8 best grill with griddle combos: Gas, charcoal & reversible
You’re probably here because you’re like me and love grilling. But it’s hard to do more than 1 type of thing at a time.
A grill and griddle combo solves this problem by allowing you to cook food on the grill as well as the griddle, all in one place!
In this guide, I’ll take you through the top choices of my favorite piece of cooking gear: the combo.
My favorite is the Royal Gourmet propane combo grill because it’s a spacious, yet portable outdoor grill. It’s just a heavy-duty grill with a griddle top you can use for all your grilling needs without investing in different grills. With 4 burners, you can set up different cooking zones to grill all types of foods simultaneously!
Imagine satisfying everyone’s cravings at once without having to go back and forth with your grill. You can cook burgers, wings, ribs, veggies, and even pancakes on the same grill!
This demo video shows you what you’re getting:
Let’s look at my choices in a quick overview and I’ll come back and review each of these more in-depth further down the article:
| Grill with griddle | Images |
| Best propane gas grill griddle combo: Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-Burner |  (view more images) |
| Best budget gas grill with griddle top: TELAM gas flat top grill |  (view more images) |
| Best charcoal grill & gas griddle combo: Blackstone 1819 |  (view more images) |
| Best pellet grill with griddle combo: Lifesmart 760″ wood pellet grill |  (view more images) |
| Best grill and griddle combo for camping: Camplux propane small gas griddle grill |  (view more images) |
| Best dual-layer grill and griddle combo: Kudu open fire dual-layer grill system |  (view more images) |
| Best indoor electric grill/griddle combo: Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 grill and griddle |  (view more images) |
| Stovetop griddles: Lodge cast iron reversible grill/griddle |  (view more images) |
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- 1 1. Best propane gas grill griddle combo: Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-burner
- 2 2. Best budget gas grill with griddle top: TELAM gas flat top grill
- 3 3. Best charcoal grill & gas griddle combo: Blackstone 1819
- 4 4. Best pellet grill with griddle combo: Lifesmart 760″ wood pellet grill
- 5 5. Best grill and griddle combo for camping: Camplux propane small gas griddle grill
- 6 6. Best dual-layer grill and griddle combo: Kudu open fire dual-layer grill system
- 7 7. Best indoor electric grill/griddle combo: Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 grill and griddle
- 8 8. Best stove top: Lodge cast iron reversible grill/griddle, LDP3
- 9 What’s the distinction between a griddle and grill?
- 10 The type of metal makes the difference
- 11 What are the ideal cooking temperatures?
- 12 Which one is easier to clean, a griddle or a grill?
- 13 Which grill and griddle combo will you choose?
1. Best propane gas grill griddle combo: Royal Gourmet GD401C 4-burner
- Type: gas/propane
- Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.7 x 36.6 inches
- Cooking surface area: 584 sq. inches total
- Burners: 4
- Material: stainless steel
- Drip tray: removable trays
- Grease cup: yes
- Grease channel/grease management system: built-in
- Reversible cooking surface: no
The Royal Gourmet GD401C is by far the best overall propane grill and griddle combo because it’s versatile, offers plenty of cooking space, and folds down completely so you can take it on the road for all your outdoor cooking needs!
It’s one of the most affordable grills and griddle combos you can find, and at such a price, it’s hard to get a decent gas grill, let alone a combo. If you love outdoor cooking, outdoor gas griddles and grills are must-haves in your household.
So, not only is this a value buy, but also a well-designed product with a built-in grease management system for easy clean-up. In fact, the grill has a built-in grease channel.
This is designed to collect and then redirect all the drippings into removable drip trays. So the grill is very easy to clean and won’t have you scrubbing off all that greasy fat for hours.
One of the challenges people always face is taking a griddle and a grill camping. But with this 2-in-1, you can have both.
The best feature is that it has foldable legs, so the whole thing is completely foldable and compact. With 4 lockable casters, you can easily store it, set it up, and then fold it back down once you’re done.
