Griddles – Own The Grill https://ownthegrill.com Ordinary People, Extraordinary Food Mon, 26 Aug 2024 09:21:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://i0.wp.com/ownthegrill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-Own-The-Grill-Icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Griddles – Own The Grill https://ownthegrill.com 32 32 177643830 Best Grills For Tailgating https://ownthegrill.com/best-grills-for-tailgating/ Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:09:07 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=8200 Whether get togethers are pre-planned, or spur of the moment events, it’s […]

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Whether get togethers are pre-planned, or spur of the moment events, it’s always good to have a grill that can be taken with you on the go!

It should come as no surprise that some grills are better than others when it comes to tailgating. There are a few different things you should keep in mind when selecting.

That’s what this guide is for: To help you find the best grills that you can use at a tailgating near, or far away, from you!

What Is Tailgating?

Just to get the uninitiated up to speed, Tailgating is when you and your friends meet at one location and then go to another place together to eat, drink, and catch up with people.

Tailgating can take place pretty much anywhere, from a park or stadium, to the beach or even in someone’s backyard.

If you’re planning on grilling at a tailgating, you require a grill that can be easily moved by one or two people and can cook enough food to satisfy a reasonably large amount of people.

Best Grills for Tailgating

Traeger Grills Tailgater Portable Grill

Traeger Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill
  • Folding wheeled legs for easy transport
  • 300 sq. in. cooking surface area
  • 180-450ºF temperature range
Check Price on Traeger Check Price on Amazon

Traeger has been around since 1985, so they have a little experience when it comes to making a good grill. For the tailgating market, they have come up with a very impressive portable pellet grill design for those on-the-fly cook-out parties that we love about summer!

With its digital controller for excellent temperature control, the Tailgater lets you adjust the heat output up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

This means you can sear your steaks or chops to perfection while keeping them warm and juicy throughout. When it comes to grilling, it is tough to compete with results like this.

You can also use the Tailgater to cook low and slow – while it’s probably too small to fit a whole brisket, you could fit a pork butt or other popular meats for BBQ.

And if you ever run out of pellets, simply load another box into the hopper, and it’s ready to go again. Plus, the Tailgater weighs surprisingly little too, making it easy to transport and set up, perfect for cookouts on the move.

Pros

  • Great temperature consistency – Not only does this grill get hot, reaching temperatures of well over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, but it stays hot too. A grill that can’t keep up the heat is almost as bad as having no grill at all, so this is an excellent quality feature the Tailgater has.
  • Easily cleanable – All the interior sections of this grill can be easily removed and cleaned after being used. Great for keeping your grill in top condition, and to avoid grease and fat buildup in this cooking tool.
  • A portable tailgating grill – Being able to move your grill for your tailgating cookouts is essential, so the collapsible legs of this unit are an exceptional feature for taking your gill outs wherever you go.

Cons

  • Awkward legs – Whilst the legs are amazingly stable once folded out correctly, it can be a little awkward to set this grill up and to collapse it back into a more movable form, especially if you are setting it up on your own.
  • Hefty load – At 62 pounds, you’re probably going to struggle moving this heavy-duty grill around on your own.
  • Relatively small fuel capacity – With the hopper for this grill only able to take about 8 pounds of pellet fuel at a time, you’ll probably have to refuel after just a few hours. For a whole-day cookout, that’s not exactly ideal.

Our Thoughts

With this grill eating up fuel pretty quickly, it pays to be able to use whatever you have access to. If you’re looking for a portable grill with reasonable grilling capacity, this is a great model.

Coleman Roadtrip 285 Portable Stand-up Grill

Looking for a tailgating grill that can do it all, from being moved from your backyard to the back of your truck, taking it to your cookout spot, and cooking up a huge grill when you get there, you can’t go wrong with the road trip portable stand-up grill from Coleman.

Coleman RoadTrip’s grill has been designed with ease of use in mind to give you the best possible outdoor cooking experience.

This portable, compact and lightweight stand-up grill comes with a durable aluminum handle and foldable legs for storage, so you don’t have to worry about dragging it around everywhere you take it.

And thanks to its folding legs, it takes up less space in your vehicle than a conventional stand-up grill. It has three adjustable burners and a large grill surface.

It uses a standard 1 pound propane tank, though you will have to source this for yourself, as the grill does not come with one as standard.

Pros

  • Excellent Burner quality – With as much as 20,000 BTUs of grilling power at your disposal, the adjustable burners that come as standard for this iron-cast grill give you all the power and heat that you need to make the best grill out possible!
  • Easy to move and transport – Mobility is key for a great tailgate grill, so the collapsible legs and wheels on the Coleman RoadTrip make transporting a breeze.

Cons

  • Iron grates are hard to maintain – Cleaning the Coleman RoadTrip grill is going to be a hassle if you don’t tend to it shortly after it is used. Plus, the cast-iron grill may tend to rust if not looked after properly between uses, so make sure that you keep an eye out for any signs of wear and tear between uses.
  • Wheels used aren’t the highest quality – The wheels probably aren’t built for all-terrain purposes, so be careful where you are pulling it when it is folded up.
  • Lid-locking mechanism not ideal – The lock that keeps the lid of this grill from bouncing around works fine at first but seems to show signs of wear after repeated uses. You may have to fashion a way to keep the lid shut as you are transporting it after a while.

Our Thoughts

Whether this grill is for camping or cooking in your or someone else’s backyard, the Coleman RoadTrip grill feels like it can cover pretty much every grilling situation, including being the main workhorse of an amazing tailgating party. 

The mobility of the design certainly helps in giving it the versatility that this grill is known for. Small wonder that this propane grill is a favorite of many campers and grillers across the country.

It took about 45 minutes to get it set up and running, which is not too long, all things considered. Once the heat was up, it got the job done without any problems. Overall, this is a tailgating grill that should be high on your options list when it comes time to buy a commercial grill.

Weber Smokey Joe Portable Grill

Looking to be a part of a tailgating grill out, but worried that you don’t have the budget to bring a high-quality grill to your summer party?

Well, if this is the case, and money is a concern for you when looking for your cooking kit, then Weber’s 10020 Smokey Joe is exactly the grill you need to cook with the best of them.

Weber Smokey Joe grills are designed to be used anywhere, anytime. They are compact, lightweight, durable, and built to withstand the elements. With this model of charcoal grill, you can enjoy outdoor dining without having to sacrifice style and convenience.

They’re easy to use and maintain. Simply fill the water pan with water and add charcoal briquettes. Then place the grill on the grate and light the fire.

When you’re ready to cook, flip the lid open and place food on the grill. It takes just seconds to get started. And when it’s time to eat, close the lid and enjoy!

Pros

  • Great lightweight design – Despite what the bulbous design of the lid might suggest, this tailgate grill is very lightweight and easy to move around. Not just that, but the tripod leg setup means that it will be more than stable enough for any party out the back of your truck. The porcelain-enameled lid and body will also stop rust from creeping into this little grill, keeping it good to cook for years to come.
  • Excellent starting price – In the range that this model is normally found, this is probably one of the least expensive grills you can take to your tailgate parties, without sacrificing quality in any noticeable way.
  • Adjustable temperature and airflow – This is a great feature that even some higher-end tailgate grills don’t have, so to see it appear on a model of this price range is amazing. This will allow you to be able to heat up or cool down your fire pit with ease, to get that perfect charred texture on your hot dogs and burgers.

Cons

  • A smaller grill, maybe not appropriate for the big gatherings – Although it can cook a respectable amount of food in one go, with 147 square inches of cooking space, it simply doesn’t have the volume or surface area to compete with other larger models in this guide. For this price, this is still a great amount to be able to cook. And at those massive parties, every little grill helps feed everyone!
  • Height is not adjustable – The legs cannot be extended or shortened to your needs, so you will likely have to sit over this grill while you cook your food, rather than stand.

Our Thoughts

We were able to get this grill set up quickly, and it works great, especially for smaller outdoor grills and parties you might be attending.

The workload might not be the largest in this competitive market, but it was more than enough to cook several burgers at one time, and they came out perfectly cooked.

It’s great that it is compact enough to fit into pretty much any car trunk, even if the shape does make it a little awkward. It has such a small footprint that, if smoke wasn’t an issue, you could probably use this grill indoors as well as outside.

If you’re looking to help with a tailgating grill out on a budget, this is a good option to consider.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Grill

Looking for a grill that won’t take up too much room in your trunk? Then Cuisinart has you covered with the Petit Gourmet CGG-180T.

Cuisinart are masters of cooking and kitchenware, and their entrance into the tailgate grill market brings that expertise with it.

This portable gas grill is one of those propane grill models that are perfect for smaller spaces where you might be holding your tailgate party, whether that’s in someone’s smaller backyard, or in a clearing where cooking space is at a premium. 

Its size makes it easy to transport and use anywhere. With a total cooking surface of 145 square inches, it’s big enough to feed a pretty sizable crowd without having to do much work. 

The grill comes with a convenient carrying handle and an integrated lid lock so you can keep the lid securely closed while using the grill.

Even better, the sturdy aluminum legs fold flat when not in use, becoming a perfect briefcase shape to be carried around with one hand. All these features make this grill ideal for camping trips, picnics, barbecues, and, of course, tailgating.

Pros

  • Lightweight, and easy to carry – With the grill only weighing less than 14 pounds, and a small collapsible body that can be carried with just one hand like a suitcase, this is a brilliant compact grill that can be taken pretty much anywhere you go.
  • A surprising amount of grill space available – for something as small and compact as this, being able to fit upwards of 6 or 7 steaks at a time is very impressive!

Cons

  • The lid-locking mechanism may start to fail over time – Being made out of plastic on a grill that can reach incredibly high internal temperatures feels like a strange design quirk for a mechanism that is supposed to keep the lid shut tightly. Especially when the lid handle is located on the lid. Make sure to avoid closing the lid if the heat is at high temperatures.

Our Thoughts

This is a great piece of outdoor cooking equipment to have if you don’t have the space for a larger grill. It’s perfect for camping, picnics, tailgates, etc. We use it often for barbecues during the summer months.

It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and cooks fast! Whilst it will probably never carry the heavyweight of any large gathering, this is certainly a great tool for if you are at a small outdoor party, or you need an extra grill to support your buddy who’s underestimated just how many people are looking for a good grill out!

We would recommend this option for anyone looking for a portable and affordable grill that won’t break the bank and wants to be able to cook in pretty much any space that’s wider than 20 inches.

Weber Q2200 Propane Gas Grill

Weber is at it again with another excellent grill, this time in the form of the Q2200 propane gas grill.

Whilst all the grills we have discussed are exceptional pieces of a griller’s toolkit, a few of them have been on the smaller size.

That’s not the case with the Q2200, however. This model is a heavy grill that will be the centerpiece of grilling wherever you are parked, whether that’s in the backyard or an open field.

The Weber Q220 is one of the largest full-size grills in its class. With the stainless steel burner putting out 12,000 BTUs per hour and porcelain-enamel coated, cast-iron cooking racks, this grill is sure to give you years of worry-free operation. 

Two folding work tables help keep food warm during transport, and the electronic ignition system makes starting the grill easy and fast.

Pros

  • A big grill – Square inch cooking surface won’t be an issue with this grill, at 280 inches for your grilling needs. This is the sort of barbecue grill you need for a larger gathering whilst you’re tailgating.
  • Fold-out accessory trays – These are a must for being able to manage your massive grilling workload!

Cons

  • A bigger grill means a heavier load – At almost 43 pounds, this is one of the heavier models of grills that we have covered, especially with no wheels to help move that weight around. This is definitely on the heavier side of what is considered ‘portable’.

Our Thoughts

Honestly, there isn’t much else to say about Weber Q2200 that can emphasize just how great this grill is for large gatherings on the move.

It’s easy to use, easy to clean, easy to store, easy to set up, and if you have an extra pair of hands to help you move it, not too difficult to move from your trunk to your tailgating site.

Everdure Cube Grill

When it comes to both portability and cooking area in an easy-to-transport package, it’ll be tough to beat the cube grill by Everdure.

This little piece of barbecuing kit is the ultimate portable medium-sized grill. It has been designed keeping in mind all the needs of the modern-day traveler. It weighs less than 20 pounds and is compact enough to fit easily inside even the back of your car, much less the back of your truck.

Portable, compact, durable, easy to clean, safe, convenient, and affordable; the Everdure Cube portable barbecue grill is just what you require for outdoor cooking. It features a 115 square inch cooking area, a sturdy steel frame, and a built-in stainless steel grate.

Perfect for those smaller grill parties with your family and closest friends.

Pros

  • Amazing heat retention for its size – It can be harder for smaller grills to maintain the heat necessary to keep cooking for long periods. So it’s incredible how hot this grill can get, as well as staying at that heat whilst cooking all your tailgating snacks!
  • Easy to handle – The intelligent design of this grill, with its handle, its compact frame, and its heat shielding, means that this grill is very easy to handle for a single person, whether that’s for carrying out of the truck, or being put back into storage after being used.
  • Great accessories – Thanks to its design, this portable charcoal grill comes equipped with both a food storage tray and a preparation tray that are stored seamlessly and beautifully into the grill. That way, you always have your cooking station ready!

Cons

  • Too good at retaining heat – The heat shielding this grill has might work a little too well! It can take a long time for the ashes of your charcoal to cool down after using it, which can mean waiting a long time for this grill to become safe to handle. And whilst the handles are heat-resistant for touching whilst it is on, we wouldn’t recommend carrying hot ashes around!

Out Thoughts

Never underestimate the user-friendliness of an easy to assemble grill! It’s pretty much ideal for any grilling scenario, whether that’s camping, tailgating, or even at home.

We would recommend this to anyone looking for a medium-sized grill that is easy to clean and suitable for pretty much any smaller-scale cookout. Though, you should probably look for other models if you know it’s going to be a big party.

Choosing a Great Tailgating Grill

When looking for a tailgating grill, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re still not sure what things you need to be on the lookout for in your grill of choice, here are a couple of features you should consider:

Portability

One of the most important considerations when choosing a tailgating grill is portability. You want something that you can easily move from place to place without having to spend hours setting it up and tearing it down every single time.

There are many different types of portable grills available. The simplest way to get portability is to look for a grill that has foldaway legs. These allow you to simply unfold them as needed, so they don’t take up much room when folded away.

Wheels are another popular option, as it takes less effort to haul larger weight if you can pull it with you. Carryable grills are a popular option too, but they tend to be smaller a lot of the time.

Cooking Capacity

Right behind portability, cooking capacity is one of the most important features a grill needs. It doesn’t matter how portable you are if you can’t cook enough food to feed everyone!

A good rule of thumb is to make sure that you can comfortably fit 4 people’s food items on the grill at once.

You may find yourself wanting more than this depending on the size of your group, but 4 people’s worth of food is a good guideline to follow and can be scaled up from there if there are more people.

Fuel Type

Depending on where you’re going to be using your grill, you will need to choose a fuel type. Charcoal grills are usually easier to handle and maintain, though gas grills tend to offer superior performance, as they usually take less time to warm up. 

The other main options are electric grills and pellet grills – both of which are easy to use but come with their own limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use My Tailgating Grill At Home?

Absolutely! That is one of the joys of having a tailgating grill. It’s that it can be used anywhere! We’ve seen folks use their tailgating grills while camping, hiking, as well as at home!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to grills for tailgating. There are all kinds of different styles and sizes, and each one offers unique benefits.

If you’re looking to buy a new grill for tailgating, we’d suggest taking a look around and seeing which ones suit your needs best.

Looking for inspiration of what to cook at your next tailgate? Check out our list of grilling ideas for your next cookout!

The post Best Grills For Tailgating appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Cooking Steak on a Griddle – Our How to Guide and Recipe https://ownthegrill.com/cooking-steak-on-a-griddle/ Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:57:43 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=1338 I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love the griddle.  […]

The post Cooking Steak on a Griddle – Our How to Guide and Recipe appeared first on Own The Grill.

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I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love the griddle.  Griddles and flat top grills are incredibly versatile outdoor cookers that can prepare a pancake breakfast and a legendary dinner all on the same surface.

Speaking of legendary dinner, nothing quite satisfies like a properly cooked steak.  As it turns out, a griddle surface is one of the best ways to cook steak.  Do it right, and the results will rival those of steaks cooked on a grill or on a cast iron skillet.

Fortunately, cooking steak on a griddle is a simple process.  In the rest of this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know for how to cook steak on a griddle surface.  Stick around until the end for one of our favorite simple griddle steak recipes.

