Grill vs griddle: which is best for summer entertaining?

Tom's Guide

2 days ago

It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, and we're laying out all the must-have information you'll need to choose the ideal al fresco cooking setup for your yard. Chief among the things you'll need to decide when buying a new grill is choosing between a conventional grill and a flat-top griddle. But which is right for you?
Grills and griddles can both cook various foods, from burgers and steaks to vegetables. But despite their similarities, grills and griddles have plenty of differences that might make you favor one over another for the best grill for you.
I consulted three outdoor cooking experts to get their take on the grill vs. griddle debate. This article combines our research with expert opinions to compare how each scores on food variety, ease of use, ongoing maintenance, and price.
Before you can choose between a grill and a griddle, you need to understand the fundamental differences between the two.
A grill has open grates and cooks food using direct heat, leading to that distinct charred flavor associated with summer cookouts.
'Grills allow you to have this wonderful smoky charred flavor that brings both proteins and vegetables up another level,' explains Shannon Snell, head pitmaster for Sonny's BBQ.
Meanwhile, griddles have a flat, solid surface and distribute heat more evenly, making them ideal for cooking a wide range of foods. 'Griddles offer a consistent cooking surface for multiple items simultaneously without food falling through grates, making them versatile for diverse menus,' says Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets.
Even among grills and griddles, there are differences to consider. When you buy a grill, you can choose between gas, charcoal, and pellet grills, while griddles come as standalone or grill-top versions. You can get a basic appliance that does its job and nothing more, or a more complex (and expensive) one with multiple heat zones, storage bins, and accessories for holding drinks, paper towels, and cooking utensils.
Some of the top grill brands include Weber, Blackstone, Traeger, and BroilKing. Traeger, Blackstone, and Weber are also known for their griddles.
Other griddle brands include Pit Boss, Halo, and Royal Gourmet.
Your choice between a grill and a griddle may come down to the types of foods you want to cook. Both appliances can cook a wide range of foods, but there are some subtle differences to keep in mind during your search.
You can cook typical barbecue foods like burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and kebabs on either a grill or a griddle, though grills have the edge.
'Grills provide excellent smoke flavor and distinctive char marks, creating better caramelization on proteins,' explains Craig. 'Griddles lack that smoky flavor, can't achieve the same char, and typically require more cooking oil.'
A griddle can also cook these items, but more evenly and without the hallmarks of grilled food. If you love the taste of a freshly grilled burger, a griddle might not be the best choice.
However, you can cook an entire breakfast on a griddle, including bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns—something you couldn't do on a grill. Griddles are also ideal for more delicate foods like flaky fish and shrimp, as well as a variety of vegetables and even popcorn.
This flat-top from Weber is one of the best grills we've tested. We gave it a perfect 5-star rating in our Weber Slate 36 review because of its consistently excellent cooking performance, pre-seasoned griddle top and roomy capacity. We even called it "the only griddle you'll ever need."
'Griddles provide full-contact flat surface cooking opportunities,' explains Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador. 'Stir fries, vegetables, and smash burgers all benefit from the direct contact. The juices and the fat stay within the area of the food.'
Here are some of the best foods to cook on a grill and a griddle:
Grill
Griddle
Burgers
Steaks
Kebabs
Ribs
Pork chops
Turkey and chicken breast
Dense vegetables and fruits
Breakfast items (pancakes, eggs, and bacon)
Smash burgers
Stir-fry
Rice
Delicate fish and shrimp
Ground beef
Ground sausage
Winner: Griddles can cook more varied foods than grills, making them ideal for summer entertaining.
There's a learning curve with both outdoor cooking appliances.
Griddles have a more consistent cooking temperature, while grills may have hot and cool spots. You'll also need to learn the proper temperatures for cooking your chosen food, which can take time to get right. Novice chefs might find it easier to use a grill than a griddle.
Foods can stick to grill grates if they're not oiled properly. Because griddles have a flat, seasoned surface, it's less likely (though not impossible) that foods will stick. It's also easier to overcook food on a grill, especially if you're cooking a thinner piece of food at a high heat.
You'll need to monitor the grill closely while cooking to ensure you don't accidentally burn the food. And flipping foods can be challenging, as there's a chance it will fall between the grates.
Because griddles retain juices and fats, your finished dish might be greasier than if you grilled it. Learning to manage excess grease can take time—you might need to occasionally wipe away grease with a paper towel to prevent the food from becoming too greasy.
Winner: Grills tend to be more beginner-friendly than griddles.
Both grills and griddles require frequent cleaning and routine maintenance to keep them in good shape. However, griddles are slightly easier to manage on a day-to-day basis. 'Griddles require simpler daily maintenance—just scrape and wipe down,' explains Craig.
Grills are trickier and more time-consuming to clean. 'The grates require constant brushing and cleaning to remove food particles,' says Bennett. Additionally, she explains that 'ash cans need to be emptied…for a clean cooking environment. The amount of time to clean depends on the grill's design.'
Deep-cleaning grills and griddles takes time and plenty of elbow grease. 'Both appliances require minor disassembling to clean and sanitize, and you always run the risk of minor burns as it is recommended to clean both while they are still hot,' warns Snell.
You should also consider that griddles require additional maintenance. 'Outdoor griddles should be oiled once a week, regardless of usage, due to the griddle retaining moisture, and rusting can occur,' Snell adds.
Winner: Griddles are easier to clean because they have fewer parts to remove.
Grills and griddles are both available at various price points, so you can usually find one that fits your budget. However, grills are generally more cost-effective overall.
'Grills come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties,' explains Snell. '[Griddles often] have to be ordered or purchased from a specialty store, [while] grills are readily available most places and for affordable prices.'
However, the initial cost of the appliance is only one price factor to consider. You'll also need to cover the long-term operating costs, including fuel and accessories. Grills and griddles both require some form of fuel to operate. Depending on your chosen type, you might need to budget for charcoal, wood pellets, or propane gas.
'For summer entertaining, a quality grill offers better value for typical outdoor cooking,' says Craig. 'Grills generally provide more cooking space per dollar and handle traditional summer fare well. However, griddles offer superior versatility if you frequently host breakfast gatherings or cook for diverse dietary preferences.'
If you like the idea of having a covered storage area for your propane tank, the E-210 is a great option. It offers 450 square inches of cooking space total, with 360 inches of this sitting on the main cooking grid, a good amount of space for a two-burner grill.
For the best of both worlds, you can purchase a griddle insert for a grill. However, there's no option to buy a grill insert for a griddle.
Winner: Grills are typically the more cost-effective option.
Ultimately, the choice between a grill and a griddle will come down to your budget, preferences, and the types of food you want to cook.
'My recommendation would always be to have a grill first,' advises Bennett. 'Due to the design of the grill and the variable price points and qualities, you can always add a cast-iron pan or a griddle plate to a grill, but you can't add a grill to a griddle.'
However, either appliance can become an outdoor living staple. Grills are better suited for those on a limited budget or who want their summer barbeque food to have seasonal grill and char marks. Griddles are better for cooking more delicate foods outside, like eggs, flaky fish, or stir-fries.