Outdoor Griddles & Flat Top Grills

Outdoor griddles compared

Every figure below comes from the specifications on our own product pages. Where two prices are shown, the first is the built-in griddle and the second is the same griddle on its freestanding cart.

Prices at Dreamwood Living as of October 2026. "Not listed" means the manufacturer's figure is not on our product page; call us and we will check the manual for you.

Le Griddle also makes a Pro Series and a Commercial Series, listed for indoor, outdoor and commercial use, in three widths: the 40 (one burner, 9,000 BTU), the 75 (two burners, 18,000 BTU) and the 105 (three burners, 27,000 BTU, with a 41" x 16-1/4" plate). Each comes with a 3 mm or 6 mm plate, from $2,198 for the Pro Series 40 with 3 mm plate to $5,098 for the Pro Series 105 with 6 mm plate. For a deck or patio without a gas line, Le Griddle's electric models are the Wee Electric ($2,134, 16" x 15-3/4" plate) and the two-zone Ranch Hand Electric ($3,184, 463 sq in).

Built-in, freestanding or countertop

A built-in griddle drops into a cut-out in an outdoor kitchen island, the same way a built-in grill head does. Several are sized to sit next to the same brand's grill: the Napoleon 700 Series 32" griddle fits the same 32" opening as Napoleon's 32" built-in grill heads, and the American Outdoor Grill 30" griddle takes the same countertop cut-out as AOG's 30" grills.

A freestanding griddle is usually the built-in model on the brand's own cart. The cooking hardware is identical, so the price difference is the cart: $769 on the Broilmaster, $799 on the Blaze LTE+ 30", $899 on the Blaze LTE PRO 40", $1,149 on the TrueFlame and $1,219 on the Bull.

A countertop griddle such as Le Griddle sits on an existing counter or drops into a cut-out only 5-3/4" high, which makes it the easiest to add to a kitchen that is already built.

A side griddle is the other way to add a flat top to an existing island. The Wildfire Ranch Pro 15" side griddle fits most standard double side burner cut-outs, so it can replace a side burner without cutting new stone.

What to compare

• Cooking area. The griddles above run from 263 sq in on the Wildfire side griddle to 691 sq in on the Wildfire Ranch Pro 42". Napoleon rates its 500 sq in griddle at about 28 burgers, which is a useful yardstick: a 30" griddle feeds a family, and a 40" or 42" model is for cooking for a crowd.
• Burners and heat zones. Each burner has its own knob, so two burners give you two heat zones: one side hot for burgers, the other low for eggs or to hold food warm. The 40" and 42" models have three.
• Plate thickness. A thicker plate holds more heat, so it recovers faster when a load of cold food goes on. The plates above range from 5 mm on the Napoleon to 8 mm on the Summerset and Wildfire 42", 3/8" on the Fire Magic and 1/2" on the TrueFlame. Le Griddle puts its stainless steel cooking surface over a cast iron sub-plate, and the Bull plate is chromium plated.
• BTU. Total BTU tells you how much gas the burners can burn, not how evenly the plate cooks. Compare it alongside cooking area and plate thickness, not on its own.

Building a griddle into an island

• Cut-out: every built-in griddle page lists its cut-out width, depth and height, which is smaller than the griddle's nominal width. The Wildfire Ranch Pro 42", for example, takes a 41" W x 21-5/8" D x 10-1/2" H opening. Measure the unit you receive before the countertop is cut.
• Combustible islands: if the island is framed in wood, use the manufacturer's insulated liner for that griddle. TrueFlame and Summerset both make one for their 30" griddles. In a masonry, block or cement board island the griddle drops straight in.
• Vents: any cabinet that holds a gas connection needs vents. Wildfire requires at least two vents of 20 sq in each in every such cabinet, and a propane cylinder in its own vented compartment. See island drawers and doors for vented doors and propane tank drawers.
• Clearance: Wildfire requires at least 24" between its griddles and any combustible material, in every direction, and makes its warranty conditional on it.
• Power: griddles with lit knobs, LED strips or hot surface ignition need a 120V outlet in the island. The American Outdoor Grill L-Series griddle needs a 120V GFCI outlet, and the Fire Magic griddles use 120 VAC/12 volt hot surface ignition.
• Under a roof: TrueFlame says not to install its griddle under unprotected overhead combustible construction, and to put an exhaust hood over the cooking surface under any overhead construction. See outdoor range hoods.

Griddle plates for a grill you already own

If you only want to griddle now and then, a plate on your existing grill costs a fraction of a dedicated griddle. Fire Magic makes stainless steel griddles for its Echelon and Aurora grills from $586.80 and porcelain cast iron versions from $159.30. Broil King griddles start at $44.99, the Bull slide-in removable griddle is $319, and Coyote makes a heavy duty drop-in griddle ($529) and a teppanyaki griddle for its power burner ($559). Check the product page to confirm the plate fits your grill model.

Outdoor griddle FAQs

Is a griddle the same as a flat top grill?

Yes. "Griddle", "flat top grill" and "flat top" all mean a solid cooking plate heated by burners underneath. Some brands call theirs a griddle grill or a gourmet griddle, but it is the same appliance.

Should I get a griddle or a grill?

They do different jobs. A grill cooks over open grates, so fat drips away and the food takes on char and grill marks. A griddle cooks on a solid plate, so small or loose food stays put and the food browns in its own fat. Many outdoor kitchens put a griddle next to a built-in grill rather than instead of one, which is why Napoleon and American Outdoor Grill size their griddles to match their grill cut-outs.

Natural gas or propane?

Every gas griddle on this page is sold as a natural gas or a propane version, chosen as an option on the product page. Buy the one that matches the gas supply at your island.

Can I use an outdoor griddle on a covered patio?

Only as the manual allows. TrueFlame, for example, prohibits installation under unprotected overhead combustible construction and calls for an exhaust hood over the cooking surface under any overhead construction, noting a fan of up to 1,000 CFM may be needed under a patio roof. Send us your layout and we will check the manual for the griddle you are considering.

What warranty do outdoor griddles carry?

It depends on the brand. Wildfire gives a limited lifetime warranty on the housing, frame, cooking surface and burners and five years on valves, manifold and ignition. Le Griddle warranties its cooking surfaces and burners for life and other parts for 10 years. Summerset's Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty requires registration within 30 days, and Blaze asks you to register to activate its lifetime limited warranty. Each product page has the full terms.

Talk to us before you cut stone

Call us at 888-486-2909 with your island drawing, gas type and how many people you cook for, and we will match a griddle and its cut-out to your layout. We are here 9am to 9pm CST.

Related collections

• Built-In Grills
• Freestanding Grills
• Side Burners
• Island Drawers and Doors
• Outdoor Range Hoods
• Outdoor Pizza Ovens
• BBQ Islands