If you’ve ever been into a greasy spoon diner and seen the cook flipping burgers and frying eggs on a huge, flat cooking surface, you’ve seen a griddle in action.
But not all griddles are restaurant-sized cooking machines. There are a variety of griddle styles available for home cooks, whether you’re looking for a large, dedicated freestanding griddle for your outdoor kitchen or you want something small and portable you can use indoors or outdoors.
Sometimes a flat cooking surface is just what a recipe calls for, but full-sized griddles aren’t always the right choice for backyard chefs—they don’t impart that classic smokey BBQ flavor that we all know and love, and not all of us have space for multiple appliances in our backyard. So if you’re hunting for that perfect outdoor cooking machine and you’ve narrowed your choices down to flat-top griddle vs gas grill, which one should you pick?
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose one or the other! Stovetop griddles or griddle toppers are easily portable and are perfect for putting on your gas grill’s cooking grates, giving you the best of both worlds—a flat cooking surface and that classic grill taste.
We wrote this guide for anyone who’s debating between a flat-top griddle vs. a gas grill, as well as those who are curious about griddling in general. We’ll cover all the hottest points in the grill vs. griddle debate, including:
- The difference between a griddle and a grill
- Types of griddles and griddle materials
- Pros and cons of flat top griddles vs. gas grills
- Grill vs. griddle: which is best for you?
- What is a griddle used for?
Let’s get griddling.
What’s the Difference Between a Griddle and a Grill?
Before we dig into the grill vs. griddle debate, let’s take a closer look at what a griddle is.
A griddle is a wide, flat cooking surface that is heated from underneath by a gas burner or other heat source. Unlike a grill, there are no open flames on a griddle. A grill, on the other hand, uses open grates and direct flames to cook food and impart that classic smokey BBQ flavor.
There are a few different types of griddles:
- Stovetop Griddles (AKA Griddle Toppers): Griddle toppers are smaller, removable flat cooking surfaces. They are designed to be portable and are sized to fit over a barbecue’s cooking grate or two burners on a stovetop. You can use them indoors on your stove, outdoors on the grill, or even over a campfire. When you’re done, simply clean and store.
- Freestanding Griddles: These are much larger, complete units that have their own fuel source and a set of legs. They are often on casters for easier mobility, but they aren’t designed to move around regularly.
- Tabletop Griddles: These are portable electric griddles that sit right on a counter or tabletop. They’re smaller than freestanding griddles, which makes them easier to move around.
- Griddle Inserts: These griddles are designed to fit into a cut-out space on a countertop, sitting flush with the surrounding surface.
Depending on the application, griddles are made of cast iron, carbon steel, or non-stick materials. Each material offers advantages and disadvantages. Compare them all in the chart below:
Cast Iron
Carbon Steel
Non-Stick Aluminum
Weight
Heaviest
Medium (about half the weight of cast iron)
Lightest
Heat Tolerance
Excellent for high temperatures, but it can take time to adjust the temperature
Excellent for high temperatures and more responsive to temperature changes
Not tolerant of high heats
Maintenance
Must be cleaned and dried thoroughly
Must be seasoned well to maintain a non-stick surface and prevent rust
Easiest to clean
No seasoning required
Durability
Very durable with proper care and maintenance
Surface is typically easy to restore when needed
Easy to scratch
Can’t repair a scratched surface
Cost
Cheaper than carbon steel
Most expensive
Cheapest
Induction Compatible?
Yes
Yes
Some models
Acidic Foods
Not recommended
Not recommended
Ideal for cooking acidic foods
Grill vs. Griddle: Pros and Cons
Grills and griddles are both ideal for high-heat cooking, offer a large cooking surface area, and are suitable for outdoor cooking. So how do you decide which one is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons:
Pros
Cons
Grill
- Exposure to open flame means deeper char and smokier flavor
- Heats faster
- Allows for direct and indirect heat zones
- Allows for low and slow cooking
- More accessories are available, such as rotisserie attachments and smoker boxes
- Less even heat distribution
- It can be more difficult to clean grill grates than a flat griddle surface
- Unable to cook smaller or liquid items without pan, stovetop griddle, or grill basket
- Flare-ups can be annoying to deal with
Griddle
- More contact between cooking surface and food creates a stronger Maillard reaction and a crustier sear
- Can be used indoors (with ventilation)
- Ideal for cooking smaller and liquid items that would fall through grill grates
- Easier to clean
- No flare-ups
- No smoky flavor (unless you use a stovetop griddle on your grill grates)
- Larger cooking surface may be more susceptible to rust
Grill vs. Griddle: Which Is Best for Me?
