The flat top has become the second appliance in a serious outdoor kitchen. A grill is still the centerpiece, but more of the islands we plan now set a built-in griddle beside it for the cooking that grates cannot do well: eggs and pancakes, smash burgers, fried rice, delicate fish, shrimp and vegetables cut small.
Here is what separates a griddle from a plancha and a grill, how the installation styles differ, and what the premium brands we carry deliver in size and BTU.
The short answer
A griddle is a flat plate heated by several burners so the whole surface runs at an even, controllable temperature. A traditional Spanish plancha concentrates its fiercest heat in the center and lets the edges run cooler, so you move food rather than turn knobs. For most outdoor kitchens, a 30 inch built-in griddle in thick 304 stainless with two independent zones and 35,000 to 46,000 BTU covers nearly every cook.
Key takeaways
- Griddle means even heat. Plancha traditionally means a hot center and cooler edges.
- Two independent zones matter more than total BTU.
- A thick stainless plate, 5/16 to 1/2 inch, holds heat and resists warping.
- Stainless needs light oiling; carbon steel needs true seasoning; chrome never sees an abrasive.
- NYC apartment terraces generally mean piped natural gas, not propane.
In this guide
- Are outdoor griddles really a trend?
- Griddle vs plancha vs grill: what is the difference?
- Built-in, drop-in or freestanding?
- Which plate material is best?
- What size and how many BTU?
- Griddles in NYC, Long Island, Westchester and South Florida
- Our recommended models
- Which should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
| Griddle | Plancha | Grill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pattern | Even across the plate, often in two or three zones | Hottest in the center, cooler toward the edges | Direct flame and radiant heat through open grates |
| How you control it | Knobs or thermostats per zone | Mostly by sliding food toward or away from the center | Burner zones and the lid |
| Best at | Breakfast, smash burgers, hibachi, cooking for a crowd | Fast, very hot searing of seafood, vegetables and thin cuts | Steaks, chops, char and smoke flavor |
| What it cannot do | Char marks and flame flavor | Hold a gentle, uniform temperature edge to edge | Eggs, rice, small or delicate food |
Are outdoor griddles really a trend?
The clearest evidence is where the largest companies in outdoor cooking have put their money. Weber launched its Slate griddle line in 2024 and then completed its combination with Blackstone, the name most people associate with the backyard griddle, on May 5, 2025; the company now operates as Weber Blackstone. Traeger, which entered the category in 2023 with its three-zone Flatrock, added a smaller two-zone Flatrock in 2025. AmazingRibs documented all of this in its December 2025 review of the barbecue gear market.
The premium built-in brands have followed. Lynx, Twin Eagles, Fire Magic, XO, Blaze, Summerset and Wildfire all now build a dedicated 30 inch or larger griddle designed to sit in an island beside their grills. In our Maspeth showroom, the griddle has become one of the first questions in an island design conversation rather than an afterthought.
Griddle vs plancha vs grill: what is the difference?
How does a griddle work?
A griddle is a solid plate over two or more burners, built so a pancake at the edge browns like one in the middle. Better outdoor griddles split the plate into independent zones: the Twin Eagles Teppanyaki uses two thermostatically controlled burners under a solid 8 mm stainless plate, so one side sears while the other holds.
What makes a plancha different?
The plancha comes from Spanish cooking. The Michelin Guide describes it as a flat top whose highest heat is concentrated at the center of the plate, so cooks slide ingredients toward or away from the hot spot instead of adjusting the flame, and notes it runs very hot, around 350°C (about 660°F). Foodservice Equipment & Supplies reports the same pattern in commercial kitchens: very high heat right over the burner, falling off toward the edges, with planchas typically reaching roughly 550 to 700°F while most thermostatic griddles top out near 550 to 575°F.
The word plancha is used loosely, and many products sold under that name are simply griddles. The residential built-ins we carry are zoned griddles, not center-fired planchas. For a plancha feel, run one zone high and the other low: the same hot-to-cool gradient, with more control.
Do you still need a grill?
Yes, if you want char and flame flavor. A griddle complements a built-in grill rather than replacing it. Our side burner, power burner and griddle guide covers how a griddle fits alongside the other add-ons.
Built-in, drop-in or freestanding?
Built-in griddles are full appliances that slide into a cutout in your island, with their own burners, lid and grease system. Many are sized to share a cutout with the brand's grill: Fire Magic notes its E660i griddle drops into the same 31 1/4 inch cutout as the E660i grill, which makes a matched pair easy to plan.
Drop-in griddle plates are the lighter option. They sit on an existing burner rather than replacing it. The Hestan AGGP griddle plate rests on the grates of a Hestan or Aspire grill, and Twin Eagles makes an 18 inch griddle plate for its power burners. For a dedicated flat top in a narrow run of counter, Wildfire builds a 15 inch built-in side griddle.
Freestanding griddles come on a cart with side shelves and storage. They suit a patio without an island. The Blaze LTE Pro 40 inch freestanding griddle and the Fire Magic Echelon griddle on cart bring built-in quality to wheels.
From our install team
Read the enclosure line in the manual before you frame the island. Blaze, Hestan and Twin Eagles all require a non-combustible enclosure for their units unless an insulated jacket is used, and Lynx requires its LIJ30 jacket for a combustible island. The jacket changes the cutout size, so plan it at the drawing stage.
All griddles Power burners Outdoor kitchen islands
Which plate material is best: stainless, carbon steel or chrome?
