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Flat-Top Griddle for an Outdoor Grill: Best Options 2026
Three ways to add flat-top cooking to your outdoor grill: standalone Blackstone, griddle plate insert, or a combo unit. Pros, cons, and top picks.
Cole Whitaker 
The best way to add flat-top cooking to an outdoor grill setup is a standalone Blackstone 28-inch — it outperforms any cast iron insert on a gas grill and costs far less than replacing your entire grill with a combo unit. For occasional use with limited patio space, a Lodge cast iron griddle plate on your existing grates is a workable and inexpensive second option. For households that cook on both surfaces every week, a side-by-side combo grill is the right long-term investment.
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Rating | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone 28-inch Standalone | best overall; recommended for most households | ★★★★★ | $280-360. 470 sq in. Two-zone burner control. Full flat-top performance. | Check price |
| Lodge L8GP3 Cast Iron Griddle Plate | best insert for occasional use on existing grates | ★★★★★ | $30-45. Sits on grill grates. Uneven heat; best for 2-3 servings at a time. | Check price |
| Cuisinart Enameled Cast Iron Griddle | best insert with handles for safer hot removal | ★★★★☆ | $40-55. Enameled cast iron. Handle loops. Larger than Lodge square. | Check price |
| Nexgrill 4-Burner + Griddle Zone Combo | best combo upgrade for frequent dual-surface cooking | ★★★★★ | $400-500. Dedicated griddle burner. Replaces your existing gas grill. | Check price |
| Weber Genesis E-335 with Griddle Insert | best premium combo with Weber warranty | ★★★★★ | $1,000-1,200. Insert zone 12x16 inches. 10-year cookbox warranty. | Check price |
Option 1: Get a standalone flat-top griddle (recommended for most)
The performance gap between a standalone outdoor griddle and a griddle insert on a gas grill is wide enough to matter on every cook. A Blackstone 28-inch runs two independent heating zones designed from the ground up for flat-top cooking. Its rolled steel surface distributes heat evenly across 470 square inches because the burners underneath run parallel and close to the flat plate. A cast iron insert sitting on widely spaced gas grill grates receives heat from below through air gaps — producing hot spots directly over the burner tubes and cold zones between them.
For most households with an existing gas grill and at least 8-9 feet of usable patio width, adding a Blackstone 28-inch alongside the gas grill is the correct answer. The total footprint is wider — plan for an additional 30 inches of horizontal space — but the cooking performance is a genuinely different category from any insert approach.
The Blackstone 28-inch also gives you something no insert can: two independent zones. One side runs at high heat for smash burgers and bacon; the other runs medium for eggs and pancakes. That simultaneous zone control is how you pull off a full family breakfast in one cook without anything burning or sitting cold. A cast iron plate on a standard gas grill cannot replicate this because the burner layout underneath is not designed for zone control on a flat surface.
Blackstone 28-inch: the default recommendation
Best for most households adding flat-top capability to an existing gas grill setup
Blackstone 28-inch 2-Burner Flat Top Griddle
The Blackstone 28-inch is the standard recommendation for backyard flat-top cooking. Two independent burner zones give you high-heat sear on one side and medium-heat hold on the other, both running simultaneously. Rolled steel surface seasons into a nonstick cooking layer after 3-5 sessions. Electronic ignition. Fold-up side shelf for prep. At $280-360, it is the most cost-effective way to get genuine flat-top performance without replacing your existing gas grill. Plan where it will live next to your grill — it needs about 30 inches of horizontal space and rolls on casters for seasonal storage.
★★★★★ 4.7 · 9,800 reviews
Check current price on Amazon→Pros
- Two-zone burner layout designed for flat-top cooking — eliminates the hot spots that occur when a cast iron plate sits on standard grill grates
- 470 square inches handles a full family breakfast simultaneously: eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes at once
- Largest accessory ecosystem in the flat-top category — covers, hoods, breakfast kits, tool organizers all available
- Replacement parts (burners, ignition, knobs) available from Blackstone direct for under $30 each
- Rolls on casters for storage; lighter than a full gas grill at around 70 pounds assembled
Cons
- Requires dedicated patio space alongside your existing gas grill — plan for at least 8-9 feet of horizontal width for both units
- Rolled steel surface rusts without consistent seasoning and a cover; maintenance after every cook is non-negotiable
- No lid included on most SKUs — add a Blackstone hood for $80-100 to enable indirect and covered cooking
- Wind resistance is minimal; burners can blow out above 15 mph in open areas without a wind screen
Option 2: Add a griddle plate to your existing gas grill grates
A cast iron or enameled-steel griddle plate placed on top of your existing gas grill grates is a viable starting point for occasional flat-top cooking. Eggs, a few pancakes, quesadillas, smash burgers for two — all manageable on a 10-14 inch plate. For households where a standalone griddle would go mostly unused, or where patio space rules out a second unit entirely, an insert plate at $30-55 lets you test flat-top cooking without a full commitment.
