If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the BEST flat top gas grill is, then we recommend the Blackstone as the best one.
A popular option these days, flat top grill and griddle combinations are a fun way to entertain. Using a large cooking surface with even heat, you can cook in zones. This provides more versatility in what you are cooking at the same time. Mind blown.
You can cook all three meals on this surface. Plus, you don’t have to concern yourself with flare-ups since the grease won’t drip into the burners. And, it’s easy to keep clean. Here are a few tips and reviews that I’ve put together on what to look for in the best flat top gas grill and griddle combination for your needs.
In this article, we’re going to review the following flat top gas grills:
- Blackstone 36-Inch (4-Burner)
- Blackstone 28-Inch (2-Burner) & 36-Inch (4-Burner) Stainless Steel
- Blackstone Table Top Grill 17-Inch
- Camp Chef 475 & 600
- Char-Broil
- Royal Gourmet PD1300
- Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill And Griddle Combo
- Royal Gourmet Regal GB4000
Why Should You Buy a Flat Top Gas Grill
Cooking for a Large Group
We’ve all ended up with more people coming over to a BBQ then we planned for. So, when you have tons of people to feed, having a large surface area will help you crank out a lot of food for a crowd. Since flat top doesn’t have any sides like a skillet has, you can easily flip food and basically become a short-order cook. Plus, the open cooking area won’t trap moisture, so your food finishes nice and crispy.
It’s common for a commercial restaurant to use a flat top to prepare a large amount of food and keep it all warm. This smaller version is capable of doing the same thing, except for a smaller number of people. A flat top grill basically gives you a versatile restaurant out in the woods or at the game.
Cook All Three Meals
You have no limits when it comes to cooking on a flat top gas grill. You can use it to make breakfast including bacon, French Toast, sausage, and pancakes. You can also use it for typical BBQ food like hot dogs, burgers, and steaks as well as tacos, quesadillas, wraps, and fajitas.
Since you get some seriously hot temperatures on a flat top grill, you can make seafood, vegetables, beef, chicken and fried rice that tastes just like you made it in a wok. I have a buddy that goes camping every Thanksgiving with his family and he makes everything for his thanksgiving meal on his flat top gas grill. It’s that versatile.
Multi-Zone Cooking
When you are cooking on a flat top gas grill, it’s convenient to turn one or more of the burners off. This is really important if you are cooking an entire meal. For example, when I’m out camping, I like to have a lot of versatility in my meal. So, once my vegetables are finished sautéing, I can turn them off as I start to sear my steaks. And, then for breakfast, I can keep my stack of pancakes warm on one end of the grill while I cook my sausage links on the other end.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Flat Top Gas Grill
Heat Distribution
Heat distribution allows your food to cook at the same rate, so you can actually use your grill as an oven to roast and bake food. Look for a grill with a metal burner shield and burners that sit lower in the grill to get an even cooking temperature over the entire cooking area. Also, having ceramic rods placed under the cooking grid helps to distribute heat evenly and lessen the risk of flare-ups.
Durability
Since you can end up spending a lot of money, buying one of these grills shouldn’t be a quick decision. You want to find a high-quality grill that is made with a heavy-gauge, rust-resistant material like stainless steel. When your grill is constructed well, it retains heat better, especially in colder weather. I know from experience that if you think your gas grill feels or looks poorly made, it is. And it’s not going to last you long.
Drainage Holes
Another feature to consider is the drainage holes and their size. You want to make sure these holes are large enough to collect as much grease as possible making your food healthier and crispier. A flat top gas grill with grease cups or collection areas are handy and make clean up a lot easier. This is particularly helpful when you are out camping or tailgating and have limited cleaning options nearby. Take it from me. There is nothing worse than grease dripping everywhere. It’s a mess you don’t want to have to deal with in a parking lot.
Safety
You want a grill that is safe. Worrying about flare-ups can be stressful and distracting. Make sure the design of your grease management system keeps fat away from your food and any flames. Also, never having to light your grill manually is a great safety feature, so make sure you have a reliable electric starter.
Best Flat Top Gas Grill Reviews
#1 Blackstone 36-Inch (4-Burner)
This 36-inch Blackstone features four burners and an accessory side shelf. This propane-fueled grill and griddle is a quality and restaurant-grade unit that also features a rear grease management system. Featuring 120 sq. inches of cooking area, you get 60,000 BTUs from the four burners giving you lots of cooking options.
