Electric Griddle vs Gas Griddle: Which Should You Buy? (2026)
Heat, size, running costs and cleanup compared side by side, the BTU math behind the difference, and the best gas and electric griddles to buy.
A gas griddle has far more heating power and a much bigger cooktop, so it suits backyard cookouts, smash burgers and feeding a crowd. It must be used outdoors.
An electric griddle plugs into a kitchen outlet, costs less to buy and run, and cleans up in the sink or dishwasher. It’s the pick for pancakes, eggs and everyday family meals indoors.
Our top picks: Blackstone 36-inch for gas, Royal Gourmet PD1301S on a budget, and the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL or Presto 22-inch for electric.
Gas vs Electric Griddle: Side by Side
The ten differences that matter, using the specs of the griddles in this guide.
| Feature | Gas griddle | Electric griddle |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Outdoors only, at least 10 feet from buildings (CPSC) | Indoors on the counter, anywhere with an outlet |
| Heating power | 25,500 to 60,000 BTU in our picks | About 1,500 to 1,800 watts, roughly 5,100 to 6,100 BTU an hour |
| Top temperature | Weber Slate: over 500°F | Most 400 to 425°F; Ninja reaches 500°F |
| Cooking space | 24 to 36+ inches; Royal Gourmet 304 sq in, Traeger 594 sq in | About 16 to 22 inches across |
| Feeds | A crowd: the Royal Gourmet fits up to 12 burgers | A family: Ninja says 10+ burgers or breakfast for 8 to 10 |
| Running cost | A 20-lb tank lasts about 7 hours at 60,000 BTU on full | About 27¢ an hour for 1,500 W (EIA 2026 average) |
| Cooktop | Steel that needs seasoning; Weber’s is rust-resistant | Nonstick or ceramic; no seasoning |
| Cleanup | Scrape, oil, cover; grease trap or keg | Wash in the sink; Dash’s plate goes in the dishwasher |
| Storage | Patio space and a cover; some have folding legs | Fits in a cabinet; Presto’s handles detach |
| Power outage | Still works on propane | Needs electricity |
BTU, temperature and size figures are from the product listings below. The safety distance is CPSC guidance for gas grills. Cost math uses EIA figures, explained in the next two sections.
Why Gas Griddles Get Hotter: The BTU Math
Gas burners are rated in BTU per hour; electric griddles in watts. Converting watts to BTU puts them on the same scale.
The EIA puts 1 kilowatt-hour at 3,412 BTU.
A standard kitchen outlet can only supply so much power, so most electric griddles sit around 1,500 to 1,800 watts. That’s plenty for a pan of eggs, but a gas griddle has several times the power behind a much larger top.
Power matters most when cold food hits the cooktop. A gas griddle bounces back to temperature quickly, which is why it can sear a dozen burgers at once while an electric one slows down. An electric plate does sit right on its heating element, so less heat is lost, and for pancakes and eggs that’s all you need.
Running Costs: Propane vs Electricity
- A 1,500-watt griddle on full uses 1.5 kilowatt-hours an hour.
- At the EIA’s projected 2026 U.S. average of 18.2 cents per kWh, that’s about 27 cents an hour. The 1,790-watt Ninja is about 33 cents.
- The thermostat cycles on and off once it’s hot, so a real breakfast usually costs less.
- A standard 20-lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons. The EIA puts propane at 91,452 BTU per gallon.
- That runs a 60,000 BTU griddle for about 7 hours with every burner on high, or a 25,500 BTU tabletop for about 17 hours.
- Most cooks use medium heat on some burners, so a tank goes further. Refill and exchange prices vary by area.
Per hour, electric is usually cheaper to run. Gas earns its keep when you’re feeding a crowd in one go instead of cooking in batches.
Which Griddle Should You Buy?
- You’ll cook indoors, or you don’t have a patio or yard.
- You mostly make breakfast for 1 to 6 people.
- You want easy cleanup and cabinet storage.
- You’re spending under $150.
- You cook outdoors and feed groups of 6 or more.
- You want smash burgers, hibachi-style dinners and a real sear.
- You have space for it and don’t mind seasoning steel.
- You want something that keeps cooking in a power cut.
Plenty of households use an electric griddle for weekday breakfasts and a gas griddle for weekend cookouts. Want the bigger picture? Compare a griddle vs a grill, or read up on what a griddle is used for.
Several propane griddles on Amazon are non-returnable because of hazardous-materials shipping rules, including the Camp Chef, Weber, Pit Boss and Traeger listings in this guide. Measure your space and check the listing first.
The Best Gas Griddles
From a portable tabletop to a three-zone flat top, one per brand.
Blackstone 36-Inch 4-Burner Griddle Cooking Station (2024 Model)
The griddle most people picture: a 36-inch steel cooktop over four independent burners, 60,000 BTU in total. Run pancakes on one side and fried rice on the other at different heats.
