Best Flat Top Grill Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
One of my favorite pieces of cooking equipment in the world is the flat top grill. They’re perfect for making burgers, sautéing veggies, or making a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hash browns outdoors.
While it might not be the first thing you’d think of buy for your back patio, I can assure you it’s a fantastic, versatile addition to your outdoor cooking repertoire.
In this post, we’ve compiled a list of our picks for the best flat top grill. We’ll also go over some things to look out for to help make the right decision on which is the best flat top grill for your needs. Without further ado, let’s get into the reviews!
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In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks:
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Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Blackstone 1554 Station-4-burner-Propane Fueled-Restaurant Grade-Professional 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station-4-bur, 36″ – 4 Burner
EVO Professional Series Gas Grill on Cart (10-0002-LP), Seasoned Steel Cooktop, Propane
Blackstone 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station – 4-burner – Propane Fueled – Restaurant Grade – Professional Quality – With NEW Accessory Side Shelf and Rear Grease Management System
Cuisinart CGG-888 Grill Stainless Steel Lid 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas, 360° Griddle Cooking Center
Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Liquid Propane Event Gas Grill, BBQ, Picnic, or Camping Outdoor, Black
Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station – 2-burner – Propane Fueled – Restaurant Grade – Professional Quality
Check PriceAmazon.com prices as of 1/6/2020, 10:06:58 AM – details
Best Flat Top Grill Reviews
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
- Includes huge interchangeable flat top griddle 20.5″ x 31″
- Griddle surface: 604 sq. in – Grilling surface: 501 sq. in
- Four 12,000 BTU stainless steel burners with Matchless Ignition
- Two large folding shelves
- Overall Unit Dimensions: 62.5″ 37″ x 22″ Weight: 142 lbs.
Our top pick for best flat top grill goes to the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill. Camp Chef is a brand name that’s made quite a few appearances on this website. They’re a reputable brand in the cooking community and they knocked it out of the park with their flat top grill.
No stone was left unturned in the design of this grill. It’s fueled by a standard propane connection, and features 4 stainless steel burners that are ignited with a matchless ignition system. Each burner has an output of 12,000 BTUs for a total of 48,000. The burners do an outstanding job in distributing heat evenly so there aren’t any hot spots.
Where this product really gets great is the interchangeable griddle and grill tops. The griddle top has 604 square inches of cooking space and is perfect for breakfast, burgers, veggies, or even boiling water or making side sauces.
You can also remove the griddle to reveal 501 square inches of grill grates that are perfect for steaks, chicken, burgers, and other traditional foods that you’d put on a grill. That sort of versatility adds a ton of value to your backyard.
The best part of all of this too is that the price is super competitive! You won’t have to break the bank for the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill, which is why it’s our choice for overall best flat top grill.
Things We Like:
- Interchangeable griddle and grill top for maximum versatility.
- 48,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heating and no hot spots.
- Great value for the money.
- Matchless ignition system makes getting started super easy.
Things We Don’t:
- Grill cover is sold separately at an extra cost, although this is pretty common.
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Blackstone 1554 Station-4-burner-Propane Fueled-Restaurant Grade-Professional 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Griddle Station
- Easy assembly, and quick ignition button
- Griddle top is easily removable
- Four independently controlled burners with low to high temperature settings provide versatile cooking options
- Four industrial strength, caster wheels (two are lockable)
- Solid stainless Steel burners for long life, and thick Rolled Steel surface for excellent heat retention and distribution
Blackstone is a premier brand when it comes to flat top grills, and to us, the Blackstone 1554 Station 4 Burner Restaurant Grade 36 Inch Flat Top Grill is their best all around product.
As the name suggests, it’s a professional grade flat top grill that comes at an affordable, at home price. 4 burners with 60,000 BTU output, adjustable temperature knobs and a quick ignition system do an excellent job at heat distribution, which makes a perfect grilling surface for you to work on.
As the name also suggests, the cooking surface is 36 inches wide and provides 720 square inches of cooking area, which is more than enough to keep an entire party or gathering fed.
4 industrial grade caster wheels are included for easy transport, 2 of which lock into place for secure anchoring. It’s fueled by propane and could not be more user friendly or straightforward to use.
