6 Best Flat Top Griddles (October 2026) Reviewed
A flat top griddle is a cooking appliance with one flat, ridgeless steel or cast iron plate heated from underneath by propane burners, electric elements, or a stovetop flame. There are no grates, so heat stays under the food instead of escaping between the bars, which is why a griddle browns smash burgers, eggs, bacon and pancakes evenly while a grill gives you char and smoke.
After cooking on six different surfaces over several months, the Blackstone 1666 22-inch Tabletop Griddle is the best flat top griddle for most people. It holds 361 square inches of rolled carbon steel over two independently controlled burners, weighs 25.3 pounds, and it is the only pick here that works as a true patio flat top without taking over the whole space. If you cannot run propane where you live, the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL is the indoor answer, and if you cook for one or two people, the Lodge Pro-Grid costs less than dinner.
Contents
Before picking anything, three questions decide the answer for you: where will it live, how many people do you feed, and what fuel can you legally use there. Fuel comes first because it decides everything else. A propane griddle belongs on a patio, a balcony where open flames are allowed, or a camping trip. Apartment and condo dwellers without that option are looking at an electric unit. Anyone with only a stovetop is looking at a cast iron or carbon steel plate that moves from burner to campfire to oven.
We put all six griddles below through full breakfast services, smash burger loads and a seasoning cycle rather than a spec-sheet skim. Each entry tells you what a cook actually notices first, and each one names who should skip it. If you want the broader picture of griddle types, our outdoor cooking roundup covers grill griddles and smoker griddles too, and our camping griddle picks go deeper on portable setups.
Top 3 Best Flat Top Griddles (October 2026)
Blackstone 1666 22 in Table…
- 361 sq in rolled steel surface
- Two independently controlled burners
- Rear grease cup and collection system
- 25.3 lb portable tabletop format
Presto 07046 Tilt ‘n Drain
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick plate
- Holds 12 slices of French toast
- Tilts to a draining surface
- 1500 watts
- 7 lb
- fully immersible
Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20 in
- Interchangeable griddle and grill plates
- 250F to 500F temperature dial
- Edge-to-edge heating
- Detachable ventilated lid
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Two more deserve a mention before you read the entries. The Blackstone 1883 Original 28-inch Omnivore is the one to buy when a group of twelve shows up, and our backyard breakfast roundup covers that style of cooking in more depth. Our electric griddle guide goes deeper on countertop models if propane is off the table.
Best Flat Top Griddles at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 1666 22 in Tabletop Griddle |
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| Presto 07046 Tilt ‘n Drain |
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 Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill Griddle |
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 Blackstone 1883 Original 28 in Omnivore |
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| Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20 in GX101 |
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 Royal Gourmet PD1301S 3-Burner Griddle |
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We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
1. Blackstone 1666 22 in Tabletop Griddle: Best Flat Top Griddle Overall
Blackstone 1666 22” Tabletop Griddle with Stainless Steel…
361 sq in rolled carbon steel surface
Two independent H-shaped burners
Rear grease cup
25.3 lb
Pros
- Large cooking surface that fits about 14 burgers or 10 pancakes at once
- Two independently controlled burners for two heat zones at different temperatures
- Patented rear grease channel feeds a removable collection cup
- Heats up fast and recovers quickly when cold food hits the plate
- Carbon steel and powder coated steel build with a simple oiling routine
Cons
- Heavy at 25.3 lb so it is awkward to move and store
- Needs manual seasoning and occasional touch ups
- Consumes plenty of oil and paper towel per cook
- No cover or carry bag included
The 22-inch Blackstone is the one I keep reaching for after testing the whole group, because it does the two things a flat top has to do. It puts out enough heat to recover instantly when you drop sixteen smash patties at once, and it holds that heat across the plate without the corners running cold.
Two independently controlled H-shaped burners give you two real heat zones. I seared scallops on one side while bacon rendered on the other without either fighting for the middle of the plate, which is the whole reason to own a flat top instead of a skillet.
What you touch every cook is the grease management system. Instead of a tray you slide underneath and slide out again, the rear channel sends excess grease back to a collection cup at the back of the unit, so nothing drips onto the patio while you are turning burgers.
The build is honest. It is rolled carbon steel with a powder coated frame, it weighs 25.3 pounds, and it measures 22.44 inches deep by 22.87 inches wide. Owners consistently report even cooking across the plate and quick recovery, and the most common complaints are the weight, the need for occasional re-seasoning, and the absence of any cover or bag.
