The Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Griddle with Lid dominates for good reason: 720 square inches of cooking surface, four independent burners, and a hard cover that protects your seasoning between cooks. For a premium alternative with a 3-year warranty, consider the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600. Budget shoppers should look at the Royal Gourmet GB4001—four burners and 560 square inches for under $260.
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| Spec | Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Griddle with Lid $449 9.5/10 | Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 $529 9.3/10 | Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle with Hood $347 9.1/10 | Blackstone Adventure Ready 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle $179 8.9/10 | Royal Gourmet GB4001 4-Burner Flat Top Grill $259 8.5/10 | Pit Boss Sportsman 3-Burner Portable Griddle $249 8.7/10 | Blackstone E-Series 22-Inch Electric Tabletop Griddle $249 8.6/10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fuel_type | Propane | Propane | Propane | Propane (1-lb canisters or adapter) | Propane | Propane | Electric (120V) |
| btu | 60,000 BTU total | 48,000 BTU total | 34,000 BTU total | 24,000 BTU total | 52,000 BTU total | 36,000 BTU total | — |
| cooking_area | 720 sq in | 604 sq in | 470 sq in | 330 sq in | 560 sq in | 482 sq in | 358 sq in |
| burners | 4 independently controlled | 4 main burners | 2 independently controlled | 2 H-style burners | 4 independently controlled | 3 independently controlled | — |
| weight | 134 lbs | 93 lbs | 68 lbs | 32 lbs | 77 lbs | 72 lbs | 24 lbs |
| warranty | 1 year | 3 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 5 years | 1 year |
| Rating | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.6/10 |
Prices change daily — tap Check Price for the current Amazon price.
Prices change daily — tap Check Price for the current Amazon price.
Quick Picks
Best Overall: The Blackstone 36-Inch delivers 720 sq in of cooking space with four independent heat zones—the griddle standard.
Best Premium: At $529 with a 3-year warranty, the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook.
Best Value: The Royal Gourmet GB4001 offers four burners and 560 sq in for under $260.
Why Choose a Flat Top Griddle?
Flat top griddles excel at cooking styles that traditional grills can’t match:
Breakfast: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns simultaneously. No falling through grates.
Smash burgers: High-heat contact creates superior crust. Restaurants use flat tops for burgers for this reason.
Asian cuisine: Hibachi, stir-fry, and fried rice require flat surface cooking.
Volume cooking: Feed 10-20 people at once. Tailgating, camping, and family reunions.
The trade-off: No smoke flavor (though Blackstone makes combo units), and the surface requires seasoning maintenance.
Flat Top Griddle Buying Guide
Sizing Your Griddle
| Size | Cooking Area | Feeds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-22 inch | 260-360 sq in | 2-4 people | Tabletop, camping, small patios |
| 28 inch | 450-500 sq in | 4-6 people | Families, moderate volume |
| 36 inch | 700-750 sq in | 8-15 people | Entertaining, tailgating, large families |
| 42+ inch | 900+ sq in | 15+ people | Commercial-style home use |
Recommendation: Buy bigger than you think you need. The extra space enables batch cooking and heat zones—you’ll use it.
BTU and Heat Distribution
BTU per square inch matters more than total BTU:
- 60 BTU/sq in: Adequate for most cooking
- 80+ BTU/sq in: Excellent for high-heat searing and smash burgers
- Under 50 BTU/sq in: May struggle with cold-weather cooking
Burner count and placement:
- 2 burners: Basic zone control (hot/cool sides)
- 3 burners: Good flexibility for three-zone cooking
- 4 burners: Optimal for large surfaces, independent heat zones
Griddle Top Materials
Cold-rolled steel (most common):
- Develops nonstick seasoning like cast iron
- Excellent heat distribution
- Requires regular seasoning and rust prevention
- Found on Blackstone, Camp Chef, most brands
Stainless steel:
- No seasoning required
- Easier maintenance
- Less nonstick performance
- Premium option, less common
Seasoning Basics
New griddles require initial seasoning:
- Wash with soap and water (only time you’ll use soap)
- Dry completely and heat on high
- Apply thin layer of high-smoke-point oil (flaxseed, avocado, Crisco)
- Let oil smoke off, repeat 3-4 times
Ongoing maintenance:
- After each cook: scrape, wipe with oil while warm
- Between cooks: keep covered or stored dry
- Never leave water standing on surface
Assembly Difficulty
- Tabletop models (17-22 inch): Ready to use, attach legs if included
- Mid-size (28 inch): 30-45 minutes, straightforward
- Full-size (36+ inch): 45-60 minutes, two people helpful for lifting
Detailed Reviews
Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Griddle with Lid
Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Griddle with Lid
The Blackstone 36-Inch is the griddle that popularized outdoor flat top cooking. The 720 square inch surface handles serious volume: 40+ smash burgers, breakfast for a dozen, or an entire hibachi spread.