Why Flat Tops Are Great for Steak

There are quite few reasons why a griddle surface is actually very well suited for cooking steak.  By nature, the griddle blocks flames from directly contacting your food so you don’t have to worry about flare ups complicating your cook.

Also, griddle surfaces do an excellent job of evenly distributing heat.  One of the biggest issues with a low quality grill is the presence of hot and cold spots – these can put a serious damper on your ability to make great food.

With a griddle, you don’t have to worry about that.  Heat is thoroughly and evenly distributed throughout the cook top so that your food gets a nice and even cook.  This is especially true for high quality grills like the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill and the Blackstone Flat Top Grill, which both have a cook top made of quality cold rolled steel.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of a pure, even outer crust on your steak from a griddle top.  Let’s dive into a step by step guide for how to do it!

Cooking Steak on a Griddle – Step by Step

Season Your Steak

After you’ve chosen your steak (some of our favorites are NY Strip, Ribeye, Porterhouse and T-Bone), season or marinade to your liking.

Personally, my philosophy with steak is to buy a quality cut of beef and not do anything too crazy to let the beef be the star of the show.

For me, that means a very light coat of olive oil followed by a generous seasoning of salt and fresh ground pepper.  Let your steak rest for about 30 minutes at room temperature before placing on the griddle.

Prep Your Griddle

Ignite your griddle’s burners and set your burner knobs to a high setting.  The goal is for the griddle surface to get to about 400°F (this can be measured by an infrared thermometer if you have one).

You’ll also want to form a base layer on your cooking surface after the griddle has preheated.  This part can be done in a few different ways.

The most widely used method is to place a small amount of butter or cooking oil on your flat top.  From there, spread the butter or oil around on the surface, ensuring that the entire area where your steaks will cook is covered with a light film.

This will aid the cook in a couple of ways – first, it will ensure that your steak doesn’t stick to the griddle cooking surface.  Second, and more importantly, it will facilitate a beautiful, delectable crust formation on your steak while it sears.

If you’re caught up on which type of oil to use for your griddle, we’ve written a guide to help with that.  Check it out if you need help deciding which oil you should use with your griddle.

The other way you can form a base layer is sure to impress your friends and family.  You can actually take one of your steaks, and rub one of the fatty ends of your beef on your flat top.  If there is enough of a fat cap on your steak, you could even slice a sizable piece of fat off and rub it on your heated cooking surface.

The heat from your cooking surface will melt the fat off and in turn provide a great base layer to cook your steaks.  Rub fat on the entire area where your steaks will cook.

Cook the Steak

Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for.  The beautiful thing about cooking steak on a griddle is that the process is really quite simple.

Place your steaks on the griddle over your base layer of butter, oil, or fat.  Press the steak down firmly with your spatula to ensure complete and solid contact with the cooking surface.

From there, let the grill do its magic.  The goal is to cook the steak until each side has enough time to build up a nice seared crust.

Resist the temptation to constantly flip the steaks.  They only need to be flipped once during the cook.  When you first place the steaks on your griddle, you can watch the bottom half of the steak as it browns and cooks.  After each passing minute, the brown will creep up the sides of the steak, indicating that it’s cooking well.

Feel free to lift the bottom of the steak and peek at how the sear is coming along if desired.

Here’s a great video of the cooking steak on a griddle process for all of my visual learners out there:

1 inch thick steaks in my experience typically spend close to 15 minutes on the flat top (so I flip them after about 8 minutes).  It can be more or less depending on the cut of beef and the size.  A 1/2 inch thick steak will cook faster, for example.

Those time guidelines are just for your reference.  Really, you should be cooking steaks until they reach your desired doneness regardless of how long they’ve been cooking.  If you’re experienced and think you can eyeball it, go for it!

For me, I rely on a bluetooth probe meat thermometer to measure my steak’s internal temperature.  Utilizing a probe thermometer means you know exactly when your food is ready.  Here is a little doneness guide for steak – take your steak off of the grill at the below temperatures for desired doneness.

  • Medium Rare: 128-135°F
  • Medium: 135-145°F
  • Medium Well: 145-155°F

Let It Rest

One of the most important parts of the steak cooking process is allowing your steak to rest for at least 5-8 minutes before cutting into it.  Many people skip this part and miss out on extra deliciousness because of it.

While your steak rests, it actually continues to cook and warm a little bit.  So if you take a steak off of the grill at 130°F and allow it to rest, it will actually continue to rise in temperature by a couple of degrees.

But more importantly, resting your steak allows juices to redistribute.  When your steak sears and cooks on high heat, juices absorb to the very center of the beef.  If you cut into it too quickly, your moisture will be a little out of whack and can lead to your steak tasting dry when it shouldn’t be.

When you allow it to rest, the juices redistribute themselves evenly throughout your steak – that’s how you achieve steakhouse level tenderness and juciness!

Print

Griddle Steak – How to Cook Steak on a Griddle

Simple and Delicious Recipe for Cooking Steak On a Griddle
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Beef
Keyword Beef, Griddle, Griddle Steak, Ribeye, Ribeye Griddle, Steak
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 250kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 14-16 oz steak Ribeye, T-Bone, or NY Strip
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tpsp fresh black pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Preheat griddle to high heat
  • Lightly coat steak with olive oil
  • Season steak generously with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
  • Form a base layer on your griddle using either a little bit of butter, oil, or by rubbing the fatty end of your steak on the griddle
  • Place steak on base layer and press down to ensure firm contact with cooking surface
  • Cook until desired doneness is achieved, flipping halfway through. For a 1" thick steak, it takes about 18 minutes (9 minutes per side)
  • Remove steak from grill and allow to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Notes

Measure internal temperature of your steak with a probe thermometer.
  • For medium rare, remove steak from grill once it has reached an internal temperature of 128-135°F.
  • For medium, remove steak from grill once it has reached an internal temperature of 135-145°F.
  • For medium well, remove steak from grill once it has reached an internal temperature of 145-155°F.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal

Final Thoughts

This guide to grilling steak on a griddle has me hungry!  The flat top is a prime cooking surface for steak, and I hope this article was enough inspiration for you to get out there and try it.

Did you try out our recipe?  How did it go?  We’d love to hear about it in the comments section!

The post Cooking Steak on a Griddle – Our How to Guide and Recipe appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Best Flat Top Grill Reviews & Buyer’s Guide https://ownthegrill.com/best-flat-top-grill/ Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:50:36 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=291 One of my favorite pieces of cooking equipment in the world is […]

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One of my favorite pieces of cooking equipment in the world is the flat top grill.  It’s an incredibly versatile style of cooker – they’re perfect for searing burgers and steaks, sautéing veggies, or making a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hash browns outdoors.

While it might not be the first thing you’d think of buying for your back patio, I can assure you it’s a fantastic, versatile addition to your outdoor cooking repertoire.

In this post, we’ve compiled a list of our picks for the best flat top grill.  We’ll also go over some things to look out for to help make the right decision when it comes to flat top griddles.  Without further ado, let’s get into the reviews! You can also check out 

 

Best Flat Top Grill – Our Top Choices

1. Blackstone Professional 36 Inch Flat Top Grill

Blackstone Professional 36-Inch Flat Top Gas Griddle
  • 60,000 BTU output across 4 burners
  • 720 sq. in. of cooking surface area
  • Griddle cooktop is made of heavy duty 7 gauge rolled carbon steel
Check Price

The Blackstone Professional 36-inch Flat Top Grill gets our top pick for the best flat top grill on the market today overall.  If you’re looking for a price friendly and freestanding unit, it’s a wonderful choice. It has a high quality cooking surface with the added features of an advanced side shelf design and an upgraded grease management system.

For side shelf, a removable cutting board, a paper towel holder, and conveniently placed trash bag hooks all make life super easy for the grill master.  The grease management system funnels grease and drippings into a pan, streamlining the clean up process and saving lots of time long term.

As you can imagine, these upgraded features come at a slightly higher cost.  If you plan on using your flat top grill frequently, these features will probably be well worth the extra investment.

Things We Like:

  • 60,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heat distribution and 4 zone cooking.
  • 720 square inches of cooking area.
  • Quick ignition system and other features make it user friendly and straight forward to use.
  • Advanced grease management system makes clean up and long term care easier.
  • An accessory side shelf adds convenience and efficiency to your program.

Things We Don’t:

  • Grill top isn’t interchangeable (although this might not matter to you if you are looking for a pure best flat top grill).

2. Le Griddle 30-Inch Griddle

If you’re looking for high end outdoor flat top grills and griddles, all Le Griddle products should be considered for your outdoor kitchen or restaurant operation.

Their flagship griddle is 30 inches wide on the cooking surface, and is constructed from a combination of stainless steel with a cast iron subplate. This dual-material system ensures even and consistent heat on the cooking surface every time you turn it on.

Le Griddle products come with the option to be heated by gas or by electricity – both heating configurations operate equally well. Further, they offer a 1 burner griddle that’s 16 inches wide and a 3 burner griddle that’s 41 inches wide.

Last but not least, Le Griddle flat top grills can be used in 3 ways. They can be used as a tabletop griddle out of the box, they can be built-in to a custom kitchen set up, or a cart can be purchased separately to make them freestanding.

3. Camp Chef 600 Flat Top Grill

(Check out our full Camp Chef Flat Top Grill review here)

Our top pick for the best flat top grill goes to the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill.  Camp Chef is a brand name that’s made quite a few appearances on this website.  They’re a reputable brand in the cooking community and they knocked it out of the park with their flat top grill.

No stone was left unturned in the design of this grill.  It’s fueled by a standard propane connection and features 4 stainless steel burners that are ignited with a matchless ignition system.  Each burner has an output of 12,000 BTUs for a total of 48,000.  The burners do an outstanding job in distributing heat evenly so there aren’t any hot spots.

Where this product really gets great is the interchangeable griddle and grill tops.  The griddle top has 604 square inches of cooking space and is perfect for breakfast, burgers, veggies, or even boiling water or making side sauces.

You can also remove the griddle to reveal 501 square inches of grill grates that are perfect for griddle steaks, chicken, burgers, and other traditional foods that you’d put on a grill.  That sort of versatility adds a ton of value to your backyard.

The best part of all of this too is that the price is super competitive!  You won’t have to break the bank for the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill, which is why it’s our choice for the overall best flat top grill.  Camp Chef’s flat top grill is also offered in the following sizes:

Things We Like:

  • Interchangeable griddle and grill top for maximum versatility.
  • 48,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heating and no hot spots.
  • Great value for the money.
  • A matchless ignition system makes getting started super easy.

Things We Don’t:

  • Grill cover is sold separately at an extra cost, although this is pretty common.

4. EVO Professional Series Gas Grill

Evo Professional Wheeled Cart Flat Top Gas Grill
  • 30-inch diameter cooktop (650 sq. in.)
  • 40,000 BTU heat output
  • 225-700ºF temperature range
Check Price on BBQGuys Check Price on Amazon

So the EVO Professional Series Gas Grill would be our absolute top pick for the best flat top grill if not for its astronomical price.  It’s one I’m quite familiar with as it makes almost daily appearances on one of my favorite cooking YouTube channels – Sam The Cooking Guy.

(You should check out Sam’s channel for ideas for great food and to see how a flat top grill can be utilized!)

Not a single proverbial stone was left unturned in the design of this grill.  Heavy duty 304 stainless steel was used as the primary material in construction.  The cooking stone itself is 30 inches in diameter and pre seasoned for outstanding, restaurant grade results right out of the box.

Dual circular burners with inner and outer control give the grill master absolute control over the grill.  A heavy duty stainless steel lid lets you roast, steam, warm, or smoke foods and also features an adjustable vent that exhausts steam and vapors while cooking.

**Note** This unit also comes in a built-in flat top configuration.

Things We Like:

  • All around spectacular construction and design.  Every feature and construction material is premium.
  • Ease of use.  Grease management, heat management, and ignition are incredibly easy.
  • 30-inch diameter equates to a little over 700 square inches of cooking surface.
  • Will last you for a decade or more.

Things We Don’t:

  • The price is high.  If you have the cash, it’s a great way to go but there’s no doubt it’s on the expensive end of the spectrum.

5. Blaze 30-Inch Built-In Flat Top Grill

Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-In Gas Griddle
  • 495 sq. in. of cooking surface area
  • 1/2" thick commercial quality stainless steel cooktop
  • LED lit burner control knobs
Check Price on BBQGuys Check Price on Elite Patio Direct

If you’re looking for built-in hibachi style cooking in a built-in outdoor kitchen configuration, the Blaze 30-Inch Built-In is the way to go.  Blaze is an extremely popular brand for built-in outdoor appliances, and for good reason.  Their products have stood the test of time and are backed by a lifetime warranty.

The cooking surface is 1/2 inch thick commercial quality steel and measures 27.5″ x 18″ for a total of 495 square inches of cooking surface area.  The unit is powered by two U-shaped burners that each can crank out 18,000 BTUs of heating power, for a total of 36,000 across the entire surface.

The burner control knobs are illuminated by LED lights for easy use on nighttime cooks.  A large grease tray makes cleaning up a breeze – internal systems funnel grease to the tray that can easily be removed and cleaned.

Blaze also offers a wide array of other outdoor kitchen products which compliment their flat top nicely – so if you’re looking for the same brand for a built-in gas grill, kitchen cabinets, drawers, and more, this is a great choice.

6. Arteflame 40″ Classic Cooktop

Arteflame Classic 40" Grill w/ Tall Round Base
  • Uses both wood and / or charcoal
  • Removable cooktop is laser cut from 1/2" steel
  • Optional center grill grate
  • Can be used as a fire bowl with, or without the cooktop
  • Cooktop "lift and remove" tool included
  • Virtually maintenance-free: all residue can be scraped into the fire
  • Fire bowl is spun from a single piece of corten steel without seams or welds
  • After cooktop cools, wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel and food safe oil
  • Can be left outside year-round; base develops a beautiful, maintenance free patina over time
  • Includes seasoning puck for seasoning of cooktop
  • Designed and Made in the USA using US steel
  • DIMENSIONS: 40" Wide x 18" High, 290lbs. (102cm x 46cm, 132Kg)
  • Base diameter is 21"
  • Arteflame Grills are all steel making the grills quite heavy, shipping weights can be over 500lbs!


Check Price on Arteflame

The Arteflame Classic 40″ flat top grill is one of the most unique grills we’ve ever come across, for a few different reasons.

First and foremost, it’s a flat top grill that uses a charcoal or wood fire to cook your food – and you simply don’t come across a configuration like that very often.  Flat top grills and griddles are almost exclusively fueled by propane or natural gas.

So you get all of the benefits of flat top cooking, but with the addition of smokey flavor added to your food that can only come from a charcoal or wood fired grill.

This is definitely a grill that is on the high end side – the price tag is pretty high.  But the good news is that only the absolute best materials were used for construction.  The cooktop is made of carbon steel, which is even higher in quality than high grade cast iron.

Not to mention, Arteflame grills are some of the most aesthetically pleasing grills we’ve ever come across.  They are a beautiful grills that draw people in to gather around – a truly hard to beat ambiance.

If you’re interested in learning more about these grills, check out our Arteflame review next where we do a deep dive on the brand!

7. Blackstone 4 Burner Outdoor Flat Top Griddle Station

(Check out our extended Blackstone Flat Top Grill Reviews right here)

Blackstone is a premier brand when it comes to flat top grills, and to us, the Blackstone 36 Inch Flat Top Grill is one of their best all around products.

As the name suggests, it’s a professional grade flat top grill that comes at an affordable, at home price.  4 burners with 60,000 BTU output, adjustable temperature knobs, and a quick ignition system do an excellent job at heat distribution, which makes a perfect grilling surface for you to work on.

As the name also suggests, the cooking surface is 36 inches wide and provides 720 square inches of cooking area, which is more than enough to keep an entire party or gathering fed.

4 industrial grade caster wheels are included for easy transport, 2 of which lock into place for secure anchoring.  It’s fueled by propane and could not be more user friendly or straightforward to use.

Things We Like:

  • Restaurant grade materials and construction
  • 60,000 BTU output across 4 burners with even heat distribution and 4 zone cooking.
  • 720 square inches of cooking area.
  • Quick ignition system and other features make it user friendly and straightforward to use.
  • Very easy to clean.

Things We Don’t:

  • Grill top isn’t interchangeable (although this might not matter to you if you are looking for a pure best flat top grill).

8. Cuisinart CGG-888 Outdoor Flat Top Gas Griddle

Depending on how your outdoor cooking space is set up, the Cuisinart CGC-888 22-inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill could be a perfect fit.  Most notably, it’s different from the other products on this list in that the cooking surface is a 22-inch circle, as opposed to a rectangle.

