Updated: July 2025

The griddle revolution has transformed outdoor cooking in 2025, with flat top grills becoming the fastest-growing segment in backyard cooking equipment. From viral TikTok cooking videos to neighborhood barbecues, griddles are rapidly replacing traditional grills as the go-to cooking surface for home chefs.

But if you’re new to this cooking phenomenon, you’re probably wondering: What exactly is a griddle? How does it differ from a regular grill, and why are millions of cooking enthusiasts making the switch to flat top cooking?

This comprehensive guide will answer all your questions about griddles, exploring their fascinating history, different types available today, and why they’ve become essential equipment for serious home cooks in 2025.

What Is A Griddle?

Simple Definition: A griddle is a flat cooking surface with a heat source located underneath, providing consistent, even heat distribution across its entire surface.

Unlike traditional grills with grates that create hot spots and allow flames to reach food directly, griddles offer precise temperature control and uniform heating. This fundamental difference makes griddles incredibly versatile for cooking techniques that would be impossible on a standard grill.

Essential characteristics that define griddles:

• Completely flat cooking surface – no grates, ridges, or gaps
• Even heat distribution – eliminates hot spots and cold zones
• Large cooking area – typically 300-700+ square inches
• Multiple temperature zones – different heat levels across the surface
• Superior heat retention – maintains consistent temperatures
• Easy cleanup – single smooth surface to maintain

The beauty of griddle cooking lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can cook delicate foods like eggs and fish alongside hearty items like burgers and vegetables, all at their optimal temperatures simultaneously.

The Rich History of Griddles

Griddles have served as essential cooking tools across cultures for over 700 years, with each civilization developing unique designs suited to their culinary traditions and available materials.

Ancient Latin American Origins

The earliest documented griddles date back to the 14th century in Latin America, where indigenous peoples used flat stone slabs called budare to cook flatbreads. These primitive griddles were heated over open fires and used to prepare staple foods like:

• Tortillas – corn-based flatbreads
• Casabe – cassava bread
• Arepa – corn cakes
• Various flatbreads – regional specialties

This ancient cooking method remains virtually unchanged in many Latin American households today, proving the timeless effectiveness of flat top cooking.

Celtic and Scottish Traditions

Celtic and Scottish cultures developed their own griddle traditions, using them for centuries to prepare regional specialties like scones, oatcakes, and bannocks. The traditional Scottish griddle featured a distinctive round, flat iron surface with curved edges that could be suspended by chains over open fires.

This historical design has inspired modern portable griddles like the Tembo Tusk and FireDisc, which combine traditional flat top cooking with modern portability.

Evolution into Modern Times

The 20th century brought significant innovation to griddle design, creating distinct categories:

• Stovetop griddle plates – designed to span multiple burners
• Electric countertop griddles – popularized breakfast cooking
• Commercial restaurant griddles – revolutionized food service
• Outdoor gas griddles – the newest and fastest-growing category

The 2020s have witnessed an explosion in outdoor griddle popularity, with brands like Blackstone leading a movement that’s challenged traditional grill manufacturers and created an entirely new cooking culture.

Electric Griddles: Indoor Convenience

Electric griddles utilize electrical heating elements beneath a flat cooking surface, typically featuring non-stick coatings for easy food release and cleanup. They’ve become the standard for indoor flat top cooking.

Advanced Features of Modern Electric Griddles:

• Digital temperature control – precise heat management from 200°F to 450°F
• Large cooking surfaces – typically 200-400 square inches
• Even heat distribution – embedded heating elements eliminate hot spots
• Indoor safety – no open flames or gas connections required
• Easy maintenance – removable drip trays and dishwasher-safe components
• Energy efficiency – direct heat transfer minimizes energy waste

Electric griddles revolutionized breakfast cooking for families, enabling home cooks to prepare complete morning meals on a single surface. This success directly influenced the development of outdoor griddles, with manufacturers adapting the concept for backyard use.

Some manufacturers now offer hybrid solutions, like Blackstone’s E-Series electric griddles, which provide outdoor cooking capability without requiring propane connections. For a detailed analysis of electric outdoor options, check out my comprehensive Blackstone E-Series review.

Outdoor Griddles: The 2025 Phenomenon

Outdoor griddles represent the fastest-growing segment in backyard cooking equipment, with sales increasing over 300% since 2020. What began as a niche product has evolved into a cultural movement, complete with dedicated social media communities and the popular #griddlenation hashtag.

Advanced Construction and Design

Modern outdoor griddles feature sophisticated engineering designed for performance and durability:

• Cooking surface materials: Cold-rolled steel (most common), carbon steel, or stainless steel
• Advanced heating systems: H-shaped or linear gas burner designs using propane or natural gas
• Precise heat control: Individual zone temperature management
• High temperature capability: Can reach 500-700°F for searing and high-heat cooking
• Professional cart design: Powder-coated steel frames with mobility wheels and prep surfaces
• Grease management: Integrated drainage systems and removable collection trays

Leading Outdoor Griddle Brands in 2025

The competitive outdoor griddle market features several standout manufacturers:

• Blackstone – Market leader with 60%+ market share and extensive model lineup
• Pit Boss – Competitive pricing with solid construction and warranty support
• Razor – Premium features including stainless steel surfaces and advanced controls
• Steelmade USA – The only American-made option with a lifetime warranty
• Weber – New entrant leveraging their grill expertise
• Camp Chef – Specializes in portable and camping-focused models

Why Outdoor Griddles Dominate in 2025

The explosive growth isn’t just trendy—outdoor griddles offer substantial advantages over traditional grilling:

• Unmatched versatility – cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts
• Massive cooking capacity – feed large groups efficiently
• Consistent results – no hot spots, flare-ups, or uneven cooking
• Simple maintenance – straightforward seasoning and cleaning process
• Social cooking experience – interactive meal preparation for gatherings
• Weather resistance – performs well in various outdoor conditions
• Cost effectiveness – typically less expensive than premium gas grills

Commercial Griddles: Professional Power

Commercial griddles are the backbone of professional kitchens worldwide. If you’ve enjoyed food from Waffle House, IHOP, McDonald’s, or virtually any restaurant, you’ve experienced the results of commercial griddle cooking.

Commercial-Grade Features:

• Massive cooking surfaces – typically 36-72 inches wide
• Multiple independent heat zones – precise temperature control across sections
• Industrial construction – stainless steel or heavy-duty carbon steel
• High BTU output – 25,000-40,000 BTUs per zone for rapid heating
• Professional grease management – integrated drainage and filtration systems
• Continuous operation capability – designed for 12+ hour daily use

Commercial griddles enable professional kitchens to manage dozens of orders simultaneously, cooking different items at various temperatures across the same surface. This professional capability is now accessible to home cooks through residential outdoor griddles, albeit on a smaller scale.

Flat Top Grill vs. Griddle: Settling the Debate

This question appears frequently in cooking forums and social media groups. The straightforward answer: in modern usage, these terms are functionally identical.

While some sources suggest technical differences, contemporary outdoor griddles and flat top grills share identical characteristics:

• Flat cooking surfaces – no grates or ridges
• Gas heating systems – propane or natural gas burners
• Similar heat output – typically 12,000-60,000 total BTUs
• Identical cooking methods – direct contact with heated surface
• Same maintenance requirements – seasoning and cleaning protocols

The terminology difference typically reflects regional preferences, manufacturer marketing strategies, or personal preference. Whether you call it a flat top grill or a griddle,