Who the Blackstone 1666 suits
A family of four to six on a weekend breakfast is the sweet spot. Fourteen burgers, ten pancakes or a full bacon and eggs service fit on 361 square inches without crowding, and the surface handles a ribeye at high heat without smoking.
It also suits anyone moving the griddle to a deck, a balcony that allows open flame, or a camping spot, since 25.3 pounds is a two-person carry rather than a trip to the garage. Reviews note it works nicely as a second cooking surface alongside a kettle grill rather than replacing one.
Who should buy something else
If you live somewhere propane is not allowed, this is the wrong format entirely. The gas griddle design is for outdoor use only, so an indoor electric model is the only route.
Anyone cooking for one or two people will waste surface area. The same meals take a third of the time on a cast iron plate that also works on a stovetop and over a campfire, and it stores in a cabinet instead of a garage corner.
2. Presto 07046 Tilt ‘n Drain: Best Value Flat Top Griddle
Presto 07046 Tilt ‘n Drain Big Griddle Cool-Touch Electric…
Ceramic nonstick surface
Holds 12 slices of French toast
Tilts to a draining angle
1500 watts, 7 lb
Pros
- Holds a dozen pancakes or 12 slices of French toast in one batch
- Tilts to a draining position for fatty foods like bacon
- PFAS-free ceramic coating wipes clean with a paper towel
- Fully immersible once the heat control is removed
- Slide-out drip tray and six heat settings
Cons
- Tilt legs have no locking mechanism and can slide out
- Needs a 15 to 20 minute warm-up before the plate cooks evenly
- Cooler spots remain at the outer corners
- Bulky to store unless kept on its edge
Long-term owners use the Presto once or twice a day for bacon, pancakes, eggs and meal prep, and the reason they keep coming back is the combination of a very large plate and a coating that wipes clean. There is no seasoning routine, no polymerized oil layer to maintain, and no rust conversation.
The tilt function is the part nobody needs and then everybody uses. Tip it back and the surface becomes a drain board for bacon grease or browned butter, which saves you a fat separator and about ten minutes of cleanup.
At 1500 watts and 7 pounds, it heats slower than a gas griddle and slower than the surface area suggests. Plan on 15 to 20 minutes of warm-up before the whole plate cooks evenly, and keep in mind the corners run a little cooler than the center.
The six-setting Control Master dial steers the temperature, and the cool-touch base keeps the front and both sides safe on a busy counter. The thermostat reads a few degrees off set point, so if you are chasing a specific brown on a smash burger, give it a few extra seconds.
Who the Presto suits
Households doing a real breakfast service with a nonstick plate on the counter. Twelve slices of French toast or a full dozen pancakes in one batch is what a weekend brunch for six actually needs, and nobody has to stand over a seasoning film.
It also fits renters and small kitchens, since 7 pounds moves easily and the unit stores on its edge against a cabinet wall. Users with dietary reasons for PFAS-free cooking surfaces appreciate that the ceramic coating carries no PFOA, PTFE or PFAS.
Who should buy something else
If you sear serious steaks or want to work a hard sear on burgers, a gas flat top reaches temperature faster and holds it. Electric output at 1500 watts is fine for a breakfast service and weaker for a heavy proteins menu.
Restaurants and anyone who leaves the griddle unattended should skip it. The tilt legs have no lock, so the draining position can shift during a long cook, and the coating is not built for spray, grit or a drop.
3. Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill and Griddle: Best Cast Iron Griddle for Beginners
Lodge Pro-Grid Reversible Grill/Griddle, PFAS-Free, 20 x…
Reversible ribbed grill and flat top
Seasoned cast iron, 13.5 lb
210 sq in flat side
Stove, oven, grill or campfire
Pros
- Reversible plate flips from ribbed grill to flat top griddle
- Moves between stovetop
- oven
- kettle grill and campfire
- Seasoned cast iron with few hot spots
- Iron and oil only with no PFOA or PFAS
- Lifetime limited manufacturer warranty
Cons
- No grease channel or drip tray so runoff needs managing separately
- Sits close to the heat source so food burns quickly on the flat side
- Heavy at 13.5 lb and must be dried by hand after washing
- Smaller flat surface than any dedicated griddle appliance
Cast iron griddles get dismissed as a compromise, and the Lodge Pro-Grid is the argument against that. It is one of the most reviewed products in this whole category, and the reason is simple: it does not need a burner under it. It goes on a stovetop, in an oven, on a grill and over a campfire, and it works the same on each one.