The only downside is that this huge grill is quite heavy and weighs 100 pounds. But since it folds down into a smaller compact size, it should fit in your car or RV, as long as you have someone who can help you carry it.
Components and performance
All components, including the stainless steel burners, are well-integrated.
Although the frame and body are made of stainless steel, the cast iron griddle top will require extra care to preserve its seasoning layer. You could have rust problems if you’re not careful.
Cast iron is great at absorbing heat and maintaining consistency.
The seasoning layer is simple to maintain once you’re familiar with it. Most seasoning layers can be maintained with just a quick rubdown with oil while cleaning.
The assembly is quite simple because the grill is designed with simplicity in mind. It should take you and your friend less than 2 hours to put it together with basic household tools.
The fuel source is propane so it can be used with a 20- to 25-pound liquid propane tank. However, a natural gas conversion kit isn’t included, so you have to purchase that separately.
The stainless steel burners are able to produce enough heat to allow you to grill or griddle at once. Each burner can be independently controlled to produce 12,000 BTUs, for a total of 48,000 BTUs of heat, which is very powerful!
The grill side can do almost everything you’d expect a propane direct heat grill to do.
The only problem is the lack of a grill lid; it can’t be used for low-heat and hybrid grilling. This can be overcome by using a large, heavy-duty aluminum baking dish that’s upside down.
Additional grates are available to purchase if you want to use the Royal Gourmet GDR401C on both sides. You can then remove the cast iron griddle and install the grates.
You can also buy a porcelain-enameled cast-iron griddle to be used as a griddle.
As far as food prep goes, you also have 2 foldable side tables so you can keep the food there or the meat that’s already cooked. Or if you need to, you can do some cutting, chopping, and all the prep work.
This is handy if you’re camping and don’t have counter space at hand.
Check the latest prices and availability here
2. Best budget gas grill with griddle top: TELAM gas flat top grill
- Type: gas
- Small frying pan size: 15 x 15 x 4.6 inches
- Grill size: 14 x 15 x 4.7 inches
- Outdoor camping double-eye stove size: 30.7 x 15.7 x 28.7 inches
- Burners: 2
- Material: stainless steel
- Drip tray: yes
- Grease cup: yes
- Grease channel/grease management system: no
- Reversible cooking surface: no
If you want something affordable and basic that you can use for grilling outdoors, then the TELAM gas flat top grill is a budget-friendly and versatile cooker.
It’s sold with a bunch of accessories, including 2 spatulas, a grill scraper for cleaning the griddle, and 2 condiment shakers.
So it’s a complete outdoor grill and griddle combo, which is ideal for camping, road trips, and backyard cooking. The practical accessories also help you cut the meat right there on the grill, which cuts down prep work.
One of the main advantages of this grill combo is that it’s easy to transport.
Portability is an important feature and this grill is very lightweight (25 lbs). That means you can easily lift and carry it alone.
The legs are detachable so you can easily install the grill and then move it around. It’s suitable for outdoor cooking, camping, gatherings, and dining.
This stove can be combined with other cooking utensils to suit your needs. This stove is ideal for many occasions, including boating, camping, and backyard/terrace cooking, as well as family meals.
Another important feature is the easy start push-button ignition that makes the grill ready for use in no time! Even though this is such a light and basic grill, the button is ideal for those looking for a simple start-up.
You don’t need any charcoal, kerosene, matches. And the grill is completely safe and easy to use, even for beginners.
This is a multi-functional cooker with half of the grill being a griddle the other half a classic grill grate for making the best steaks and ribs. The materials are a bit flimsy, but everything is designed to be lightweight, not very heavy-duty.
Burners, grease management & cooking space
I think the standout feature of this grill is the powerful burners. Even though there are only 2 (1 for each side), these burners have a heat output of up to 36,000 BTU.