What I like most about this unit is that it’s maybe a couple of inches wider than the 22-inch cooking circle when the foldable side table is down.  That makes it a great flat top grill for tight spaces, and I’ve seen people use it in tandem next to a traditional grill.  Imagine the possibilities of having your traditional gas, charcoal, or pellet grill right next to your flat top where you can cook crab cakes, sauté veggies, or make a side sauce.

Two burners fuel the CGC-888, and a lid with a built in vent comes included so you can actually steam,  smoke, or roast too.  For easy cleanup, there’s a built in 360 degree grease pan that catches drippings and grease and then funnels everything to an easy-to-remove pan.

Logistically, everything is pretty easy with this product too.  Set up and assembly takes less than 30 minutes, and the price point is extremely reasonable considering what you get.

Things We Like:

  • Its circular shape and slim profile make it the perfect centerpiece or add on to your outdoor cooking space.
  • 30,000 BTU output across 2 burners and temperature range up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • 360-degree grease pan eliminates any mess and makes cleanup easy.
  • Great price point.

Things We Don’t:

  • There are only about 380 square inches of cooking surface on the 22-inch diameter circle.  That’s more than enough for family use or for small gatherings, but may not be ideal if you’re looking to crank out food for 12+.

9. Blackstone Griddle and Grill Combo

One of the things that can be a drawback when it comes to even the best flat top grill is that you might have to sacrifice some functionality that comes with having grilling grates on your grill.  Blackstone aimed to design a product that gives you the best of both worlds with the Blackstone Griddle and Grill Combo.

On one side, you have a gas burner griddle.  On the other, you have a charcoal grill with grates – so you can achieve steaks, or burgers with that delicious traditional BBQ flavor.  I love the versatility here, and if you are on the fence about buying a flat top grill this is a perfect way to get started.

The powder coated black steel frame, stainless steel burners and thick cold rolled steel cooktop are incredibly durable and give a sleek aesthetic to this grill.

Things We Like:

  • Gas griddle and charcoal grill combo is an all-in-one, versatile piece of equipment for your outdoor kitchen.
  • Blackstone is a trusted brand name known for making quality, durable products.
  • Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
  • Very user friendly and the best flat top grill for people on the fence about buying a flat top.
  • Price is very reasonable all things considered.

Things We Don’t:

  • You lose some effective grilling space due to the dividers in between the griddle and grate portions of the flat top.  They are a little hard to work around and create a little bit of a disjointed feeling when you grill.

10. Blackstone Table Top Grill 22 Inch Portable Gas Griddle

If you’re the type of person who likes to grill on the go, the Blackstone Table Top Griddle is the best flat top grill for camping, tailgating, and any other on the go activity.

With 330 square inches of cooking surface, you actually have a surprising amount of room to work for how compact the griddle is.  It’s fueled by 1 lb propane tanks and at only 25 pounds, it’s really easy to put in the backseat or trunk of your vehicle to take with you.

One of the things that always makes me nervous about portable grills is the clean up process.  If a portable grill is hard to clean, you run the risk of leftover residue or grease transferring into your vehicle, which is a giant mess.

With the Blackstone Table Top Grill, thankfully clean up is not much of an issue.  There’s a built in grease channel and rear grease management system that makes the clean up process incredibly easy after you cook.

Things We Like:

  • Extremely portable and the best flat top grill for camping/tailgating.
  • 330 square inches of cooking area – a great number for a portable grill.
  • Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
  • Price is on the lower end of the spectrum.
  • Also comes in and variations if you want something even more compact.

Things We Don’t:

  • You have to replace the 1 lb gas tanks pretty frequently, which might become a hassle if you plan on using your grill a lot.

11. Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Liquid Propane Event Gas Grill

Boy, where to begin with the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Event Gas Grill.  The thing that stands out most obviously is the sheer size of this grill.  It is powered by 8 burners capable of 104,000 BTUs of output and a whopping 950 square inches of cooking area.

That’s enough space to handle 60 burgers or 120 hot dogs at once, so this is the best flat top grill for large gatherings or events.  And just because you have a ton of space doesn’t mean you have to use it all the time!  It’s still a great grill for family use, and the 8 burners give you the flexibility to set up 8 cooking zones to help you get the job done.

Lockable caster wheels make transporting the grill around easy enough, and a proper grease management system minimizes the time you have to spend cleaning up after you cook.

All in all, this is the ultimate flat top grill for events.

Things We Like:

  • 950 square inches of cooking area.  The ultimate grill for tailgating.
  • 104,000 BTUs cooking power across 8 different burners.
  • Rear grease management system makes clean up easy.
  • Price is reasonable considering how much horsepower you get.
  • Surprisingly easy to transport for how big it is thanks to lockable industrial caster wheels.  Although you’ll probably need a pick up truck if you want to take it tailgating.

Things We Don’t:

  • The size of this grill makes it impractical for a lot of homes.  For events and large gatherings, it’s great to have all of the cooking area, but it takes up a lot of space on your patio or deck.

12. Blackstone 28 Inch Flat Top Grill

I personally wouldn’t choose the Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Grill simply because I prefer the features of the other Blackstone grills on this list a little more – and I think the extra space on their 36-inch model is worth it.  Their 28-inch iteration is still very much worth your consideration though and a great choice depending on the size of your patio.

It’s basically an in between of Blackstone’s full size and portable units.  At 28 inches wide and 470 square inches of cooking area, it’s slim enough to fit into just about any space in your backyard or patio, but it has the appearance and features that come equipped on their full size units.

It’s also a 2-burner grill with 30,000 BTUs output which is more than enough to get the job done, but it’s considerably less than some of the 4-burner Blackstone grills.

The 28-inch unit is also pretty easy to transport around and weighs about 75 pounds without the propane tank.

Things We Like:

  • Its slim profile makes it a good fit in tight areas.  It’s also easy enough to transport around.
  • 470 square inches of cooking area is a great size for families.
  • Included grease catcher and simple start ignition contributing to overall ease of use.

Things We Don’t:

  • Your dollar can go further elsewhere.  For a similar price, you can get more/better features with other Blackstone grills.

Tips For Finding The Best Flat Top Grill

There are a few things that are good to keep in mind when shopping around for the best flat top grill.  Here are a few of the things we like to tell folks to look out for:

*Note* Also be sure to check out our posts on how to clean a flat top grill and the best oil for griddle cooking.  Both provide great knowledge for stepping up your flattop grill game!

Cooking Surface Area

As with any grill, you need to consider how much cooking space you’re going to need on a regular basis.  If you’re grilling for yourself or a small family, you can for sure get away with a flat top grill that has 400 square inches or less of cooking area.

If you’re looking to feed a family reunion or large tailgating party, you’ll probably want something that can handle a little more food at once.

Versatility

While the flat top grill is a fantastic way to cook food, it does have some drawbacks.  Namely, it’s really hard to achieve that smoky traditional BBQ flavor with your food because the drippings don’t fall down into the fire and smoke back up into your food like what would happen on a traditional grill.

With that in mind, it’s important to think about the kind of food you’ll be making and the results you want to achieve.  I personally view the flat top grill as a piece of equipment that’s a piece of the larger puzzle and wouldn’t want to rely on it solely for all of my grilling needs.

You can also achieve both types of results with a combination grill.  Some of the grills on the best flat top grill list above featured both a flat top and traditional grilling surface all in one unit.

Is it Pre-Seasoned?

The seasoning process is crucial for a new grill as it will make your food results taste better and also prevent the possibility of rust and damage happening to your grill surface.

It will also eliminate any leftover residue or chemicals from the manufacturing process.  Seasoning a flat top grill is actually quite simple, you just apply a light coat of cooking oil to your surface and bake it in at a high heat for about 30 minutes.

A pre-seasoned cooking surface means that a layer of oil has been baked in already by the manufacturer.  This is a great way to save time for you and leave this part of the process to somebody who does it all the time.

Either way, you should pay attention to whether or not your unit is pre seasoned so you know whether you need to do it yourself.

Price

Obviously, price is a big factor in any purchase decision.  For flat top grills as a whole, prices are actually quite reasonable compared to other types of grills.  Tabletop versions can start lower than $100 with full size, quality flat tops going in the $400 range.

Of course, if you want a professional grade flat top grill, you could be looking in the $2,000 – $4,000+ range.

Mobility

It’s also important to consider the setting you plan to use your flat top grill in.  Is it just for cooking at home?  Or do you plan to bust it out on the go for camping trips or tailgating outings?

Flat top grills are one of the best classes of portable grills, and there are a ton of options for on the go grilling.  Just make sure the one you buy has a manageable weight and profile for the way you plan to use it.

What about built-in vs. freestanding?  Consider what you’re looking to accomplish with your setup – there’s definitely an option out there that will fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Flat Top Grill Worth It?

A flat-top grill has a multitude of benefits, but ultimately only you can decide if they are worth it. They help to drain off some of the excess oil and fats from whatever you are cooking, making the final dish healthier.

They heat up very rapidly and are ready to use in just a few minutes.

The cooking area of your flat top grill tends to be large, allowing you to cook a lot of different foods at the same time. The heat is evenly distributed across the surface, ensuring that all of your food cooks at the same rate.

You can use a flat top grill indoors with no problems. Not much oil is required for cooking, making the grill an absolute breeze to clean!

You can also use as many different pots and pans as fit on the surface, instead of being restricted to one pan per heating element.

Are Burgers Better on a Grill or Griddle?

This depends on the flavor that you are looking for. A grill does not use charcoal which means the resultant flavor is much less smoky. If you are looking for a healthier burger, a grill will be better for you.

The griddle will not allow the fats to drain off, meaning that your burgers will cook in their own juices. This will give you a more flavorful and moist burger with that classic grilled crust on the outside.

The heat of a grill can be inconsistent across the surface, particularly if it is not a flat top. This can result in your burgers being undercooked in the center or unevenly cooked throughout.

A griddle has a consistent temperature across the surface, giving you the perfect conditions for cooking a burger patty.

Griddles also allows you more flexibility in building your finished burger and incorporating toppings. The surface allows you to caramelize onions while the burger is cooking, meaning that the entire thing is ready at the same time.

Is a Flat Top Grill a Griddle?

No, flat-top grills are not the same as a griddle. They are visually similar but cook food in a different manner.

The heating elements of a flat top grill are in multiple circular shapes, instead of the straight and horizontal heating element of a griddle.

A flat top is kind of a hybrid between a grill and a griddle. It has a flat surface (as the name implies) instead of a grate.

Pots, pans, and other cooking appliances can be placed straight onto the surface of a flat top, instead of putting the food onto the surface of a griddle.

The surface of a flat top is heavy steel, similar to cast iron. This becomes seasoned as you use it, making the surface more non-stick.

Can You Put a Flat Top on a Grill?

Yes, this is possible. There are flat-top attachments that you can purchase that go on top of your grill. This will allow you to have the best of both worlds and gives you a lot more cooking flexibility.

They are available in a huge variety of sizes to suit whatever grill you already own. This allows you to open up the variety of food that you cook and means that you can fry an egg at the same time as cooking a burger, without compromising on the quality of either.

These flat tops can be made from a variety of materials, such as cast iron, aluminum, and alloys. Each material comes with its own unique set of benefits for cooking. We advise researching each before making your decision on which is the best flat top grill for you.

Wrap Up

I hope our best flat top grill list was a great starting point for you in your journey!  Did you end up getting one?  Let us know which flat top you ended up with in the comments section below.

If you want to take a closer look at the top two brands we’ve recommended, head on over to our article on Blackstone vs. Camp Chef flat top grills next.

The post Best Flat Top Grill Reviews & Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

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The 8 Best Smokeless Indoor Grills for Hassle-Free Home Cooking https://ownthegrill.com/best-smokeless-indoor-grill/ Tue, 11 Aug 2020 22:57:08 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=2536 Who doesn’t love a juicy burger or perfectly charred steak? But foul […]

The post The 8 Best Smokeless Indoor Grills for Hassle-Free Home Cooking appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Who doesn’t love a juicy burger or perfectly charred steak? But foul weather, apartment bans on grills, or just limited outdoor space often come between us and those tasty grill marks. We love flat top griddles and are so excited to share the best smokeless indoor grills that let you cook up your favorite foods 365 days a year.

These compact wonders enable grease-free, smoke-free grilling right on your countertop. No more battling the elements or getting smoke alarms raging. Just quick and easy meals with that quintessential grilled flavor we all crave.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to find your perfect indoor grill. First up, we highlight our top-rated picks for every budget and need. Then we’ll answer common questions and provide tips to keep your new grill looking brand new. 

Top Smokeless Indoor Grills

GreenPan Electric Indoor Stainless Steel 6-in-1 Contact Grill

The GreenPan Grill & Griddle is the ultimate 6-in-1 multitasker designed to handle all your indoor grilling needs. This innovative appliance can be used as a contact grill, contact griddle, panini press, mixed grill/griddle, open grill, and open griddle. With six modes in one device, it’s a compact short-order kitchen ready to cook up anything.

At the heart of this grill is Thermolon Volt, a durable ceramic nonstick coating that can withstand high grill temperatures. The PFOA-free nonstick surface cooks with little to no oil for healthier meals and cleans easily after use.

The unique lay-flat design allows both plates to open completely flat, giving you a more usable cooking surface. The height-adjusting lid adapts to fit everything from paninis to thick steaks. Simply pop off the reversible grill and griddle plates after cooking for a quick cleanup. Both plates are dishwasher safe for added convenience.

An LED display with adjustable temperature and timer knobs gives you precise control over your grill settings. The powerful 1600W heating system delivers fast, even cooking across the entire surface. And the integrated drip tray can be removed separately for a quick rinse after grilling.

With six cooking modes, premium nonstick plates, and smart design features, the GreenPan Grill & Griddle unlocks the potential for restaurant-quality meals from home. Take your countertop cooking game to the next level with this innovative indoor gril

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill – Best Overall

With its generous cooking surface and ability to not only grill but also air fry, roast, and more. The Ninja Foodi is a multitasking maven. Its 500°F maximum temperature delivers mouthwatering sear marks fast. And the non-stick plates pop right in the dishwasher for fuss-free cleanup.

This highly-rated grill has everything you’d need to make any type of meal. You’ll notice the unique design of the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill that sets it apart from other candidates. It is on the heavier and bulkier side of the spectrum, but many people think it’s a small price to pay if you can do so much grill.

This unit is powered by a 1760-watt motor, producing temperatures up to 500°F. Thanks to Cyclonic Grilling Technology, the hot air circulates around the grill to thoroughly cook food on the inside.

The front control panel displays a digital reading of the temperature and lets you adjust the degree and time needed to cook your meal. Additionally, there are buttons so you can choose different modes including Dehydrate, Bake, Air Crisp, and Roast.

The frying basket of this 6-in-1 smokeless grill has a 4-qt capacity, using 75% less oil than traditional deep fryers to make your fried food healthier. The Ninja Foodi features cooking surfaces that are ceramic coated, non-stick, and free of PTFE/PFOA.

Specs

  • Power: 1760 watts
  • Cooking area: 100 square inches
  • Maximum Temperature: 500°F
  • Weight: 14.5 pounds

Key Features

  • Powerful motor
  • High-quality construction
  • Many cooking options
  • Healthy air fry mode
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Intuitive digital control panel
  •  

PowerXL Smokeless Grill – Best Value

A tempered glass lid speeds up cooking while keeping food warm at the table. The smoke extractor fan does its job to prevent annoying alarms. Plus, the dishwasher-safe plates make cleanup a cinch. All at a really great price.

We’ve also found the PowerXL Smokeless Grill has thousands of positive reviews.

This indoor grill efficiently traps heat. Being see-through, you can also check on your food at a glance to know exactly when it’s done. Moreover, a lid allows you to cover your meal after grilling so it stays warm while you’re setting the table or talking with guests

The way the PowerXL Smokeless Grill deals with smoke is another superb aspect of the product. Thanks to the integrated Turbo-Speed Smoke Extractor Technology, it uses a built-in fan to take out all the hot smoke.

This indoor electric grill is powered by a 1500-watt motor, heating up its surface to a maximum of 450°F. The 108 square inches cooking area gives you plenty of room to feed around 6 people, and the digital controller on the side allows you to set the temperature to one of 6 levels.

The sturdy PowerXL grill comes with a grill and a griddle plate for extra versatility. It’s also rather easy to clean owing to the non-stick coating, removable parts, and dishwasher safe materials.

