a matter of minutes. The quick ignition button adds to the user-friendly nature of the unit.

Each of the four burners can be independently controlled, giving outdoor chefs a versatile cooking surface. With 720 square inches of space, it’s roomy enough to accommodate large parties. The rolled steel heats evenly and quickly, and is suitable for a wide variety of dishes. The entire griddle top can be removed for cleaning purposes.

Two of the four rolling caster wheels are lockable, so the grill can be maneuvered easily yet stable once it’s put into position. The ample shelf space provides plenty of room for storing dishes, condiments, and other grilling supplies.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

4

Heat Output

60,000 BTUs

Weight

120 pounds

Cooking Space

720 square inches

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Generous and versatile cooking surface
  • Impressive quality
  • Plenty of storage space

Cons

  • Awkwardly designed grease management system
  • Convoluted customer service department
  • Requires a lengthy seasoning process

Cuisinart 28″ Flat Top Professional Two-Burner Gas Griddle

Design and Construction:

Cuisinart offers another cart-style griddle, but with an innovative folding design that allows you to pack the unit away when it’s not in use. The black frame is made of stainless steel, while the cooking surface boasts a cold rolled steel construction. Two oversized wheels and two smaller rolling casters are affixed to the bow-style legs.

Usability:

The foldable construction makes this one of the most portable flat-top griddles on the current market. However, the perks don’t stop there. The Cuisinart is equipped with an ingenious dual grease management system, consisting of two sturdy cups that are positioned in the front of the griddle. After the grease flow has been directed toward these cups, they can be easily removed, cleaned, and replaced for the next use.

With 664 square inches of cooking space, this unit should be large enough to accommodate most families. Because it’s so maneuverable, it’s a good fit for camping trips and tailgating excursions. Note that there are only two burners, which could translate into problematic cold spots over such a generous surface.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

2

Weight

50 pounds

Cooking Space

644 square inches

Pros

  • Cleans up quickly and effectively
  • Highly transportable
  • Decent amount of cooking space
  • Easy to assemble
  • Good heat retention

Cons

  • No information available regarding heat output
  • Narrow temperature range (200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit)

Blackstone Tabletop Gas Griddle

Design and Construction:

The Blackstone Tabletop griddle is a compact unit with a low profile and a small footprint. Designed to rest directly on the picnic table or truck bed, it offers a basic steel construction with a black cold rolled steel cooking surface. The base of the unit is silver in color, with two round oversized knobs for controlling the burners.

Usability:

Although the Blackstone is smaller than many of the units listed here (offering just 330 square inches of cooking space) it fits the bill for camping and tailgating. The burners are independently controlled and easy to manage. You can use one side to keep prepared foods warm while the other side finishes cooking the rest of the meal. It’s also worth noting that the burners generate a great deal of heat for a smaller unit, with a combined BTU output of 24,000.

The grease management system on this unit is rear-facing, which increases the eye appeal but can be problematic when cooking large quantities of greasy foods like bacon. Be sure to check the reservoir often to make sure it doesn’t overflow. Fortunately, although it’s small, the reservoir can be removed, making cleanup fairly simple.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

2

Heat Output

24,000 BTUs

Weight

32 pounds

Cooking Space

330 square inches

Pros

  • Impressive output
  • Portable tabletop unit
  • Heat-resistant handle makes transport easier
  • Affordable price point

Cons

  • Regulator equipment can be inconsistent
  • Griddle will warp if not properly seasoned

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

Design and Construction:

This offering from Camp Chef features a cart-style design with a double layer of lower shelving, in addition to two side shelves. The cold rolled steel griddle attachment can be removed to make way for a regular grilling surface.

Four stainless steel burners are independently controlled by large red knobs, which stand out against a silver backdrop. The remainder of the frame is black in color, along with the griddle attachment.

Usability:

The Camp Chef Flat Top’s greatest claim to fame is its versatility. Because the unit can be used as either a grill or a griddle, it can be used to prepare a broad variety of dishes.

When the flat top is in place, it offers 604 square inches of cooking space, but when it’s used as a grill, the capacity diminishes to 501 square inches. However, both surfaces are generous enough to accommodate groups of any size, particularly since the burners are capable of cranking out 12,000 BTUs apiece.

Two oversized wheels lend maneuverability to this unit, which would be fairly bulky otherwise. Adjustable leg levers give it stability on uneven surfaces. The double layer of lower shelving is generous enough to hold plenty of cooking supplies, while the side shelves are perfect for utensils and condiments.

