Gas grills (also called flat grills) can be a great alternative to a regular gas grill.

Thanks to the flat design of the grills, they are perfect for cooking foods that a normal grill would struggle with.

For breakfast lovers, you can easily prepare a large number of pancakes, bacon, hash browns and eggs at the same time.

For most people, the Blackstone 36″ gas hob is the best choice due to its solid construction, excellent heat dissipation and ease of cleaning. It is also more affordable than its main competitors.

We also compare the best selection of gas grills for different needs and situations.

 

 

Our top 9 picks for the best flat gas grill of 2022

We’ve picked the 9 best gas grills with a variety of options, so whether you’re looking for a standalone grill, something more portable, or a surface that attaches to your existing grill, you’ll find a great option.

1. Best Overall – Blackstone 36 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station:

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Blackstone is the market leader in gas grills. Although they’ve been selling plates since 2005, they’ve enjoyed a massive resurgence in this style of outdoor dining.

All Blackstone products are designed and developed in the USA.

The Blackstone 36″ Gas Grill Station uses four separate stainless steel burners with temperature settings ranging from low to high, so you can cook a variety of tasty foods for large groups of people.

There is 720 square inches of available cooking space and a large degreaser has been implemented for easy cleanup.

The Blackstone grease separator is much better and easier to clean than the Pit Boss or Camp Chef plates we tested.

You get two side tables for preparing or storing food. In addition, there is an end table under the plate controls, where you can find more storage options.

The burners are made of stainless steel, which increases their rust resistance and makes them less prone to corrosion.

If you don’t need a lot of space, there’s also a 28-inch model with two burners that costs a little less.

We appreciate design choices like these because they save money in the long run.

In addition, the cooking surface is made of laminated steel, which is not quite as rust-resistant, but offers excellent heat retention and heat distribution.

This is one of the most consistent gas grills we’ve seen.

I still recommend investing in a good infrared digital thermometer, because knowing the exact temperature of the grill surface makes cooking much easier.

What we like:

• Easy to clean: Removing the grill plate from this model is quite simple. This makes it easier to clean the grill and you can store it separately if your garage is tight or if you are worried about objects falling onto the hob.
• Mobile – We also really like the four sturdy wheels, two of which are lockable. The wheels are strong enough to withstand repeated trips to and from the yard or warehouse. This makes it an ideal removable grill for grilling and a way to store it to save space when not in use.
• Large grill surface – It is perfect for cooking for large groups of people at the same time; With 720 in² of cooking space and 60,000 BTUs of heat, you’ll find yourself tackling any cooking challenge in no time. The fact that it has 4 separate heating zones is great because it adds more temperature control during cooking from start to finish.

What we don’t like

• Poor – Due to its size, it is relatively awkward to move, although the sturdy wheels help compensate for this somewhat.
• It doesn’t corrode – The biggest problem is also that the griddle is not stainless steel and is prone to corrosion if you don’t clean it thoroughly and add oil after cooking.
• As long as you keep the roast clean and seasoned, you will maintain its longevity and cooking will be much more fun.

Blackstone is not the market leader for nothing, because you can only make small pimples on an otherwise excellent baking sheet.

2. Runner up – Pit Boss 4 Burner Gas Griddle:

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Pit Boss is best known for its affordable pellet grills, but with its 4-burner gas stove you get the same or better specs than the industry leader Blackstone.

At the time of writing, the Pit Boss cost nearly $100 more, enough to keep the Blackstone in first place.

You get a cooking surface of 748 square inches, which can hold about 36 burgers at a time and is slightly larger than a Blackstone.

Heat is controlled by four separate stainless steel burners that produce 62,000 BTUs of heat.

If you want more space, a 5-burner griddle is also available, which reaches a cooking surface of up to 750 square inches and moves the grease trap to the side.

Everything we cooked at the Pit Boss was delicious, whether we were making burgers, fried rice, or bacon and eggs.

