Many people are curious about the difference between a griddle and vs grill.
The grill has been essential for the backyard barbecue for quite a long time.
But over the last decade, the trend of using outdoor gas griddles has increased, with more and more people buying them yearly.
The critical difference between a grill and a griddle is the cooking surface.
A griddle has a solid flat top cooking surface, whereas traditional grills consist of grates that are parallel metal bars with gaps in between.
There are also some things that one can perform but the other cannot, so let’s begin the comparison.
Fundamental differences between a griddle and a grill
| Griddle | Grill |
| Method of cooking | |
| In a griddle, the food is not directly exposed to the heat source, so all the heat must transfer from the heating element through the metallic cooking surface to the food. Any grease or oil remains on the cooktop rather than escaping through the grates as it would normally do on a traditional grill. Also, any leftover oils can be discarded into the built-in grease trap. Griddles are great for sautéing foods like mushrooms and vegetables. Also, foods cooked using the griddle can provide a more fried taste and a fine crisp texture. | When cooking on a grill, the open grates mean heat transfers directly from the heat source and the hot metal cooking surface to the food. Grills also come with a metal lid that can be closed which can create an oven effect by locking the heat in. Foods cooked on a grill will have more sear and smoky flavor (especially when charcoal fuel is used) because of the smoke produced by oil or grease dripping through the grates into the fire. You can also get nice grill marks which provide an excellent texture and taste to foods. You don’t want to try deep frying vegetables on a traditional grill as it is something you cannot well accomplish. You would end up with half-cooked veggies done on the outside but raw in the middle. |
| Temperature control | |
| Controlling temperature on a griddle is easier than on a grill. The metal cooktop takes a little longer to cool down when you decrease the temperature since griddles use indirect heat instead of direct heat. Cooking temperatures will generally be lower as compared to grill temperatures. You will find cooking around 350°F to be the sweet spot for most foods. You can cook foods like eggs at a lower temperature of around 275°F, but you can also raise it to 500°F if you like to put a nice sear on a steak. One advantage is that griddle cooking has no fire flare-ups since the food is not directly exposed to the flames like it is on a grill. | If you have a pellet grill, such as a charcoal or wood-burning Kamado, it can be challenging to deal with the vents, accelerants, and fuel supplies to control the temperature. Because of the tricky temperature control, cooking temperatures are low initially, around 250 – 300 °F, but can rise to 600 °F or higher. This helps in cooking certain foods that require high heat or need to use the lid’s oven cooking effect. Unlike a flat-top griddle, you must cope with fire flare-ups when using a grill because the dripping oil or grease can make it to the flames. |
| Types of food | |
| Because of lower cooking temperatures, flat cooking surfaces, and the absence of a lid, griddles are great for cooking smaller and thinner foods or foods that start as a liquid, such as eggs or pancakes. You can simultaneously cook breakfast items on a griddle, such as French toast, hash browns, bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc., on the same cooking surface. Other great options include quesadillas, sautéed vegetables, and stir-fried items like fried rice. | A grill is better suited for cooking more oversized food items, thicker cuts of meat, and vegetables you don’t want to pan-fry. Examples of foods well suited for grilling are whole chicken, chicken breasts, beef steaks, pork tenderloin, and ribs. Moreover, corn on the cob, carrots, and zucchini can also be cooked to perfection on a grill. |
| Ease of cleaning | |
| Griddles are a little easier to maintain and clean due to the flat cooking surface. You don’t have bits of food and grease dropping down and creating a mess all over the heating elements. You must properly clean the griddle surface every time you cook on it. | Overall, cleaning grills tend to be more effort as food bits and grease drop through the grates during cooking and are collected below, covering the heating elements and base. If you are using a gas grill, you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning regularly, which involves taking apart the grill components. This can be quite time-consuming and messy. |
Related Reading: What Is A Griddle – Click Here To Learn More.
Best griddle brands
1. Blackstone Tabletop Griddle
A Blackstone tabletop griddle has two sizes, so select the option that best fits your needs.
The smallest griddle is 17 inches in size, but don’t let its small size deceive you, as this little model has the power to do some serious cooking.
The griddle surface is enough to fit four burgers, and the adjustable heat control allows you to cook anything from steaks to pancakes.
If you want a griddle that cooks more food, then the more spacious 22-inch Blackstone Tabletop Griddle is the right choice.
Both griddles have robust legs that lock firmly into place, so you don’t need to worry about the griddle shifting when in use.
2. Royal Gourmet Portable Griddle
With 25,000 BTUs of cooking power provided by three powerful burners.
This griddle can be used for anything from cooking a small breakfast to a full-sized BBQ.
With an ample 316 sq. inch cooking surface, you will never run short on space.
The griddle has handy features, like a built-in grease management system to keep things clean and a control panel with LED indicators for smart operation.
Also, its portable design allows you to carry it anywhere.
3. Bella Electric Titanium Griddle
The electric griddle by Bella comes with a titanium-infused ceramic cooktop.
That makes cooking your favorite meals easy and quick with uniform heat distribution and improved durability.
The large nonstick surface is great for family-sized meals, and the integrated warming tray keeps food hot until you are ready to serve.
With its smart temperature controls, you can quickly adjust the cooking temperature to suit your needs.
Best grill brands
1. Char-Broil Grill
The Char-Broil grill is the right option for those who like keeping things simple.
This no-fuss grill efficiently gets the job done, and its small size means easy transportation and storage.
It is compact and gets deployed conveniently, with a hard-wearing steel structure that can endure even the roughest conditions.
The grill features an 11,000 BTU burner that heats up quickly and comes with a porcelain-coated grate.
2. Coleman RoadTrip 285 Grill
The Coleman RoadTrip is a high-quality grill built for people who want an efficient yet affordable option without spending a fortune.
No matches are needed; push the ignition button and grill on the three high-performance adjustable burners.
The grill has a 285-square-inch grilling area so that you can make plenty of food for the entire family.
3. Cuisinart CCG Portable Charcoal Grill
Despite its small size, the Cuisinart Portable Charcoal Grill packs a big punch in terms of performance.
The 150-square-inch grate has plenty of space to cook steaks, burgers, whole chicken, hot dogs, veggies, and more.
The porcelain-enameled steel gratings provide even heat distribution, while the double-wall construction keeps the grill’s exterior cool.
The grill has a built-in thermometer and a removable ash tray for easy cleanup.
For extra convenience, the grill features foldable legs and an integrated handle for carrying the grill.
Related Reading: Electric Griddle vs Gas Griddle – Click Here To Find Out.
Griddle versus Grill – FAQs
1. What is the use of a griddle plate?
One advantage of a griddle plate is that you only need to oil the food, not the whole surface, which results in a less greasy meal.
2. Is there a griddle and grill combo?
Royal Gourmet GD401 4-Burner Gas Grill and Griddle combo deliver a 2-in-1 feature.
It provides a total cooking area of 584 sq. inches.
3. Do I need to season a new griddle?
It’s best to season the griddle prior to the first use and after every cleanup to prevent food from sticking.
Related Reading: Can Blackstone Griddle Rust – Click Here To Find Out.
The Verdict
Both grills and griddles are excellent cooking applications to help you make delicious recipes.
So whether you like one more than the other or prefer using both, there are no wrong answers.
Just find the cooking technique that is well suited to you.