If you’re looking for a unit that can accommodate pancakes in the morning and flame-broiled hamburgers in the evening, the Camp Chef could be just the ticket.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

4

Heat Output

48,000 BTUs

Weight

142 pounds

Cooking Space

Griddle— 604 square inches,

Grill—501 square inches

Pros

  • Interchangeable grill and griddle surfaces
  • Efficient burner system
  • Cleverly designed grease management system
  • Can be reconfigured to use natural gas

Cons

  • Some shipping issues reported
  • Flat top may warp if it’s not properly seasoned

Royal Gourmet GD401 Combo Grill

Design and Construction:

Like the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill, this is a dual-function model, with both a flat top and a traditional grilling surface. All of the components are made of steel, with a black frame and a silver control panel featuring round knobs for each of the four stainless steel burners.

Usability:

The difference between the Royal Gourmet Combo Grill and the dual-function Camp Chef is in the basic layout. While the Camp Chef grill could be configured for either flat-top cooking or traditional grilling, the Royal Gourmet model places the options side by side. This means you can prepare both grilled and griddled ingredients simultaneously—frying an egg while melting the cheese on a flame-broiled burger, for example.

Each of the cooking surfaces offers 292 square inches of cooking space, for a grand total of 584 square inches. A built-in grease channel and removable drip pans make cleanup a snap. The frame is a bit rickety, with no lower shelving. However, the legs are outfitted with durable wheels, so it can be transported easily. This unit also features built-in hooks and a bottle opener.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

4

Heat Output

48,000 BTUs

Weight

104 pounds

Cooking Space

584 square inches

Pros

  • Easy to assemble and clean
  • Includes tool hooks and bottle opener
  • Can be used to grill and griddle at the same time
  • Sturdy packaging

Cons

  • Somewhat flimsy construction
  • Dual zones cut down on the amount of available cooking space
  • No lower shelf

Blackstone 28″ Flat Top Gas Griddle Station

Design and Construction:

This serviceable model offers a powder-coated black steel frame and a thick cold rolled steel flat top, as well as two stainless steel burners. The design is on the utilitarian side, with straight legs and a boxy appearance.

Two of the folding legs are equipped with wheels for maneuverability. A flat lower shelf and rectangular side flank offer a decent amount of storage space.

Usability:

The twin burners on the Blackstone 28″ model have a combined heat output of 30,000 BTUs, which is impressive for a grill that offers only 470 square inches of cooking space. While this unit isn’t particularly attractive, it does have a functional design—the side shelf is configured to hold a 20-pound propane tank underneath. The lower shelf offers even more storage space, making the grill suitable for camping as well as everyday use. The griddle top is durable enough to resist warping, even after frequent use. It can also be removed for cleaning and transport, another nice touch. Best of all, the unit comes together easily, even if this is your first time assembling a flat top griddle.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

2

Heat Output

30,000 BTUs

Weight

75 pounds

Cooking Space

470 square inches

Pros

  • Efficient design
  • Durable construction
  • Folding legs
  • Easy to assemble
  • Powerful burners

Cons

  • Poor grease management system
  • Sits a bit too low to the ground

Royal Gourmet Portable 3-Burner Propane Grill

Design and Construction:

Here is another portable tabletop grill, this one with an elegant black tray-shaped cooktop and a silver base with large control knobs. The sides of the griddle have a generous lip to keep grease and other cooking juices from overflowing.

There’s also a side grease cup to catch the excess. The unit features a durable stainless steel construction with a porcelain coating on the cooktop, as well as three independently controlled burners.

Usability:

Each ring-shaped burner on this griddle is capable of cranking out 9,000 BTUs, for a combined heat output of 27,000 BTUs. Since the cooking surface is small—just 326 square inches—this makes it an exceptionally powerful tabletop unit. The burners are efficient and easily controlled, and the push-button ignition adds to the convenience.

The porcelain-coated cooktop heats well and cleans up even better. We especially appreciate the angled lip around the edge, which gives the nonabrasive sponge something to push up against during cleaning. The overall compact design and low weight makes this unit one of the most portable choices listed here.

As far as tabletop grills are concerned, this one earns high marks in just about every category. One caveat: The porcelain coating needs to be treated with care, as it’s prone to chipping.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

3

Heat Output

27,000 BTUs

Weight

30 pounds

Cooking Space

326 square inches

Pros

  • Very lightweight and portable
  • Efficient burners
  • Easy to clean
  • Clever, appealing design
  • Works well in high winds

Cons

  • Cooktop requires seasoning and vigilant maintenance
  • Poor customer service department

Camp Chef 900

Design and Construction:

The Camp Chef 900 is a behemoth of a grill, boasting a black steel frame and a cold rolled steel surface. The control panel is silver, with bright red knobs.

The cart-style design offers a dual layer of lower shelving, as well as two oversized side shelves with loop-style handles. All four of the legs are equipped with wheels for easy transport, and two of the wheels have locking casters.