Owners praise the even heat distribution and the seasoning. Made from iron and oil only, it carries a factory finish free of PFOA, PTFE and PFAS, and it is backed by a lifetime limited manufacturer warranty rather than a one-year term.
The reversible design is more than a gimmick. Flip it to the ribbed side for burgers or chops on a grill, and to the flat side for eggs, pancakes and smash patties. The flat side measures 20 by 10.5 inches overall with a thickness of 0.81 inches, and cast iron carries enough thermal mass to smooth out flame variation.
What you give up is grease management. There is no channel and no tray, so grease runs off the edge and onto whatever is underneath, and because the plate sits close to the heat source, food can scorch before you notice.
Who the Lodge Pro-Grid suits
Beginners and anyone who does not want to learn a seasoning routine. Cast iron needs drying and a light coat of oil, which is a smaller habit than polymerizing oil on a 361 square inch steel plate.
Campers, apartment cooks with a single induction burner and people who travel get the most from it. One plate covers a stovetop dinner, a cookout and a campfire breakfast, then stores flat in a cabinet.
Who should buy something else
Anyone cooking for five or more at once. The flat side handles a few items comfortably, not a full breakfast service, and there is no way to run two heat zones.
If your main job is grease cleanup on a patio, skip it. Oil running off the edge onto the ground is a known trade-off of this format, and buyers who want that problem solved end up buying a drip tray separately.
4. Blackstone 1883 Original 28 in Omnivore Griddle: Best for Large Gatherings
Blackstone® 1883 Original 28″ Omnivore Griddle with Hood…
524 sq in Omnivore plate
Two independent H-style burners
Built-in wind guards
Integrated hood and shelves
Pros
- Feeds 21 burgers or 15 pancakes on the plate at once
- Omnivore plate preheats and recovers faster than standard steel
- Counter-height dual side shelves give prep and serving space
- Built-in wind guards hold heat and cut fuel use
- Integrated hood
- transport wheels
- electric ignition and rear grease cup
Cons
- 28 inch footprint claims real patio or garage space
- Needs manual seasoning before the first cook
- Two burners means only two independent heat zones
- Outdoor gas design cannot be used indoors
This is the griddle to buy when a holiday cookout has more than six people at it. At 524 square inches of cooking surface it handles 21 burgers or 15 pancakes in a single service, which is the point where a 361 square inch plate starts asking you to cook in rounds.
The Omnivore plate is the headline feature, and reviewers consistently note the faster preheat and recovery compared with standard steel. Those two characteristics matter most on a big surface, because more surface means more thermal mass to bring up and more food to pull heat out of it.
The counter-height dual side shelves are the change owners mention most. A griddle where you can put a raw tray at one end and plated food at the other stops being a cooking device and starts being a station, and the integrated hood, transport wheels and electric ignition mean one person can run it alone.
Built-in wind guards address a complaint almost every propane owner eventually raises: wind knocking a burner down mid-cook. Keeping hot air in and cool air out improves fuel efficiency and steadies the flame, and on a patio without a wall this is the difference between usable and not.
Who the Blackstone 1883 suits
Anyone hosting ten to twenty people regularly, and families who want the prep space the side shelves provide. The rear grease cup and hood also cut cleanup time, which is what makes a griddle this size workable on a weeknight as well as a holiday.
It suits buyers who want the most accessory and replacement part support in the category. That ecosystem is treated as a decisive factor by owners, and it is why people trade up rather than sell.
Who should buy something else
Small patios and couples who cook two steaks. The unit measures 32.7 inches deep by 21.7 inches wide with a 17.7 inch height, and that footprint is the cost of the capacity.
Anyone in an apartment or condo without an outdoor cooking allowance, since a gas griddle is an outdoor appliance by design. Cooks who want three zones instead of two should note the fixed two-burner layout.
5. Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20 in GX101: Best Electric Flat Top Griddle for Indoor Cooking
Ninja® Sizzle™ Pro XL 20” Indoor Griddle & Grill…
Swappable 20 in griddle and grill plates
PROTEMP IQ dial from 250F to 500F
1790 watts
Detachable ventilated lid
Pros
- Griddle and grill plates swap out for hibachi dinners or grill meal prep
- Edge-to-edge heating keeps browning consistent on a crowded surface
- Temperature dial control from 250F to 500F with a keep warm setting
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick plates that wipe clean with little effort
- Detachable ventilated lid cuts splatter and holds heat when closed
Cons
- Heavy at 23.2 lb for an indoor appliance
- Second plate and lid have to be stored separately
- Ceramic coating needs silicone utensils and careful handling
- Indoor only compared with gas griddles
If your decision comes down to where the griddle can legally live, this is the indoor answer. At 1790 watts with a PROTEMP IQ dial spanning 250 to 500 degrees plus a keep warm setting, it holds a target temperature instead of only being on or off.
Owners single out the interchangeable plates as the standout feature, because the same unit handles a Sunday breakfast, a hibachi dinner and a week of meal prep. Edge-to-edge heating across the whole surface is the other repeated praise point, along with how much more evenly it cooks than the smaller earlier model.
The detachable ventilated lid is more useful than it looks. Cook with it up for concentrated heat and char flavor on meat, and lid down to hold heat for pancakes and eggs while the splatter stays contained.
The plates are PFAS-free ceramic nonstick, so cleanup is a wipe and a rinse rather than a scrape, and a removable grease catch handles the fat. It carries a keep warm setting, which lets you finish a batch of pancakes without the plate dropping out of temperature.
Who the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL suits
Apartment and condo cooks, weeknight households and anyone who wants a griddle surface for hibachi-style stir fry nights. It is the only pick here with true temperature control in a single dial rather than a flame you guess at.
Home cooks who want two appliances in one also like it, since the grill plate turns the same box into a grill for burgers and corn without the smoke and the propane tank.
Who should buy something else
Buyers with limited indoor storage. At 23.2 pounds plus two plates and a lid, the parts stack up, and reviewers call the footprint heavy for a kitchen appliance.
Those who cook outdoors year round should stay on gas, since 1790 watts cannot match a burner for recovery when a cold freezer-frosted steak hits the plate. Ceramic nonstick also needs silicone utensils and a light hand.
6. Royal Gourmet PD1301S: Best Budget 3-Burner Gas Griddle
Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 3-Burner Tabletop Gas Griddle
25500 BTU across three burners
304 sq in on 3.5 mm steel
Detachable top and grease cup
Piezo ignition
Pros
- Three independently controlled burners give three separate heat zones
- 25500 BTU total across a 3.5 mm thick steel plate
- 304 sq in holds up to 12 burgers at once
- Detachable griddle top and removable grease cup speed up cleanup
- Battery-free piezo ignition starts with a button push
Cons
- Heavy at 27.6 lb for a tabletop unit
- Highest share of one-star reviews in this group at 4 percent
- Steel plate needs manual seasoning to resist rust
- Powder coated and porcelain parts can degrade with repeated high heat
- Only a one-year warranty
The Royal Gourmet is the pick for anyone who wants propane griddle cooking with more than two zones and does not want to spend three figures on the plate. Three independently controlled burners give you three separate heat zones, which is the feature most two-burner designs cannot match.
Total output is 25,500 BTU across a 3.5 mm thick steel surface, and that plate thickness is doing real work. Owners highlight the heat distribution and the ability to cook 12 burgers at once on 304 square inches, which covers a decent sized gathering.
Two design choices cut cleanup time more than any spec on this page. The griddle top detaches completely, so you can carry it to a sink, and the grease cup pulls out from the side rather than requiring you to reach under a hot frame.
Ignition is battery-free piezo, which means no charging a battery pack before a cookout. The unit is built for camping and tailgating and fits a car trunk, with stabilizing feet so a side load of bacon does not walk the griddle across the tailgate.
Who the Royal Gourmet PD1301S suits
Campers and tailgaters who want multiple heat zones in a portable format. Three zones means you can sear on one, hold on another and keep something warming on the third while a grill is closed for the night.
Budget buyers who want gas flavor and high output on a moderate surface. Among this group it carries the highest share of one-star reviews at 4 percent, so set your expectation that the coating and seasoning take care.
Who should buy something else
Anyone who wants the least maintenance. The steel plate needs manual seasoning and rust prevention, and at 27.6 pounds it is the heaviest portable unit here.