This is the ideal grill and griddle station to take with you camping since you can cook all three meals on it. Plus, you get several prep area options with a bottom and side shelf. The new side shelf includes trash bag hooks, a paper towel holder, and a removable cutting board.
Easy to assemble and use, the Blackstone allows you to get rid of the hassle of matches and kerosene. It comes with four stainless-steel burners that are independently controlled. Plus, it is also easy to transport with a removable griddle top, four caster wheels, and fold up legs.
Pros:
- The assembly is very easy
- It has a nice rear grease catcher design
- You can hang a trash bag with the handy hooks
Cons:
- The tank hanger has a knob that is too thick so you can set the tank in the bottom hanger
- It needs a small basket or area where you can put squeeze bottles
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#2 Blackstone 28-Inch (2-Burner) & 36-Inch (4-Burner) Stainless Steel
This Blackstone grill comes in two sizes. The 28-inch grill features a 470 sq. inch grill area with two burners, while the 36-inch one includes a 720 sq. inch cooking area and four burners. Both are restaurant grade products that use propane. This Grill is capable of cooking all three meals on it and comes with side shelves and a bottom shelf for food prep and storage.
Easy to use and assemble, the Blackstone provides an easy start push-button ignition that is battery-powered. Constructed with a steel frame, this grill has a black powder coating and comes with burners made of stainless steel. Each burner provides 15,000 BTUs and is independently controlled for versatile cooking options.
This is an easy to move unit that comes with four caster wheels, fold up legs, and a removable griddle top. It is also really easy to clean making the after-dinner routine simple and problem-free. The Blackstone is fueled by propane and uses a standard 20lb tank that can be stored underneath the unit on the left side shelf.
Pros:
- This grill has a great design that folds up easily for camping
- It is easy to put together and take apart
- It cooks really well and has a great grease catch design
Cons:
- The griddle leaks grease, but not into the trough
- It can be hard to get the propane tank in the holder just right
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#3 Blackstone Table Top Grill 17-Inch
Perfect for the beach, the big game, or the campsite, the Blackstone Table Top Grill is a 17-inch portable gas and griddle combination. It is propane-fueled and gives you 260 sq. inches of cooking area with one burner providing 12,000 BTUs of power. This heavy-duty and versatile grill features an easy to use and clean griddle that only needs to be wiped off with a paper towel before it’s ready for use again.
The Blackstone is a conveniently sized grill that gives you even heat distribution across the entire griddle, so it is perfect to use for large families and groups. The removable grease trap is also easy to clean, and the H style burner gives you plenty of heat across the entire cooking area. It also has an easy to use electric ignition and uses handy one-pound propane bottles for fuel. This is an easy to store grill with a griddle top that stores upside down to save space.
Pros:
- The grill heats up quickly
- It is very portable with a solid drip tray that drains well
- There is tons of storage under the cooking area
Cons:
- It needs a larger drip tray
- The cooking surface needs be flatter
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#4 Camp Chef 475 & 600
With a large cooking area, the Camp Chef features an interchangeable flat top griddle, so you can make all your breakfast favorites at once. Later, you can make chicken, steaks, kabobs, and burgers simultaneously for a hungry crowd. With four individual burners, you get enough heat in each zone to manage all your hot food.
The built-in ignition knobs are matchless and control the flame and the heat. You also get the added convenience of wheels and side shelves that fold down for easy transport and storage. The large cooking area measures 600 sq. inches and provides even heat without any hot spots.
Not only can you use the Camp Chef as a griddle, but you can also grill and use it as a water pot heat source. The interchangeable flat top griddle features a true seasoned finish and a non-stick, ready to cook surface.
This grill comes in two other models. The 475 model features three stainless steel burners while the 600 model comes with four burners. Each version offers 12,000 BTUs for each burner. The 600 model is basically the same as the original model, but also includes a patio cover. The 475 is slightly smaller and does not feature the two large folding shelves.
Pros:
- You can cook any meal on it
- Great product for the price
- Solid product with handy side shelves
Cons:
- It needs a larger drain hole
- The griddle does not sit very flat
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#5 Char-Broil
The Char-Broil Gas Griddle features four burners that allow you to cook a range of food all at once. This means you can make all three meals using just one grill. This grill is ideal for both small and large groups and features a heavy-duty pre-seasoned rolled-steel griddle surface.