With each knob, you can adjust the size of the flame to control the flame intensity and temperature. Also, there’s an air flap you can manually adjust to ensure the blue flame is always on.
The good news is that you can control each burner separately so you can make all types of food at the same time. This is extremely helpful if you like to use pots and pans on the grill too.
On 1 side, you can make yourself a frying pan full of french fries while you grill burgers or okonomiyaki on the griddle.
If I can make one major complaint, it’s the grease management system. There’s a grease drain but it’s placed over the right valve and that makes a mess.
It’s definitely harder to clean than some other grills. However, for the price, it’s a pretty well-designed combo grill.
Royal Gourmet vs TELAM
These 2 grill and griddle combinations are in a similar price range (under $500).
First, I want to mention that while they have similar designs and are made out of almost the same materials, the TELAM is much more portable and lightweight. It’s 25 lbs compared to the Royal Gourmet, which is 100 lbs.
However, the Royal Gourmet is much more durable and the grill grates are cast iron, which is much better for heat distribution. It’ll also last longer than simple stainless steel material.
Second, let’s compare the burners and cooking space. Clearly, the Royal Gourmet is the winner because it has twice the burners and a larger cooking surface so you can make more food at once. This is useful if you like to cook for large groups of friends.
The TELAM burner only heats up the grill and griddle over the burner, whereas the Royal Gourmet burners are very good at distributing the heat evenly so you can cook more food quicker without temperature fluctuations.
Third, I want to look at the grease management system, which is very important for most pitmasters. The TELAM doesn’t have a good one, just a grease cup that’s located by the valve and drips grease.
If you don’t mind a few minutes of extra clean-up, you won’t be bothered. But if you like a complete grease system that collects and takes the grease out for easy cleaning, the Royal Gourmet definitely delivers this grease-free cooking experience.
Finally, with the more expensive Royal Gourmet grill, you get bonus features like the foldable side tables you can use for all the food prep.
3. Best charcoal grill & gas griddle combo: Blackstone 1819
- Type: gas and charcoal combo
- Dimensions: 50.5 x 21.25 x 35.75 inches
- Cooking surface area: grill is 16 x 15.75 inches and the griddle is 17 x 15.7 inches
- Burners: 1
- Material: black steel frame and steel burners and cooktop
- Grease cup: yes
- Grease channel/grease management system: rear
- Reversible cooking surface: no
Blackstone is known for its amazing flat-top grills. But this charcoal grill and griddle combo doesn’t disappoint either!
The adjustable-height grill surface allows you to control the heat from the charcoal briquettes. So it’s just like using any other high-quality charcoal grill, but you have the added bonus of the gas griddle!
The charcoal flat-top griddle uses propane on the griddle side with 12,000 BTUs heat, which is quite powerful. The grill side uses charcoal briquettes as its heat source.
But you need to use a 1-pound propane tank for the griddle side. A propane adapter hose is included too.
It sounds a bit high maintenance having to use 2 fuel sources simultaneously. But once your propane tank is in place, you just turn on the burner and it heats up to the desired temperature.
For the charcoal grill side, you can get that amazing smokey flavor of charcoal-grilled meat that you just don’t get with electric and gas grills. So this is a major flavor advantage!
If you’re used to charcoal grilling, you’ll love how versatile this grill truly is.
Build and components
In terms of build, the Blackstone grill features a black powder-coated steel frame and stainless steel burners.
It’s quite sturdy and durable, but also pretty lightweight, as it only weighs 30 lbs. So you can carry it around and it’s portable for outdoor cooking and camping trips.
There are sturdy wheels on the bottom of the grill that ensure easy maneuverability so you don’t have to drag the grill. Then you also have hooks where you can keep your grilling accessories.
The grill is made using the same high-quality standards Blackstone is famous for. However, the cooktops aren’t rust-proof like you’d expect from stainless steel.