Front grease management sends fat into a removable pan, the legs fold, and the wheels roll it into storage. More than 10,000 ratings at 4.7 stars. The steel top needs seasoning and a cover; see our guide to whether a Blackstone griddle will rust.
Check Blackstone Price on Amazon →
Royal Gourmet PD1301S Portable 3-Burner Tabletop Gas Griddle
The cheapest way into gas griddling. This 24-inch tabletop model fits in a car trunk, and its 304 square inches hold up to 12 burgers. Three separately controlled burners give 25,500 BTU across a 3.5 mm steel plate.
Push-button piezo ignition needs no batteries or matches, a removable grease cup catches drippings, and the top comes off for cleaning. It needs a sturdy outdoor table.
Check Royal Gourmet Price on Amazon →
Weber Slate 30″ Rust-Resistant 3-Burner Propane Griddle
The answer to the biggest griddle complaint: rust. Weber’s carbon-steel top is rust-resistant and pre-seasoned, so it’s ready to cook out of the box, and it reaches over 500°F for crisp edges.
Weber says the heat is even from edge to edge, and the Weber Works side rail holds add-on bins and tool hooks. The listing also offers 17-inch to 36-inch sizes and a natural gas version. Only 4 ratings on this listing so far.
Check Weber Price on Amazon →
Camp Chef Gridiron Pro 36 Flat-Top Grill with Side Burner (FTG36CG42)
A 36-inch flat top that comes factory-seasoned, so it’s ready to cook out of the box, plus Camp Chef’s Sidekick open-flame burner for searing, sautéing or a pot of sauce.
A hinged lid blocks wind while cooking and covers the top when you’re done, flamethrower ignition lights it fast, and a heavy-duty bottom shelf holds tools and fuel. The listing has only 11 ratings so far and doesn’t give a BTU figure.
Check Camp Chef Price on Amazon →
Pit Boss Ultimate 4-Burner Lift-Off Gas Griddle (10782)
Four burners under a lift-off cooktop, with a folding side table and a tool holder for prep space. It suits big backyard cooks who want room for burgers, vegetables and breakfast at once.
The Amazon listing is light on specs, so check the BTU and cooking area on Pit Boss’s site before ordering. A 3-burner version is on the same listing for less.
Check Pit Boss Price on Amazon →
Traeger Flatrock 3-Zone Flat Top Griddle (594 sq in)
Three U-shaped burners make three separate heat zones on a 33-inch top, so you can sear burgers, cook eggs and toast buns at three temperatures at once. A recessed cooktop shields the flames from wind.
An LED sensor shows how much propane is left, flame sensors confirm each burner is lit, and the EZ-Clean grease keg makes cleanup simple. It has a hinged lid, folding shelves and an accessory rail. A cheaper 2-zone version is on the same listing.
Check Traeger Price on Amazon →The Best Electric Griddles
Three standouts from our electric griddle reviews: the hottest, the most popular and the easiest to clean.
Ninja Sizzle Pro XL 20″ Indoor Griddle & Grill (GX101)
The biggest and hottest griddle on this list. It runs from 250°F up to 500°F, hot enough for a proper smash-burger crust, and comes with a 20-inch flat griddle plate plus a 20-inch grill plate.
Ninja says it fits 10+ burgers or breakfast for 8 to 10 people. A ventilated lid cuts splatter and helps melt cheese, and both ceramic plates are made without PFAS.
Check Ninja Price on Amazon →
Presto 07061 22-Inch Electric Ceramic Griddle
With more than 40,000 ratings at 4.7 stars, this is the most-reviewed griddle on the list. The 22-inch cast aluminum plate is the largest flat surface on the list, with room for pancakes and eggs side by side.
The handles unclip so it fits in a standard 18-inch cabinet. Take off the heat control and the whole griddle can go in the sink. The coating is PFAS-free ceramic.
Check Presto Price on Amazon →
Dash Deluxe Everyday Electric Griddle (Removable Nonstick Plate)
The cooking plate pops off and goes in the dishwasher, along with the drip tray. On most griddles here you wipe the plate by hand.
The dial runs from 200°F for soft eggs to 400°F for searing burgers, and a Warm setting holds breakfast until everyone sits down. It comes in five colors.
Check Dash Price on Amazon →Gas Griddle Essentials and How to Season One
A steel griddle needs three things: seasoning, the right tools and a cover. Here’s how to season a new top, then the gear that makes it easier.
- Wash the new top once. Use warm soapy water to remove the factory coating, then rinse and dry it completely. Pre-seasoned tops like Weber’s and Camp Chef’s can skip straight to cooking.
- Heat it on high. Turn all burners to high for 10 to 15 minutes, until the steel starts to change color.
- Spread a very thin layer. Rub a thin coat of griddle seasoning or a high-heat oil over the whole top, including the edges and sides.
- Let it burn off. Leave the burners on until the smoking stops. That’s the coating bonding to the steel.
- Repeat until dark and slick. Do three or four rounds. The top should look dark brown to black and feel smooth.
