Best Flat Top Grills 2022 – Reviews and Buying Guide
A flat top grill is an excellent cooking equipment. While flat top grills may not be as popular as classic grills, they are a great outdoor cooking appliance that you can use to effectively cook a lot of food. From eggs to meat to veggies to burgers, a flat top grill offers endless use. You may not get the signature sear marks that grill grates can give you, but at high temperatures, it is very effective in searing foods and creating deeply caramelized veggies and meats. So, if you are looking to kick your grill game up a notch or want to add another fun toy to your outdoor cooking setup, the best flat top grill will be a great addition.
In these flat top grill reviews, you will find six of the best flat top grills on the market. We have also provided you with a buying guide to help you understand what to consider to find the best flat top grill.
At A Glance Flat Top Grills 2022
Top 6 Best Flat Top Grill Reviews 2022
1. Best Overall: Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
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- 470sq inches of the flat top
- A shelf on the bottom and one shelve on the side
- Battery-powered push-button ignition
- Removable grid top for mobility
- Two independent stainless steel
- 15,000 BTUs each
- Powered by propane
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Blackstone with 28 inches griddle is an excellent choice for outdoor lovers. It is designed to be used in the backyard or outdoor. You can easily feed a bunch of people with the help of this grill. This grill is also highly rated by customers.
It comes with two independently controlled burners that provide 30,000 BTUs of heat, which is good enough to get the job done. It is powered by propane that offers controlled low to high output for versatile cooking options. At 470 square inches of cooking area and 28 inches wide, this grill is slim enough to fit into your patio or backyard. And it still comes with the appearance and features that are offered by their full-size units.
When it comes to the build quality, this grill is built to last. It has stainless steel 2 burners, a powder-coated black steel frame, and thick cold rolled steel cooktop. This also makes it easy to clean, so your post-meal tasks become easier.
Staring the grill is also easy with just a simple push of a button. There is also a storage space below the burners and a side shelf. And taking the grill anywhere is also made easy with fold-up legs, removable griddle top, and four industrial strength caster wheels.
Pros
- Two powerful independent burners
- Decent heat output
- Adequate cooking area
- Good build quality
- Battery push-start ignition
- Portable
Cons
- Only two burners
Verdict: At under $250, this grill offers 2-burners and 470 square inches of cooking area, making it one of the best propane flat top grill. Each burner can produce 15,000 BTUs of flame that you can easily turn from low to high heat. Wheels on the feet make it moveable, and the battery-powered push ignition makes it easy to start.
2. Runner-Up: Blackstone 1554 Cooking 4 Burner Flat Top Gas Grill
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- 720sq inches of flat top grill
- A shelf on the bottom and two shelves on the side
- Battery-powered push-button ignition
- Powder-coated Black steel frame
- Four independent stainless steel
- 15,000 BTUs each
- 60,000 BTUs combined
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If you are looking for the best outdoor flat top grill with a larger cooking area, then this one might be for you. It comes with a massive cooking surface of 720 square inches. This huge area is heated by 4 independent burners, which also makes controlling the heat easy.
Each burner can generate 15,000 BTUs of heat. This means that all the burners can produce up to 60,000 BTUs of heat combined.
Starting all this heat is also made is easy with the pushbutton ignition mechanism. This is a highly useful feature, especially if you are going to cook food in bulk. While cooking a large quantity of food, having enough storage space and a preparation area is a plus. The flat top grill we are discussing offers both those conveniences. It consists of two side shelves where you can prepare food. Below the cooking surface, there is a shelf as well where you can store your condiments and utensils.
With its efficient cleaning mechanism, cleaning the grill is also easy as you can just wipe the griddle clean. There is also a grease management system that takes care of the grease. The design of this grill also makes it highly portable. It features four wheels at the bottom, and you can lock two of them to keep the grill in place.
The grill is also aesthetically pleasing with the stainless-steel finish. Plus, the sturdy construction allows you to use it on the patio or balcony. It requires some assembly, but assembling it is not an issue as it comes with detailed instructions.
Pros
- Restaurant grade materials and construction
- 720 square inches of cooking area
- Four independent burners provide 60,000 BTUs of output
- Quick start-up
- Advance grease management system
- One rack and two shelves
Cons
- The grill top isn’t interchangeable
Verdict: If you are looking for a flat top grill with a large cooking area, then this one is undoubtedly one of the best choices. It has a good build quality, an appealing aesthetic, and offers various features that will help you cook better. Plus, it has a rack at the bottom and two side shelves.
3. Best Choice: Royal Gourmet GD401 Portable Propane Gas Grill
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- 584sq inches of flat top grill
- Features both griddle and grates
- Two side shelves
- Automatic ignition system
- Four independent burners
- 12,000 BTUs each
- Tool hooks
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If you are looking for a flat top grill to do a traditional-style barbecue, then the Royal Gourmet GD401 is an excellent choice. It consists of two cooking areas. Each offers 292 square inches of cooking area, which means it has a combined 584 square inches cooking surface with four separate cooking zones.
