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Which Gas Griddle Class Is Right for You?
You know you want a gas griddle, but one question remains: how does your future flat top grill stack up against the competition? Allow us to do the annoying thing and answer that question with another — what do YOU want out of your gas griddle? To help you decide which flat-top griddles best fit your needs and lifestyle, the team of BBQGuys experts split our selection into 4 clearly defined classes of varying quality, performance, and features. We call them Luxury, Premium, Practical, and Entry-Level, and they’re your ticket to a simplified shopping journey.
We’ll walk you through each class, explaining key aspects that set one product grouping apart from another. We’ve been testing and selling griddles since 1998, so our experts’ decisions were made with years of insight into the category. From fully decked-out griddles built into outdoor kitchen islands to portable models for the camp, you’ll find there’s much to discover in this exercise.
Gas Griddle Class Comparison
| Class | Entry-Level | Practical | Premium | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Rating is 2 out of 5 | Rating is 2 out of 5 | Rating is 4 out of 5 | Rating is 4 out of 5 |
| Performance | Rating is 2 out of 5 | Rating is 2 out of 5 | Rating is 3 out of 5 | Rating is 4 out of 5 |
| Features | Rating is 1 out of 5 | Rating is 2 out of 5 | Rating is 3 out of 5 | Rating is 4 out of 5 |
| Price | Rating is 1 out of 5 | Rating is 1 out of 5 | Rating is 3 out of 5 | Rating is 4 out of 5 |
Luxury Gas Griddles
- All are built with 304-grade stainless steel exteriors for years of corrosion resistance
- Lifetime warranties, at least on the griddle body and burners, are the norm
- Griddles available as built-in models to seamlessly fit outdoor kitchen islands
- Top-of-the-line burner designs and technology guarantee peak performance
- Select models arrive fully assembled, creating a luxury experience from the jump
- Splash guards, full-coverage grease trays, and safety features maximize convenience
Quality
Of course, the top gas griddles use the top materials. Every flat top grill exterior in this class is made of 304-grade stainless steel, the commercial-quality alloy certain Luxury brands also use for their burners. As for the cooktop, you’ll generally find durable stainless steel or heavy-duty, cold-rolled steel plates. Their warranties reflect that outstanding quality, with all models carrying some degree of lifetime coverage (usually on bodies and burners). To drive home the luxury appeal, Luxury-class gas griddles feature sleek design touches like welded seams, creating a striking appearance whether they’re freestanding or built into a BBQ island.
Performance
This class is home to the most innovative and effective griddle burner designs, resulting in remarkable end-to-end temperature evenness when desired. There are heat zone separators and U-shaped burners from DCS, inner and outer ring burners with a patented temperature control system from Evo, Le Griddle’s cast iron sub-plate, variable infrared burners from Lynx, and Crown Verity’s ability to convert to a char-broiler. Throw in the most reliable instant-ignition systems and up to 7 burners — that’s Crown Verity again — for unmatched versatility, and it’s clear that Luxury-class flat top grills are designed to cook anything and everything like no other.
Features
When cooking on a Luxury-class gas griddle, you’re surrounded by helpful features that simplify the experience as much as possible. Colored LED lights, for instance, are fairly common and function as a safety notification that the burners are on (while also enhancing style). Splash guards and removable, full-coverage grease trays keep cleanup to a minimum, with some even being dishwasher-safe. The decked-out freestanding carts follow suit with heavy-duty wheels, side tables for prep work, and spacious storage doors. Our favorite feature, though? Crown Verity and Evo Professional flat top gas grills arrive already assembled, saving you time and effort.
Top Luxury Gas Griddle Brands
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Premium Gas Griddles
- Built with mixed materials, though Blaze and others have 304-grade stainless steel bodies
- Warranties vary in length, with certain manufacturers offering lifetime coverage
- The lowest class to feature built-in gas griddles for outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands
- Multi-burner designs and independently controlled heat zones let you cook more at once
- Flame-thrower ignition, among other startup systems, provides reliable lighting
- Comprehensive features include LED-lit knobs and integrated air fryers and ranges
Quality
Construction doesn’t take a huge hit in the step down to Premium-class griddles, not when brands like Blaze and Coyote still opt for heavy-duty, 304-grade stainless steel designs. But the class also includes some powder-coated steel (most notably on the high-end Blackstone griddles), a still-sturdy material that doesn’t offer the same corrosion resistance as stainless steel. Premium-class warranties are equally varied — some lifetime, some for 1 year — headlined by Blaze’s best-in-class promise. This class not only offers the first taste of built-in griddles, but also features Backyard Hibachi flat top grills designed for a communal experience.