- Oil it after every cook. Scrape it clean while warm, wipe on a thin film of oil, and cover it once it cools.
Blackstone Griddle Seasoning & Cast Iron Conditioner (15.3 oz)
Builds the slick, easy-release layer a steel griddle needs and protects it from rust and moisture. Spread a thin layer and let it burn off; one or two small scoops do the whole top, so a tub lasts a long time. It’s made from palm, canola and soy oils with beeswax, and it works on cast iron pans too.
Check Blackstone Seasoning Price on Amazon →
Grilliance 27-Piece Griddle Accessories Kit
Everything a new griddle owner needs: an extra-wide burger spatula, two long spatulas, a scraper, chopper and tongs, a basting cover, a cast iron burger press, squeeze bottles, shakers, egg rings and hooks. The stainless tools are dishwasher safe; hand wash the cast iron press.
Check Grilliance Kit Price on Amazon →
GuardKove Griddle Cover for Blackstone 36″ (Without Hood)
Rain is what rusts a steel griddle, and this waterproof 1000D cover with a PVC lining and taped seams keeps it off. Buckle straps hold it in wind and side vents let moisture escape. It fits the Blackstone 36-inch without a hood, but not hooded, Pro or cabinet models, so measure first.
Check GuardKove Cover Price on Amazon →Ratings and review counts are as listed on Amazon at the time of writing. Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–$150 · $$$ $150–$500 · $$$$ over $500.
Giving your griddle a permanent spot? See our DIY Blackstone grill station guide.
Electric vs Gas Griddle FAQs
Is a gas or electric griddle better?▼
Gas is better for outdoor cooking, high heat and big crowds. Electric is better for indoor breakfasts and small households. A gas griddle has several times the heating power and a much bigger top. An electric griddle works on the kitchen counter, costs less and cleans up faster.
Can you use a gas griddle indoors?▼
No. The CPSC says never to use a gas grill indoors and to keep it at least 10 feet from buildings, not in a garage, carport or porch. Propane burners make carbon monoxide.
Do electric griddles get as hot as gas griddles?▼
Some reach similar surface temperatures, but with far less power. The Ninja Sizzle Pro XL reaches 500°F, but at 1,790 watts it has about 6,100 BTU an hour of power, while gas picks here run 25,500 to 60,000 BTU. That’s why gas recovers faster when cold food hits the top.
Which is better for pancakes?▼
Electric, for most people. A thermostat holds a steady temperature, which is what pancakes need. See our guide to the best electric griddle temperature for pancakes.
Which is better for smash burgers?▼
Gas. Smash burgers need a very hot top that stays hot. Indoors, the 500°F Ninja is the closest electric option.
How long does a propane tank last on a griddle?▼
About 7 hours on full blast for a 60,000 BTU griddle. A 20-lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons, and the EIA puts propane at 91,452 BTU per gallon, so about 430,000 BTU. You rarely run every burner on high, so real cooks stretch further.
How much does it cost to run an electric griddle?▼
About 27 cents an hour for a 1,500-watt griddle, at the EIA’s projected 2026 average of 18.2 cents per kilowatt-hour. The thermostat cycles on and off, so actual use is often lower.
Do gas griddles need to be seasoned?▼
Yes, steel tops do. Seasoning builds a nonstick layer and protects against rust. The Weber Slate and Camp Chef Gridiron Pro arrive pre-seasoned; others need a few rounds before the first cook.
Will a gas griddle rust?▼
A bare steel top can, if it’s left wet or uncovered. Oil it after each cook and keep it covered. Weber’s Slate has a rust-resistant top. More in our guide to whether a Blackstone griddle will rust.
Can you use metal utensils on an electric griddle?▼
Avoid them on nonstick and ceramic plates; they can scratch the coating. Use silicone, nylon or wood. Metal spatulas and scrapers are fine on a steel gas griddle.
What kind of griddle do restaurants use?▼
Both gas and electric commercial flat-tops, usually depending on the kitchen’s utility hookups. See our best commercial electric griddles.
Can you return a gas griddle bought on Amazon?▼
Check the listing first. The Camp Chef, Weber, Pit Boss and Traeger listings here are marked non-returnable because of hazardous-materials shipping rules. The Blackstone listing shows 30-day returns.
Does a gas griddle work in a power outage?▼
Yes. It runs on propane, and most use push-button or piezo ignition. An electric griddle needs power.
The Bottom Line
- Best gas griddle: Blackstone 36-inch. Four burners, 60,000 BTU.
- Budget and portable gas: Royal Gourmet PD1301S. Up to 12 burgers.
- No rust worries: Weber Slate 30. Three heat zones: Traeger Flatrock.
- Best electric griddle: Ninja Sizzle Pro XL, up to 500°F. Family value: Presto 22-inch.
- Essentials for gas: seasoning, a tool kit and a cover.
Cooking indoors? Electric. Cooking for a crowd outside? Gas.