Each zone consists of an independently controlled 12,000 BTU burner, and they all offer a total of 48,000 BTU. There are two side tables that offer additional space and will help you prepare your food. Additionally, it comes with tool hooks which will hold your grilling accessories.
The grill also has a grease management system to make cleaning easier. Fast and easy start-up is possible with the automatic ignition system. It has four big knobs that are positioned on the stainless-steel control panel. The legs of the grill can be folded down for compact storage. It has four caster wheels with a brake system, making it user-friendly as you can easily move and lock during the cooking process.
Pros
- Versatility performance of grill and griddle
- Grease management system
- Easy to clean
- Compact and portable
Cons
- No lid for the grill side
Verdict: If you don’t want to commit solely to a flat-top grill, this model gives you the option to invest in a grill with both griddle and grates. This allows you to switch between cooking surfaces simultaneously, making it one of the best flat top grill combinations.
4. Lightweight: BIG HORN SRGG31706 OUTDOORS Portable Gas Grill
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- 356sq inches of flat top grill
- Lightweight
- Three independent burners
- 8,500 BTUs each
- Demountable grease cup and plate
- Supporting feet
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If you want to get a flat top grill that you can just take with you, then this portable model should be your first consideration. The grill has three burners, and each burner offers 8,500 BTUs, which is quite great considering the transportability of the grill. Starting and controlling the burners are also easy. The grill offers three heat zones, which allows versatile cooking.
It has 356 square inches of cooking surface, which is a sufficient cooking area. Cleaning the tabletop grill is also easy; all you will need is just a little water and dishwashing liquid.
Now, let’s talk about its best characteristic, its portability. It weighs less than 30 pounds, which makes it a quite lightweight choice and an excellently portable one. You can easily take this compact grill in your car on any trip or outdoor excursion. Plus, you can use it indoors as well. This portable grill also includes a demountable plate, grease cup, and supporting feet that can help you save more space.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Three burners
- Easily portable
- Easy to start
Cons
- Small cooking area
Verdict: If you are looking for the best portable flat top grill, then this model would be a great choice. Weighing less than 30 pounds, it’s easy to pack this compact grill on your car. Plus, it offers decent enough flame considering its size.
5. Royal Gourmet GB8000 Event Gas Grill
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- 950sq inches of flat top grill
- Eight different burners
- 104,000 BTUs of cooking power combined
- Rear grease management system
- Caster wheels
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The most stand-out thing about this grill is its massive size. So, if you want a flat top grill that is going to be the biggest attraction of your next outdoor entertainment session, then you should consider this one. It has the capacity to feed a large number of people.
It comes with eight high-powered burners, each of which offers 13,000 BTUs. Plus, with eight burners, you get the flexibility to set up eight cooking zones. Just shy of 1,000 square inches, the cooking space offered by this grill is a massive 950 square inches. This space is good enough to cook 60 burgers at a time, making it the best flat top grill for large gatherings on our list.
The oil management system and extensive drip trays make cleanup straightforward, easy, and safe. You can fold down the side tables if you are tight on storage spaces. The grill also has a feature like wind deflectors, which is an excellent way to retain heat on days with strong weather. Caster wheels make it easy to transport the grill around, and they are also lockable.
Pros
- A whopping cooking surface
- Eight different burners
- Easy to clean
- Easy to transport with wheels
Cons
- The size is very big for some home users
Verdict: If you are looking for something to feed a large number of people, then this massive grill would be a great choice. It offers ample cooking space, and it is portable as well with its caster wheels.
6. CUISINART CGG-888 Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
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- 22-inch circle cooking area
- Two electric-start burners
- 30,000 BTUs of cooking power combined
- 360-degree griddle
- Large grease pan
- Side shelves
- Wheels
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This one is a little different from other options on this list. However, depending on what you are looking for, this could be the perfect choice for your cooking needs. The most notable thing about this grill is that its cooking surface is a 22-inch circle, where the other options offer a rectangle surface. This is a great choice if you are looking to use a grill in a tight space.
There is also a foldable side table where you can keep your cooking essentials. It comes with two independently controlled electric-start burners, and both of them provide a total of 30,000 BTUs. This also allows you to control cool and hot zones on the griddle surface.
There is also a stainless steel lid with a built-in vent, allowing you to smoke, steam and roast as well. Cleaning it is also easy as it has a built-in 360-degree grease pan that catches the grease and drippings then funnels everything to the removable pan.
You also get access to your food from all angles, which is great. Setting up the grill is also easy and doesn’t take much time. The price is also reasonable considering what you are getting.
Pros
- Decent heat output
- Built-in vent on the lid
- 360-degree griddle
- It comes with a cover
- Large grease pan
- Compact and portable
Cons
- Only two burners
Verdict: If you have a tight space and still want to experience grilled food, then this unit would be a great choice. Despite being moderate in size, it still offers excellent heat. Cleaning the grill is also easy with its 360 grease pan.