The one constant issue users have with this grill is the grill grates. They need constant seasoning or else they tend to rust pretty fast, which is very inconvenient. However, the manufacturer’s instructions clearly state that you have to season the grill occasionally.
If you like to prep right there on the grill, you’ll be glad that this grill has a side table and there’s plenty of space to cut up meat and chop veggies!
Now, once the grease builds up, it all goes into a rear grease tray that’s easy to clean. This ensures that your cooker doesn’t become full of fat and grease, plus it reduces flare-ups.
Overall, this Blackstone is an affordable grill and it’s perfect for serious grilling enthusiasts. It’s a great price for a 2-in-1 model!
4. Best pellet grill with griddle combo: Lifesmart 760″ wood pellet grill
- Type: pellet grill
- Dimensions: 32 x 18 x 41 inches
- Cooking surface area: 650 sq. inches total
- Hopper capacity: 15 lbs
- Material: alloy steel
- Grease channel/grease management system: yes
- Temperature control: digital
- Reversible griddle
I know that some of you absolutely love the flavors and convenience of your pellet grill. So if you think you need a pellet grill with a special griddle side too, then the Lifesmart 760 is the best combo wood pellet grill!
This is the best type of pellet grill and griddle combo because this product has tons of useful features that every modern pitmaster needs. It’s definitely an upgrade to the basic gas grill and griddle combo.
The grill features Grill Smart Technology. This means you can light up the cooker instantly without using all kinds of ignition fluids, matches, etc. So it has a steel-flash ignition system that’s easy to light, even for amateurs.
The Lifesmart includes a dual LED temperature display that’s designed for precision cooking, especially for those unfamiliar with temperature control.
With this feature, you can set the desired internal cooking temperature to an accuracy of 1 degree. Then, you can modify the temps in 5-degree increments so you never overcook your meat.
Since you’re looking for a grill and griddle combo, you probably want to cook a variety of foods. This versatile grill lets you smoke, grill, cook on the griddle, sear, roast, braise, bake, and even dehydrate.
So, it basically does 8 things, making its price an excellent buy!
Imagine that you can make grilled meats and breakfast foods simultaneously on your combo cooker. But the added benefit is that you get that smokey wood flavor from the wood pellets.
Nothing beats real wood-fired aromas and flavors, and this grill delivers that!
Cooking space and cook time
People often get annoyed by pellet grills if they have to keep adding more pellets every hour or so. And that’s a real issue with smaller pellet grills that have tiny hoppers.
But, that’s not the case with this one because it has a 15-lb hopper, which means you can cook and smoke between 3-15 hours with 1 full hopper!
As far as cooking space, you get a 510 sq. in. cooking surface here, which is enough to cook about 24 burgers, 4 whole chickens, about 4 racks of ribs, or a dozen yakitori skewers.
I like the grill grates because they have an enamel coating. This means the food doesn’t stick to the grate, so it’s easy to clean.
You really don’t have to worry about cleaning up with this grill because all the components are washable. And even if some grease does drip, it doesn’t stay stuck on.
The one complaint that seems to come up is that this pellet grill isn’t very portable. It’s specially designed for cooking at home on the patio or in the backyard.
It’s very bulky and large, so I don’t recommend taking it on the road.
But overall, if you want a grill that can do it all, this is it!
Blackstone gas & charcoal vs Lifesmart wood pellet grill
The Blackstone combo grill is one of the most popular ones. It’s a type of grill you can use at home and for camping trips.
The Lifesmart, on the other hand, is a true professional-grade grill and is the most versatile on this list. You can cook anything on it, as well as smoke meats and fish.
So it’s the better choice if you want a grill that does it all and you’re willing to spend a bit more for a quality product.
An advantage of the Lifesmart grill is that it has a complete temperature control system, which the Blackstone also has, but it’s not digital and not nearly as accurate.
The cooking space is larger with the Lifesmart, but the Blackstone is much more compact and lightweight. It depends on what you want to do with it.