Four independently controlled burners deliver 60,000 BTU total (83 BTU/sq in). This enables true heat zones: sear zone on the left, medium heat in the center, warming area on the right—simultaneously.
The cold-rolled steel surface develops a natural nonstick seasoning over time, similar to cast iron. Each cook improves the surface. With proper maintenance, a well-seasoned Blackstone outperforms non-stick coatings.
The included hard cover protects the surface between uses and maintains your seasoning. This isn’t optional—exposed griddle surfaces rust quickly.
Reality check: The 1-year warranty is short for a $450 appliance. Blackstone’s quality has improved significantly in recent generations, but this warranty gap versus Camp Chef’s 3 years is notable.
Assembly Time: 45-60 minutes. Straightforward but involves multiple components.
Bottom Line: The 36-inch Blackstone is the standard for backyard griddle cooking. Its popularity means extensive community support, recipe resources, and accessory availability.
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600
The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 competes directly with Blackstone while addressing its weaknesses. The True Seasoned griddle top arrives pre-seasoned and ready to cook—no initial seasoning sessions required.
At 604 square inches with 48,000 BTU (79 BTU/sq in), it’s slightly smaller than the Blackstone 36-inch but still handles 8-12 people comfortably. Four independently controlled burners provide the same zone flexibility.
The 3-year warranty is Camp Chef’s primary advantage over Blackstone. For buyers concerned about longevity, this coverage provides meaningful protection during the first years of ownership.
Side shelves fold up against the body for compact storage—useful if your patio space is limited or you’re transporting for camping.
Trade-off: The pre-seasoning needs reinforcement after the first few cooks. Don’t expect perfect nonstick performance immediately.
Assembly Time: 45-60 minutes.
Bottom Line: The Camp Chef 600 is the premium alternative to Blackstone, with better warranty coverage and ready-to-cook convenience.
Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle with Hood
Blackstone 28-Inch Griddle with Hood
The Blackstone 28-Inch with Hood adds covered cooking capability that open griddles lack. The hood traps heat for melting cheese, steaming vegetables, and maintaining temperature during windier conditions.
At 470 square inches with two burners (34,000 BTU, 72 BTU/sq in), it’s sized for 4-6 people. This makes it practical for smaller households who don’t need 36-inch capacity.
The hood also enables bacon-wrapped items and other covered cooking techniques impossible on open griddles. It’s a genuine functional advantage, not just a storage cover.
Consideration: Two burners provide less zone flexibility than four-burner models. You get hot side/cool side, but not the granular control of larger units.
Assembly Time: 45 minutes.
Bottom Line: The 28-inch with Hood is ideal for smaller households who want covered cooking capability without full-size footprint.
Blackstone Adventure Ready 22-Inch Tabletop
Blackstone Adventure Ready 22-Inch Tabletop Griddle
The Blackstone Adventure Ready 22-Inch brings Blackstone quality to genuinely portable form. At 32 lbs, it travels easily to campsites, tailgates, and RV trips.
The 330 square inch surface handles 8-10 burgers or breakfast for 4-6. Two H-style burners deliver 24,000 BTU (73 BTU/sq in)—adequate heat for most cooking scenarios.
The tabletop design requires a stable surface for use. Blackstone offers legs and stands as accessories, but many users simply place it on a picnic table or tailgate.
Fuel flexibility is a plus: use 1-lb propane canisters for short trips, or connect to a 20-lb tank via adapter hose (sold separately) for extended use.
Assembly Time: Minimal—attach legs if included, connect propane, cook.
Bottom Line: The 22-inch Adventure Ready is the entry point for portable griddle cooking. Take it anywhere.
Royal Gourmet GB4001
Royal Gourmet GB4001 4-Burner Flat Top Grill
The Royal Gourmet GB4001 delivers four-burner capability at a budget price. At under $260 for 560 square inches and 52,000 BTU (93 BTU/sq in), the value proposition is strong.