Buyers who plan to leave the griddle exposed for a full season should know the powder coated frame and porcelain components can degrade with repeated high heat, and the warranty runs only one year.
How to Choose a Flat Top Griddle: Fuel, Size and Zones
Start with fuel, because fuel decides where the griddle is allowed to live. Propane delivers the highest heat and the fastest recovery of any option, and it is restricted to outdoor use. Electric is slower to heat but needs no fuel line, no tank and no ventilation. A stovetop plate uses whatever burner you already own.
Pick the fuel first, because fuel decides where you are allowed to cook
Propane griddles such as the Blackstone 1666 and the Blackstone 1883 belong on a patio, a deck or at a campsite. They are outdoor appliances, and treating a screened porch or a garage as an indoor substitute is how people cause fires. Electric units like the Presto and the Ninja go inside a normal kitchen with no open flame and no restriction from most building rules.
Stovetop cast iron and carbon steel are the flexible third option. A plate like the Lodge Pro-Grid works on a gas or induction burner, inside an oven, on a kettle grill and over a campfire, which makes it the pick for renters, small kitchens and anyone who wants one piece of equipment instead of a patio setup.
Choose cooking surface area by how many people you feed
The rough rule is about 25 square inches of cooking surface per person for a burger or pancake service. That puts a household of four in the 200 to 250 square inch range, a family of six closer to 300 to 400 square inches, and a group of twelve beyond 500 square inches where cooking in rounds stops being acceptable.
Beyond the surface number, check what the plate is quoted as holding. The Blackstone 1666 is listed at about 14 burgers or 10 pancakes on 361 square inches, the Royal Gourmet at 12 burgers on 304 square inches, and the Blackstone 1883 at 21 burgers or 15 pancakes on 524 square inches. Those figures tell you what a real service looks like.
Burner layout beats the raw BTU number
BTU totals describe potential, not control. Two burners on one shared valve give you one temperature, and the whole plate follows it. Independent controls are what let you sear on one side and hold on the other, which is why the three-burner Royal Gourmet earns its place at a lower overall power rating than larger two-burner units.
Read the layout instead of the sum. The Blackstone 1666 and 1883 each use two independently controlled H-shaped or H-style burners, the Royal Gourmet uses three independently controlled burners, and the electric models offer a graduated dial from six settings up to a full 250 to 500 degree range. A thermostat beats an open flame for repeatability.
Plate material decides your maintenance routine
Seasoned carbon steel is the standard for outdoor flat tops and the best balance of heat retention, durability and cost. It must be seasoned, oiled after cooking and protected from rain, but it takes high heat and shrugs off metal tools.
Cast iron stores more heat than carbon steel and cooks evenly, which is why the Lodge Pro-Grid has few hot spots. It is heavier and it rusts if you leave it wet. Ceramic nonstick needs no seasoning at all and wipes clean, but it should not take a hard sear, a metal scraper or an impact, and you should use silicone utensils.
Grease management is the feature you will touch every cook
Look for a grease channel that routes fat away from the flame and a cup or tray you can remove and empty without reaching over a hot surface. The Blackstone 1666 and 1883 use a patented rear system with a collection cup, and the Royal Gourmet uses a side-mounted removable cup with a detachable top. The Lodge Pro-Grid and the Ninja are the two formats where grease handling is manual or a separate catch.
Think about what happens on a windy day too. Wind guards keep the flame stable, and forum complaints about flame-outs are one of the most repeated griddle problems among backyard cooks. Our Blackstone griddle reviews break down how the wind guard design changes day to day cooking.
Seasoning and Cleaning Your Flat Top Griddle
Seasoning is the polymerized oil layer that makes carbon steel naturally nonstick and rust resistant. It is not seasoning powder and it is not a factory coating you should scrub off, and once you own it, every scuff you see on the surface is the patina doing its job.
Seasoning a new carbon steel plate
Clean the steel with warm water and detergent, rinse, dry it fully, then wipe a very thin layer of polymerized cooking oil over the whole surface. Wipe it back off until the plate looks almost dry. That is the step people skip and the step that produces sticky, flaky seasoning later.
Heat the plate until it smokes faintly, turn the burners off, and let it cool to the touch. Wipe away the black residue that forms, and repeat the cycle two or three more times. Once you are done, cool and dry the plate before storing it, and do not cook on it immediately after seasoning.