Things We Like:
- Restaurant grade materials and construction
- 60,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heat distribution and 4 zone cooking.
- 720 square inches of cooking area.
- Quick ignition system and other features make it user friendly and straight forward to use.
- Very easy to clean.
Things We Don’t:
- Grill top isn’t interchangeable (although this might not matter to you if you are looking for a pure best flat top grill).
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EVO Professional Series Gas Grill on Cart (10-0002-LP), Seasoned Steel Cooktop
evo Professional Series Gas Grill on Cart (10-0002-LP), Seasoned Steel Cooktop, Propane
- Propane gas grill on cart
- Heavy-duty 304 stainless steel construction
- Solid oil-seasoned cooking surface for restaurant quality results
- Dual circular burners with inner and outer control knobs; One-touch electronic ignition
- Overall size: 40 x 40 x 37 inches (W x D x H); Cooktop: 30-inch diameter
So the EVO Professional Series Gas Grill would be our absolute top pick for best flat top grill if not for its astronomical price. It’s one I’m quite familiar with as it makes almost daily appearances on one of my favorite cooking YouTube channels – Sam The Cooking Guy.
(You should check out Sam’s channel for ideas for great food and to see how a flat top grill can be utilized!)
Not a single proverbial stone was left unturned in the design of this grill. Heavy duty 304 stainless steel was used as the primary material in construction. The cooking stone itself is 30 inches in diameter and pre seasoned for outstanding, restaurant grade results right out of the box.
Dual circular burners with inner and outer control give the grill master absolute control over the grill. A heavy duty stainless steel lid lets you roast, steam, warm, or smoke foods and also features an adjustable vent that exhausts steam and vapors while cooking.
Things We Like:
- All around spectacular construction and design. Every feature and construction material is premium.
- Ease of use. Grease management, heat management, and ignition are incredibly easy.
- 30 inch diameter equates to a little over 700 square inches of cooking surface.
- Will last you for a decade or more.
Things We Don’t:
- Price is extremely high. If you have the cash, it’s 100% the way to go. Speaking for myself (and probably many others), it’s a little out of budget!!
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Blackstone 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill With NEW Accessory Side Shelf and Rear Grease Management System
- NEW FEATURES – This unit comes equipped with Blackstone’s new and improved side shelf giving the user a removable cutting board, convenient paper towel holder, and strategically placed trash bag hooks. PLUS Blackstone’s new rear grease management system to help eliminate mess.
- RESTAURANT STYLE COOKING – With 720sq 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, side shelf and the NEW side shelf with cutting board, paper towel holder and trash bag hooks.
- REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL – Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back! This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you’ll be cooking in no time. Eliminate the hassle of kerosene, charcoal and matches; This grill includes an easy start, battery powered push button ignition. With the simple push of a button your griddle is ready to go! Take the headache away from outdoor cooking and spend more time enjoying the outdoors
- DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY – This Blackstone grill is built to last with a powder coated Black Steel frame, stainless Steel burners and thick cold Rolled Steel cooktop. Easily wheel around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top, fold up legs and four industrial strength caster wheels
- CONTROLLABLE HEAT ZONES – Four independently controlled 15, 000 BTU stainless Steel burners make a total of 60, 000 BTUs controlled low to high for versatile cooking options
The Blackstone 36 Inch Flat Top Grill with New Accessory Side Shelf and Grease Management System is a very similar unit to the previous review we just did, with the added features of an advanced side shelf design and an upgraded grease management system.
For side shelf, a removable cutting board, paper towel holder, and conveniently placed trash bag hooks all make life super easy for the grill master. The grease management system funnels grease and drippings into a pan, streamlining the clean up process and saving lots of time long term.
As you can imagine, these upgraded features come at a slightly higher cost. If you plan on using your flat top grill frequently, these features will probably be well worth the extra investment.
Things We Like:
- Restaurant grade materials and construction.
- 60,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heat distribution and 4 zone cooking.
- 720 square inches of cooking area.
- Quick ignition system and other features make it user friendly and straight forward to use.
- Advanced grease management system makes clean up and long term care easier.
- Accessory side shelf adds convenience and efficiency to your program.
