Anyone using a flat top griddle?

[neilnoff]

I'm considering a flat top option for my Pro 780 & wonder if you all have any suggestions. Love my little Blackstone portable griddle, but I'd like to have my Traeger to use for larger cooks, pancakes, eggs, smash burgers, etc. I've read about the BBQ Hack inserts, the Traeger, Lodge, etc. cast iron inserts that just sit on the grill grates, several companies with stainless steel flat top inserts, etc. Do any of you all have any personal experience with any of these and have any recommendations? I guess another option is a separate standalone flat top, but there is only so much space on my patio, so I'm trying to get creative. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Murphy's Law]

Before I bought my Blackstone I would use a Lodge cast iron griddle on top of my grates for a "flat top". Worked OK for me.

 

[traeger860]

I use one of these - https://bakingsteel.com/collections/steels/products/baking-steel - they have different sizes available and also make actual griddles.

I have a Blackstone portable as well and find this a lot easier to use, keep clean, and store. You can use it in your oven, on your propane grill, in your Traeger, whatever.

I've only used it in the Traeger to make pizzas. Mainly use it on my propane grill for smash burgers and to sear steaks.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

My experience was pretty much like @Murphy's Law. Was using the Lodge griddle which was alright for small things like steaks. Looked into buying a griddle insert for my Weber gas grill but finally decided to get a Blackstone.

 

[Shedd]

I like my 36” Blackstone griddle better than my Traeger. To me the Traeger would require more work but I understand some people don’t have enough room for multiple grills and such.

 

[Parrothead1809]

Before I bought my Blackstone I would use a Lodge cast iron griddle on top of my grates for a "flat top". Worked OK for me.

I've also used my Lodge to sear steaks etc after slow cooking on the smoker.
-PH

PS: We also have a pizza stone for the oven, but I haven't yet tried it on the Traeger. Anyone done that? I would imagine it would work well. Thoughts?

 

[Timmy]

I bought a Blackstone, got it super cheap a couple years ago in a after Christmas sale.

 

[The Salt Rub]

Yes,
Unfortunately there isn't a great range of flat tops available here so I had to go with the expensive option. Pit Boss Ultimate Griddle.
It's the three burner option.

I find myself using it a little more than the Traeger despite the weather being below zero °C the past while.

They really compliment each other very well. Hot and fast or low and slow, or even a combination of both. You pick the best tool for the recipe.

I can't really recommend the Pit Boss as I have no experience with any other type of flat top. It's great for me, but the price is huge compared to other options that might be available to you. Something far cheaper could suit you.

 

[CMTiger]

WalMart has this one on sale right now. Seems pretty inexpensive for what you get if you have the additional space.

 

[Shedd]

I’ve had my 36” Blackstone for close to ten years. Other than the igniter button that broke about two years ago I haven’t had any issues whatsoever. I seasoned it when I first got it, never had to do it again. I cook on it at least twice weekly, love it. When I built this house I had a gas line installed from my twin 200 gallon LP tanks, gas grill and fireplace. Really nice not having to mess with those lit tanks anymore. Just cost a chunk to fill them back up.

 

[RayClem]

The Traeger works a lot better for low and slow cooks than for hot and fast cooks. While you can get accessories like GrillGrates and cast iron or carbon steel griddles or skillets to help concentrate the heat, a gas fired grill gets a lot hotter to do hot and fast cooks. While I do most of my cooks on the Traeger these days, I kept my gas grill for burgers, brats and reverse searing steaks, I purchased Grill Grates for the Traeger, but now use them with the gas grill.

I might pick up a flat top grill next spring. I do not like the rear-mounted grease chute on the Blackstone, so for me something like the Chargrill Flatiron might be a more suitable option.

 

[Shedd]

The Traeger works a lot better for low and slow cooks than for hot and fast cooks. While you can get accessories like GrillGrates and cast iron or carbon steel griddles or skillets to help concentrate the heat, a gas fired grill gets a lot hotter to do hot and fast cooks. While I do most of my cooks on the Traeger these days, I kept my gas grill for burgers, brats and reverse searing steaks, I purchased Grill Grates for the Traeger, but now use them with the gas grill.

I might pick up a flat top grill next spring. I do not like the rear-mounted grease chute on the Blackstone, so for me something like the Chargrill Flatiron might be a more suitable option.

Yes that was a big mistake I believe for Blackstone to relocate the grease chute. Mine is so easy to get to and doesn’t take away from the cooking area. One of my buddies has the Pit Boss griddle and his is on the front right hand side with a pull out tray from the front. Really a nice design and although he hasn’t had it too long it’s a very nice griddle.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

The only thing I will add to this discussion is to consider the height of the griddle. Some of these are really low and can make cooking on them a pain if you are tall (I'm over 6 feet so this is an issue for me).

Many of the Pit Boss ones are built low and also the earlier Blackstones. The Blackstone Culinary series are more appropriate for me and thats what I got. Go check a floor model at the store before purchasing.

 

[Shedd]

The only thing I will add to this discussion is to consider the height of the griddle. Some of these are really low and can make cooking on them a pain if you are tall (I'm over 6 feet so this is an issue for me).

Many of the Pit Boss ones are built low and also the earlier Blackstones. The Blackstone Culinary series are more appropriate for me and thats what I got. Go check a floor model at the store before purchasing.

I would say it’s just a preference when it comes to height, I’m 6’4” and honestly the height hasn’t even crossed my mind. I can say that the ONLY issue I’ve ever had in almost ten years is the igniter button broke from it being cheap plastic. The model I have was actually the only one back then, it’s designed to be transported. Although I’ve not done it, it is designed to fold up and the top lifts right off but it really heavy. I’ve got a friend that loves his Culinary Series and my oldest son has newest Air Fryer model. They all cook the same but I like my grease drain on the front side better than the rear like Ray mentioned. Although I plan to keep mine until it quits, now you’re going to have me thinking I need to sit it on bricks, Lol.

 

[Clint62]

I dont see a use for a flat top grill, at least for me. If I did a lot of camping I could see how it would be handy as hell, but its not something I'd want to cook, say, a steak with. I cant remember the last time I grilled a steak over anything but coals.