Flat top grills are second to none when it comes to a highly versatile cooking solution for a variety of dishes. They can help you prepare restaurant-style BBQ dinners, breakfasts, and many other things. However, you can only enjoy the desired benefits if you know what makes the best flat top grills for you.
Defining one’s cooking requirements is the most important thing that can help you make an ideal choice. In addition, processing extensive lists of potential choices is a tiresome job that frets many users.
Nonetheless, we have come up with a list of high-end flat top grills that are currently available on the market. Each of these grills is a top-rated device tested by a massive number of users throughout the globe.
You can select the one that best matches your requirements.
Best Flat Top Grills 2024
In a rush? Check out the comparison table for a quick overview.
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Top Pick
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Blackstone 1984 Flat Top Griddle Grill Station
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768 sq inches cooking space, 4 different heat sections for relentless versatility | Check Price |
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Blackstone 1554 Top Gas Grill
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Cooking space of 720 sq inches, Perfect for searing, Total heating capacity of 60 000 BTUs | Check Price |
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Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-Burner Top Gas Grill
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Innovative combo design, Cumulative cooking space of 48 000 BTUs, Sturdy frame | Check Price |
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Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
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Easy maintenance, An excellently placed drip pan, Quicker heat buildup | Check Price |
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Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
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High value for money, Easy to move, Perfect for campsite BBQ | Check Price |
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Cuisinart CGG-888 Flat Top Grill
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Heating capacity of 30 000 BTUs, Mighty drip pan for effortless cleaning, Suitable for extensive grilling | Check Price |
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Royal Gourmet PD1301S 24-Inch Top Gas Grill
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3 high-quality burners, Heating capacity of up to 25 500 BTUs, Weighs only 20 lbs | Check Price |
1. Blackstone 1984 Flat Top Griddle Grill Station
The first on our list is the top-notch flat top grill from Blackstone Grills that outperforms every other in terms of grilling efficiency and adequate operational capacity. Everything from its generous cooking space to its extremely versatile cooking options makes it stand out. The presence of 4 different, high-quality burners allows users to have multiple cooking sections on a single grill.
A massive cooking area with 768 square inches on the grill ensures its sufficiency for catering to the needs of multiple people at a weekend party. Additionally, cleaning up this extensive grill is not that challenging compared to its size, thanks to an excellent grease management system.
Gorgeous Cooking Space
The availability of a stunning 768 inches of cooking space on this grill is what defines its excellence regarding its operational capacity. The excellent griddle gets the job done whenever you throw anything at it. You can have your shrimp, rice, noodles, steaks, burgers, hot dogs, veggies, chicken breasts, and many other things ready in a single go.
A huge cooking space also enables users to toss everything like a professional without any hassles of wastage. The greatest advantage that further helps users get the most out of this beast is that there will be no sticking. However, we advise you to follow the provided instructions properly to enjoy the results you expect from a grill that outperforms every other.
Versatility
One of the dimensions that help us figure out the best grill out of the rest is versatility. Yes, you heard it right! We cannot compromise the ability of multitasking when deciding the best one for you. As far as this grill is concerned, you can almost grill ANYTHING on this one, given the size and excellent working abilities.
It can handle everything from making a delicious breakfast to grilling restaurant-style meat on its flat top. You can also try making fajitas, sausages, grilled fruit recipes, roasted turkeys, briskets, and many other things besides the recipes we mentioned in the first point.
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In our opinion, this one from Blackstone is the overall best flat top grill available on the market. The impressive range of cooking options coupled with its generous cooking space set it apart from the competition. The grill comes with 4 high-quality burners and allows users to cook in multiple sections. All in all, its flat top makes it easy to prepare anything from a delicious breakfast to grilling a restaurant-style steak.
2. Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill
The next one on our list is another beast from Blackstone. Similar to the previous one, it also features 4 separate burners for the provision of multiple heat segments. However, 720 square inches of cooking space is a little smaller than the previous model. Since the BBQ grill weighs 120 pounds, the cooking space available is more than adequate.
The state-of-the-art rear grease management system on this device helps users in a quicker cleaning of the grill. You will also love the functionality of the push-button start mechanism that starts the grill within seconds. Lastly, the provision of a highly intensive 15000 BTU heating capacity on each burner ensures the grill meets the user’s expectations in terms of reliable searing.
Highly Suitable for Searing
Not every grill on the market can be considered as the appropriate grilling tool when it comes to searing. Searing is a completely different grilling technique that genuinely requires intensive temperature from the burners. To that end, Blackstone has provided a cumulative heating capacity of 60,000 BTUs on 4 burners (15,000 BTUs on each one).