Flat Top Grill Buying Guide
Grills are different according to size and purpose. However, there are some features that you should have in your grill to make your grilling experience much more enjoyable on a flat top grill. Let’s take a look at some of those essential features.
Cooking Area
A big reason for the flat top grill being so popular is because it is designed to resemble a grill. However, it is wired differently. The heating element moves in a circular direction instead of stretching across. So, it heats the entire cooking area evenly. The heat radiates circularly, which makes it reach all the corners of the cooking surface. This allows you to utilize every inch of the cooking area.
Plus, the construction of a flat top grill is made of heavier steel than what you would typically expect on a griddle. The different size flat top grill will allow you to serve various sizes of gatherings. For example, a grill that is 600 square inches will be able to feed 50 to 100 people per hour. On the other hand, if you want something to cook for a small family, then a grill with 400 square inches of cooking surface or less will suffice.
Since the cooking surface is flat, you can cook just about anything on it, including recipes that are batter-like such as pancakes. As there are no grates, the batter is not going to seep through. And because the heat is spread evenly, you can fit more food on the grill. The best flat top grill is convenient, versatile as well as easy to clean.
Versatility
The flat top grill is an excellent way to cook your food, but it does come with a few drawbacks. For instance, it is not easy to get that smoky traditional BBQ flavor with your food because with a flat top grill; the dripping doesn’t fall into the fire and smoke back up into the food, which is what happens with a traditional grill.
With that in mind, you need to consider what kind of food you will be cooking and the result you want to achieve. However, you can also get a combination grill and achieve both types of results. In these best flat top grill reviews, we have also included a grill that features both a flat top and a traditional surface.
Price
In any purchase decision, the price is obviously a big factor. Compared to other types of grills, the price of a flat top grill is quite reasonable. Tabletop models can be purchased lower than $100 with full size. Quality flat top grills can go in the range of $400. However, there are even flat top grills that can go around the $4,000 range.
Is it Pre-Seasoned?
For a new grill, the seasoning process is important because it will make your food taste better as well as prevent the possibility of damage and rust happening to your grill. This will also help you get rid of any leftover chemicals or residue from the manufacturing process. Seasoning a flat top grill is actually simple. Just rub on a light coat of cooking oil to the surface, then for about 30 minutes, bake it at high heat.
A pre-seasoned cooking surface means there is a layer of oil baked in already by the manufacturer. This helps you save time. So, you should look for a unit that is pre-seasoned.
Design
There are a number of features that these grills have to offer which worth your consideration. Some units come with natural gas hookups, so if you want that in your unit, make sure you get a model with the capabilities. Some feature tables and side shelves for extra prep space. There are also some that are equipped with shelves and cabinets for added storage capacity and convenience. Some models are equipped with wheels for easy portability. You can also find lightweight and smaller portable models if you want something to take on camping and outdoor excursions.
Material
While some flat top grills are built with carbon stainless steel, others have a cast iron cooktop. The care and maintenance for each material are a bit different. Typically, cast iron is more durable, heavier, takes longer, and requires more care. While this material takes longer to heat up, it distributes heat extremely evenly.
Stainless steel is lighter, thinner, and easier to take care of. However, it doesn’t get as hot or distribute hot as well. Typically, stainless steel is less expensive than cast iron.
Mobility
Considering the setting, you plan to use your flat top grill in is also important. Do you just plan to cook with this at home? Or are you going to go out with it and take it on camping trips or tailgating outings?
Flat top grills offer one of the best classes of portable grills, and there are many options for on-the-go grilling. Make sure you get a flat top grill that has a manageable profile and weight for the way you plan to use it.
How To Clean a Flat Top Grill
When you start noticing excess of burnt food bits or the surface is getting uneven heat spots, that’s your clue that the grill needs a deep cleaning. Turn on the griddle to cook off any remaining food bits, then use a griddle scraper to get rid of all debris. Add warm water to the griddle. This will help you cook off any grease or dirt. If your griddle is stainless steel, apply stainless steel cleaner at the end. Now, wipe it off and dry the surface. If the surface is cast iron or chrome, don’t apply the stainless steel cleaner. Use oil or food-safe polish to finish it off.
Flat Top Grill FAQ:
Question: What can you cook on a flat-top grill?
Answer: The biggest difference between a classic grill and a flat top grill is that you won’t achieve any sear lines on a flat top grill. Since the items that get cooked on a flat top grill get more surface contact, it is best to cook foods that you want to achieve deep, uniform caramelization. Burgers are great on both classic and flat top grills, but on a flat top grill, you get an extra dark crust around the outside of the patty. You can cook any meat on a flat top grill that you would cook over grill grates; just remember that you will get a darker crust around the item.
You can also get a brunch spread going on the flat top and cook eggs, toast, French toast, pancakes, and breakfast meats for a fun outdoor breakfast.
Conclusion
We hope we were able to help you find the best flat top grill for your needs. The models we have listed are some of the best in the market. And with the help of our buying guide, you should be able to find your ideal grill. Consider your budget and the features you wish to have in your ideal grill. This will help you make the decision faster.
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