If you want a simple but well-made grill and griddle combo, the Blackstone is enough to give you all the features you need at a reasonable price.
Keep in mind that the Blackstone has wheels and it’s easy to move around, whereas the Lifesmart is a large bulky grill. I don’t recommend it for traveling.
In terms of flavor, both are excellent options because they both offer that smoky wood aroma and flavor when cooking on the grill side.
5. Best grill and griddle combo for camping: Camplux propane small gas griddle grill
- Type: propane/gas
- Dimensions: 36.1 x 12.6 x 32.5 inches
- Cooking surface area: 190 sq. in
- Material: stainless steel
- Grease channel/grease management system: removable grease cup
- Temperature control: yes
- Has a grill net and griddle plate that goes on top
The Camplux is a propane gas grill, designed for camping. S, of course, it’s small, foldable, and compact, yet it still has the power to cook food to perfection.
It’s the kind of combo grill you can use when going on camping trips with the family, as it’s spacious enough for 2-4 people.
Unlike the other combo grills, this one has just one cooking surface with a classic grill grate. But the grill plate for the griddle function is separate and goes on top of the grates.
So it’s not really a dual cooking surface grill. You have to choose whether you want to grill or use the griddle, not both.
You have plenty of cooking space, considering it’s a camping-size grill.
With 179 sq. inches of grilling and griddle space, you can make flat-top griddle-specific foods like Japanese pancakes, burgers, and teppanyaki yakiniku. Or you can take advantage of the grill to make juicy ribs.
With that griddle pan, you can sear and cook on high heat. But the good thing is that the pan is removable, so it’s also easy to clean and store.
The griddle is non-stick because it’s coated with enamel. This ensures that your meat doesn’t stick to the grill surface.
If you use traditional teppanyaki tools like a scraper and spatula, then you can pretty much cook any food. The grease cup is detachable so you can wash it.
Once you’re done camping, you can remove the 4 detachable legs and use the caster wheels to move the grill around. It can fit on your balcony, garage, RV, and trunk easily.
Oh, and it only weighs 35 lbs, so anyone can carry and set up this small cooker!
Power & burners
Although it’s a small grill, it’s got more power than you’d expect. With 22,000 BTUs of heat, this propane grill will heat up in minutes and start cooking right away.
You can control the temperature with the knob, although it’s a pretty basic system. But since it’s a camping grill, you really don’t need more than that.
A 20-lb propane hose is included so you can make lots of tasty food before you run out of gas. It’s not the kind of tiny grill that requires 5 propane backup tanks just to get you through a week of grilling.
6. Best dual-layer grill and griddle combo: Kudu open fire dual-layer grill system
- Type: charcoal grill
- Dimensions: 48 x 29 inches
- Cooking surface area: 19-inch steel grate and 16-inch cast-iron skillet
- Material: steel base & stainless steel grates
- Grease channel/grease management system: no
- Temperature control: move the grates up and down
This Kudu grill has is an interesting tiered design. It’s like having an oven, grill, and griddle pan all in one, but on different levels.
You can move and adjust the levels up or down as needed. Basically, that’s your temperature control because you don’t have airflow control via vents.
This means that you have can adjust the height of the cooking surface and the position of the grates. This feature isn’t available on many grills.
This allows you to control the heat quickly. It takes several minutes for most charcoal grills to adjust the temperature if the vents are opened or closed.
The active nature of the Kudu grill is something that pros and pitmasters love. You really need to keep an eye on the food, as it’s not as easy as using an electric cooker.
The grill is a constant reminder to keep an eye on the food. You need to check the meat and adjust the grates.
You can leave the grill for a while if you’re cooking whole chickens, ribs, or something similar that takes longer to cook. But generally, you have to watch over the grill.
In terms of the build, the Kudu hrill is extremely solid. It’s made from thick steel metal and is built to last.