Things We Don’t:
- Grill top isn’t interchangeable (although this might not matter to you if you are looking for a pure best flat top grill).
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Cuisinart CGG-888 Grill Stainless Steel Lid 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas, 360° Griddle Cooking Center
- Two heat zones deliver consistent and even cooking. Cold rolled steel cooking top.
- Over-sized 360 Degree grease pan with easy access grease cup for clean-up.
- Stainless lid with vent lets you roast, steam, warm or smoke.
- Fold away prep table with paper towel holder.
- Easy assembly! Assembles in 30 minutes or less.
Depending on how your outdoor cooking space is set up, the Cuisinatr CGC-888 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill could be a perfect fit. Most notably, it’s different from the other products on this list in that the cooking surface is a 22 inch circle, as opposed to a rectangle.
What I like most about this unit is that it’s maybe a couple of inches wider than the 22 inch cooking circle when the foldable side table is down. That makes it a great flat top grill for tight spaces, and I’ve seen people use it in tandem next to a traditional grill. Imagine the possibilities of having your traditional gas, charcoal, or pellet grill and right next to your flat top where you can cook crab cakes, sauté veggies, or make a side sauce.
Two burners fuel the CGC-888, and a lid with a built in vent comes included so you can actually steam, smoke, or roast too. For easy clean up, there’s a built in 360 degree grease pan that catches drippings and grease then funnels everything to an easy-to-remove pan.
Logistically, everything is pretty easy with this product too. Set up and assembly takes less than 30 minutes, and the price point is extremely reasonable considering what you get.
Things We Like:
- Circular shape and slim profile make it the perfect centerpiece or add on to your outdoor cooking space.
- 30,000 BTU output across 2 burners and temperature range up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 360 degree grease pan eliminates any mess and makes clean up easy.
- Great price point.
Things We Don’t:
- There’s only about 380 square inches of cooking surface on the 22 inch diameter circle. That’s more than enough for family use or for small gatherings, but may not be ideal if you’re looking to crank out food for 12+.
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Blackstone 1819 Griddle and Charcoal Combo
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Blackstone 1819 Griddle and Charcoal Combo, Black
- Duo Griddle: Charcoal Grill and Burner griddle
- REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL – Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back! This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you’ll be cooking in no time. Take the headache away from outdoor cooking and spend more time enjoying the outdoors
- TRANSPORT WITH EASE – Easily wheel around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top and two industrial strength caster wheels
- DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY – This Blackstone Grill is built to last with a powder coated black steel frame, stainless steel burners and thick cold rolled steel cooktop. Super simple to clean, making post-meal cleanup a breeze
One of the things that can be a drawback when it comes to even the best flat top grill is that you might have to sacrifice some functionality that comes with having grilling grates on your grill. Blackstone aimed to design a product that gives you the best of both worlds with the Blackstone 1819 Griddle and Charcoal Combo.
On one side, you have a gas burner griddle. On the other, you have a charcoal grill with grates – so you can achieve steaks, or burgers with that delicious traditional BBQ flavor. I love the versatility here, and if you are on the fence about buying a flat top grill this is a perfect way to get started.
The powder coated black steel frame, stainless steel burners and thick cold rolled steel cooktop are incredibly durable and give a sleek aesthetic to this grill.
Things We Like:
- Gas griddle and charcoal grill combo is an all-in-one, versatile piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen.
- Blackstone is a trusted brand name known for making quality, durable products.
- Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
- Very user friendly and the best flat top grill for people on the fence about buying a flat top.
- Price is very reasonable all things considered.
Things We Don’t:
- You lose some effective grilling space due to the dividers in between the griddle and grate portions of the flat top. They are a little hard to work around and create a little bit of a disjointed feeling when you grill.
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Blackstone Table Top Grill – 22 Inch Portable Gas Griddle – Propane Fueled
- PERFECT SIZE – With 330 sq. inches cooking surface, this portable grill makes it easy to cook a quick, full meal wherever you are without the hassle of setting up a full sized grill
- ADJUSTABLE HEAT ZONES – Two independently controlled H burners makes for a versatile cooking surface where you can cook several foods at once and not burn a thing! Also allowing the option to keep certain foods warm while others cook.