Usability:

Serious grilling aficionados who enjoy hosting large gatherings will find plenty of reasons to love the Camp Chef 900. With six independently controlled stainless steel burners and a cooking surface measuring 877 square inches, this unit is big enough to suit the needs of any outdoor chef. The downside? This also means it has an enormous footprint, so buyers should make sure they have the space to accommodate it before making a purchase. With a cooking surface this large and diverse, it’s possible to cook off a multi-course meal all at once. Despite its generous size, the flat top on this unit is simple to clean, and it features an impressive grease management system to aid in the task. The adjustable leg levers give it stability on uneven terrain, but because the unit is quite heavy, we wouldn’t recommend moving it around much.

Features:

Fuel Type

Propane

Burners

 6

Heat Output

72,000

Weight

172 pounds

Cooking Space

877 square inches

Pros

  • Pre-seasoned surface
  • Adjustable legs
  • Enormous cooking surface
  • Six burners offer versatility

Cons

  • Takes up a great deal of yard/patio space
  • Long cleaning process

Blackstone Griddle and Charcoal Combo

Design and Construction:

The Blackstone Griddle and Charcoal Combo is similar to the Royal Gourmet Combo Grill in that it features dual cooking zones that can be fired up simultaneously.

With a sophisticated black powder-coated steel frame and heavy cold rolled steel cooktop, it’s both durable and eye-catching. Two wheels are affixed to the thick legs to allow for maneuverability, and a set of four tool hooks is built beneath the grill box.

Usability:

While the flat top is powered by propane, the grill box is designed to burn charcoal only. That might be a drawback for anyone who prefers the instant gratification of a gas grill, but for those of us who relish the taste and aroma of food that’s been cooked over a charcoal fire, it’s a huge plus. Just remember that you’ll need to keep track of two fuel sources instead of one.

This model is heavy and built to last, with an attractive design and plenty of storage. We especially appreciate the convenient location of the tool hooks, which free up space on the side shelves for dishes and condiments. While we think the cooking surface could be slightly larger, its relatively small size makes it a good fit if you have limited space for your outdoor cooking area.

Features:

Fuel Type

Charcoal/Propane

Burners

1

Heat Output

12,000 BTUs

Weight

82 pounds

Cooking Space

Grill: 252 square inches,

Griddle 267 square inches

(519 square inches total)

Pros

  • Dual cooking surfaces add versatility
  • Reliable construction
  • Easy to assemble
  • Great for charcoal-grilling enthusiasts
  • Ample storage space

Cons

  • No cover for charcoal grill
  • Propane connection interferes with side table
  • Relatively small cooking surfaces

FAQ

How to choose the right flat top grill?

Durability is the most important thing to consider when shopping for a flat top grill. You want a unit that’s built to last, and capable of withstanding the punishment of the elements.

the nice vegetables being grill on the flat top grill

Most quality flat top grills are constructed of powder-coated steel, using cold rolled steel for the cooktops. Sometimes, the cooking surface will be treated with porcelain, which gives it a nonstick quality.

In addition to being unsuitable for some cooking applications (such as high-heat searing), this nonstick surface might also be prone to chipping or other damage. Think carefully before selecting a griddle with a porcelain coating.

Other factors to consider include the heat output of the burners (12,000 BTUs is the standard minimum), as well as ease of assembly, effectiveness of the grease management system, ease of cleanup, and price.

How to clean a griddle?

A mild dish detergent and a nonabrasive sponge are the best tools for cleaning a flat top griddle. It’s best to remove the griddle as soon as it’s cool enough to handle, as the surface will be easier to clean if it’s still warm.

Are griddles or grills better?

Although grills can impart flame-broiled flavor and impressive grill marks, griddles offer more versatility. You can use the flat top to prepare eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast, switching over to hot dogs for lunch and whipping up a batch of steak fajitas in the evening. That’s why we tend to recommend griddles over grills, particularly for camping and tailgating purposes.

Do I need to season a griddle?

The majority of griddle surfaces will be treated with a special oil coating that needs to be washed off before the first use. If you have any questions in this regard, consult the user manual before assembling the unit.

Step 1

First, clean your griddle with soap and warm water and dry it thoroughly. Heat the burners to maximum for about 10-15 minutes, so that the surface gets nice and hot. At this point, it’s a good idea to put on heat-resistant gloves for the next step.

Step 2

Add about 3-4 tablespoons of neutral oil (we prefer canola) and spread it evenly over the surface of the flat top using paper towels. Make sure not to leave any bare spots or thick puddles, as this could cause uneven results down the road.

Step 3

Heat the oil for 20-30 minutes, or until the surface has stopped smoking. Turn off the heat and wait 10 minutes. Once it’s cooled, repeat the process 1-4 more times, or until the griddle surface is completely black.

Before storing the cooled griddle, wipe it down with another thin layer of oil.