It’s very stable and there’s virtually no chance of it tipping, even with the grates removed from the grill. That’s because the legs are sturdy and none of the components are flimsy.
The main disadvantage of this grill is that the charcoal pan doesn’t have vents or drains. It’s simple to remove the ash from a regular kettle grill, but not this one.
The Kudu’s charcoal pan is very solid so there’s no way to get it clean. Use a broom, dustpan, or shovel to remove the ash.
Also, this grill isn’t covered, so it’s not great if you use it in bad weather because of the open flame. It can handle wind but not rain, so make sure it’s nice outside before you start cooking.
Accessories and portability
This Kudu grill comes with a great selection of accessories. First, you have a cast-iron pan that’s an addition to the grill grate.
The pan is considered to be the griddle here because it works exactly the same way. It has a smooth flat top surface like your teppanyaki grill.
You can cook vegetables, potatoes, or other foods while your meat is cooking. You can even buy a rotisserie attachment for juicy chicken if you want one.
If you’re looking to make a pot roast or beans, the Dutch oven (a kind of roasting pan) and hanger will work well. The smoker dome lets you keep heat in, so it’s not just an open grill.
It’s still a good camping grill though because it’s portable and easy to carry.
Kudu grills are great for anyone who’s camping or tailgating, and needs a portable grill. You can easily assemble and disassemble it in a matter of minutes, using no tools.
You can remove the legs and elevation arms and you’re good to go! You can even buy a carry case that you can throw in your RV or truck.
The grill itself and accessories are pricey. But this is the kind of grill and griddle combo that’ll last you for at least a decade.
Camplux vs Kudu
I picked these 2 grills because they’re both suitable for your next camping vacation. The Camplux is a budget-friendly smaller alternative for the expensive Kudu.
But that’s not the only differencel the Camplux is a propane gas grill and griddle while the Kudu is a classic charcoal cooker. So in terms of flavor, the Kudu is unbeatable if you love the taste of slightly charred and smoky wood-flavored meat.
However, the Camplux is such an easy grill to use!
You simply add on the griddle pan when you want to use that and switch between the grill grate and griddle. You control the temperature with the knob and don’t have to guess when adjusting the height of the grates as you do with the Kudu.
The Camplux is smaller and has a smaller cooking surface, so it’s more suited for small groups and couples who go camping.
But if you’re planning on large outdoor gatherings and parties, the Kudu might be more suitable and also more impressive to cook on. The Kudu is definitely a show-off piece because it has a unique design and it’s very well made.
If you’re new to grilling, you’ll find that the gas grill is easier to use than the charcoal one. It all depends on what you like and how much “work” you want to put in.
7. Best indoor electric grill/griddle combo: Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 grill and griddle
- Dimensions: 12.51 x 23 x 6.71 inches
- Cooking surface area: 180 sq. inches
- Material: aluminum
- Grease channel/grease management system: grease channel with drip tray underneath
- Temperature control: knobs
- Reversible plates
- Type: electric
Not everyone wants an outdoor grill and griddle combo. If you like to cook in your kitchen and want a truly versatile electric device, the Hamilton grill is an excellent choice.
This Hamilton grill and griddle combo is the perfect device to cook delicious foods indoors.
It has 2 cooking surfaces of the same size: one is the griddle, and one is the grill. Each comes with its own temperature setting so you can cook different types of foods simultaneously.
If you want to cook low-fat breakfasts and steaks, this is a handy cooker because it comes with reversible plates and 2 separate cooking zones. Basically, the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 grill and griddle features 2 expandable, reversible irons, as well as a twin array of cooking ranges that can be customized with heat controls.
This means you can make sweets on the griddle and steaks on the grill side, or vice versa, depending on what you like to cook. Each half can be controlled independently at a temperature of 425F.