Specs

  • Power: 1500 watts
  • Cooking area: 108 square inches
  • Maximum Temperature: 450°F
  • Weight: 10 pounds
  •  

Key Features

  • Comes with a transparent lid
  • Built-in fan to minimize smoke
  • Digital temperature control
  • Easy to clean
  • Great value for money
    •  

Baumann Living Indoor Smokeless Grill

The Baumann Living Indoor Smokeless Grill makes it easy to enjoy delicious, perfectly grilled meals right in your own kitchen. This countertop grill features a spacious 16.85” x 8.35” cooking surface to accommodate all your grilling needs. The integrated smart LED touchscreen gives you precise control over temperatures from 212°F to 482°F and cook times up to 120 minutes.

Advanced turbo smoke extraction technology and uniform heating work together to provide a smoke-free indoor grilling experience. No more worrying about smoke alarms going off mid-cook! The ceramic non-stick grill and griddle plates allow for healthy cooking with less oil and make cleanup a breeze. Both grill and griddle components are dishwasher safe for super simple cleaning.

With tempered glass lid options and innovative smokeless technology, the Power Smokeless Electric Indoor Grill delivers indoor grilling perfection. Grill up your favorite meals year-round without the mess and fuss of traditional grills. This smart indoor grill provides the key to fast, convenient cooking that’s healthy and delicious.

The Techwood Electric Grill

The Techwood Electric Grill makes it easy to throw a fun BBQ bash whether you’re hosting a big group or keeping it casual with just a few friends. With 200 square inches of grilling space, this versatile grill has room to cook up a feast.

The included grill and griddle plates let you customize your meal options. Grill up sizzling burgers and dogs on one side while preparing veggies or breakfast staples on the griddle. The non-stick cooking surfaces ensure even heating and easy clean-up too.

A tempered glass lid traps in heat for faster cooking times. And the built-in drip tray keeps things neat while you cook. Rated at 1500W, this powerful grill heats up quickly and cooks food to tender, juicy perfection. Those trademark grill marks that make everything taste even better? This grill delivers.

Whether you consider yourself a grilling guru or just an occasional backyard chef, the Techwood Electric Grill makes it easy to play host. Cook up your next crowd-pleasing BBQ spread indoors or out with this do-it-all grill.

CUSIMAX Smokeless Grill Indoor

The versatile 2-in-1 design features a grill plate and griddle plate so you can cook anything from pancakes to salmon. Switch out the plates to match what’s on the menu. The glass lid speeds up cooking by locking in heat. And it’s convenient to check your food’s progress without lifting the lid.

This grill heats up fast and distributes heat evenly across the surface for consistent results. Perforations in the grill plate let grease drain away for healthier cooking while still getting those nice grill marks. An LED display with adjustable temperature settings up to 450°F makes it easy to achieve perfect doneness.

Clean up is so easy with dishwasher-safe removable parts including the lid, plates, and drip tray. Non-stick surfaces allow food to slide right off without leaving a mess behind. Plus, the grill looks sleek on your countertop when not in use.

Cusimax also stands behind their products with lifetime support and a 180-day return policy. Say goodbye to weather worries and welcome convenient home grilling with the Cusimax Electric Grill.

GoWISE Smokeless Indoor Grill and Griddle

If you’re searching for an indoor grill that offers amazing versatility without breaking the bank, then the GoWISE USA 2-in-1 Smokeless Indoor Grill can be a fantastic solution for your cooking needs. One thing to note -The GoWISE indoor grill does not have a lid. 

Featuring a generous 133 square inches cooking area, the GoWISE USA smokeless grill comes with 2 removable trays; one grill and one griddle, so you choose the most suitable cooking surface according to your meal.

Both trays are coated with a non-stick ceramic layer to allow you to pick up the food smoothly without hiccups and to leave you with an easier cleaning task. Not to mention, the components are dishwasher safe to save you some extra effort.

This indoor grill heats up to a blazing 482°F, already higher than most of its competitors on the market. It even does a decent job maintaining a constant temperature, complete with a side knob for simple heat control.

The GoWISE USA Indoor Grill and Griddle are equipped with a built-in fan specially designed for reducing smoke and unwanted cooking vapors. To get you started on your grilling fun, the purchase includes a cooking book with 10 grill recipes and 10 griddle recipes.

Specs

  • Power: 1300 watts
  • Cooking area: 125 square inches
  • Maximum Temperature: 482°F
  • Weight: 10 pounds

Pros

  • Comes with a grill plate and a griddle plate
  • Ceramic coated surfaces
  • Has a built-in fan
  • Mid-tier price

BELLA Titanium Coated Non-Stick Electric Griddle

Last but not least, the BELLA Non-Stick Electric Griddle has managed to rightfully snatch the Best All Griddle title thanks to its premium-quality non-stick surface and generous grilling area.

This handy griddle offers 210 square inches of cooking and serving space, which is plenty for you to feed about 7 people. The 1500-watt motor heats the griddle up to 400°F, with an adjustable thermostat to let you choose from a range of temperatures.

The unique ceramic non-stick coating is 8 times more durable and lets you cook 30% faster than standard non-stick coatings as per company claims. It’s reinforced with titanium to improve strength and scratch resistance.

The handles of the BELLA griddle are cool-to-the-touch to keep your hands safe while moving the unit, and the base has a built-in ledge with a backstop for extra stability. The drip tray is designed to allow for simple detachment just by sliding it out, so cleaning becomes more convenient.

This griddle isn’t dishwasher safe, but clean up is still pretty easy; just run it under your kitchen faucet with some soap and it’ll be as good as new. The BELLA Non-Stick Smokeless Electric Griddle is free of BPA, PTFE, and PFOA, with a 2-year warranty to back it up.

How Do Smokeless Grills Work?

Most smokeless grills have built-in fans or extractors that whisk away excess smoke during cooking. Many also have water trays that help absorb smoke. The result is little to no billowing smoke to trigger fire alarms or stain walls.

Additionally, you can almost always find a water tray underneath the grill. Once you fill this tray with some water, it’ll also absorb the leftover smoke during cooking. As a result, very little to no smoke is left on the grill or griddle plates, providing you with a smokeless grilling experience.

Since smoke is out of the equation, you don’t have to worry about your indoor grill triggering the fire alarms while in use. You’ll also end up using fewer propane refills or charcoal smokers, creating a more eco-friendly environment in your house.

Why Should You Buy a Smokeless Indoor Grill?

There are several reasons why grilling enthusiasts often prefer to buy a smokeless indoor grill even if they own a charcoal or gas grill for outdoor cooking. So if you’re not really sure whether or not a smokeless indoor grill is right for you, here are some advantages of such a purchase:

You Don’t Have to Be Outside

If you’re a sucker for a good BBQ meal like a savory burger or a juicy steak, chances are you’ve had your fair share of food prepared outdoors by charcoal or gas grills.

As delicious as they can be to cook food with, it’s simply not feasible in some situations.  Some parts of the world get way too cold to grill during winter, or you could be in an apartment that doesn’t allow grills.

You Get a Smoke Grilling Experience

Some models of indoor grills do a better job than others when it comes to reducing the amount of smoke produced during grilling and cooking, But still, all indoor grills are designed to generate much less smoke than conventional outdoor grills, if any at all.

This is mainly due to the fact that they’re almost exclusively electrically powered using no charcoal or gas. Some models rely on the heat from a stove, not even electricity.

This can be a huge advantage for people suffering from asthma or allergies because smoke from grilling is known to be rather irritating, even to a regular person. Moreover, smoke can leave behind nasty stains and odors if it’s trapped inside without air vents, which means a smokeless grill is best for indoor use.

You Can Take it Anywhere

Indoor smokeless grills are designed to be much more compact and lightweight compared to outdoor models, making them quite portable and easy to store. As a result, smokeless indoor grills are excellent for trips, camps, travel vacations, hotel rooms, and college dorms.

How to Choose the Best Smokeless Indoor Grill?

When shopping for the best smokeless indoor grill, a random choice isn’t a good strategy. These machines are built with certain features and designs that you need to consider before making a purchase so you end up with the right model for your needs.

Which Style Is Best for You?

Stovetop

This type of grill sits up on top of your kitchen stove. You can then use the heat from your electric or gas-powered stove to heat up the surface of the grill. The shape of a stovetop grill is often similar to the grill or griddle design of an outdoor grill.

The advantage of using this type of grill is that it gives you easy control over the temperature you want to cook at. Using the knobs on your stove, you can simply set the heat to your desired temperature.

One of its disadvantages, however, is that you’ll have a hard time preventing grease or juices from spilling on your stove. You’ll need to manually clean it up after cooking.

Open Countertop

This type of smokeless grill is designed to be placed on top of your kitchen counter. Unlike stovetop grills, it’s capable of generating its own power via a motor to achieve high temperatures. It functions kind of like hot plates but with a griddle or grill design.

The advantage of using an open countertop grill is that it offers a larger cooking surface. It’s typically equipped with buttons or dials so you can control its temperature. This means you can heat up your favorite food temperature using a range of different temperatures.

Most of the best smokeless indoor grills we reviewed are of this type.

However, open grills come without a lid. A downside of this is that oils and grease tend to splatter out from them. This is why some people considered them to be messier than the closed countertop type of grill.

Closed Countertop

This smokeless indoor grill is also designed to sit on your kitchen countertop. It generates its own power for the grilling surface to heat up as well.

The difference between closed and open countertop grills is that this type comes with a practical lid. With this lid closed, you can prevent grease, oils, and other liquids from splattering outside.

Additionally, the lid helps to speed the cooking process because more heat is trapped in. You can also cook different types of food such as vegetables, fish, chicken, paninis, and sandwiches. Since the lid is usually transparent, you can easily keep an eye on the food as it cooks.

The disadvantage of using a closed countertop grill is that it seems to be less versatile compared with open grills. You’ll probably have to cook your food as thinly as possible to secure the lid properly, and you’ll often get a smaller cooking area.

Cooking Area

The first thing you should consider once you’ve decided on a grill type is how many people you’re planning to feed. This is important so you can choose a grill that offers a cooking area large enough to accommodate your needs.

Smokeless indoor grills come in a range of various dimensions with different serving capacities. Some models provide a grill space that’s less than 100 square inches, such as the Philips Smokeless Indoor BBQ Grill. These are usually a good choice if you intend to feed 2 or 3 people.

Other models offer more than 200 inches of cooking area, such as the BELLA Non-Stick Electric Griddle, with plenty of room to cook for around 7 people. You’ll find a lot of models with capacities falling somewhere between both numbers.

Maximum Temperature

To properly cook steak and chicken, the grilling surface needs to be hot enough to provide a nice sear and also to shorten the time it takes for the meat to get done. How high of a temperature your smokeless indoor grill can reach is a significant factor in your cooking experience.

Generally speaking, you’ll find smokeless indoor grills usually offer more than 440°F maximum temperature. The highest ones on our list can heat all the way up to 500°F. These are the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1  and the AWLLY Teppanyaki Grill.

Temperature Control

Next, it’s time for you to make up your mind regarding the temperature control of your indoor grill. This means deciding whether or not you want to be able to control how hot the grill gets.

Some people prefer a smokeless grill with a preset grilling temperature that you simply wait for the plate to reach.

With these grills, you don’t need to worry about adjusting the temperatures. This can be great for elderly people or those who aren’t particularly gifted in the cooking department.

Other cooks like to be in control of the heat so they can choose the ideal temperature for grilling different kinds of meat and veggies. Here, an indoor grill will offer a control knob, dial, or buttons with multiple temperatures to adjust accordingly.

Cleaning

Of course, no one wants to be stuck with a grill that takes forever to scrub clean. That’s why your smokeless indoor grill should be easy to clean to save yourself the time and effort spent scrubbing off grill residue.

Look for an indoor grill that can be simply disassembled to let you clean its components thoroughly. Additionally, the cooking surface should be non-stick. This makes it easier for you to pick up the food and helps you avoid dealing with charred remnants stuck on the grill.

We also recommend models that are dishwasher safe since cleaning will be a breeze if you can just toss the grill plate and drip tray in a dishwasher and have it do the work for you!

On/Off Switch

One thing you don’t want to overlook is the presence of a power switch on your smokeless indoor grill. It’s a good idea to buy a model equipped with an On/Off switch instead of one that works directly when plugged into a wall outlet. The latter models present a higher risk of causing a fire.

How to Clean a Smokeless Indoor Grill?

As we mentioned above, one of the greatest benefits of a smokeless grill is the cleaning process and how it’s miles easier than a traditional outdoor grill. A smokeless indoor grill is designed in a way that makes cleaning take less time and effort.

Since the grill and/or griddle plates, dripping tray, water tray, and glass lid are usually detachable and dishwasher safe, no scrubbing or scraping is needed to clean them off.

It is recommended, however, that you wait for at least 30 minutes to give the grill a chance to cool off before cleaning it.

After unplugging the power cord, you can proceed to wash the base using a warm, damp cloth and cleaning liquid. Do not use any abrasive tools or harsh cleaners on the grill and griddle plates. You can use a plastic scrubbing pad instead.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best smokeless indoor grill can get pretty confusing, especially with so many models available and even more features to consider. However, we’re confident that our top 10 list and informative buying guide will ease your mission to make the right decision.

At the end of the day, this type of grill is a fantastic option for the right person.  It’s a hassle free, no fuss alternative to traditional outdoor grills that require a fuel source and produce smoke.

Smokeless grills are a perfect way to sear a steak or some burgers at home just right there in the kitchen.

Which model did you go with?  Did we leave something out in this article?  We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.

The post The 8 Best Smokeless Indoor Grills for Hassle-Free Home Cooking appeared first on Own The Grill.

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The 5 Best Indoor Korean BBQ Grills in 2023 https://ownthegrill.com/indoor-korean-bbq-grill/ Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:13:46 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=9575 Indoor Korean bbq grills are going to change your life! That’s right. […]

The post The 5 Best Indoor Korean BBQ Grills in 2023 appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Indoor Korean bbq grills are going to change your life! That’s right. I said it. No longer the days when you have to scour the internet for authentic Korean restaurants and spend premium prices for delicious Korean BBQ.

With this type of electric grill, you can enjoy a feast of different types of meat from the comfort of your dining table. You can now experience Korean cooking first-hand, with the whole family having fun, gathering around the table, and participating in indoor grilling together. 

There are a wide variety of these types of grills out there.  They remind me of an indoor flat top griddle.

Luckily, we have narrowed it down to the five best indoor Korean BBQ grills at an affordable price, accompanied by the only buying guide you will ever need.

Quick Overview:

TECHEF – Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan and Gas Stove Burner

CookKing – Master Grill Pan, Korean Traditional BBQ Grill Pan

Korean Style BBQ Grill Pan with Maifan Coated Surface Non-stick

SEAAN Electric Hot Pot Grill Barbecue Grill Indoor Hot Pot

So let’s get into it.

What is an Indoor Korean BBQ Grill?

An indoor Korean BBQ grill is a cooking appliance that allows you to cook Korean barbecue inside your home. These grills are designed to mimic the experience of cooking meats and vegetables over an open flame, like at a traditional Korean barbecue restaurant.

Indoor Korean BBQ grills have a flat, heated surface that can be electric or propane-powered. They typically have multiple burners so you can control the temperature across different parts of the grill. Many also have built-in exhaust or ventilation to remove smoke and grease.

To use an indoor Korean BBQ grill, you cook thinly sliced meats like beef bulgogi and pork belly. The meat is often marinated in Korean barbecue sauce or marinades before being grilled. You can also grill vegetables like mushrooms, onions, zucchini, etc. The meats and veggies are served alongside rice, kimchi, lettuce wraps and other Korean side dishes.

Part of the appeal of Korean barbecue is the interactive, communal dining experience. Indoor grills allow you to gather family and friends together to grill, eat and socialize right at home. Everyone can cook their meat and veggies just how they like it. The indoor grill helps recreate the fun experience without needing to go to a restaurant.

Indoor Korean BBQ grills have become popular appliances because they enable authentic Korean barbecue in a convenient at-home format. They bring the culinary experience and flavors of Korea to your own kitchen and dining room.

What Should You Look for in an Indoor Korean BBQ Grill

There are a few crucial components to picking out the perfect Korean BBQ grill to fit your needs. Here we highlight some things you should consider before purchasing yours. 

Non-Stick Surfaces

Non-stick coatings are one of the first things you should look for when inspecting the grill plates of a potential Korean BBQ grill purchase.

With a Korean grill, an emphasis is put on healthy eating, with lean cuts of meat and a lack of oil required. This makes a durable non-stick coating on the cooking surface vital, so you can cook food to perfection, to your preferred food shade, without worrying that it will stick to the surface and burn.

It also makes cleaning up after quick and easy!

Excess Grease Removal

No one wants to eat a delicious barbecue with a side of grease and oil.