Performance
These flat top grills and griddles bring great performance to the (dinner) table, with high-BTU burners fueling independent cooking zones that provide versatility for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cooking systems are well-designed, from Blackstone’s heat baffles for precise temperature control to Blaze and Turbo Teppanyaki griddles’ U-shaped burners that promote even heat across the cooktop. For good measure, Premium-class models make startup a breeze; the best example is the flame-thrower ignition found on Coyote and Blaze flat top grills. Overall, gas griddles in this class will have little to no problem cooking whatever you’re craving.
Features
From helpful grease management systems to premium carts with large prep shelves, these flat top griddles generally have desirable features that make life easier. We’ll start with those cleanup-friendly grease management designs, with special emphasis on Blackstone’s patented rear system and Blaze’s large-capacity trough. In fact, Premium-class Blackstone models offer some of our favorite features: side range cooktops, built-in air fryers and warming drawers, a magnetic strip, and more. The only thing those griddles are missing is LED-illuminated control knobs, which literally and figuratively shine on Blaze, Coyote, and Turbo flat top grills.
Top Premium Gas Griddle Brands
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Practical Gas Griddles
- Sturdily constructed from a mix of stainless steel and powder-coated steel
- Warranties are much shorter, reflecting overall step down in quality from higher classes
- 4- and 6-burner models with variable flame settings controlled by easy-to-use knobs
- Reliable ignition and pre-seasoned, non-stick surfaces let you get right to cooking
- Seamless grease management systems make cleanup quick and hassle-free
- Freestanding carts feature leg levelers, foldable side shelves, and swivel caster wheels
Quality
While these griddles are still sturdy and well-made, the quality of materials used in construction takes a notable dip. Practical-class manufacturers go with a mix of stainless steel and powder-coated steel throughout, along with heavy-duty, cold-rolled steel for the cooktop. Warranties last only 1 year, though they’re backed by solid customer service from Blackstone and Camp Chef. Also note that these flat top grills are all freestanding, so you’ll have to search the higher classes if you want a built-in model.
Performance
Practical flat top gas grills are built with solid technology for versatile outdoor cooking, whether the task at hand is a full-blown breakfast hash or a batch of smash burgers. Most offer 4 traditional burners — the 6-burner Camp Chef gas griddle is an exception — with simple control knobs that let you choose from a variety of flame settings. Their non-stick cooktops come pre-seasoned for use right out the box, while lighting the griddle is simple and easy thanks to continuous- and single-spark ignition systems.
Features
This flat top griddle class has a good blend of features, with the strongest being integrated grease management systems that result in quick, mess-free cleanup. For Camp Chef, the convenience continues with splash guards, an array of shelves, and adjustable leg levelers that ensure you can cook on any surface. The freestanding Blackstone carts bring several helpful touches as well: a magnetic strip, towel holder, bottle opener, ample shelving, and an included hood or hard cover. Not bad for lower-class griddles.
Top Practical Gas Griddle Brands
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Entry-Level Gas Griddles
- A large mix of materials means quality varies widely from product to product
- Warranties generally last only 1 year, but some provide 3 years of coverage
- Mostly portable flat top griddles that are best for the camp or tailgate
- Many have multiple burners, allowing for versatile, dual-zone cooking
- Basic control knobs and matchless ignition make operation easy
- Simple grease management systems save on cleanup time
Quality
Entry-Level flat top griddles are made from a mixture of materials, namely stainless steel, painted steel, and porcelain-coated steel. That approach makes the class highly varied in terms of lifespan, and the accompanying warranties typically range from 3 years (Cuisinart griddles) to just 1 year. However, the lower quality and coverage is mostly intentional: the majority of Entry-Level gas griddles are portable, so they’ll get used primarily in the great outdoors where you’d expect them to take a beating anyway.
Performance
Despite being in the lowest product class, Entry-Level models sport decent cooking systems from well-known brands like Blackstone, Camp Chef, and Cuisinart. Their straightforward designs get the job done for a variety of menu options, with easy-to-use control knobs and some multiple-burner configurations that make dual-zone cooking possible. Startup is as simple as cooking — matchless ignition sees to that — while certain flat top grills in this class are built with pre-seasoned cooktops and a non-stick coating.
Features
Unsurprisingly, features are fairly slim for these flat top grills. That’s expected when most of them are compact and portable, but that still leaves room for basic grease management systems to handle cleanup when you’re on the go. The freestanding Entry-Level models come with side (and sometimes even bottom) shelves, but don’t expect much else. If we had to call out any single feature, it would be the way Camp Chef VersaTop gas griddles can accommodate versatile accessories like a grill box and artisan pizza oven.
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