As a result, you can reach maximum temperature settings on this grill within no time. Offering a high heating capacity is not the only thing you’d love here. Fuel efficiency is another great thing about this beast from Blackstone. It provides a reliable fuel consumption to grilling ratio for enhancing the convenience for users.
Furthermore, have a look at these pellet smokers, especially for searing.
Easy to Assemble
The overall design and solid build quality of the grill further enhance its desirability for users as they facilitate easy assembling. Unlike the previous one, you can trust the packaging of this machine as it arrives perfectly packaged. The product arrives on time and is packaged well.
Nonetheless, you can put together this grill within 15 minutes if you are a professional. For newbies, Blackstone offers multiple instructional sources for timely guidance. For that purpose, you can watch a video on the company’s official website to get things started. Additionally, there are plenty of useful tutorials on YouTube that can also help you quickly assemble the device within an hour.
In our opinion, the 1554 original flat top grill from Blackstone is the second-best choice you can consider. With 120 pounds of weight, the BBQ grill provides more than adequate cooking space of 720 sq inches. Meanwhile, with a maximum heating power of 15 000 BTUs on each burner, the grill can meet the demands of the beginner and experienced cook alike.
3. Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-Burner Portable Propane Flat Top Gas Grill
The flat-top grill from Royal Gourmet is making a difference due to its highly innovative, yet ergonomic design. It is a 2-in-1 device that offers features of a griddle and a top-notch grill. The total cooking space in both heating zones is nearly 584 sq inches, which is fairly less than the two mentioned above. However, similar to previous ones, you will find 4 highly efficient cooking burners on this machine
The most interesting thing about this grill is its foldable leg design which is convenient for a wide segment of customers. A reliable ignition start system coupled with perfectly sized knobs meets the users’ expectations in terms of their quicker starting ability. Lastly, the provision of extra space for food preparation is another plus of this biggie from Royal Gourmet.
Combo Design
Quite apart from the fact that it has a flat top, this grill has a combo design that makes it stand out. The availability of a gas grill and griddle combo enhances convenience for users in many ways. Most importantly, they can do multiple things simultaneously without having to wait for hours to cook different dishes.
A total cooking area of 582 sq inches is distributed evenly between the two cooking zones for a reliable grilling pursuit. Moreover, the use of a sturdy frame design further enhances the item’s capacity for a diversified BBQ experience. With its reliable automatic ignition, the startup is quite easy and simple. However, we would advise our readers to take extra care if they want this machine to stay longer than they expect.
Perfect for Outdoor Kitchen
The overall design and working capacity of this grill and griddle combo make it one of the best flat top grills on the market. It makes cooking at a hot outside temperature a breeze! You won’t notice any chipping and rust in this machine if you handle this device with extreme care and follow the instructions.
The cast iron griddle exceeds the expectations of users in terms of reliability and heat management. You will notice an even distribution of heat throughout the device that helps you achieve consistent cooking results. However, we would advise you to pair it up with a high-end gas regulator for excellent results if you are new to grilling.
Read Also: How to clean a flat top grill?
In our opinion, Royal Gourmet’s flat top grill makes the perfect choice for users who are looking for a grill and griddle combo design at a very competitive price tag. Gas grills and griddle combos offer convenience to users as they can do multiple activities simultaneously. Additionally, the cast iron griddle exceeds the expectations of users concerning heat management and reliability.
4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
The next one on our list is a top-notch flat top grill from Camp Chef. It offers a massive griddle cooking surface of more than 600 square inches and weighs less than 150 lbs. High-quality stainless steel burners on this machine pack a satisfying heating capacity of 12,000 BTUs individually(48,000 BTUs collectively).
Rust-Resistance
Some people start questioning the grill’s capacity to fight rust as soon as they see cast iron on it. Having a cast iron top does not mean you will have issues fighting the rust and corrosion on the device. The sole purpose of mentioning this point is to help you know how to eliminate the risk of rust and other unwanted situations.
Seasoning is what can help you the most in this regard.
Easy Cleaning
Cast iron surfaces are the easiest ones to clean if you know how to get the job done correctly. Keep the burners on after you have finished cooking to get rid of anything left out. You can utilize a spatula to get rid of the sticky foodstuff without any hassle. To get rid of any residue left on the surface, you will use cooking oil to rub on it.
The most common mistake people make here is that they start using soaps and cleansing agents for the maintenance of the iron-cast grill. As a result, they end up destroying the operational efficiency of the device. All in all, the combination of excessive heat and cooking oil is all you need to clean the grill properly.