Here’s a small inconvenience: you can use 1 or both sides to control the temperature, but heat can transfer to the other side even if it’s not in use. So even if you only use one side, heat can transfer to the other, so avoid putting your fingers on the side you’re not using.
The grill claims to be completely nonstick. But customers say that even if your cooking surface is nonstick, spraying with cooking spray is a good idea.
Size, clean-up, and grease management
This multi-purpose grill is unique because it provides 3 cooking options; full-grill, full-griddle, and half-grill/half-griddle. It’s very easy to use.
It features a 12.5″x23″ cooking surface and 2 separate cooking areas. It’s bulky and almost 9 pounds in weight but still, it’s a great size for countertop cooking.
Chances are, you’re not really getting this grill for outdoor cooking.
But even if you want to use it with your RV electrical connection, you can! It’s not too large and heats up pretty fast.
Both cooking surfaces are removable and dishwasher-safe. So cleaning up is easy and you don’t need to do much scrubbing.
The grease trap in the center and a dishwasher-safe grease tray make it easy to clean up and dispose of grease.
Also, the cooking grill and griddle are dishwasher-safe too. Not many are, so this is a great feature to have!
This unit is large and can’t be divided into smaller pieces. You can store it inconveniently, but if you have enough room on your countertop, you can put it there.
The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 griddle/grill is a high-quality electric griddle that will not only make delicious dishes and snacks, but also save you money and hassle.
The product isn’t as expensive as the Gevi combo electric grill, which has about the same exact features. Few owners have anything negative to say about this appliance’s cooking.
8. Best stove top: Lodge cast iron reversible grill/griddle, LDP3
- Size: 9.5 x 0.5 x 16.75 inches
- Material: cast-iron
- Handles: yes
- Reversible: yes
- Type: stovetop
A reversible griddle from Lodge is a set of top-quality stovetop griddle and grill plates. This one is created to suit 2 burners and works with every kind of stove.
This griddle comes pre-seasoned and features a superior swish end. The heating is uniform; simply let it heat up, then place the food with some butter or oil.
The flat-top griddle plate is perfect for making grilled cheese sandwiches, pancakes, or for teppan-style cooking. If you want to grill fish and steaks though, the ribbed side is better because your food takes on those grill grate marks and it looks like you cooked on a gas grill outside.
This grill/griddle has a grease reservoir on the griddle faceplate. It would’ve been better if there was a lot more depth to avoid the occasional splattering.
It’s sturdy though, and may last longer with correct care and handling.
Don’t use harsh detergent/soap or place it in a dishwasher. Mild soap, water, and a lint-free cloth are all you need to use to wash it properly.
The products are made in the USA and are highly rated because the cast iron is very good quality and lasts a long time. The grill plates have handles for easy maneuverability.
If you’re tight on space in your home, then you can easily store these 2 plates with your other cookware and take them out when you feel like grilling. It’s a great alternative for those with no space for a large outdoor grill.
But the good thing is that you can also take the plates for camping and cooking over a campfire. Although I prefer to use it on the stovetop, it’s also great for outdoor cooking.
Just light a fire and put some tsukune (chicken meatballs) or salmon on the grill and it’ll be ready in no time. So, it’s quite a versatile cooker set!
Cast iron heats evenly and retains heat in under 3 minutes. This makes it easy to cook cold burger patties or yakiniku beef. There’s no cover so there’s no need to steam or sear like with indoor grills.
Pricewise, it’s also hard to beat this product because it’s very affordable!
I have more portable griddles for you here in my post explaining plancha vs griddle vs teppanyaki (differences & 6 griddles reviewed)
Hamilton Beach electric vs Lodge cast-iron plates
Both the Hamilton Beach electric grill and griddle combo and the Lodge cast-iron plates are ideal solutions for kitchen and indoor cooking.
The grill and the griddle surface are larger for the Lodge plates compared to the electric grill. However, the Hamilton cooker is more practical if you want side-by-side plates for cooking on both simultaneously.