- REAR GREASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – Built in grease channel and catch draws grease away from your food. Allows for easy clean up at then end of each use
- PORTABLE – Super convenient portable griddle for tailgaters, parties, backyard barbeques and camping
- GRIDDLE COOKING – Allows you to cook without the worry of flare ups or flavor loss from leaked juices, and helps keep meats tender
If you’re the type of person who likes to grill on the go, the Blackstone Table Top 22 Inch Portable Gas Griddle is the best flat top grill for camping, tailgating, and any other on the go activity.
With 330 square inches of cooking surface, you actually have a surprising amount of room to work for how compact the griddle is. It’s fueled by 1 lb propane tanks and at only 25 pounds, it’s really easy to put in the backseat or trunk of your vehicle to take with you.
One of the things that always makes me nervous about portable grills is the clean up process. If a portable grill is hard to clean, you run the risk of leftover residue or grease transferring into your vehicle, which is a giant mess.
With the Blackstone Table Top Grill, thankfully clean up is not much of an issue. There’s a built in grease channel and rear grease management system that makes the clean up process incredibly easy after you cook.
Things We Like:
- Extremely portable and the best flat top grill for camping/tailgating.
- 330 square inches of cooking area – a great number for a portable grill.
- Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
- Price is on the lower end of the spectrum.
- Also comes in 17 inch and 19 inch variations if you want something even more compact.
Things We Don’t:
- You have to replace the 1 lb gas tanks pretty frequently, which might become a hassle if you plan on using your grill a lot.
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Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Liquid Propane Event Gas Grill
Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Liquid Propane Event Gas Grill, BBQ, Picnic, or Camping Outdoor, Black
- 8 stainless steel tube burners with 13,000 BTU each, total 104,000 BTU cooking power; supporting gas system includes 2 sets of regulators for stable, even flame
- 950 sq. in. cooking surface with 1/4″ diameter porcelain wire cooking grates, grill more than 60 burgers or 120 hot dogs at once; Feature integrated folding windscreen to protect grilling
- Electronic ignition system offers a reliable spark with every push; 2 large capacity grease cups underneath firebox help grilling last long, draw-out oil catch pan for easy cleaning
- 2 folding side tables offer additional prep and work space; 2 levels of heavy duty shelves provide sufficient storage space; 4″ lockable caster wheels for easy moving
- Ideal for big events in Company, Church, School, Restaurant, or other commercial use (LP tanks are not included)
Boy, where to begin with the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Event Gas Grill. The thing that stands out most obviously is the sheer size of this grill. It is powered by 8 burners capable of 104,000 BTUs of output and a whopping 950 square inches of cooking area.
That’s enough space to handle 60 burgers or 120 hot dogs at once, so this is the best flat top grill for large gatherings or events. And just because you have a ton of space doesn’t mean you have to use it all the time! It’s still a great grill for family use, and the 8 burners give you the flexibility to set up 8 cooking zones to help you get the job done.
Lockable caster wheels make transporting the grill around easy enough, and a proper grease management system minimizes the time you have to spend cleaning up after you cook.
All in all, this is the ultimate flat top grill for events.
Things We Like:
- 950 square inches of cooking area. The ultimate grill for tailgating.
- 104,000 BTUs cooking power across 8 different burners.
- Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
- Price is reasonable considering how much horsepower you get.
- Surprisingly easy to transport for how big it is thanks to lockable industrial caster wheels. Although you’ll probably need a pick up truck if you want to take it tailgating.
Things We Don’t:
- The size of this grill makes it impractical for a lot of homes. For events and large gatherings it’s great to have all of the cooking area, but it takes up a lot of space on your patio or deck.