The physics limit what any insert plate can deliver. Gas grill burner tubes run parallel and are sized for airflow around standard grill grates, not for uniform contact beneath a solid flat surface. The result: the plate heats 30-50°F hotter directly over the burner tubes and noticeably cooler at the edges and between burner gaps. For two or three servings where you can work around the hot zones, this is manageable. For a breakfast spread of eggs, bacon, and pancakes for four people all at once, the uneven heat becomes a real practical problem. A standalone griddle eliminates this entirely.
The insert approach works best when:
- You have limited patio space for a second unit
- You cook flat-top style fewer than once per week
- You want to test whether flat-top cooking fits your routine before spending $300+
- You own a Weber Genesis or Napoleon grill with an official manufacturer insert slot (these models are engineered to accept inserts and perform better than an aftermarket plate on open grates)
Lodge L8GP3 Cast Iron Square Griddle
Best for occasional flat-top use on an existing gas grill — eggs, pancakes, quesadillas for 2-3 servings
Lodge L8GP3 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Square Griddle
The Lodge L8GP3 is a 10.5-inch square pre-seasoned cast iron griddle plate that sits directly on any gas grill grates. At $30-45, it is the lowest-cost way to test flat-top cooking without a standalone unit. Pre-seasoned from the factory. Heats from below through grill grates — adequate for 2 eggs and 4 sausages simultaneously. Not suited for a full family breakfast, which requires more even heat distribution than any plate on standard gas grill grates can provide. Doubles as a stove-top and oven griddle insert when not in outdoor use, which extends its utility beyond the grill season.
★★★★★ 4.5 · 14,200 reviews
Check current price on Amazon→Pros
- Pre-seasoned at the factory — ready to use immediately without a full break-in process
- Works on any gas grill grates, glass-ceramic stovetop, induction burner, or standard oven — not limited to outdoor use
- Under $45 — the lowest cost entry to flat-top outdoor cooking
- Cast iron retains heat well and builds a better cooking surface over time with use
Cons
- Heats unevenly on gas grill grates — hot spots directly over burner tubes, cold zones between them
- 10.5-inch surface fits 2 eggs or a couple of pancakes at a time — not a family-size format
- Gets extremely hot across the full plate including edges during gas grill use — requires heat-resistant gloves to reposition
- Requires the same seasoning and post-use drying routine as any cast iron; rust forms quickly if stored wet
Cuisinart Enameled Cast Iron Griddle Insert
Best for gas grill insert with handles for safer removal while hot; slightly larger than Lodge square
Cuisinart Enameled Cast Iron Griddle with Handle Loops
The Cuisinart enameled cast iron griddle insert is roughly 14x10 inches of cooking surface and adds handle loops on each side that make it significantly safer to remove from a hot grill. The enameled surface eliminates traditional cast iron seasoning requirements — clean with soap and water. At $40-55, it is a step up from the Lodge plate for users who dislike cast iron maintenance. Same performance limitations apply: heat distribution is uneven on standard gas grill grates, and surface area caps at 3-4 servings. Best for Weber Genesis and Napoleon grill owners who have a manufacturer-designed insert slot that provides more even heat contact.
★★★★☆ 4.3 · 3,100 reviews
Check current price on Amazon→Option 3: Upgrade to a gas grill with a dedicated griddle zone
If you cook on a flat-top surface at least once per week and want both grill grates and griddle capability in regular rotation, replacing your current gas grill with a side-by-side combo unit is the right long-term investment. Combo units dedicate a separate propane burner specifically to the griddle side, tuned for flat-top heat distribution. The performance gap between a dedicated combo griddle burner and a cast iron plate sitting on standard grill grates is the same gap as between a standalone Blackstone and an insert plate — substantial and consistent across every cook.
The practical consideration: combo units cost $400-1,200 and replace your entire gas grill, not just add to it. The investment makes sense when your current grill is aging out of service and needs replacement anyway, or when you want to consolidate two separate units (gas grill plus standalone griddle) into one device to simplify the patio setup.
Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill with Dedicated Griddle Zone
Best for households ready to replace their gas grill with a true side-by-side grill-and-griddle combo
Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill with Griddle Zone
The Nexgrill 4-Burner with Griddle Zone is the best all-around combo unit for most households. Three standard gas burners power 490 square inches of porcelain-coated grill grate area; a dedicated fourth burner heats a removable cast iron griddle plate on the left side. Both zones operate fully independently — grill side at 500°F+, griddle side at 325-375°F simultaneously. At $400-500, it is the most capable combo unit under $600. Requires 62+ inches of horizontal patio space. Side-by-side layout means no lid coverage over the griddle side, which is standard for this category.
★★★★★ 4.5 · 3,200 reviews
Check current price on Amazon→Pros
- Dedicated griddle burner distributes heat evenly across the cast iron plate — eliminates the uneven heating that plagues insert plates on standard gas grill grates
- True independent zone control — grill and griddle both run at different temperatures at the same time, without compromising either surface
- One unit consolidates a gas grill and a standalone griddle; total footprint is often smaller than two separate units on the patio
- Three-burner grill zone handles a full dinner for 4-6 people while the griddle side runs a separate cook simultaneously
Cons
- Replacing your entire current gas grill is a full commitment at $400-500 — wrong choice if your existing grill has years of useful life remaining
- Footprint is 62+ inches wide, requiring significant dedicated patio or deck space
- No lid coverage over the griddle side; wind protection requires positioning or a wind screen
- Cast iron griddle plate requires initial seasoning (4-6 oil layers) and routine oiling after each cook
How to decide which approach is right for you
Get a standalone Blackstone 28-inch if:
- You have a patio or deck at least 8-9 feet wide with room for a second unit alongside your existing grill
- You plan to use flat-top cooking more than twice a month — smash burgers, breakfast spreads, hibachi-style stir-fries
- You want full flat-top performance without replacing a gas grill that still works well
- Your gas grill still has years of useful life remaining
Get a griddle plate insert if:
- You cook flat-top style fewer than once per week and want to test the format before committing $300+
- Your patio has no space for a second unit
- You want to spend under $55 and accept limited surface area and uneven heat distribution
- You own a Weber Genesis, Napoleon Prestige, or similar grill with an official manufacturer insert slot — these units are engineered for griddle inserts and perform better than an aftermarket plate on open grates
Upgrade to a combo unit (Nexgrill 4-Burner) if:
- Your current gas grill is aging out of service and needs replacement anyway
- You are certain you will use both surfaces at least once a week
- You want to simplify the patio by consolidating two units into one
- Long-term ownership matters more than minimizing upfront cost
What to skip
- Universal insert plates marketed as compatible with any gas grill. Generic cast iron or carbon steel plates that claim to convert any gas grill to a flat-top produce usable but uneven results at best. Gas grill burner spacing is not designed for flat surface contact, and these plates will always run hot over the tubes and cold between them.
- Electric outdoor griddle options. Electric griddles have insufficient BTU output for outdoor use with wind, temperature variation, and cold weather. Stick to propane for any serious outdoor flat-top application.
- Stainless steel cooking surfaces marketed as griddles. Stainless does not season — food sticks and stays stuck. Cold-rolled steel (Blackstone) and pre-seasoned or enameled cast iron are the correct materials for flat-top cooking.
- Cheap no-brand insert plates under $20. Thin steel that warps on the first high-heat cook. Lodge and Cuisinart are the minimum quality bar for cast iron griddle inserts; below that, the plate buckles and creates worse hot spots than a well-made insert would.
- Griddle top conversion kits that bolt onto an existing grill chassis. Gas grill grate frames are not flat or engineered for surface mounting. A plate that rocks or sits uneven heats poorly, seasons poorly, and is difficult to clean after every cook.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a flat-top griddle plate on any gas grill?
Is a Blackstone better than a griddle insert on a gas grill?
Does a Weber grill have a griddle insert option?
How much patio space do I need for a standalone outdoor griddle?
What is the best flat-top griddle for outdoor use?
Can I season a griddle plate insert the same way as a standalone griddle?
Bottom line
For most households with an existing gas grill: add a Blackstone 28-inch alongside it. The flat-top performance from a purpose-built standalone griddle is in a different category compared to any insert plate, it costs less than replacing your gas grill with a combo unit, and it sets you up for serious flat-top cooking — smash burgers, full breakfast spreads, hibachi nights — without disrupting your existing grill setup. A griddle plate insert is the right starting point for households with no room for a second unit or very occasional flat-top use. A combo unit like the Nexgrill 4-Burner earns its place when the gas grill is ready for replacement anyway.
For more: best standalone outdoor griddles, best gas grills with griddle combo, best gas grills overall, and pairing a gas grill with a Blackstone griddle.