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The Best Outdoor Flat-Top Grills
A flat-top grill is a perfect solution when it comes to hosting summer parties and gatherings in your backyard. Like a griddle, a flat-top grill is a flat metal surface that heats quickly and cooks food thoroughly.
And, it’s healthier and more convenient than other types of grills.
That’s somewhat thanks to the multiple burners. With this feature, you can set up different heating zones to cook all types of food at once. You can cook your vegetables on low-heat in one area while bumping the heat in another region to cook your steaks. Plus, the added grease trap (or box) will drain your meat of any fatty greases and oils.
Let’s first go over what you need to look for in a flat-top grill.
What to Look For
Before you just purchase the first grill you can find, here’s a quick run-through of features you’ll want to keep an eye out for. Pay close attention here.
- Number of Burners: Two burners are enough for the average person. But, the more burners your flat-top grill has, the more heating zones you can create. That means you can knock out an entire meal (meat, vegetables, etc.) all at once with more burners.
- Griddle Width: The larger the griddle, the more you can grill at once. Flat-top grills are usually 20 to 30 inches deep and up to 72 inches wide. Go larger if you plan to host large gatherings and parties.
- British Thermal Unit (BTU): This explains how hot the flat-top grill can actually get. A high BTU (30,000+) is heavy-duty and cooks quickly, but will drain your fuel source quite fast. Around 20,000 BTUs is great for most people.
- Fuel Source: Most flat-top grills are fueled by propane. This is easily attached to the grill and helps to cook food quicker, though it is more expensive to refill. On the other hand, natural gas needs to be hooked up to your gas line, so you’re stuck in one place.
The team at Skyliners have reviewed the best flat top grills on the market in 2020 and listed below are our top choices.
Blackstone 28-Inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
Best Choice Overall
With nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon averaging 4.5 stars, this 470 sq. in. option is exactly what you need come the 4th of July.
With two separate burners of 15,000 BTU each (30,000 total), you can cut several minutes off the cooking time of your favorite foods. Plus, you can create different heat zones to grill every portion of your dinner at once. We’re talking about anything from grilled cheese to pancakes to steaks.
Perhaps most important is just how portable this flat-top grill really is. The built-in wheels make transport a breeze, so you can move your grill to wherever the party’s gathering. But, you can also lock the wheels for a more stable four-legged grill. And, with a 20-lb tank of propane for fuel, you don’t have to worry about staying too close to your home’s gas line while cooking.
Another key feature is the storage shelving on both the side and the bottom of this grill. This is the perfect place to keep your condiments, spatulas, and utensils on hand for hands-off grilling. And, when the party is finally over, the stainless steel burners are insanely easy to clean.
Just be wary that this grill might rust quite easily, no matter how well you take care of it.
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill
Best Premium Pick
When that 4th of July party suddenly turns into a neighborhood block party, you’ll need a 604 sq. in. griddle (501 sq. in. grill) like this one to keep up. You know you can’t go wrong when over 90% of people on Amazon rate this grill at 4 stars or above.
Without even needing a match, you can easily ignite this grill and get your grilling started. Layout up to four of your favorite foods across the four 12,000 BTU burners (48,000 total) and dinner will be done in no time. You don’t have to worry about your guests or friends getting impatient.
If healthy food is more your speed, the grease tray on this flat-top grill is just what you need. It’ll help to catch every ounce of grease that pours from your food. That means low-grease, low-oil food, and a quick and easy clean-up for you. Just keep an eye on the grease catch – It might leak or get clogged.
And, if you’re more of a breakfast fan, you’ll absolutely love the included flat-top griddle. Pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs are definitely in your future.
CUISINART Stainless Steel 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas
Best Versatile Pick
When your guests just can’t decide on what to eat, you’ll need a more versatile flat-top grill like this one. It boasts nearly 500 reviews on Amazon and is currently ranked as Amazon’s Choice.
With a 360-degree design and a grease pan to match, you can keep your favorite dishes healthy and the cooking process simple. Set up your very own hot and cool zones on this two-burner 30,000 BTU flat-top grill and cook everything at once. And, we’re talking about any cooking style, from baking to roasting to steaming.
When it’s time to clean-up, you don’t have to drag any dirt or grease into the kitchen in search of paper towels. The handy paper towel holder located just underneath this grill is convenient and keeps your cooking clean. That, and you can easily scrape away the oil toward the grease cup and wick it away forever.
What you will want to keep an eye out for is the heating provided. Some have noted that this grill doesn’t quite get as hot as described.
OT QOMOTOP 18-inch Gas Griddle
Best Budget Pick
When a high-end grill just isn’t in the cards, you can’t go wrong with this affordable two-burner option for your next gathering. Although this grill does not have many reviews, over 90% of people rate it at 5 stars.
With a mere 282 sq. in. on the grill surface, you can cook up your favorite dishes for between 2 and 4 people. That means 9 hamburgers, 9 pancakes, or 12 eggs at once. But, it simply might take a little longer with just 17,000 BTU. At the same time, you never have to worry about even heat distribution again.
The grease gently drips into the grease box located at the front, making your foods healthier and your grill cleaner overall. Plus, you can easily transport this grill wherever you go due to its very small size.
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