Luckily, a lot of Korean grills have been designed with drainage features. Look out for the indoor grill with a grease drip tray, or a simple design with a hole in the middle to allow oil to run off the grilling surface. 

This is so important to keeping your meat cuts lean and preventing excess grease from clogging up the indoor grill and burning. This can create a very unpleasant experience.

Adjustable Heat Controls

Keeping food warm, or cooking delicious meats to your standard can be especially important, particularly when using a smokeless grill for steaks.

Everyone’s cooking process can vary for different types of food. This makes having a high adjustable temperature range vital.

Also, having a good heat distribution is important for any grill type, especially Korean BBQ. The circular heating element can result in evenly cooked meat and improved efficiency, so you can have your favorite meal in minutes.

Grill Surface

An electric indoor Korean BBQ grill can have various types of surfaces that all work perfectly well but must be decided on preference.

Most grills use a cast aluminum or aluminum alloy, which is combined with a non-stick surface to avoid corrosion. Cast iron can also be used and is a little more durable. However, it is a lot heavier, resulting in a less portable grill.

Aim for grills that have a grooved surface, with this simple design feature helping to get the Korean style sear. This type of design also helps with running excess oil to the grease tray and preventing it from sitting in one place.

Power Input and Cooking Time

The power being supplied to your heat source is very important for determining how long you are waiting for your meal to cook, or your BBQ grill to heat up.

No one wants to be waiting around because their grill won’t cook their chicken thoroughly, or their steak to their liking. It’s even more embarrassing if you are holding a large party or family gathering.

Therefore, try and aim to buy the Korean BBQ with the highest power input. For reference, anything above the 1000-watt mark will work perfectly, but make sure to check the reviews to determine how other customers got on with it.

What Are The 5 Best Indoor Korean BBQ Grill

 

TECHEF – Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan and Gas Stove Burner

This Indoor Korean BBQ is an excellent option for those of you looking for high power. 

Arguably the highest power on this list, TECHEF boasts 2800 kcal/hr, which is roughly equivalent to over 3000 watts of power. 

You will notice at first glance that the tabletop grill has a very ergonomic design, with the aluminum pan sitting above the heat source at a slight angle. This innovative design is engineered for healthy cooking, with the surfaces swirled channel design helping excess grease funnel out. 

The grill is finished with a nonstick coating. This makes cooking easy, and the cleaning after even easier. The removable grill plate also helps to get rid of the majority of the grease left behind.

While this design does include an adjustable thermostat, the labels are very basic. Between the minimum and maximum temperature, the grill lacks an indicator of what temperature you may be at. Even then, the maximum temperature is only labeled with “on”. 

Pros
  • A very high-powered grill, making cooking efficient.
  • Large grill surface, giving you a lot of cooking space.
  • Finished with non-stick cooking surfaces.
  • Removable grill plate.
  • The swirled channel design helps remove excess grease.
  • Adjustable heat controls are present.
Cons
  • Lack of visible light indicators, and temperature indicators.
  • Lack of heat-resistant technology.
  • Not a very portable grill.

CookKing – Master Grill Pan, Korean Traditional BBQ Grill Pan

 

Looking for a grill ideal for a large group of people? Then this is your best option.

According to the manufacturer details, this is the largest Korean BBQ grill on this list, at 16 x 2.3 x 16 in length by height by width. While it is primarily for indoor use, it is also a great option as an outdoor grill.

The drainage system for oil is excellent, with grooves and swirls working together to drain the excess grease to the edge and allow it to pour out. You need to purchase a grease drip tray separately.

CookKing has engineered this pan with a mix of Korean tradition, and new and updated technology. This includes a lightweight aluminum material, with an outstanding non-stick finish to make cleaning easier.

This is unfortunately only the pan, so the gas stovetop needs to also be purchased separately. If you are looking for a grill that has it all in one, without needing to search for the best heat source, then look elsewhere. 

If not, then this basic design is great for a large smokeless indoor party.

Pros
  • Largest grill surface on the list, giving you more cooking space.
  • High-quality materials.
  • Comes with an innovative anti-stick coating.
  • Great excess oil drainage system.
Cons
  • A drainage tray is not included.
  • A gas stovetop is not included.
  • The pan lacks adjustable heat settings.
  • Does not have any heat-resistant technology.

Korean Style BBQ Grill Pan with Maifan Coated Surface Non-stick

 

If you’re looking for a lightweight grill pan that is easy to use with the best oil drainage system on this list, then look no further.

While you need your drainage plate, the hot plate has been designed to perfection when it comes to cooking delicious meat while removing excess grease. The grooves and swirl design, accompanied by a tilting design, lead to a drainage hole in the middle. This helps ensure fat will not drip onto the stove. 

You can cook a variety of foods on this plate, with a durable, double-layered, non-stick surface helping to keep the pan evenly heated, and easy to clean.

Again, another dilemma with this type of Korean BBQ Grill. You are just purchasing the pan.

Unfortunately, you have to research and buy the correct type of gas stove, such as a portable propane burner, to make sure your cooking is efficient and effective. This can be a little tedious as a lot of people want an all-in-one cooker. 

This type of pan, therefore, lacks any type of adjustable control features.

Pros
  • Excellent choice if you are particularly interested in healthy cooking and removing oil.
  • Double-layered and durable.
  • High-quality materials make for efficiency in cooking.
  • Non-stick features make cooking and cleaning easy.
Cons
  • Lacks any type of stove.
  • Lacks safety mechanisms such as heat-resistant handles.
  • Does not have any adjustable heat controls.
  • It is quite heavy and not very portable.

Iwatani Smokeless Korean Barbecue Grill YAKIMARU CB-SLG-1

If you tend to travel a lot or are a big fan of eating good food while camping, then the Iwatani Korean BBQ grill is best.

This is the most portable grill due to its compact design and flat surface, with dimensions of 4.7 x 4.31 x 2.31, including the burner, then you can expect it to fit in any bag.

Furthermore, it is made with alloy steel, making it extremely lightweight and very versatile.

A feature I like about the Iwatani BBQ grill is its drainage system. The grooves on the pan act as a grease tray, meaning once you are done cooking, just add a bit of cold water and pour it out. This means you can cook healthy and clean more easily, which is especially important if you are traveling.

The finish is a powder coating, and while this can act fairly well as a non-stick feature, there are some better options out there.

Also, with such a small and portable burner, you can expect to give up some power. This means cooking meats is a little bit less efficient than the other grills, but I believe it’s worth it if you are camping with this item.

Pros
  • Extremely small and lightweight making it a great travel grill.
  • Excellent excess oil drainage system.
  • Includes a gas power stove that can burn for over 200 days.
  • Includes adjustable heat controls.
Cons
  • It’s not the most powerful option, making cooking less efficient.
  • Flimsy-looking design.
  • It does not have the best non-stick features which can make it harder to clean.

SEAAN Electric Hot Pot Grill Barbecue Grill Indoor Hot Pot

SEAAN has engineered the most versatile Korean BBQ grill on this list due to its 2-in-1 grill technology.

With it having a regular grill and hotpot section with a glass lid, each with a separate adjustable heat source, you can cook a variety of foods for a large capacity of people.

This well-known company is very popular for designs like this, with all of their grills adopting a durable, thick aluminum alloy that can ensure an even heat distribution. This combines with a high-quality non-stick coating that is very good at helping keep your product clean.

You can adjust the temperature controls manually depending on the food you are cooking, and the product automatically adjusts the heat if it gets too hot.

The power of this system is also pretty good, at 110 volts, you can expect a fairly efficient cooking time. Combining this with a separating hot pot feature, you can cook a variety of foods quickly.

The excess fat drainage feature is also excellent, with the grooves working in tandem with a tilted position to pour the oil straight into a detachable drawer like an oil catcher. 

The only drawback to this kind of grill is that it is not very portable, so you could only really use it at home.

Pros
  • Cooks efficiently due to high power.
  • Excellent non-stick surfaces.
  • The electric option is safer than gas grills.
  • The 2-in-1 hotpot feature allows for versatility.
  • Each section comes with various temperature controls.
  • Made with a durable aluminum alloy.
  • The drainage system makes cleaning quick and easy.
Cons
  • Very large and heavy, so it is not portable.
  • Lack of visible indicator lights so may be dangerous if someone didn’t know it was on.

Conclusion

We believe the best indoor Korean BBQ grill if you are after an authentic, healthy cuisine at home, is the SEAAN Electric Hot Pot Grill Barbecue Grill Indoor Hot Pot.

Perfectly designed, it has a ton of cooking space and a 2-in-1 option making it perfect for large gatherings.

The non-stick features an oil catcher pan that makes cleaning easy, with it including everything you need to replicate Korean food.

If you are looking for a more portable option, then we recommend the Korean Style BBQ Grill Pan with Maifan Coated Surface Non-stick.

This grill is the best compact option, perfect for those of you who want your favorite meals while traveling on the road. While it lacks power, it still includes high-quality and excellent design features. It’s also a very affordable option.

So, which of these Indoor Korean BBQ Grill caught your eye?

Click on their names above and check them out now.

The post The 5 Best Indoor Korean BBQ Grills in 2023 appeared first on Own The Grill.

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The Best Raclette Grills of 2023 https://ownthegrill.com/best-raclette-grill/ Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:53:28 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=9563 Melted cheese on delicious food. Is there anything better than that? With […]

The post The Best Raclette Grills of 2023 appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Melted cheese on delicious food. Is there anything better than that? With the raclette grill, you can serve melted cheese from individual pots, with it also doubling up with a grill stone to cook your chicken, steaks, or even potatoes. They remind us of flat top griddles but enhanced with more features. 

Deciding on the best raclette grill for you can be a tough task. We have compiled a list of the raclettes in 2023, and what you should look for when choosing one.

Let’s get into it.

What is a Raclette Grill?

A raclette grill is a special type of grill used for cooking and melting cheese, typically raclette cheese. It consists of a hot plate or grill on the bottom that can be heated, and an upper section with pans that can hold slices of cheese, meat, vegetables, etc.

How Do You Use A Raclette Grill?

To use a raclette grill, slices of raclette cheese are placed into the individual pans on the upper section. Meat, potatoes, vegetables, etc. are also placed on the hot grill below. As the cheese melts, it can be scraped off the pan onto the grilled food items. This allows each person to customize their meal with melted cheese on top.

Raclette grills are designed for heating and melting the cheese efficiently while also cooking food on the grill. The cheese pans are tilted so the melting cheese can drip down over the food. These grills are popular for raclette parties and dining where everyone sits around the grill cooking their own portions and customizing with cheese.

Where did the Raclette Grill Come From?

The raclette grill was invented in Switzerland and is commonly used for traditional Swiss raclette meals. However, all sorts of meats, vegetables, breads, and accompaniments can be cooked on the grill alongside the melted cheese. It provides a fun, interactive way to enjoy melted cheese and grilled foods.

What are the Best Raclette Grills?

What Should You Look For In A Raclette Grill?

Variable Temperature Control

Burnt cheese is the worst. And without adjustable temperature control, you are either going to have to eat all of the cheese at once or end up throwing some in the trash. 

To avoid these scenarios, you should look for an electric raclette grill that has a heating element that can keep food warm, or one that has versatile cooking options so you can keep the food items at a precise temperature.

Non-Stick Coating

Having to use lots of oil can ruin your grilling experience, turning delicious meals into unhealthy, messy, and tasteless cheese dishes.

Luckily, a lot of the electric grills are engineered carefully to make the cooking process easier, with each cooking surface and raclette pan being designed with safe non-stick surfaces. 

Heat Proof Handles

Cheese melting requires a lot of heat, resulting in the raclette dish ultimately becoming very hot. 

Without heat-resistant handles, this can make food removal dangerous and painful.

The ideal option for electric grills is to have stay-cool handles. A metal handle would need to be accompanied by a heat-resistant plastic, so you can pick up your favorite foods without your family dinners ending with a trip to the hospital. 

Grilling Surfaces

Deciding on the grilling surface perfect for you is important.

Other than a non-stick grilling surface, you need one that can accommodate your needs. Are you hosting a cheese raclette party or just grilling for the family? What kinds of meat are you planning to cook?

The basic raclette grills use a metal grill. This surface works fine and makes cooking meats and different types of foods fun, but could leave grill marks.

The most common option is a granite grill stone, as it provides a flat surface. This allows for healthier cooking, while also heating the food more evenly. This granite stone grill surface is a popular option that can cook a variety of foods.

Cooking Power And Time To Heat Up

Raclette cheese is too good not to be on your plate perfectly creamy. It’s even worse being sat around at a dinner party, waiting for it to cook, when you want to be making meals for the group.

Having a grill with high power output, and power cords you can plug into the wall can make melting the cheese efficient and effective. Rather than having a lumpy piece of cheese in your cheese grill, you want one that drastically decreases the cooking time, so you can have cheese in minutes.

An electric heating element can vary the watts of power, making temperature adjustment a lot more versatile and simple.

5 Best Raclette Grills In 2023

Swissmar Classic 8-Person Anthracite Raclette with Cast Aluminum Grill Plate

The Swissmar Classic Raclette is a unique and aesthetically pleasing grill, with the aluminum reversible grill plate allowing for a wide range of delicious food, from steaks to pancakes, to being cooked.

The Swissmar is small and versatile, making it perfect as a portable raclette grill. 

The grill plate has a grooved surface with a non-stick coating, meaning you can cook a variety of foods without having to worry about it sticking to the pan.

This is the perfect indoor table grill, with its adjustable grill temperatures and high power output allowing for a variety of cooking options, including keeping food warm.

This grill comes with eight raclette dish holders, each having its adjustable heat controls and separate heating element.

The heating process of the cheese is quick, and the removal of food is even quicker, with each pan having an anti-stick coating and eight heat-resistance spatulas. 

Pros 
  • Adjustable grill temperature.
  • Eight non-stick pans, making it ideal for a cheese raclette party.
  • Each pan has its variable heat control so you can keep food warm.
  • A reversible grill makes for versatile cooking options.
  • High power output.
  • Eight heat-resistant spatulas so you can avoid burns.
Cons
  • The aluminum cooking surface is basic, rather than the standard granite raclette table grill.
  • There is a lack of visible indicator lights which can help to determine if the grill or pans are ready to cook.
  • Grooves in the grill can make it very hard to clean.

CUSIMAX Raclette Grill Electric Grill Table

The Cusimax raclette grill is an affordable option, with a Korean BBQ grill meaning you and the family can cook a wide variety of your favorite meats in a unique and tasty way.

The grill itself is reversible with its variable temperature control, so you can get the perfect surface and temperature for cooking pancakes, delicious crepes, or even eggs for breakfast.

Every section of this product has an anti-adhesive coating, with each tray having a separate heating element. This can guarantee that your favorite dish will be cooked at the perfect temperature and the removal of foods even easier.

Now the main feature – the raclette trays. This portable grill comes with eight individual raclette trays with a non-stick coating, so you aren’t losing any of that delicious Swiss cheese.

The pans for raclette cheese also come with eight heat-resistance handles, and adjustable thermostats, so you can have cheese in minutes, but keep it warm for hours.

The drawback with this type is the lack of space and power. The grill is not great for serving lots of people and has been reported to take a while to cook.

Pros
  • Nonstick cooking surfaces on each section.
  • A grooved surface allows you to grill to the desired food shade and removes excess cooking oil.
  • The flat surface is versatile and can even be used as a crepe maker.
  • Eight raclette dish holders with heat proof.
  • Each raclette pan has its own heat level and adjustable thermostats.
  • Worry-free 180-day return policy.
Cons
  • Not a great party grill. While you can get a cheese per person, the grill is not big enough to serve a lot of people.
  • The maximum temperature is not hot enough to cook large foods, such as whole chickens.
  • The griddle plate does not have a drip tray, so make sure to put a bowl underneath when cooking items with lots of oil and fat.

Hamilton Beach 8-Serving Raclette Electric Indoor Grill

Another great option for a smokeless indoor grill, the Hamilton Beach indoor grill is a great piece of equipment to use as a party grill, or just at the dinner table.

The dual cooking surface is one of the larger grills on this list. It has a flat cooking surface, perfect for cooking morning or breakfast or delicious crepes. While the other surface is grooved, making it a great BBQ grill.

Both surfaces come with an essential non-stick feature. This makes the removal of foods and cleaning afterward, less of a daunting task. 

Eight non-stick raclette cheese pans also accompany the grill. This is great for family fun or a cheese raclette party, as everyone can get their own individual portions. 

Every tray has a heating element, adjustable heat features, and heat-resistant handles, meaning you can customize your meals, keep them at the right temperature, and pick them up without hassle or worries.