The grill surface is made of 4.7 mm thick cast iron, which retains the heat well and distributes the heat evenly. You can also upgrade to a ceramic soleplate for better performance.

The grill comes pre-salted, but we’ve found it’s still worth doing a few rounds of vegetable oil dressing and then frying the bacon to make it even tastier.

Cleaning and maintenance are easy as there is a small hole in the bottom corner to scrape away grease and grime and a removable container for emptying.

What we like:

• Efficient stainless steel burners ensure even heat – The temperature remains pleasantly warm even after adding a large amount of food
• Portable: The side bins and legs can be folded for easy carrying, making it a great choice for camping or tailgating.
• Generous 5 Year Warranty – The Pit Boss warranty is one of the best in the industry.

What we don’t like:

• No side handle – I lost the Blackstone side handle when I had to lift the tarp off my truck.
• Grease trap design – Some of the grease runs down the front legs, it doesn’t work as well as the Blackstone
• Release some heat through vents – There are gaps between the burners and the top of the grill to allow the heat to escape. Not a big deal, but on windy days it can take a little longer before the temperature is reached.

Although Pit Boss designed this grill so you can pack it up and take it camping, it’s a great grill that can feed a lot of people. If high portability (and fuel economy) is important, you should consider a smaller table grill.

The Pit Boss 4 burner grill has a larger heating surface, warmer stainless steel burners and a better warranty than the competition.

3. Best Tabletop/Portable Griddle – Blackstone Table Top Grill 17″ Portable Gas Griddle:

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This is a portable grill with a 260 inch² cooking area.

The Blackstone Tabletop Grill is ideal for small families or groups of travelers cooking for only a handful of people.

We recommend it in our guide to the best table grills.

It uses 1-pound propane cylinders for fuel and an electric igniter, so starting the grill requires little effort.

It is made of stainless steel and the cooking surface on the grill can be removed for easy cleaning and storage. The single burner is operated by means of the knob in the center of the control panel.

It’s incredibly easy to store as you can remove the top and flip it over to protect the hob. At 17 inches wide, it’s not too heavy to carry to and from different cooking areas.

What do we like?

• Good size: It’s the perfect outdoor grill for camping or mobile cooking.
• EASY TO CLEAN: This grill is also very easy to clean as it has a removable surface so you can adjust the angle at which the grease and grime is scraped off. The integrated grease trap is another solid bonus, reducing the stress of cleaning after cooking.
• Powerful – Despite being small and portable, this grill still produces over 12,000 BTUs of heat, which is comparable to the heating power of a Blackstone grill. This means that it heats up quickly and is well cooked in minutes.
• Corrosion Resistant – Finally, the grill hob is made of stainless steel, which is already corrosion resistant. Even better, its powder coated black to increase overall durability and rust resistance.

What we don’t like:

• Long composition –There are a few minor flaws. The biggest is that the grille takes little time to assemble and comes with most of the major components to be finished. This takes time, but at least it’s not too complicated.
• Heavy – While the wheels keep the parala moving, it is also a relatively heavy and somewhat heavy machine. Not a good choice for a friend’s campsite or backyard.

4. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill:

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The Camp Chef is a strong contender for the best flat grill with our previously reviewed Blackstones and Pit Bosses.

The grid area is 604 inches², which helps to keep the overall unit a little smaller.

It still has 4 stainless steel burners with unmatched ignition for ease of use and has two wheels instead of four to move it to and from a specific storage area.

It’s not that BTU efficient, but with a small footprint you won’t notice much of a difference.

The side tables are slightly larger, which is nice if you want a lot of extra space to cook while cooking.

These side tables can be folded away as a bonus.

The grille is very thick and looks of high quality. The main body of the grill is made of stainless steel, which is an improvement over the powder coated steel commonly seen.

A big advantage of the Camp Chef is that you can replace the surface of the griddle with grids, so that it can also serve as a grill.

However, unlike the Royal Gourmet portable propane gas grill and combo grill, you can’t do both at the same time.

