Grill type · Explainer
Flat-Top Grills: Big Steel, Versatile Cooking
Flat-top grills replace grates with a heated steel surface. They excel at smash burgers, breakfast, fajitas, and any cook that benefits from direct contact with hot steel.
Grills.co Editorial · Updated January 14, 2026
Best for
- • Smash burgers
- • Breakfast outdoors
- • Big-batch family cooking
Pros
- +Big cooking area
- +Excellent for non-grate foods
- +Easy to scrape clean
- +Versatile
Cons
- −No flame contact for traditional grill marks
- −Steel surface needs seasoning
- −Bulky storage
What flat-top grills are
Flat-top grills (often called outdoor griddles) are propane-fueled cookers with a flat steel cooking surface instead of grates. The surface heats evenly across zones controlled by independent burners underneath.
How a flat-top cooks
Direct steel contact transfers heat efficiently. Smash burgers crust deeply because every square inch of the patty stays in contact with the hot steel. Fried rice, fajitas, breakfast scrambles, and pancakes all cook well.
What you give up: grill marks, drip-through flame contact, and the ability to cook food on a rack. Drip channels and grease wells catch fat at the edges.
What to look for
- Burner zones — four independent zones give meaningful temperature control.
- Steel thickness — thicker steel resists warping and holds heat better.
- Grease management — sloped surface with corner drain is standard.
- Lid or hood — useful for melting cheese and finishing thick proteins.
- Cover — essential for outdoor storage to prevent rust.
Maintenance
After every cook, scrape the surface clean while still hot, wipe down, apply a thin oil coating, and cover when cool. Reseason 2–3 times per season to maintain the patina.
Notable flat-top grills
Blackstone 36-Inch Griddle
Best for: Smash burgers
The Blackstone 36-inch griddle has become a category in its own right. It is the right pick when smash burgers, breakfast, and big-batch cooking are the priority over flame-grilled flavor.
Affiliate link · Walmart
Frequently asked questions
Is a flat top a substitute for a regular grill?
It depends on what you cook. For burgers, breakfast, and stir-fry, a flat top arguably outperforms a grate-style grill. For traditional steaks with grill marks and for indirect cooking, you'll miss having grates.
How do I season a flat top?
After unboxing, wash and dry the surface, then apply a thin layer of high-smoke-point oil and run the griddle on high until smoke subsides. Repeat 4–6 times until the surface develops an even dark patina.