The indicator light at the front of the grill informs you when the grill is on. However, it does not help to determine when the grill is ready to use, which is an essential feature to some.

Additionally, with the grill being a duo plate, rather than reversible, you are losing some of the surface areas.

This is one of the lesser expensive options on the list, which is arguably why the power rating is toward the lower end of the spectrum. While cooking food thoroughly, meat has been reported to take much longer to cook.

Pros 
  • Dual cooking surfaces – flat and grooved.
  • All pieces of equipment have non-stick features.
  • Adjustable temperature control on the griddle, and the cheese pots.
  • Relatively large.
  • Heat-proofed, meaning safe for family fun.
Cons
  • The grill isn’t reversible, meaning you lose out on the surface area.
  • Not very portable.
  • Low relative power output.
  • Lack of indicator lights.

Milliard Raclette Grill for Eight People, Includes Granite Cooking Stone

The Milliard raclette grill is great for family fun, or the hosting of a get-together. This piece of equipment tends to sell out very quickly, being one of the more luxury options.

The first thing you will notice with this grill is that it doesn’t use the basic aluminum grill, but rather takes the standard form of the granite cooking stone. With this type of surface, you can expect a more uniform cook of your meats, or veggies.

The grill also comes with non-stick features, essential for the daunting task of cleaning, as well as a reversible feature, making it a versatile BBQ option, or great for re-heating foods.

The grill works hand-in-hand with the cheese melting pots. These raclette trays make it easy to have individual portions of cheese, with heat-resistant handles making it safe to touch at any point in your meal.

This grill also comes with adjustable temperature features, meaning you can cook your steak, then keep it warm, by simply adjusting the knob on the side. The power input is relatively high with this piece of equipment, coming in at 1200 watts.

Pros
  • Reversible, non-stick grill for versatility.
  • Eight cheese pots with heat-proof handles.
  • Large grill size.
  • Granite Cooking stone makes for evenly cooked meats.
  • High power input so cooks quicker.
Cons
  • Not very portable.
  • Lacks any heat indicator lights.

Artestia Raclette Table Grill,1500W Raclette Grill

 

The final option on this list is the most powerful grill and unique design, the Artestia Raclette Table Grill. Coming in at 1500 watts, you can expect it to heat up extremely quickly.

The grill also has a large granite cooking surface, as well as a reversible aluminum cooking surface, meaning you can switch between the two depending on the food shade you are after, or the type of food you want to cook.

Every aspect of this grill comes with non-stick features. This allows for healthier cooking with no need for butter or oil, while also reducing the hours of cleaning up afterward.

This grill is accompanied by 10 cheese raclette dishes, making it one of the better options for a party, or a larger gathering. Each dish comes with a heat-proof spatula, making it safe and worry-free.

This grill even comes with various adjustable thermostat knobs, with visible indicator lights, meaning you can keep food warm, heat things up, or cook food quickly.

Pros 
  • Granite stone and reversible aluminum plate for a variety of cooking techniques.
  • Heat proofed.
  • Adjustable temperature controls with indicator lights.
  • High power output so heats up quickly.
  • 10 cheese pots making it great for large gatherings.
Cons
  • It’s not very portable.

Conclusion

To wrap up, we would probably say the best raclette grill in 2022 is the Artesia Raclette Table Grill,1500W Raclette Grill.

This grill is the best option for a large gathering since it’s able to heat up quickly and has adjustable temperature controls and unique cooking options. 

If you are looking for a more portable option, then you should probably go for the Swissmar Classic 8-Person Anthracite Raclette with Cast Aluminum Grill Plate

While it may lack in surface area, it is still great to use, with it having all the features you want in a grill, while being able to use them in small spaces, such as a tent.

 

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Best Built-In Griddle: Top Choices 2023 https://ownthegrill.com/best-built-in-flat-top-grills/ Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:18:50 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=3642 When it comes to grills and outdoor cookers, I’m a firm believer […]

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When it comes to grills and outdoor cookers, I’m a firm believer that flat top griddles are one of the most underrated types of cooking equipment on the market. That’s why we are excited to share are favorite built in griddle guide. 

They’re extremely versatile, don’t take up a bunch of space, and most importantly, they cook some incredibly good food.  Anything from a top notch steak to a veggie side can be masterfully cooked on a flat top grill.

Of course, not all flat tops are created equal.  Generally speaking, if you’re looking at a built-in flat top grill you are looking at the highest quality units on the market.  After all, it’s a pretty permanent decision and an investment to get one installed in your outdoor kitchen.

Our goal with this article is to help shed some light on which products are out there and what their benefits and drawbacks are.  Hopefully, by the end, you will have a better idea of which one might be the best fit for you.

 

Best Built-in Flat Top Grill Reviews

Le Griddle 30 Inch Built-In Gas Griddle

Le Griddle gets our top vote for a variety of reasons – but from a high level, it’s a luxury quality griddle that is offered at a better price point than many of its peers.

Le Griddle flat top cooking surfaces come in 3 different sizes, but their most popular size is 30 inches wide and features 2 burners. You can also choose between gas burners and an electric heating element.

One design feature that I love about this grill is that they are built in a thin cast iron sub-plate that sits between the burners and the griddle surface.  This plate heats and in turn provides outstanding heat distribution to the surface above, virtually eliminating any chance of inconsistent heat or hot spots.

The griddle surface itself is made of aircraft quality 304 stainless steel and is heated by two U-shaped burners which can each provide up to 9,000 BTUs of power.  The surface features 465 square inches of cooking area to work with.

The simple design aesthetic makes it a perfect and elegant fit in most outdoor kitchen setups – it looks perfectly in place even if you mix and match brands for your built-in grill.

Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Griddle With Lights

Blaze Premium LTE 30-Inch Built-In Gas Griddle
  • 495 sq. in. of cooking surface area
  • 1/2" thick commercial quality stainless steel cooktop
  • LED lit burner control knobs
Check Price on BBQGuys Check Price on Elite Patio Direct

I’ve made no secret on this site of my opinion that Blaze is one of the best brands when it comes to premium products and high end grills.  Each of their cookers is made with an incredible level of craftsmanship and is made to last a lifetime.

Their LTE Built-in 30 Inch Griddle is no different.  The chassis is made from heavy-duty 304 stainless steel which is extremely durable.  Blaze is so confident in their product that this grill is actually backed by a lifetime warranty.

This commercial quality grill has two U-shaped burners that each max out at 18,000 BTUs of heat output for a total of 36,000 BTUs across the entire cooking surface.

The cooking surface itself is also high quality stainless steel and spans 495 square inches, which is plenty of space to handle a wide variety of cooking endeavors.  Just about any type of breakfast, lunch, or dinner is possible with a cooking surface area of that size.

One key design element of any built-in flat top grill is a grease management system.  The last thing you want is for clean up and routine maintenance to be a tedious job.  Blaze knocks it out of the park on this with an intuitively designed grease tray and a system that directs the flow of grease into a drip tray that is easy to access and clean.

All around, the Blaze LTE is an excellent choice to add to your setup.  It is powerful enough to work as the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen but also works fantastically as a compliment to a “regular” built in grill.

Evo Affinity Classic Built-In Flat Top Grill

The Evo Affinity is a commercial grade cooking surface that is a welcome addition to any outdoor kitchen.  You might have noticed right off the bat that it is not the traditional rectangle shaped cooking area that most of the other grills on this list have.

Evo is known for its circular shaped cooking surfaces – and whether or not you like this can come down to personal preference, but there are a few situations where the circular shape functions a lot better than a more traditional shape.

In particular, the Evo is perfect for utilizing corners of your counter space.  That’s not to say an Evo has to go on a corner, but it functions really really well on corners that might otherwise be awkward to put to use.

Additionally, this is a powerful unit with a high quality cooking surface.  Two circular shaped burners heat the surface from below and can get dialed in to anywhere between 225 to 700°F.  That’s a huge temperature range that can essentially go from a keep warm setting all the way up to pizza making and steak searing temperatures.  The cooking surface is 30 inches in diameter and features about 650 square inches of area to cook on.

There is also a drip pan that surrounds the cooking surface which makes clean up a breeze.  The pan funnels grease to removable waste trays which are dishwasher safe.  All of that said, Evo makes the clean up side of things as pain free as possible.

Arteflame Classic 40″ Cooktop

Arteflame Classic 40" Cooktop
  • Uses both wood and / or charcoal
  • Removable cooktop to use as a fire pit
  • Cooktop is laser cut from 1/2" carbon steel
  • Virtually maintenance-free: all residue can be scraped into the fire
  • Fire bowl is spun from a single piece of corten steel without seams or welds
  • After cook top cools, wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel and food safe oil
  • Can be left outside year-round; base develops a beautiful, maintenance free patina over time
  • Arteflame base or other support stand needed for stable placement
  • Includes seasoning puck for seasoning of cooktop
  • Designed and Made in the USA using US steel
  • DIMENSIONS: 40" Wide x 12" High, 237lbs. (102cm x 30cm, 107Kg)
  • Arteflame Grills are all steel making the grills quite heavy, shipping weights can be over 500lbs!


Check Price on Arteflame

Arteflame grills are without a doubt some of the coolest grills on the market in my opinion.  What’s unique about their built-in configuration, as compared to the rest of the built-ins on this list, is that the Artiflame Classic 40″ Cooktop is heated by a wood or charcoal fire, not gas.

That means you can kind of have the best of both worlds – you get even, beautiful cooks on the carbon steel cook surface while your food absorbs the delicious smoke flavor that can only come from a wood or charcoal grill.

Not to mention, Arteflame grills are aesthetically beautiful, almost artistic.  They make a great centerpiece to any outdoor kitchen setup and are sure to draw people in for epic cookout memories.

The grill has a fire pit in the center where you build your fire.  The fire then heats the circular cooking surface where your food is cooked.  What’s really cool is that the inside of the cooktop ring will get scorching hot with a big enough fire (about 450-500ºF) while the outside of the ring stays relatively cooler, around 250ºF.  Practically, this makes it quite easy to cook different types of food at different temperatures at the same time.

For a closer look at this grill and all it has to offer, check out our Arteflame review next!

Turbo Grills 32 Inch Built-In Teppanyaki

If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, the Turbo Grills Teppanyaki style grill is an excellent choice.  I wouldn’t call it “cheap”, but it’s generally less expensive than other built-in flat top grills.

Most importantly, Turbo Grills delivers the type of high quality you want to see in something that will be permanently installed in your outdoor kitchen.  So even though you might be saving a buck, you aren’t sacrificing so much in the quality department.

Aesthetically, Turbo did a really nice job with the design of this grill.  It’s stacked with LED lights and visual indicators that notify you of burner usage and allow you to entertain at night time.

This grill is powered by two U-shaped burners that each deliver 20,000 BTUs of power across a 740 square inch cooking surface area.  The only gripe I have with this grill is that the griddle surface is only 8 millimeters thick.  Most of the time it is not a big issue, but that’s a relatively thin cooking surface which can lead to poorer heat control and more hot spots compared to a thicker cooking surface.

Lynx Asado 30 Inch Built-In Flat Top Grill

Lynx is a staple in the world of custom outdoor kitchens, and their Lynx Asado 30 Inch Built-in Flat Top Grill lives up to the lofty standard that they have set.  This grill has a pretty hefty price tag but if it’s in the cards for you you’re handsomely rewarded with a 495 square inch cooking surface area that is constructed with the absolute highest quality materials.

The chassis is made of professional grade 304 stainless steel and the cooking surface is a multi layer all clad aluminum build that has two sheets of stainless steel also built in to provide perfect heat distribution.  The cooking area is heated by two 23,000 BTU burners, which are the most powerful set of burners of any grill on this list.

The unit is loaded with blue LED control panel accents that look really nice aesthetically and help to illuminate your setup for nighttime cooks.

What to Consider when buying a Built In Griddle

Obviously, a built-in flat top grill is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  In addition to the price, you’re talking about getting one of these units installed into an outdoor kitchen, which is a pretty permanent decision.  Here are a few points to consider when you evaluate which one might be the best built-in flat top grill for you.

Price for a Built In Griddle

The price point is near the center of just about any discussion when it comes to a purchase like this.  Generally speaking, expect quality built-ins to cost anywhere between $1,500 and $8,000.  Anything below that $1,500 threshold probably is going to cost you more in the long run anyways due to poor grill construction and/or poor materials.

Within that price range there’s a lot of variance as to what you get for your money.

Heating Power and Distribution

I would argue that heat distribution is more important than sheer heating ability.  I’d much rather have a grill that maxed out at 450°F that was perfectly consistent than a grill that can reach 700°F but has hot spots or inconsistent heating.

Burner configuration plays a large role in heat distribution.  A grill like the EVO has an advantage here because the circular burners line up really nicely with the circular cooking surface area.  Where you might see heat spots is in the rectangular grills with U shaped burners.  Look for grills (like Lynx) that include extra plates between the burner and surface area which serve to even out the distribution of heat.

Warranty

Warranties can be a feature that is easy to gloss over when you are in the excitement of making a big purchase, but they are extremely important to consider.  Especially when we are talking about a big ticket item like a built-in grill.

I obviously don’t plan on buying a product that will turn out to be faulty, but you never know and there is always a slight chance that your grill will have a defect.  When that’s the case it’s nice to have the protection.

Many of the high-end grill manufacturers have a lifetime warranty on chassis and burners and 5+ year warranties on other parts.  Just be sure to double check when you are comparing and all things equal, go with the grill with the better warranty.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list has proven to be helpful to you and a nice jumping off point for your search into the perfect built-in grill for you!  If you have any questions about our choices or have input on our list, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

If you’d like to compare some other types of built-in grills, check out our articles on the best built-in gas grills and best built-in pellet grills next.

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Best Hibachi Grill – Our Top Choices and Buyer’s Guide https://ownthegrill.com/best-hibachi-grill/ Sun, 20 Sep 2020 15:23:56 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=2784 Good times and good food almost always go hand in hand. Hibachi […]

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Good times and good food almost always go hand in hand. Hibachi grilling is among the best ways to enjoy the company of friends, eat delicious food, and put on a show while doing it.

You might have in mind putting the grill in the middle of the dining table or going for a Teppanyaki flat top food show. Either way, you need to pick the right grill.

This is a roundup of the best Hibachi grills currently in the market. Plus, check out the complete guide to flat top griddles

What Is a Hibachi Grill?

Before we get started, let’s touch on what a Hibachi grill is exactly.

The word Hibachi comes from Japan, where this grill originates. It translates as ‘fire bowl’, due to the fact that it’s a deep container that holds charcoal.

The simple design of a Hibachi grill is often a small cast iron or ceramic, base with an open lid. Sometimes, the ‘bowl’ is a composite of wood lined by a fire-resistant material. The exterior occasionally has decorative drawings and engravings for a pleasant aesthetic.

The looks of the Hibachi grill matter as it’s often used in the middle of the table. Watching the deliberate and agile preparation of the food is often part of the culinary experience. That’s why some models are even incorporated within dining furniture.

The Japanese Hibachi grill isn’t exactly replicated in other cultures, but rather taken as an inspiration. In the United States, a flat top grill is often called a Hibachi.

Cooks try to keep the tradition by using charcoal and an open lid and choosing a thin rack over the grill to allow the full heat to reach the food. A thin sheet top, or hotplate, is also used in Teppanyaki grilling.

Hibachi grills can also be units that are fueled on propane or electricity but still maintain the extra hot method of grilling.

Best Hibachi Grills – Our Reviews

Here’s a roundup of the 10 best Hibachi grills. The list includes grills of various setups, materials, features, and price points for Hibachi-style grilling at home!

NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill

The NOMADIQ was created for living free. But that doesn’t necessarily mean roughing it up. This grill was carefully designed and meticulously built for optimal performance. Whether that’s in a family festive meal, or in a BBQ in the open air.

It comes in folded into a neat portable structure, then it opens up, and it’s ready for action then and there. Both sides of the NOMADIQ can be used as grilling surfaces, which provides plenty of cooking space.

Unlike the previous grills, you can invite a large group for a delicious meal. And if your party includes some vegan folk, there’s no trouble at all in splitting the veggies from the meat. After all, that’s what dual cooking surfaces were made for.

The propane canister is easy to connect to the grill and provides an instantaneous high heat ready for grilling. This is better than starting up a fire and waiting for the charcoal to burn. However, it misses out on the smokey flavors of true grilling.

The one-pound propane canister allows full heat grilling, on both sides, for about three hours. This is more than enough time for a raging BBQ event. And if you’re going on a long camping trip, you might want to bring an extra canister.