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Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
- 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
- REPLACE YOUR STANDARD GRILL – Replace your grill or BBQ with a Blackstone griddle and never look back! This grill is simple to use and easy to assemble, so you’ll be cooking in no time. Eliminate the hassle of kerosene, charcoal and matches; This grill includes an easy start, battery powered push button ignition. With the simple push of a button your griddle is ready to go! Take the headache away from outdoor cooking and spend more time enjoying the outdoors
- TRANSPORT WITH EASE – Easily wheel around your yard or transport from your backyard to the campsite thanks to the removable griddle top, fold up legs and four industrial strength caster wheels
- DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY – This Blackstone Grill is built to last with a powder coated black steel frame, stainless steel burners and thick cold rolled steel cooktop. Super simple to clean, making post-meal cleanup a breeze
- CONTROLLABLE HEAT ZONES – Two independently controlled 15,000 BTU stainless steel burners make a total of 30,000 BTUs controlled low to high for versatile cooking options. Propane fueled by a standard 20lb tank with an accommodating tank storage tucked nicely under the left side shelf
Frankly, I personally wouldn’t choose the Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Grill simply because I prefer the features of the other Blackstone grills on this list a little more. Their 28 inch iteration is still very much worth your consideration though.
It’s basically an in between of Blackstone’s full size and portable units. At 28 inches wide and 470 square inches of cooking area, it’s slim enough to fit into just about any space in your backyard or patio, but it has the appearance and features that come equipped on their full size units.
It’s also a 2 burner grill with 30,000 BTUs output which is more than enough to get the job done, but it’s considerably less than some of the 4 burner Blackstone grills.
The 28 inch unit is also pretty easy to transport around and weighs about 75 pounds without the propane tank.
Things We Like:
- Slim profile makes it a good fit in tight areas. It’s also easy enough to transport around.
- 470 square inches of cooking area is a great size for families.
- Included grease catcher and simple start ignition contribute to overall ease of use.
Things We Don’t:
- Your dollar can go further elsewhere. For a similar price, you can get more/better features with other Blackstone grills.
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Best Flat Top Grill – Buying Tips
There are a few things that are good to keep in mind when shopping around for the best flat top grill. Here are a few of the things we like to tell folks to look out for:
Cooking Area
As with any grill, you need to consider how much cooking space you’re going to need on a regular basis. If you’re grilling for yourself or a small family, you can for sure get away with a flat top grill that has 400 square inches or less of cooking area.
If you’re looking to feed a family reunion or large tailgating party, you’ll probably want something that can handle a little more food at once.
Versatility
While the flat top grill is a fantastic way to cook food, it does have some drawbacks. Namely, it’s really hard to achieve that smoky traditional BBQ flavor with your food because the drippings don’t fall down into the fire and smoke back up into your food like what would happen on a traditional grill.
With that in mind, it’s important to think about the kind of food you’ll be making and the results you want to achieve. I personally view the flat top grill as a piece of equipment that’s a piece of the larger puzzle and wouldn’t want to rely on it solely for all of my grilling needs.
You can also achieve both types of results with a combination grill. Some of the grills on the best flat top grill list above featured both a flat top and traditional grilling surface all in one unit.
Is it Pre-Seasoned?
The seasoning process is crucial for a new grill as it will make your food results taste better and also prevent the possibility of rust and damage happening to your grill surface. It will also eliminate any leftover residue or chemicals from the manufacturing process. Seasoning a flat top grill is actually quite simple, you just apply a light coat of cooking oil to your surface and bake it in at a high heat for about 30 minutes.
A pre-seasoned cooking surface means that a layer of oil has been baked in already by the manufacturer. This is a great way to save time for you and leave this part of the process to somebody who does it all the time. Either way, you should pay attention to whether or not your unit is pre seasoned so you know whether you need to do it yourself.
Price
Obviously, price is a big factor in any purchase decision. For flat top grills as a whole, prices are actually quite reasonable compared to other types of grills. Tabletop versions can start lower than $100 with full size, quality flat tops going in the $400 range.
Of course, if you want a professional grade flat top grill (like an EVO), you could be looking in the $4,000 range.
Mobility
It’s also important to consider the setting you plan to use your flat top grill in. Is it just for cooking at home? Or do you plan to bust it out on the go for camping trips or tailgating outings?
Flat top grills are one of the best classes of portable grills, and there are a ton of options for on the go grilling. Just make sure the one you buy has a manageable weight and profile for the way you plan to use it.
Wrap Up
I hope our best flat top grill list was a great starting point for you in your journey! Did you end up getting one? Let us know which flat top you ended up with in the comments section below.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our grill reviews archives right here to compare some of the different products out there.