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In our opinion, Camp Chef’s item makes the most suitable choice for people looking for an easy-to-clean device. With a cooking surface of more than 600 square inches, this unit weighs under 150 pounds. As far as cleaning is concerned, using the right cleaning methods makes it easier to clean cast iron surfaces. In order to do this, you need to use excessive heat and cooking oil correctly by following the instructions mentioned above.
5. Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
Blackstone’s 28-inch flat top gas grill is an excellent choice for people looking for value for money. It offers nearly all the features of a world-class grill at a very competitive price tag. Regardless of the lower price tag, it offers adequate cooking space coupled with relentless heating capacity.
The company does not compromise the build quality of this model either. You will notice stainless steel burners, a powder-coated frame, and a high-quality cooktop on this one. Additionally, with a weight of nearly 70 pounds, the grill is extremely lightweight and easier to transport.
Lightweight
It is rare to find a flattop grill that offers exceptional performance while being extremely portable. Reducing the weight of some items negatively affects the operational efficiency of the grill in many ways. Nonetheless, that is not the case with this top-notch machine from Blackstone.
Weighing nearly 70 pounds, this beast packs plenty of high-end features, including a total cooking space of 470 sq inches, a high-quality steel frame, a couple of advanced burners, and plenty of storage options.
Portability
Having a comparatively reduced weight allows this device to easily move from one place to the other without any hassle. The provision of high-end caster wheels in addition to foldable leg design facilitates users in this regard. Moreover, the removable griddle top also enhances its capacity to be used as a perfect, flat-top grilling option for campsite BBQ.
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In our opinion, you may consider buying this grill from Blackstone if you are looking for a bang for the buck. With its almost all-inclusive feature set at a very competitive price, it is a world-class grill at an affordable price. In addition, it is also a highly suitable option in terms of portability and effortless mobility.
6. Cuisinart CGG-888 Flat Top Grill
CGG-888 from Cuisinart is another flat top grill available on the market with a solid build and sturdy design. It features an innovative design that caters to the needs of modern-day grillers. The most interesting aspect of the design revolves around the provision of a high-end lid that enhances its versatility.
The combined heating capacity of the burners is 30 000 BTUs. Moreover, the drip pan design is highly innovative and facilitates easy cleaning and grease management.
Innovative Design
The lack of a lid on many flat-top grills makes them incapable of roasting perfectly. More specifically, it becomes practically impossible to roast on those grills during cold winter days as maintaining the temperature gets pretty challenging.
However, that is not the case with this top-notch flat top grill from Cuisinart. The availability of a highly efficient covering lid with a vent facilitates users in terms of roasting and cooking low and slow for smoking.
Commendable Grease Management
Another thing that we liked most about this giant from Cuisinart is its excellent grease management system. Unlike many traditional designs, this one features a mighty drip pan that helps users with the easy handling of grease and undesired waste. Additionally, cleaning those cups is not a big deal, thanks to its innovative 360-degree griddle center.
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In our opinion, this Cuisinart device is the ideal choice for those looking for a griddle with a lid. A highly efficient lid with a vent allows users to roast and eventually smoke while cooking low and slow. Furthermore, with an easy-to-clean drip pan, you can continue cooking without worrying about cleaning up.
7. Royal Gourmet PD1301S 24-Inch Top Gas Grill
The last on our list is another top-notch flat top grill from Royal Gourmet. It is one of the most suitable flat-top grills for newbies and small families who want to kick-start their journey of BBQ grilling. Three different burners collectively offer a heating capacity of more than 25,000 BTUs.
A cooking space of more than 310 sq inches ensures the grilling needs of an average family are adequately met. Additionally, a lot of it comes preassembled, so you can start grilling immediately when you get it.
Perfect for Small Families and Newbies
The overall cooking space of 316 sq inches is sufficient to meet the grilling needs of a small family or a newbie who wants to test some grilling before getting into the BBQ thing seriously. Moreover, the collective heating capacity of 25 500 BTUs means you are going to get plenty of heat suitable for maximum grilling.
Easy to Use
The overall design and build quality of the flat top grill from Royal Gourmet enhance its convenience for users in many ways. A simple, yet effective design ensures users don’t face any complications during their initial BBQ pursuits. Additionally, it requires minimal assembly, which is another plus for newbies at the start of their journey.