Things We Like

  • Premium quality materials
  • Large grilling surface
  • Dual sides of grilling
  • Three hours of full heat grilling
  • Foldable design

Things We Don’t Like

  • Very pricey
  • Needs a propane canister to work

Giantex Charcoal Hibachi Grill

This rustic looking grill comes from a manufacturer that’s been in the business for some time. Family owned, Giantex sells premium quality cookware.

Even though it’s made of durable cast iron, it’s not difficult to pack in the car to take on the go. Further, you’re afforded a 12.5″ x 8.5″ cooking surface to work with.

This grill holds the principles of the Giantex cookware, which are mainly durable and good design. This fully portable grill is a reliable BBQ asset indoors and outdoors.

Things We Like

  • Reputable manufacturer
  • Durable structure
  • Made from pre-seasoned cast iron
  • Coal door for replenishing and cleaning
  • Efficient heat retention
  • Doesn’t need frequent addition of charcoal
  • Medium sized grill

Things We Don’t Like

  • The grill could rust if not cared for properly

Blackstone Flat Top Gas Griddle

The Blackstone Flat Top is a completely different grill from all the previous ones. It uses propane like the NOMADIQ, but other than that it’s a whole other game. All Blackstone griddles provide concentrated heat on the surface that contrasts starkly with the open fire grills.

The way food responds to the searing effect of a hotplate lends itself easily to Teppanyaki grilling. And it’s by no means limited to that cuisine. You can cook steaks, burgers, vegetables, and fish easily on the Blackstone.

There’s also the absolute ease of operation, literally by pressing a button. In addition to four heat zones that vary from mild to extra hot. This allows you to cook the food thoroughly, mildly, or leave it to warm up.

The Blackstone grill might not be of the right size and shape for the dining table, but it’s easily movable and doesn’t take up too much space. It’s perfect for a party, family gathering, camping, and outdoor activities.

Things We Like

  • Temperature control with two heat zones
  • Large cooking area of 720 sq. inches
  • Easy assembly and simple operation
  • Extra shelf for storage
  • No-hassle cleanup
  • Transport is a breeze with the casters

Things We Don’t Like

  • No charcoal flavor
  • Not a portable grill

Weber Jumbo Joe Grill

The Weber Jumbo Joe looks like a true ‘bowl of fire’, that’s why it’s a very close approximation to a Hibachi grill. In addition to the deep space for stacking up the coals, there are also some strategically placed vents for heat control.

It’s customary to use this grill with the accompanying lid, but it’s not a must. A Hibachi grill is traditionally an open fire appliance, that’s why it’s preferable to put the lid aside and enjoy the food that’s cooked swiftly on extra high heat.

This grill looks a bit Hippie and brings back the 70s with a sizzle. Even the available colors and finish fit with the bell bottom pants, Disco lights, Boho designs, and big hair. If you’re into the pop vibe, you might find this grill especially amusing and well fitting with your party scene.

It’s also fun to have around the backyard, in a camping trip, or in a tailgating event. It’s a versatile grill with a wide enough cooking surface to host a nice party with plenty of good BBQ food.

Things We Like

  • Portable and lightweight
  • High durability of the porcelain-enamelled body
  • Rust-proof frame and rack
  • Temperature control
  • Pleasant aesthetics
  • Large grilling surface
  • Easy to clean after grilling
  • Budget-friendly price

Things We Don’t Like

  • Grilling rack doesn’t have a handle

Chef Master Mini Japanese Hibachi Grill

Few other devices can give a similar culinary experience that’s elegant, authentic, and fun. Fondue, s’mores and kebabs are all irresistible appetizers and party foods. The Chef Master happens to be the perfect grill to prepare all these delicacies.

Being tiny, and made from black cast iron and dark wood, makes this grill a decorative item as well. It’s about 3 1/3 inches in diameter, with a height of around 4 inches. That’s why it has a natural place at the center of a dining table. It would also be great for a romantic date.

Things We Like

  • Compact sized and lightweight
  • Fits inside a pu pu platter
  • Used for a multitude of appetizers
  • Can be used for Fondue
  • Easy to set up
  • A budget buy

Things We Don’t Like

  • Not suitable for meal preparation

Secura Smokeless Indoor Grill

Charcoal grilling is great, and the food often has an irresistible flavor, but it comes with a bit of effort. Setting up a charcoal grill, lighting up the starting fire, waiting for the coal to burn sufficiently, then cleaning up, is certainly a lot of work.

Some people prefer to cut some of these steps and go quickly to the part where they put the food on the grill. The main benefit of a Secura Hibachi grill is how easy it is to set up. It’s by far the simplest to put together and operate. Even easier than propane grills.

It lends itself easily to the dining table, a roof party, or a terrace. It’s also perfect for preparing a gourmet breakfast or brunch. As long as there’s an electric outlet, then this grill is good to go.

The grill has a polished surface and a corrugated one. So whether you like the searing lines on your BBQ food, or you prefer a hot-plate platter, you have both options here.

Things We Like

  • Two sided cooking tray
  • Non-stick grilling surface
  • Large cooking area of around 180 sq. inches
  • The glass lid is removable for open or closed lid cooking
  • Handles and housing don’t heat up
  • Built-in heat indicator light
  • Removable drip tray
  • One year limited warranty

Things We Don’t Like

  • A bit expensive

Marsh Allen Hibachi Charcoal Grill

The Marsh Allen grill is smartly designed to provide maximum versatility and temperature control. Most of the previous grills operated on high heat only, here there are several options to choose from.

The charcoal can’t be controlled directly, but its burn rate can be adjusted through air vents. Also, the height of the cooking grids can be set in three different positions. The further they are from the heat, the slower the food will cook.

There’s definitely a lot of thought invested in creating this grill. There are two grills for versatility and ease of movement. You can also notice this thoughtfulness in the wooden handles of the grids.

Whether this grill would be placed on the tabletop or the trunk of your truck, it would perform with grace, and make cooking food a pure pleasure. The size of the Marsh Allen grill helps of course, as it’s only 18 x 10 x 3.4 inches.

Things We Like

  • Made from sturdy cast iron
  • Versatile cooking surface
  • Allows for temperature control
  • Cooking grates are adjustable
  • Wooden handles for easy manipulation

Things We Don’t Like

  • A bit on the expensive side
  • The setup is occasionally problematic

Fire Sense Black Notebook Charcoal Grill

The Fire Sense foldable steel grill is the epitome of portable luxuries. It can be carried around like a beach chair or even less, as its folded thickness doesn’t exceed an inch. Once you reach the location of your picnic, you can set it up in a minute, and start cooking right away.

Its fully extended size is approximately 18 x 12 x 14 inches, which isn’t too tiny. The charcoal stacks deep into the grill providing the extra heat required for quick cooking, plus the sustained temperature for extended grilling.

The Fire Sense is quite suitable for tabletop dining. Furthermore, it’s also perfect for outdoor barbequing, picnics, tailgating, camping, and any impromptu adventures that call for more fun and less clutter.

Things We Like

  • Compact and portable
  • Folds into a thin and lightweight sheet
  • Can be stored in a car
  • Easy to set up
  • The frame is made from durable steel
  • The rack is wide enough to cook for a small gathering
  • Cleaning up is no hassle
  • Comes at a budget-friendly price

Things We Don’t Like

  • The clasps are a bit flimsy and might need tightening with pliers

Everything You Need to Know About Hibachi Grills

Here’s a full guide with all the necessary information you need to choose the right Hibachi grill. This includes a brief history of the grill, its characteristics, and optimal usage. In addition to the best foods you can cook on a Hibachi grill.

What’s the Best Use of a Hibachi Grill?

The increasing popularity of Hibachi grills speaks volumes about its versatility. Being easy to carry around, and with its remarkable capabilities for quick cooking, it certainly has a broad variety of uses. Here are some ideas, for inspiration.

A Culinary Experience

Grilling food can be either slow and leisurely over low heat, or quick and searing over high heat. Hibachi grilling is of the second type.

This grill is smaller, like many yakitori grills, so it’s not the best BBQ device for a large party. It’s a culinary experience for a small group. Usually, for a special dinner. If the gathering is larger, you can make good use of the fact that the food cooks quickly. Serve successive batches for your guests, and add variety while you’re at it.

Seaside Grilling, Camping, Tailgating, and Picnics

The fact that the Hibachi grill is portable, and runs on charcoal, makes it the perfect companion for picnics. An impromptu adventure in the open air is ten times better if it includes good food. And that’s so easy with this versatile grill.

Use a Dual Grilling Surface for Meat and Vegetables

Using the Hibachi grill for vegan and non-vegan friends can be a little bit complicated. The small size of the cooking surface doesn’t allow full separation of meat and vegetables. If you have such a situation frequently, you can opt for a Hibachi grill with dual cooktops.

What Can You Cook on a Hibachi Grill?

Part of Hibachi cooking is about the show, with the flying shrimps, flaming onions, and meat cut up and sizzled in a flash. But mostly it’s about having fun, inclusion, engagement, and being fully in the moment.

Whether you decide to have a family gathering, a day out in the open air, or a romantic dinner for two, there’s a lot you can do with one of these grills. Here are some of my favorite ideas, recipes, and of course tips & tricks.

Preparation Saves the Day

Planning the menu ahead of time is critical in Hibachi grilling. It all seems rather spontaneous and in the moment, but a bit of preparation goes a long way.

That’s mainly because the grilling surface is often small, and you need to keep the various courses coming in sequence. The food should be prepared ahead of time. The meat needs to be chopped to the right size, marinated, and seasoned.

Flat Top Recipes or Open Grill BBQ?

This is an essential first choice before deciding on anything else. Cooking on a hot plate is quite different from grilling on a mesh with the fire so close to the food.

On a hot plate, you can ditch the skewers, cut the meat and vegetables to a tiny size, and fry the rice fully. These things are unspeakable with a mesh wire grill. You can’t afford to go without a skewer if the meat is too small, and you definitely can’t fry rice.

The flavors and seasoning would differ a lot too. So make sure you pick the right recipe for the grill you have. When in doubt, go for Hibachi chicken, this is pretty much everybody’s favorite.

Side Dishes Are Always Good

Hibachi grilling is never just about the main course. Sides made from rice, potatoes, and grains are highly in demand as well. Some of these are difficult to prepare on a grill, and some take a bit long to cook, which is not in tune with the quick Hibachi grilling.

That’s why you can cook these ahead of time, and serve them along with the grilled goodies. Here’s one of our pro tips: appetizers are great on the table while the food is cooking. Your little party could nibble on them as the main course gets ready for serving.

Desserts Can be Grilled Too

It’s a brilliant idea to finish off your meal with a grilled dessert. Hibachi is all about satisfying palates and wowing your friends with a multitude of flavors.

From savory to sweet, you can throw in some pineapple or other exotic fruits. Once they are grilled and smokey, add them to some ice cream for an extra special Sundae.

Grilled cake and fruits are another irresistible dessert that goes with any occasion. If you’re on a picnic outdoors, do I even need to suggest S’mores?

How to Choose the Right Hibachi Grill?

Shopping for new things is always fun. It’s even more pleasurable when you make a purchase that’s just right!

Here are a few points to bear in mind while selecting a new Hibachi grill.

Budget

Aside from the obvious, there’s an important question here: What do you get for buying the premium stuff? And do you actually need it?

Big bill grills are often propane powered. These cross the $200 mark easily. But it’s not just because they are fueled by propane. They’re often made from premium materials, and full to the brim with bells and whistles.

The next contender on the highest priced grills are the foldable ones. These are usually north of $70, but there are some simple models that go well below that. You’d pay around the same price if you want a decorative classical Hibachi grill with a wooden base and all.

For about $50 you should be able to buy a decent indoor/outdoor Hibachi grill. But bear in mind that you also need to set aside some more cash for grilling accessories, good quality charcoal, and a bunch of bamboo skewers.

Usage

Indoor Hibachi grills that you’d place as a centerpiece on your dining table are likely to differ from outdoor camping Hibachi grills. The former is more decorative, and the latter is more rugged.

Some grills are pretty versatile and can be used for both occasions. They wouldn’t be too fancy or too rough naturally, but they’re smart enough to fit snugly wherever they’re placed.

If you like Fondu, pu pu platters, and S’mores, then go for a tiny Hibachi grill. It certainly adds fun and flair to any gathering.

Material

Decorative Hibachi grills are often fragile and high maintenance. They’re worth having though, and some models have the fine balance of being sturdy and looking pleasant.

Otherwise, look for pre-seasoned cast iron grills. If it looks good but the iron needs regular seasoning, you can purchase it too, but maintain it well to avoid any metal deterioration or defects.

Size

Hibachi grills are often compact, but the sizes can extend a bit more. If you don’t plan on using it on the dining table, then you could go for the larger variety. Especially for a camping trip where a big group is eagerly waiting for the delicious goodies.

Dual or Single Grills

There’s a nice option of having two separate cooking surfaces. This is especially useful when you invite vegan friends over. Also nice when you’re grilling foods with different cooking requirements. Like meat and fish, or vegetables and anything.

Open Grill or Flat Top

Going Teppanyaki is an amazing choice in a BBQ party and a truly good show. But, some people prefer the smoky charcoal flavors of the open grill. Believe it or not, there are a few grills that offer both choices. There’s one up there in our list!

Charcoal, Propane, or Electric?

That’s another choice you should make. And unfortunately, there’s no grill that offers all three at the same time!

With charcoal, you need to set up a fire and it takes a bit of time to be ready for grilling. But the flavor and the grilling temperature are exceptional.

Propane is easy, connect and go. You’ll need a gas canister though, and the food wouldn’t be quite as smokey. It’s not the exact exotic experience.

Electricity is great when there’s an outlet. It’s completely off the table in picnics, camping, or tailgating. But it’s amazing for an indoor Hibachi dinner on a rainy night.

While you can’t have one grill with all three benefits, who said you can’t own two grills? Or even three?

Best Hibachi Grill – Final Thoughts

Choosing a winner is challenging as every Hibachi grill on the list is capable of making fantastic food. These grills are versatile and allow for cooking up some memorable meals for your friends and family

If you’d like an authentic classical Hibachi grill, then I definitely recommend the NOTO DIA Table-top Charcoal Grill. It has all the beauty and elegance of its ancestral grills.

Bon appetit!

The post Best Hibachi Grill – Our Top Choices and Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Blackstone vs Camp Chef Flat Top Grills – Which Is Better? https://ownthegrill.com/blackstone-vs-camp-chef-flat-top-grills/ Wed, 12 Aug 2020 17:26:37 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=2563 If you are in the market for a flat top grill or […]

The post Blackstone vs Camp Chef Flat Top Grills – Which Is Better? appeared first on Own The Grill.

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If you are in the market for a flat top grill or simply curious about this kind of cooking range, you’re in luck. In this article, we will be examining two heavyweights of the flat top grill industry: Blackstone vs Camp Chef.

First, we will briefly go over flat top griddles and how they differ from a griddle and from a traditional grill. Then we will compare Blackstone vs Camp Chef flat top grills side by side and see who comes out on top.

 

Blackstone vs Camp Chef – Brand Overviews

Blackstone made their first flat top grill in 2008 – when they sought to create a quality, affordable cooking experience for everybody.  Their products are built to last but won’t break the bank – and have quickly become one of the most popular outdoor cooking products across all types of grills.  Today, they continue to be a leader in innovation and bang for your buck in the world of flat top grills.

Camp Chef started as a company that focused on portable cooking appliances for outdoorsmen and women.  Their founder, Ty Measom, was an avid adventurer and found a major lack of quality when it came to cooking appliances that could be taken on the go to a campsite.  Camp Chef got their start by making portable stoves, but have since expanded to manufacturing top of the line pellet grills, flat top grills, and more.

Blackstone vs. Camp Chef Reviews

Let’s first cover the Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone Flat Top Grills

Blackstone has the distinction of being the maker of the best selling griddles in the US.

One thing to note that is a bit confusing right off the bat is that Blackstone frequently labels their flat top grills as griddles, despite what we said earlier about all the distinctions between flat top grills and griddles. But Blackstone frequently uses these terms interchangeably.

Blackstone offers a number of different flat top grills

You can read the full report of each individual model in our Blackstone griddle guide

Blackstone 36″ and 28″ Griddles

The 36-inch flat top grill from Blackstone has a cooking surface area of 720 square inches, 4 stainless steel burners, and an output total of 60,000 T

The 28-inch flat top grill has a cooking surface area of 470 square inches, has 2 stainless steel burners, and an output total of 30,000 BTUs.