Four independently controlled burners match the zone flexibility of premium models. The high BTU-per-square-inch ratio means aggressive heat output for searing.
The trade-off: Thinner steel construction than Blackstone means less heat retention and faster cool-down. You’ll notice more temperature fluctuation when cooking large volumes.
The 1-year warranty is standard for the category. Royal Gourmet’s build quality has improved, but it’s still a budget brand competing against established names.
Assembly Time: 45-60 minutes.
Bottom Line: The GB4001 makes four-burner griddle cooking accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
Pit Boss Sportsman 3-Burner Portable
Pit Boss Sportsman 3-Burner Portable Griddle
The Pit Boss Sportsman 3-Burner stands out with its 5-year warranty—exceptional for the griddle category and quadruple Blackstone’s coverage. For buyers prioritizing protection, this matters.
The 482 square inch surface with three burners (36,000 BTU, 75 BTU/sq in) handles 4-8 people. Pre-seasoned from the factory, it’s ready to cook immediately.
Folding legs enable compact storage and transport, though at 72 lbs it’s not truly portable like tabletop models.
Trade-off: BTU-per-square-inch is lower than four-burner competitors. Heat output is adequate but not exceptional for high-heat searing.
Assembly Time: 30-45 minutes.
Bottom Line: The Sportsman’s 5-year warranty provides peace of mind that budget brands can’t match.
Blackstone E-Series 22-Inch Electric
Blackstone E-Series 22-Inch Electric Tabletop Griddle
The Blackstone E-Series 22-Inch Electric solves the apartment and condo problem: where propane is prohibited, electric works. At 358 square inches and 1,500 watts, it handles 3-5 people.
Electric operation means no fuel management—plug in, heat up, cook. The same cold-rolled steel surface seasons identically to propane models.
Limitations: The 450°F max temp is lower than propane griddles (which can exceed 600°F). High-heat searing and aggressive smash burgers are compromised. Cold weather further reduces heating capability.
At 24 lbs, it’s the lightest Blackstone and genuinely portable for those with outlet access at their destination.
Assembly Time: Ready to use out of box.
Bottom Line: The E-Series enables griddle cooking where propane isn’t an option. Accept the temperature limitations for the convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to season a new griddle?
Yes, unless it’s pre-seasoned (Camp Chef, Pit Boss Sportsman). New cold-rolled steel surfaces need 3-4 rounds of oil and heat to develop initial seasoning. After that, every cook improves the surface.
How do I prevent rust on my griddle?
Three rules: Always coat with thin oil layer after cooking. Never leave water standing on the surface. Keep covered or stored indoors when not in use. Rust develops quickly on neglected griddle tops.
What’s the best oil for seasoning?
Flaxseed oil creates the most durable seasoning layer. Avocado oil is a good alternative with high smoke point. Crisco/shortening is traditional and affordable. Avoid olive oil (smokes too early) and butter (burns).
How hot do flat top griddles get?
Propane models: 500-650°F depending on burner output and ambient temperature. Electric models: 400-450°F typical maximum. Higher temps enable better searing and smash burger crusts.
Can I use metal spatulas on a griddle?
Yes—metal spatulas are standard for griddle cooking. They won’t damage the steel surface. Avoid sharp corners that can gouge the seasoning. The spatula scraping actually helps maintain a smooth surface.
What size griddle do I need?
Under 400 sq in: 2-4 people, tabletop/portable use. 400-600 sq in: 4-8 people, most families. 600+ sq in: 8+ people, entertaining, tailgating. When in doubt, size up—the extra space enables zone cooking.
Griddle vs grill: which should I buy?
Buy a griddle if: You cook breakfast foods, smash burgers, stir-fry, or feed large groups. Buy a grill if: You want smoke flavor, grill marks, and traditional barbecue results. Best of both: Blackstone makes combo units with griddle and grill surfaces.
The Bottom Line
For most buyers, the Blackstone 36-Inch at $449 delivers the best combination of capacity, heat output, and value. Its popularity means extensive community resources and accessory availability.
If warranty protection matters, the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 provides 3-year coverage versus Blackstone’s 1 year.
Budget-conscious buyers can start with the Royal Gourmet GB4001—four burners and 560 square inches for under $260.
For our complete grill coverage, see our ultimate grill buying guide. Looking for traditional grilling? Check out gas grills or charcoal grills. And for your outdoor dining setup, our patio furniture guide has you covered.