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What constitutes a barbeque? Most of us think of a grill as an outdoor cooking appliance equipped with grates, so grill marks can be obtained, whether supported by Wood pellets, coal or gas. However, different regions put a different spin on the word. For example, the word “broiler” in the United Kingdom refers to the top-to-bottom broiler function of an oven. (Consider Burger King’s term “flame grilled,” which also confuses matters.) Furthermore, the existence of a “flat-top grill” seems to negate the grating theory as well, since the defining characteristic of a flat top is the absence of grates.
In fact, the word “grilling” broadly means the direct application of high heat, in which case all of the above methods apply. If you’re struggling with the feeling that you’re supposed to have a grill for seasonal outdoor cooking (the grated kind) but find yourself looking for excuses not to use it — because it’s too hard to clean or because you can’t seem to master it — it’s possible that what you really need is a flattop grill.
But is a flattop grill worth it? I consulted an expert Erica BlairFood Network’s BBQ Brawl Champion, celebrity pitmaster, and Beef Ambassador. It’s what’s for dinner. Blair provided insight into the nuances of stovetop cooking and whether it’s right for you.
What is a flat grill and how does it work?
Flattop grills have become popular. There is less daily cleaning but more ongoing maintenance must be taken into account.
While the term may be obvious to some, many people associate flat surfaces with indoor cooking, such as a griddle. “A flattop grill is basically a baking tray,” Blair says. “You’re going to be a burner. You’re not smoking, you’re not barbecuing in the traditional sense,” she said. With a flattop grill, “you’re searing on a uniformly hot surface with no airflow underneath.”
Cooktop grills feature a solid, flat metal cooking surface with zones operated by individual burners, depending on the size of the model. While many small grills are available for indoor use, and some can be placed directly on your kitchen range for heating, outdoor stovetop grills are usually electric or gas.
What can you use the flattop grill for?
Smashburgers, patties, and home-made fries are just a few of the flatbread foods you can easily prepare.
Consider your typical barbecue fare or outdoor cooking needs, then ask yourself whether a griddle or flat surface might be more convenient than a traditional grill.
“For a flattop, you think of burgers — especially the Smashburger — you think of fajitas,” Blair said, as well as other preparations that don’t quite fit on the grill, like fried rice, eggs, and anything you’re worried will easily slip through the grates or that regularly misbehaves on a traditional grill. (Looking at you, salmon.)
“Because you get such high temperatures and such uniformity on a flat surface, the sky is the limit on what you can do,” she said, which of course also includes the ultimate barbecue expression: steaks.
Many chefs say that cast iron is the best way to cook certain types of steak, even during grilling season; A flat-top outdoor grill provides the same function, allowing you to turn up the heat without smoking your entire kitchen.
“If you’re cutting very thin slices like sirloin or skirt steak, on a griddle, you’ll be able to sear the outside completely but still keep the inside very moist and get a lot of flavor without worrying about it drying out,” Blair said.
You wouldn’t want to try patties on a grated grill.
What’s more, Blair said, “With a traditional grill, you’re fighting against open space, so all the sauces, butter, herbs or other aromatics might end up in the space. With a griddle, you can put it all in there, and it will stay.”
Maintaining and cleaning the flat grill
Flattop grills need seasoning much like a cast iron skillet.
Like good cast iron, preparing your flat surface by seasoning it goes a long way toward making your life easier every time you use it. “Using a thin layer of oil with a high smoke point, you turn up the heat until the oil smokes, then you let it cool, and you do it a few more times, wiping up any excess,” Blair said. This basically gives you a non-stick surface.
A particular challenge with a flattop grill is not having to clean it often, which can be very easy, especially if you’ve seasoned it; The challenge is when to clean it. “A lot of times after using a flattop, you might go to eat, and you think you’re going to get to it later, but now you’ve ruined your life because it doesn’t have the holes and empty spaces in it, like a grill does,” Blair said.
If you’re not ready to use full power, you can purchase a grate tray attachment.
A flat top really needs that It is cleaned immediatelyor at least while it’s still warm, so you have a moment to start enjoying the fruits of your flat labor, but in pausing, you risk forgetting about it even after it cools down. “When the flat surface dries and cools, everything sticks there,” Blair says. “So you’re going to have to use a scraper and use a lot of arm strength, but if you clean the griddle as soon as you’re done cooking, while it’s still warm, you can wipe it down and you’re done.” Most flat surfaces designed for outdoor cooking also have a small well or catcher for bits and pieces that collect during the mopping process.
Read more: A step-by-step guide to cleaning your grill
Cleaning agent is an important consideration for an outdoor cooking host, especially if you have a personality type that makes your life difficult every time you use the flat surface. Basically, a flattop grill can be much easier to clean than a grate grill, but it can also be much more difficult.
How much does a flat grill cost?
Blackstone flat-top grills start at around $300.
As with charcoal or gas grills, there’s a real range to what you can spend, depending on the size of your needs and budget. “It really depends on what you’re trying to get, because every brand now offers options at affordable levels for all levels,” Blair said.
A quick look on Amazon shows that many of the existing flattop grills range in price from approx $250 to $700depending on what accessories you might want to include, such as setup racks and tool hooks, with a little savings if you’re looking for a tabletop camping model.
Premium modelsincluding complete outdoor cooking islands, can range in price from $700 and much more. The good news, according to Blair, is that almost any flat-roof model will get the job done. “As long as all the burners are working and the surface is hot, you’re good to go,” she said, while grate grills that include lids and multiple cooking levels have a lot of factors to consider in terms of value for function.
You know, for less than $100, you can even get Flat top surface To sit on top of the grated grill – In case you’re reading this and bemoaning the fact that you already have the wrong kind for you.