Both the 36-inch and the 28-inch flat top grills are excellent for home use, outdoor parties, and events. 

The four stainless steel burners on the 36-inch flat-top grill and the two stainless steel burners on the 28-inch model allow for 4 heating zones and 2 heating zones to be created, respectively. This allows you to control exactly how you cook your food and at what temperature you would like it to be.

For instance, you can cook the food in one zone and then move it to the other zone to keep it warm.

Both the 36-inch model and the 28-inch model come with an electrical push button ignition system, so you will not have to waste any time trying to ignite the fuel yourself, fumbling around with a match, or a fuel starter.

The 36 inch flat top grill comes with 4 heavy duty castors to make rolling the grill around your backyard or campsite an easier task, and the 28 inch flat top grill comes with 2 of those heavy duty castors for easier transport.

The 36-inch flat top grill comes with two shelves to provide you with convenient storage space for all of your grilling implements, and the 28 inch model comes with one shelf to serve the same purpose.

Both the 36-inch flat top grill and the 28 inch flat top grill are equipped with a rear grease management system, but, as we will discuss later, this is one of the most annoying things about the Blackstone flat top grill models, as it either leaks or traps food inside and can get hot enough to burn anyone who happens to come into contact with it.

The Camp Chef grease management system, which we will discuss in the next section, is superior to the Blackstone system.

As far as appearances are concerned, both the 28-inch flat top grill and the 36-inch model come in a black powder coated steel frame and possess a cold rolled steel cooking surface. With the 36-inch flat top grill, you can also opt for a stainless steel frame instead of the black powder coated steel frame, if you prefer the look of stainless steel.

All in all, the Blackstone flat top grills described here offer excellent performance at an affordable price, although our editors recommend the 36-inch flat top grill over the 28 inch model. But before you settle on a Blackstone flat top grill, let’s take a look at what Camp Chef has to offer.

Camp Chef Flat Top Grills

Camp Chef offers two sizes of flat top grills:

The 600 has a cooking surface area of 604 square inches, and 4 stainless steel burners which output a total of 48,000 BTUs

The 900 has a truly gargantuan cooking surface area of 877 square inches, has a whopping 6 stainless steel burners which output a total of 72,000 BTUs.

They used to offer a 3 burner option (called the 475), but that size is no longer in production.

Aside from the number of burners and the BTUs they output, on the surface, many of the features of the Camp Chef flat top grills appear to be about the same as those of the Blackstone flat top grills: cold rolled steel cooking surface, a grease management system, an electrical push button ignition system, and shelves.

What is the difference between Blackstone and Camp Chef?

Blackstone specializes in very hot flat top griddles while Camp Chef offers griddles with more cleanup features as part of their wider outdoor cooking lineup. Blackstone is focused on performance while Camp Chef emphasizes versatility and convenience.

Here are the few key differences:

Blackstone Griddles

  • Blackstone is a company dedicated solely to manufacturing flat top griddles for outdoor cooking. They offer several sizes from 17″ portable models up to 36″ and larger.
  • Blackstone griddles have a flat, smooth steel cooking surface. Some models have an optional removable flat top griddle accessory.
  • They are designed for outdoor use and many models have foldable legs and wheels for portability.
  • Blackstone griddles are known for getting very hot and allowing users to cook at high temperatures.
  • The griddles use H-style stainless steel tube burners that run front to back across the width of the griddle.
  • Blackstone griddles do not have a built-in grease management system. Grease drips into a detachable tray below the griddle.
  • The temperature range is from 200°F to a very high 700°F. This allows for searing and cooking at higher heat.
  • Most models have side shelves and bottom storage cabinets. Larger models have 4 caster wheels for mobility.
  • Blackstone griddles connect to 1-pound propane cylinders and have battery powered ignition switches.
  • Accessories include cutting boards, grill grates, covers, and utensil sets.
  • Blackstone offers a 1-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship.

Camp Chef Griddles

  • Camp Chef is a broader outdoor cooking equipment company. They offer flat top griddles along with many other products like grills, smokers, etc.
  • Camp Chef flat top griddles have a textured cooking surface designed to allow grease to flow off into a built-in grease management system.
  • Camp Chef focuses on easy cleanup features, while Blackstone focuses more on maximum temperature output.
  • Camp Chef griddles do not get as hot as Blackstone models, with maximum temps around 500 degrees F.
  • Camp Chef offers some griddle accessories like side shelves and cutting boards.
  • The Camp Chef electrical ignition system does not require batteries, unlike that of the Blackstone, and each burner has an igniter. Also, the Camp Chef models have wind screens built in which shield the stainless steel burners from the wind and allow them to stay lit and maintain their heat.
  • The Camp Chef 600 also comes with a grill grate, so you can switch the flat top grill cooking surface for a grill grate if you want to get those grill marks or cook meats that have more fat or are more heavily marinated.
  • Granted, the Camp Chef grills are a bit more expensive than the Blackstone grills, so if budget is a primary concern, then rest assured that you are still getting a very good grill if you go with the Blackstone.

 

The Camp Chef grease system is placed more ergonomically, is significantly easier to clean, does not leak, and can be placed more easily due to its front mounted positioning.

 

 

Blackstone vs. Camp Chef – FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Flat Top Grill, a Regular Grill, and a Griddle?

Many people use the terms “flat top grill” and “griddle” interchangeably – and they are in fact extremely similar.  There are however a couple of very minor differences if we’re getting technical.

A flat top grill is a grill that has a flat surface as its cooking surface. A regular grill has a grill grate as its cooking surface, which is how you can achieve those parallel sear marks on the protein that you cook on a regular grill. The grill grate also allows for the fats and oils to drip down, whereas on a flat top grill, fats, and oils have basically no place to go, since the surface is flat with no holes or openings.

A flat top grill can look similar to a griddle, which also has a flat cooking surface. However, the main difference between a flat top grill and a griddle is the way in which the cooking surface is heated.

A griddle will have a rectangular heating element that runs across the entire griddle, while a flat top grill will be heated with several round burners, which causes the heat to be distributed quite evenly. A flat top grill allows for very even heating and cooking.

You can also use pots and pans on a flat top grill, which generally cannot be used on a griddle. Only food should be placed directly on the griddle surface.

On a flat top grill, you can place food directly or your cookware. Another difference between a flat top grill and a griddle is the fact that the cooking surface of a flat top grill will generally be constructed with a heavier kind of steel than that which is used to construct the cooking surface of a griddle.

Essentially, a flat top grill is like a stovetop (with several round burners) that has a flat metal cooking surface placed on top of it. This is why, in addition to food, pots, and pans can be easily placed directly on a flat top grill.

Where Are Flat Top Grills Commonly Found and Used?

Flat top grills are commonly found in restaurants such as diners and burger joints because their large cooking surface area allows the chef to cook large amounts of food which can be quickly and efficiently moved from the grill to be plated.

Flat top grills can also be found outdoors, in which case they may be fueled using a propane tank. They can be especially useful when it comes to backyard cooking for large parties or for tailgating. Outdoor flat top grills may not come with round burners but may instead be heated with multiple burners of different form.

Typically, you will not find a flat top grill on a standard kitchen range. But if you wish to install a flat top grill in your kitchen, it is possible to purchase a flat top overlay that lies on top of two or three of your standard cooktop burners. This turns part of your standard kitchen range into a flat top grill.

What Can You Cook with a Flat Top Grill?

You can cook burgers, steak, seafood, pancakes, eggs, sauces, and more on a flat top grill. Because one of the characteristic features of a flat top grill is how evenly it heats, the food that you cook on it will be cooked evenly.

Meats which are heavily marinated or which have a lot of fat may not be the best fit for cooking on a flat top grill because as we said earlier, the cooking surface lacks a grate or any sort of opening into which the marinade or the fat can drip.

Also, if you enjoy grill marks on the food that you cook, a flat top grill will do you no good, as it will never produce those grill marks (although it will produce an even, complete sear on the outside). Neither will it impart a smoky taste to your food, so if you want that smokiness, you are better off cooking with a traditional grill.

Having considered all this, if you are still sold on a flat top grill, we will now present a comparison of two popular brands of flat top grills, Blackstone and Camp Chef.

Blackstone vs. Camp Chef – The Verdict

Overall, we found the Camp Chef flat top grills to be better performers than the Blackstone grills.

The Camp Chef 600 gets our highest recommendation, as it brings you the best of all worlds.

But if budget or portability are major concerns, the Blackstone grills do provide excellent value for the money. However, the execution of several of the features is simply superior on the Camp Chef grills.

Whatever you decide, we hope you enjoy the benefits of flat top grilling!

The post Blackstone vs Camp Chef Flat Top Grills – Which Is Better? appeared first on Own The Grill.

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Which Blackstone Griddle is Best to Buy? Complete Guide https://ownthegrill.com/blackstone-griddle/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:44:28 +0000 https://ownthegrill.com/?p=10628 If you’re keeping up with the latest and best grilling trends, then […]

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If you’re keeping up with the latest and best grilling trends, then you know the Blackstone griddle is making a huge name for itself. I mean, who doesn’t love the flat top griddles that have a cooking surface that can flip pancakes, fry eggs, sautee veggies, grill a burger, and sear juicy steaks? It just makes sense!

Find the Right Blackstone Griddle Size for You

Now which blackstone griddle is the best for you? Let’s break down these best-selling grills and why we love them. Let’s start by listing each of the griddle categories:

Within each Blackstone griddle size, there are specific models. Let’s get into more detail and see why these griddles are so amazing.

blackstone
Blackstone griddles

Blackstone 36″ Griddle

The largest of the Blackstone flat-top grills are the 36″ griddles. They are spacious and meant to cook for large groups. The flat-top cooking surface is 35 3/4″ W x 21 1/2″ D. Each of the models is equipped with 4 easy-to-light burners and is able to cook up to a whopping 30 burgers or 125 hotdogs. Here we will compare the 36″ Blackstone grill:

Blackstone Original Series 36″ Griddle

This griddle has:

  • Over 765 square inches of steel cooking space.
  • Foldable side shelves.
  • 60,000 BTU
  • Magnetic toolbar and shelf hooks
  • Paper towel holder
  • Rear grease trap
  • Wheels for easy transport

You can purchase a Blackstone original with a hard top lid if you prefer the lid to be removable.  The griddle alone weighs 141 pounds.

Blackstone Patio Series 36″ Griddle with Air-fryer and Cabinets

This luxury griddle is the flat-top king of Blackstone. It features all the amazing things we listed above for the original 36″ griddle. We’re talking 765 square inches of cooking space, a paper towel holder, a rear grease trap, and wheels for easy transport. What makes this ultimate versatility griddle pure luxury is:

  • 4-quart warming drawer
  • (2) 4-quart air fryer (roast, bake, or air fry)
  • 4 independently controlled heat zones
  • Stainless steel tube burners

The Patio Series 36″ does weigh 265 pounds. I would consider this grill more of a stationary griddle top than one you want to move from place to place. It does have wheels for easy transport, just not as easy of a move as other models.

Blackstone 28″ XL Griddle

The next step down from the 36-inch would be the 28″ XL griddle. They have 3 independently controlled burners rather than the typical 2 burner griddle that the standard 28-inch has. The flat-top cooking space is 28 1/2″ W x 21 1/2″ D. This space can hold a whopping 25 burgers or over 100 hotdogs.

Culinary Collection 28″ XL Griddle with Rangetop

I absolutely love this model when it comes to cooking multiple items. With kids and work, multi-surface cooking can be daunting at the end of the day. You can cook just about anything on this luxury griddle without messing up your kitchen! This griddle has:

  • Just over 610 square inches of cooking surface.
  • Piezo Igniter
  • Magnetic toolbar plus added hooks.
  • 3 Heat controls.
  • Paper towel holder
  • Roomy side shelves
  • 48,000 BTU
  • Rear grease trap
  • Two burner range top
  • Deep fryer basket
  • Ample cabinet storage below to store the propane tank on one side and storage on the other. The door even has shelves to store herbs, squeeze bottles, and other essential cooking supplies.

Blackstone 28″ Griddle

The more popular and cost-effective outdoor cooking griddle on the market is the 28″ model. The 2 burner flat top grill is perfect for a family or small gathering outdoor cookout. The cooktop dimensions are 28 3/4″ W x 18 1/4″ D. This can cook a whopping 20 burgers or 85 hotdogs!

Original Series 28″ Griddle with Hood

This griddle has:

  • Just about 525 square inches of griddle top
  • (2) adjustable heat controls
  • (2) side shelves
  • (2) wheels for easy moving
  • Rear grease trap
  • Attached hood to close the griddle while cooking.

If you prefer to opt out of the hood model Blackstone also makes the 28″ Griddle with a Hard Cover

Patio Collection Blackstone 28″ Griddle with Air Fryer

This luxury 28″ griddle has all the amazing features of the original series 28″ like 524 square inches on the cooktop, 2 heat controls, rear grease trap, and attached hood. The additional features include:

  • Magnetic tool bar and hooks
  • Foldable side shelves
  • 4-quart air fryer and warmer
  • 4 wheels for moving easily.
  • Towel holder

Blackstone 22″ Griddle

Once you get into the 22″ griddles or smaller, the Blackstone flattop truly becomes transportable. Having an on-the-go grill is awesome. We love to take our flattop camping. Since we have a rooftop tent (not a camper with a kitchen) having something easy to transport and also able to cook every meal on is pure perfection.

On the Go 22″ Griddle with Hood and Legs

This portable blackstone griddle has the following:

  • 360 square inches of cooking surface
  • 24,000 BTU
  • Hood with a latch
  • 2 burners
  • Legs that fold up
  • 2 wheels to easily move around

On-the-go Blackstone 22″ Combo Griddle with Range

The griddle combo unit is really useful for travel. Having many of the same features as the 22″ flattop like 360 square inches of griddle space and 24,000 BTU, this griddle also has a range for cooking. It is important to note that the Blackstone 22″ Combo griddle does not come with legs. This model is meant to be placed on a table or other safe cooking areas.

Blackstone 17″ Griddle

On the Go 17″ Blackstone Griddle Grill Combo

one Griddle Grill Combo Known as the ultimate tailgate griddle, the Blackstone 17″ Griddle Grill Combo is very unique. The dimensions are 20.5″ D x 22.1″ W x 38.1″ H. This griddle has:

  • (2) Individual cooking zones
    1. Griddle area
    2. Grill box area with cast iron grates.
  • Scissor foldable legs
  • Side Table
  • Rear grease trap
  • Total of 30,500 BTU
    1. 12,000 BTU stainless-steel flat top
    2. 18,500 BTU powerful round burner

Blackstone E-Series Griddle

There are 2 sizes in the Blackstone E-Series Griddle, the 22″ and 17″ griddles. Both put out awesome power to grill the perfect meal. Let’s compare:

22″ Electric Tabletop Griddle

  • 1600 Watts of power
  • Just over 300 square feet of cooking surface.
  • LCD digital display
  • Ceramic titanium-coated griddle surface
  • Grease cup that is machine washable
  • 2 independently controlled heat zones

17″ Electric Tabletop Griddle

The Blackstone 17″ Electric Griddle is the first electric griddle for indoor and outdoor grilling

  • 1500 Watts of power
  • Just over 220 square feet of cooking surface
  • (1) Temperature control knob
  • Ceramic titanium-coated griddle surface
  • Grease cup that is machine washable

Does Blackstone Make a Pizza Oven?

Yes, the Blackstone pizza oven comes as an add-on piece to the 22″ griddle, as a stand-alone tabletop model, or the stand-alone model with a cart to sit on. It has a rotating pizza stone and heats up to 900 degrees. The oven can cook a 16″ pizza pie in 3 minutes! The Blackstone Pizza Oven with the cart, Pizza Oven without the cart, or a 22″ griddle pizza oven attachment really changed the pizza oven game.

How to Season a Blackstone Griddle

To season a Blackstone griddle, clean it thoroughly, apply a thin layer of cooking oil, heat until it smokes, let it cool, and wipe off excess oil. The best oil to season with is a high-heat cooking oil like canola oil or vegetable oil. Repeat periodically for optimal results.

How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle

To clean a Blackstone griddle, scrape off any food debris, and use warm soapy water with a non-abrasive scrubber to clean, rinse, and dry thoroughly. Cleaning all flattop grills is an important step in maintaining your griddle.

What are the most popular Blackstone Grill Accessories?

There are so many gadgets when it comes to Blackstone grill accessories. A few must-haves would be:

Other Blackstone Articles

How to Clean a Blackstone Griddle

Blackstone vs Camp Chef

Blackstone 28″ and 36″ Grills

Best Flat Top Grill

Griddle vs Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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