Providing even heat for the best cooking performance, the Char-Broil features sturdy construction, a large grease cup, and side shelves that fold. This is a simple to use and clean griddle that is easy to level with handy adjustable screws on every corner. You also get easy maneuverability with locking caster wheels with the ability to lock them into place.
Pros:
- Nice weight griddle that can be carried easily
- Lighting is very consistent each time you turn it on
- It comes with four separate burners, so you can cook a variety of food at the same time
Cons:
- It doesn’t fold up.
- You can’t remove it from the base and use it on a table or outdoor kitchen area
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#6 Royal Gourmet PD1300
The portable, three burner Royal Gourmet Grill and Griddle is perfect for any family outing. Featuring three independently controlled, stainless-steel burners, you get 27,000 BTU total output with 325.9 sq. inches of cooking area. The stainless-steel control panel comes with the Piezo Ignition System that makes starts consistent and reliable.
The Royal Gourmet PD1300 also features a removable grease drip cup that is handy and easy to clean. The porcelain-enamel coated griddle top cooks evenly and cleans easily. The commercial-grade control pad makes sure the unit works at a professional level for increased durability.
Pros:
- It is porcelain coated with a nice heavyweight
- It includes a convenient grease drain
- A very affordable grill for what you get
Cons:
- The grease drip pan is really hard to remove
- There are problems with leg attachments causing it to be wobbly
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#7 Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo
This four-burner flat top griddle is a versatile outdoor camping grill that comes with folding legs and a side table. Perfect for everyday use or large family events, the Royal Gourmet Portable Grill and Griddle Combo gives you 584 sq. inches of cooking area. With large side shelves, you get an extra work area as well as a convenient bottle opener and hooks for your BBQ tools.
The durable and powerful burners are fast to heat up providing even and adjustable heat as you cook. With a total of 48,000 BTUs, the dual cooking surface has interchangeable versatility. Plus, the removable grease drip cup is handy and easy to clean.
The Royal Gourmet also includes an easy to use and reliable ignition, and a built-in grease channel that has removable drip pans for easy cleanup. This grill is also available in another version that includes a convenient cover.
Pros:
- It can cook a range of food
- The grill was very easy to assemble
- It includes a nice solid and heavy cover
Cons:
- It needs a top that will close for the grill side to keep heat in when roasting
- Grill cooks faster in some areas than others
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
#8 Royal Gourmet Regal GB4000
The four-burner Royal Gourmet Regal Gas Grill Griddle features 52,000 total BTUs. Made of stainless steel, each independently controlled burner provides 13,000 BTUs over a pre-seasoned surface. This grill includes a high-temperature firebox that is black powder-coated and an electronic ignition system that gives you consistent and reliable spark with each push.
With a total of 744 sq. inch cooking area, the Royal Gourmet Regal features a cold-rolled steel surface and adjustable temperature settings that give you versatility while you cook. The stainless-steel tube burners give you great heat distribution and retention.
The Royal Gourmet Regal comes with foldable side tables providing extra workspace that can hold items up to 25 pounds securely. Plus, you get a large capacity grease collection area under the firebox for easy cleanup. This grill also includes a cart with storage space for your accessories and four caster wheels for easy maneuverability.
Pros:
- All the metal pieces are powder-coated and rust protected
- It has a decent-sized cooking area
- Nice distributed heat across the cooking area
Cons:
- The assembly is time-consuming
- The grease tray can get clogged easily
>> Check Price on Amazon <<
Best Flat Top Gas Grill: The Verdict
The winner of our review is the Blackstone. Not only does it have four independently controlled burners, but it has one of my favorite accessories, a side shelf. This is a quality and restaurant-grade propane-fueled grill that also features a nice rear grease management system, which is a priceless feature if you grill a lot.
I love this grill and griddle station since you can cook all three meals on it, which makes it ideal for camping. And that side shelf. It’s a great area for preparing food, plus it comes with trash bag hooks, a paper towel holder, and a removable cutting board. It just keeps getting better and better.
Simple to assemble and use, the Blackstone is also easy to transport with a removable griddle top, four caster wheels, and fold up legs. When you are camping, you definitely want something easy like this to maneuver through the woods. The definite winner of the best flat top gas grill is the Blackstone hands down. Click here to check its price on Amazon.