It’s a better option than using the stovetop plates because on 1 side, you can make the bacon and sausages for breakfast, and the pancakes on the griddle surface. However, if you like having easy-to-store plates that are the size of your other cookware and usable over a firepit, then the cast-iron plates are good options.
Also, the cast iron (once seasoned) is the perfect surface when it comes to heat retention. It cooks better over the stovetop than the aluminum electric grill.
But the electric grill is easy to control because you have temperature control knobs and there are no flare-ups.
It depends on whether you prefer a convenient and smokeless electric device, or if you’re satisfied with cheap multi-purpose cast iron plates.
What’s the distinction between a griddle and grill?
The distinction is apparent.
Griddles have sleek, flat surfaces. Grills have distinctively raised ridges if it’s a solid plate or bars with openings in between permitting food to cook directly over the warmth coming from beneath.
Most grills have grates, whereas griddles are flat plates with no ridges.
The heat supply for either griddles or grills can either be gas, charcoal, or electricity.
Griddles transfer heat from the whole metal surface to the food, which causes even cooking and browning processes. The heat supply or flames are never too high to overcook the food.
Grills, on the other hand, use higher temperatures than griddle cookers. The warmth transfers from the fireplace directly through the metal of the grill grate.
The metal absorbs and intensifies the warmth, browning, or burning at the point of contact. These are the grill marks we have a tendency to love on our hot dogs and steaks.
The type of metal makes the difference
Most griddles are made of either cast iron or stainless steel. For grills of higher prices and commercial use, they’re made of stainless steel and even chrome.
You’ll notice steel or stainless-steel griddles in most restaurants and hotels.
They mill the steel swish to around 3/4-inch, and it weighs about 30 lbs per area unit. It has glorious heat retention and recovery.
You can additionally get 1/4-inch steel for plate material that weighs about 10 lbs per area unit. If you intend to cook a lot of foods like burgers and potatoes, look for a grill or a griddle with thicker steel.
You’ll notice grill grates come in different materials like nickel-plated steel, stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic ware-enameled iron, and porcelain decorated steel.
Although plain steel and iron will rust, once you break them in and season them, they’re virtually non-stick.
When cleaning, you only wipe on a bit of oil to avoid rust. This is known as seasoning.
The bottom line here is that the larger and heavier, the better.
Also read: Japanese grill grates | What materials and how are they different?
What are the ideal cooking temperatures?
One of the largest variations between a griddle and a grill is the preparation temperatures. Grills cook at higher temperatures of a minimum of 400°F (204°C) or higher. Griddles work their magic around 350°F (177°C).
Because grills offer additional smoke and heat, they belong outside or below a hood mechanical system.
Griddles tend to be a bit safer since the food isn’t in direct contact with open flames. There’s no likelihood of a disaster.
Which one is easier to clean, a griddle or a grill?
The flat griddle is way easier to scrub than a grill because it doesn’t have all the grates. You can use cooking tools like a scraper or spatula to scrub off grease or stuck-on food pieces.
The grill has an additional area with hidden corners and openings that hold onto burnt grease. You’ll need a stiff brush and hot water to scrub most grills.
Also read: how to clean a flat top grill
For griddles, hot water and a flat hand scraper sometimes do the trick.
Which grill and griddle combo will you choose?
As you think about your different options for grill and griddle combos, think about all the pros and cons of each type.
If you have an outdoor patio, I recommend the Royal Gourmet propane combo grill because it has a large cooking surface area for all types of cooking. Also, it’s pretty affordable and cheap to run with propane tanks you can procure easily.
It’s the kind of cooker you’ll be using for years to come, as you can make tasty American BBQ favorites or try Japanese yakiniku to impress the family.
But if you like to keep things simple, the Lodge grill and griddle plates are also affordable options you can use straight on your stovetop.
Read next: These are the 5 best konro grills (plus the secrets to using them)
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Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