Read Also: Gas Grilling Tips For Beginners
In our opinion, the last one on our list is the best flat top grill for small families and novices who do not want to spend more than a hundred dollars on a grilling machine. The three burners provide a combined heating capacity of more than 25000 BTUs. Moreover, the 316 sq inch cooking area can handle even the most intensive grilling for a small family or a novice who’s just started grilling.
What To Consider Before Buying The Best Flat Top Grills?
Buying a high-end flat top grill requires analysis of multiple factors such as cooking area, fuel efficiency, versatility, ease of use and maintenance, portability, and many other things.
Even though we selected grills on our list after considering these factors beforehand, it is always a good idea to know more about what to look for in a flat top grill. You should always determine your grilling needs before selecting any item. This thing will help you match your needs with a flat top grill that possesses the capabilities to meet them.
Let’s get started!
Seasoning
A common question we receive from newbies is whether a particular grill needs seasoning. Well, there are plenty of choices in this regard. But, before we further discuss the available choices, let’s discuss why seasoning is important.
Seasoning prevents rust and corrosion on the surface of the grill. As a result, you can use the grill extensively for years to come. The first important thing that you usually need to do with your grill after assembly is seasoning.
Yes, you heard it right! For seasoning, you have to apply cooking oil generously to the surface and heat the grill in high-temperature settings for at least 30 to 40 minutes. After that, you can clean the grill to start your journey of making delicious BBQ recipes at home.
But, what if someone wants to skip all this process of oiling and then clean the grill afterward? Well, there are a few options such as Royal Gourmet PD1301S 24-Inch that come pre-seasoned, meaning the manufacturer does all this seasoning for you, and you can start grilling the moment you complete the assembly.
Cooking Area
Another dimension that affects the buying decision of many users is the cooking area. A family with extensive grilling needs should go for anything above 500 sq inches of grilling space. On the other hand, if you are a family of two to three members, a highly efficient flat top grill of 250 to 300 sq inches would be sufficient.
Companies do offer a wide range of cooking options to capture multiple customer segments. Fortunately, we have included the grills in multiple sizes, so everyone can find the right grill for their needs.
Portability
Portability is one of the factors that influence the buying decisions of people who love campsite hiking. Reduced size and dependable moving efficiency are the most crucial things that determine the mobility of any flat top grill.
More weight means less portability. Besides weight, you have to take care of things such as the quality of caster wheels, ergonomic design, and many other related things. We have included devices such as Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill and Cuisinart CGG-888 that offer a reliable portability solution.
Conclusion
We have discussed every aspect of the flat top grills in this comprehensive guide to assist you in selecting the ideal one for you. You can also check the following conclusive remarks about our topic to see what it has to offer.
Blackstone 1984 Flat Top Griddle Grill is the overall best flat top grill available on the market. Everything from hassle-free cleaning to sticky-free cooking justifies its position on the market. You’ll admire the high-quality build of the device that enhances its capacity for extensive grilling adventures. This is one of the reasons why we endorse it as a perfect BBQ partner for weekend parties.
Additionally, the seasoning on this grill gets straightforward if you follow the instruction manual properly. You can add multiple layers of seasoning to enhance the taste and deliciousness of the grilled food.
It performs better than its competitors in terms of grilling versatility, operational efficiency, convenient usage, and multipurpose cooking options. It makes the perfect choice for weekend parties, thanks to its high-end burners that act as different heating zones independently.
FAQs
Are Flat Top Grills better?
Flat top griddles make the best choice for people looking for a broad range of dish types. In comparison to grills, they are suitable for a completely different set of foods.
However, gone are the days when you have to buy a separate device for every additional need. Instead, there are multiple combo choices, such as Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-Burner Portable that offer the benefit of both a flat top griddle and grill.
Are Royal Gourmet Flat Top Grills any good?
Royal Gourmet is comparatively a new player in the market when compared to other high-end brands such as Blackstone and Weber. However, the versatility and operational efficiency of the company’s grill have played a vital role in grabbing a large proportion of professional grillers.
You will admire the design and working capacity of grills such as Royal Gourmet PD1301S and Royal Gourmet GD401C. Given the price of these grills, it makes sense to give them a shot to see how they perform.
Is Blackstone better than Royal Gourmet?
The definite answer is YES. Blackstone is one of the market leaders when it comes to flat-top griddles. We would advise you to select Blacksmith if you are looking for a high-end, grill with a solid build and impressive overall functionality. However, price is definitely a factor that plays a huge role in determining the best one.
On the other hand, if you are looking for cheaper, yet highly functional flat-top grills, you can go for Royal Gourmet devices. There are plenty of admirable features that impress a wide range of customer segments.