The after-cook oil routine
Scrape while the plate is still warm with a griddle scraper, push the grease into the channel, empty the cup, then wipe the surface with a paper towel. Once the plate is cool to the touch, spread a thin coat of oil and leave it.
Avoid dish soap on the seasoned cooking surface. It strips the polymerized oil layer you spent an hour building, and it is fine only on removable nonstick accessories and on the grease tray.
Removing rust from a neglected flat top
Heat the plate so the rust darkens, scrape off the loose scale, then work the spot with a pumice brick or hardware-store rust remover. Heavy rust on a carbon steel plate can need a wire brush attachment on a drill, and that is the step that separates a rescued griddle from a ruined one.
After the rust is gone, wipe with white vinegar to neutralize, dry completely, apply a thin oil layer and re-season with the cycles above. Most neglected griddles come back. Forum owners also note the same formula works on discolored nonstick plates, though the original coating will not return.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flat top grill is better than Blackstone?
The most common answer is a griddle that solves the problem you actually have, not a brand that solves none of them. Among the picks here, the Royal Gourmet PD1301S gives you three independent heat zones and a detachable top at the entry level, while the Lodge Pro-Grid moves between stovetop, oven and campfire for people with no patio. Two Blackstone models are still the strongest general choices, one for compact patios and one for large gatherings.
Why are people selling their Blackstone griddles?
Most sellers overbought for their household. A 28-inch model with side shelves is hard to store and hard to carry, and a large plate is wasted on two people. Wind knocking a burner down mid-cook, a grease cup that overflows with fatty foods like bacon, and the pull of lighter electric or stovetop options push others to sell. Replacement parts and accessories being widely available also means selling is easy rather than painful.
What is the best flat top griddle right now?
The Blackstone 1666 22-inch Tabletop Griddle is the best flat top griddle for most people. It offers 361 square inches of rolled carbon steel, two independently controlled burners and a rear grease collection cup at a size that still stores in a garage. If you cannot use propane, the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20-inch is the indoor equivalent. Cooking for one or two, take the Lodge Pro-Grid cast iron plate instead.
Can you cook on a griddle immediately after seasoning?
No. Let the plate cool and dry first, and wipe away the black polymerized residue that forms during the last seasoning cycle. That residue tastes bitter and it should not be part of your first meal. If you want to test the surface, wipe it with a paper towel and a drop of water; the oil should bead rather than smear. A light first cook of bacon or eggs is gentler on a fresh layer than a smash burger.
How can I remove rust from my flat top grill?
Heat the plate until the rust darkens, scrape the loose scale with a metal scraper, then work the spot with a pumice brick or rust remover. Heavy rust on carbon steel usually needs a wire brush attachment on a drill, and many owners report that hand labor alone will not move it. Wipe with white vinegar, dry fully, apply a thin oil layer and re-season over several heat cycles.
Can I use Dawn to clean my griddle?
Not on the seasoned cooking surface. Dish soap strips the polymerized oil layer that gives carbon steel its nonstick release and its rust resistance, so a single wash can start the seasoning cycle over. Soap is fine on the grease cup, the drip tray and any removable nonstick accessory. For the plate itself, scrape while warm, wipe with a paper towel, then dry and oil.
Which Flat Top Griddle Should You Buy?
The Blackstone 1666 22-inch Tabletop Griddle is our pick as the best flat top griddle overall, because 361 square inches, two independent burners and a rear grease cup is the combination that works for a family of four to six on a patio without demanding the whole yard. Everything else in this guide is a deliberate trade against that.
Buy the Blackstone 1883 28-inch Omnivore if you cook for ten to twenty people or want hood, shelves and wind guards. Buy the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20-inch if propane is not allowed where you live. Buy the Presto 07046 if you want a very large nonstick plate indoors and cleanup limited to a paper towel. Buy the Lodge Pro-Grid if you cook for one or two people, move between stove, oven and campfire, or want cast iron that comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
And buy the Royal Gourmet PD1301S if your priority is three heat zones and a detachable top at the low end of the gas range. Whichever you choose, buy the accessories at the same time: a scraper, a pumice brick, a cover and a squeeze bottle for oil. Those four items are what keep a flat top griddle in working order, and skipping them is how good steel ends up rusted by the second season.