Why choose between a grill vs. griddle when you can have both? If you’re on the fence between a flat-top griddle vs. a gas grill, start by investing in a good quality cast iron or carbon steel stovetop griddle.
Stovetop griddles can be used indoors on the stove, as well as outdoors on your grill (and even over the campfire). That means you can enjoy all the convenience and versatility of a flat-top griddle—including that irresistible smoky flavor—without investing in a brand-new appliance.
Shop for grilling tools:
If you’re committed to getting a dedicated appliance and you’re torn between a freestanding flattop griddle vs. a gas grill, here’s what we recommend:
- Get a flattop griddle if you plan to cook mostly small or delicate foods, or breakfast items like pancakes or eggs, and you are okay with losing that classic smoky flavor.
- Get a gas grill if the smoky flavor is non-negotiable, you want grill marks, you plan to use a smoker box or rotisserie attachment, or you want the option to cook low and slow. You can always add a griddle topper for times when you need a flat cooking surface.
What is a Griddle Used For?
One of the biggest advantages of a griddle is its versatility. With a flat cooking surface, griddles allow you to prepare foods that might fall through grill grates or require more even heat distribution.
Use a griddle (topper or freestanding) when:
- You’re cooking smaller or delicate foods, like shrimp, scallops, or scrambled eggs.
- You want to prepare breakfast favorites like pancakes, bacon, and hashbrowns.
- You’re making dishes that need a flat surface, such as smash burgers, fajitas, or grilled sandwiches.
- Easy clean-up is a priority, and you’d rather skip brushing grill grates after cooking.
Use a grill when:
- You need a fast, high-heat sear for steaks or chops.
- You want those classic grill marks or smoky barbecue flavors.
- You’re using accessories like a smoker box or rotisserie attachment.
- You’re cooking low and slow over indirect heat.
For the best of both worlds, invest in a griddle topper. Put it on your grill before you light it and let it heat up with your barbecue, then simply cook as you normally would on a flat surface.
GRILL SPOT TIP: Bring your griddle topper camping with you! If you have a cast iron or carbon steel griddle, you can place it over the fire and cook directly over the open flame for the ultimate smoky flavor.
Griddle and Grill: The Perfect Pair for Smoky Flavor and Versatility
When it comes to the grill vs. griddle debate, the good news is that you don’t have to choose one over the other. By investing in a high-quality stovetop griddle (AKA griddle topper), you can enjoy the benefits of both cooking methods without the need for extra appliances or sacrificing precious backyard space.
A stovetop griddle gives you the versatility of flattop cooking with the bonus of using your grill’s powerful heat and smoky flavor. From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to smash burgers and fajitas, a griddle expands your cooking repertoire while making cleanup a breeze. Plus, it’s portable, easy to store, and works just as well indoors as it does outdoors.
Learn more about grilling tools:
Sources
- “Cast Iron vs. Carbon Steel Griddles: Which Is Better?” Rachel Baron. Madeincookware.com. April 4, 2024.
- “Grill vs griddle – which is best for summer entertaining?” Alex David. Homesandgardens.com. April 13, 2024.
- “Griddle vs. Grill: Which Outdoor Cooking Surface Is Better?” Rachel Baron. Madeincookware.com. May 29, 2024.
- “Griddle Vs Grill – Which Should You Get?” Joe Clements. Smokedbbqsource.com. May 15, 2024.
- “Ultimate Guide to Buying a Griddle.” Rachel Baron. Madeincookware.com. July 12, 2023.
- “What is a Griddle vs. Grill?” Traeger.com.