Unlike the Pit Boss and Blackstone options, this grille doesn’t fold, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you want to take it with you on the go.

5. Cuisinart CGG-501 Gourmet Gas Griddle:

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An alternative to a portable grill is this model. It uses two stainless steel burners instead of an “H” burner in the middle, giving you a little more control over your cooking zone.

The surface is 285 inches² and is made of extra-thick cold-rolled steel, which helps dissipate heat evenly, although it doesn’t protect against rust as effectively.

It uses a hose that fits larger 20lb propane tanks, so consider your fuel needs before making your final purchase.

6. Camp Chef Professional Fry Griddle:

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This model has a 16″ x 38″ cooking surface and a grease filter and grease cup holder so you can keep everything clean throughout the process.

The grill is made from durable steel and finished with Camp Chef’s patented “True Season” process to extend its life and durability.

One major drawback is that it only has one handle on the front and cannot be removed, so allow the grill to cool completely before attempting to grab it and remove it from the grill surface.

Get the latest price from Camp Chef.

7. Lodge LPG13 Pro-Grid Cast Iron Reversible Grill/Griddle Pan:

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This grid is unique; it can be converted to a grid or plate-like surface if necessary.

Both sides are able to retain and distribute heat well and the whole has the dimensions for two hobs.

It fits many traditional grills, or you can take it indoors and use it right out of the box in the kitchen.

This pan is made of iron, so if you clean and oil it often, you don’t have to worry about damage or corrosive problems.

Plus, the iron construction allows the pan to retain flavor and spices, so the more you use it, the more you like it. This is also an incredibly affordable roast choice.

Get the latest price on Amazon.

8. Backyard Hibachi Flattop Propane Gas Grill:

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Sure, you’re a gas-belt hibachi-style chef in this guide. But if you want to recreate the atmosphere of your favorite hibachi restaurant in your seat, look no further than this courtyard hibachi roast.

It may be more expensive than the other grills we’ve reviewed, but for the extra cost, you get a 693-square-inch pre-seasoned cooktop with a removable, dishwasher-safe drip pan.

Handcrafted in the USA, the grill uses locally sourced laminated wood to create an authentic finish.

This is sure to impress friends and family and become the focal point of your outdoor kitchen.

What makes gas grills different?

Plates use flat, open cooking surfaces that are usually made from one type of steel. Hence the name “flattop” grill.

These surfaces are then heated by gas burners that are directly under the hob.

The surfaces of the grill form an even frying surface that does not leave marks on the food and does not require the same cleaning as a traditional grill.

Since there is no direct contact with the flame, you don’t have to worry about flare-ups.

With the plates, you can prepare any kind of eggs, pancakes and other delicate dishes that fall directly into the gas grill.

Often thought of as a breakfast grill, you can still cook anything on a regular grill.

If you enjoy cooking outside, being able to cook breakfast for a large group of people is a great feature.

A flat plate compared to a regular gas grill

There are some differences between these two pots that we will talk about.

• Flavor and texture – Grills give cooked food a slightly charred texture that imparts a smoky flavor to many meats. The plates give the cooked food a more fried taste. Many foods can taste a bit “fried” due to the smooth cooking surface.
• Time – Grills tend to cook faster than plates because grills can have a higher cooking temperature. Open flames give most foods more heat faster than a frying pan. However, pans cook quickly enough in most situations.
• Convenience – Trusses are more difficult to move or transport because they depend on their thin legs or wheels to move. Plates tend to be smaller or more portable, and some models easily fit on table tops or an existing grill.

Note that the term pan and flat top are thrown around. They mean the same thing.

Different types of gas grills

Let’s take a look at the most important types of gas grills on the market.

• Dedicated: This is the largest type of gas grill and can also be placed next to your regular outdoor grill. They often have wheels for transport and storage. Thanks to their larger surface, they cook more food at the same time than smaller pans. These plates are also usually the most expensive, but they can be good value for money if you run a small restaurant or regularly cook for several people at the same time.
• Desktop / Portable: These have a smaller cooking surface and are usually cheaper due to their small size. These pans are designed to be small enough to be placed on a table or counter, although smaller standing versions also exist. These vertical trays can be easily moved around the kitchen or garden. Portable grills typically use 1-pound disposable propane tanks or cans. Thanks to their small size, they are great choices for camping.
• Placed on an existing grid: These are innovative dishes that are placed on an existing grid. These grill plates are then heated by the heat of the grill. They have the same versatile advantages as a grill, but they heat up quickly thanks to the grill acting as a heat source. Because they are so small and compact, they tend to be very light and affordable, and are great accessories if you want to grill often but want to add things like eggs or similar to your backyard grill.

Consider the purchasing factors

Before you make your final decision on a gas grill, keep these important considerations in mind so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Tray size

Of course, the size of the grill affects how many people you can cook for and where. Smaller plates can be used both indoors and outdoors and can be relatively easily implemented with an existing cooking arrangement.

For example, you can easily connect them to existing grids. Smaller plates usually have a floor area of ​​about 300 square inches or less and are great for small family cooking. Larger pans require special space, but they can cook more food. They usually have a cooking surface of 500 in² or more and can cook for a large family.

Number of burners

The grills have hot and cold zones due to their burners. Basically, the space above the burner is warmer, while the spaces around the edges are cooler. When the grill has multiple burners, you heat the entire surface faster and more completely. This can be important if you plan to cook a lot of food at once.

Adding burners is always a good thing because you can always turn the burners off to maintain a “cooler” or warming zone. With multiple burners on the grill, you can regulate the temperature better.

This is especially helpful if you’re cooking outdoors, as you don’t want the scrambled eggs to cool while the sausage is cooking.

Material

The surfaces of the gas outlet can be made of different materials. Stainless steel or chrome grilles are excellent as they are highly resistant to rust damage. However, these are often more expensive.

Cheaper options can be made from standard steel or aluminum, but it is worth checking for an additional coating of heat-resistant material so that the surface works effectively for quite some time. Also check out what else the grill has to offer in terms of storage space or shelves; these add value to each individual griddle and can make your cooking tasks a lot easier.

Price

Finally, keep your ideal budget in mind when looking for the perfect gas stove. Smaller grids cost around $100-$200, while larger grids can easily reach $300 or $400. The best way to determine your ideal budget is to predict how much you will use the grid in the coming weeks and months.

If you plan to often cook for several people, then a more expensive pan is more than worth its money. On the other hand, if you use the parala sparingly, a cheaper option may be needed.

Care and maintenance

Let’s take a look at how to keep your new garage running flawlessly for years to come.

The two most important things are seasoning a new grill and investing in a cover.

The Blackstone video below is a great way to show you how to season your new grill.

After firing, the glass screen should be cleaned to maintain the surface and prevent rust, even if you have a rust-resistant surface such as stainless steel.

• When the grill has cooled, scrape off any hard dirt or larger chunks of fat with a barbecue spatula.
• Then use a paper towel with some water to remove the remaining residue.
• A nylon scouring pad is a good idea after using a paper towel as it will remove even more grease and grime from the cooking surface.
• Afterwards, rinse the cooking zone thoroughly and dry the grill with a soft cloth. Finally, add some oil to the surface and spread it with another paper towel to prevent rust.

When it comes to storing the gas grill, try to find a dry and cool place so that propane tanks don’t risk blowing away and losing propane. You can use a propane tank gauge before each cooking session to check that there is enough fuel in the tank.

A garage or utility room is a good idea as long as you have a cover over the grill to prevent dust and other debris from falling onto the hob and scratching or damaging it.

Do not stack anything on the grill as this can damage the hob and grill as a whole and shorten the overall life of the tool.

Finishing

If you’re still unsure about your choice, you can’t go wrong with the Blackstone 36″ throttle plate

It’s a fantastic gas stove that’s perfect for a variety of kitchens thanks to its excellent workspace, clever grill top structure and efficient burners.