304 stainless steel is the standard on premium built-in griddles, and thickness is what separates them. Fire Magic uses a 3/8 inch stainless plate, Twin Eagles a solid 8 mm plate (about 5/16 inch), and Summerset lists a 1/2 inch plate on its Pro Series. A thick plate stores heat, so the surface does not crash when cold patties land, and it resists warping. Stainless does not need true seasoning: Fire Magic's manual asks you to oil it before and during cooking and leave a light coat after cleaning.
Multi-layer plates are Lynx's approach on the Asado: aluminum sandwiched between two sheets of stainless.
Carbon steel and cast iron are what most consumer griddles use, along with accessories such as the Fire Magic cast iron griddle. They sear well and turn naturally slick but rust if neglected. Season before first use and after deep scouring: heat to about 350°F, wipe on thin films of high smoke point oil, and store dry.
Chrome plates appear mainly in commercial kitchens. They need no seasoning but are delicate: manufacturers such as Star warn never to use pumice, griddle stones or steel wool on chrome. And the NYC Fuel Gas Code makes it illegal to use a grill produced for commercial use in a residence.
From our install team
Clean a stainless flat top while it is warm, with a little water and a scraper, and never flood a hot plate with cold water. Fire Magic warns against it because thermal shock warps plates.
What size griddle do you need, and how many BTU?
Thirty inches is the sweet spot: it fits most islands and gives roughly 480 to 660 square inches of surface. Step up to 40 inches if you regularly cook for a crowd. Here is what the manufacturers publish.
| Model | Width | Burners / BTU | Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynx Asado L30AG | 30 in | 2 Trident infrared, up to 46,000 | Stainless and aluminum layers, 495 sq in |
| Fire Magic E660i | 30 in surface | 2 stainless, 45,000 | 3/8 in stainless |
| Twin Eagles TETG30 | 30 in | 2 thermostatic, 40,000 | Solid 8 mm stainless |
| XO XOGRIDDLE30 | 30 in | 2 U-burners, 36,000 | 304 stainless, 495 sq in |
| Summerset Pro Series | 30 in | 2 U-burners, 36,000 | 1/2 in stainless, 495 sq in |
| Wildfire Ranch Pro | 30 in | 2 U-burners, 35,000 | 304 stainless, 526 sq in |
| Blaze LTE Pro | 40 in | 3 burners, 45,000 | Reinforced stainless, 3 zones |
Do not chase the biggest number. A thick plate and two well-separated zones matter more than peak BTU. For fuel, our natural gas vs propane guide explains supply and conversion.
Not sure what fits your space? We can lay out the griddle, grill and gas run together so the cutouts, jackets and outlets are right the first time. Book a free design consultation and we will help you narrow it down.
Outdoor griddles in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester and South Florida
New York City. The rules depend on the building. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, it is illegal to store a standard propane barbecue on a balcony, roof deck, roof, rear yard or courtyard of a multiple dwelling, so apartment terraces in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens generally mean piped natural gas. Natural gas grills must be installed by a New York City licensed master plumber under the NYC Fuel Gas Code, with the piping inspected and tested. One and two family homes may use propane with no more than two 20 pound tanks. Co-op and condo house rules are often stricter than city code.
Nassau, Suffolk and the Hamptons. Near the water, salt air is the enemy. Wash stainless regularly, cover only when dry, and read our 304 vs 316 stainless guide before choosing finishes for a waterfront island. For a new build, New York's All-Electric Buildings Act restricts fossil fuel equipment in new construction once enforced; as of October 2026 enforcement is paused pending appeals. Our guide to the New York gas ban explains the status; confirm with your building department before planning a gas line.
Westchester, New Jersey, Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Suburban installs usually run on piped natural gas shared with the grill, so size the line for every appliance on it. In Jupiter and Stuart, year-round use and salt air make cleaning habits as important as steel grade.
From our install team
Winter is hard on a flat top in the Northeast. Clean it, oil it lightly, let it dry completely and cover it before the first freeze. Our winterizing guide covers the full outdoor kitchen.
Our recommended models
Chosen for plate quality, zone control and brand support.
Hestan does not currently offer a dedicated built-in griddle in our catalog; for a Hestan island, pair the Hestan power burner with the AGGP plate on the grill.
Lynx Hestan Twin Eagles Blaze Fire Magic XO Summerset
Which should you choose?
Choose a built-in griddle if:
- You are building or renovating an island.
- You cook breakfast, burgers or hibachi more than once a week.
- You want the griddle to match your grill and share a gas line.
Choose freestanding if:
- There is no island, or the layout may change.
- You live in a one or two family home that can use propane.
- You want to try flat top cooking before committing.
Choose a griddle plate if:
- Your island is already built with no open cutout.
- You griddle occasionally.
- You own a compatible grill or power burner.
For a new island, we recommend a 30 inch built-in griddle in thick stainless with two independent zones, beside the grill on the same gas line. It is the most useful second appliance you can add, and far easier to plan in than to retrofit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a plancha the same as a griddle?
Not quite. A traditional plancha concentrates its highest heat in the center with cooler edges, while a griddle aims for even heat across the surface.
Do stainless steel griddles need seasoning?
Not the way carbon steel does. Oil stainless before and during cooking and leave a light coat after cleaning. Carbon steel and cast iron need true seasoning.
How many BTU does an outdoor griddle need?
The 30 inch built-ins we carry run 35,000 to 46,000 BTU across two burners. Plate thickness and independent zones matter more than the total.
Can I put a griddle on my NYC terrace?
Not on propane in an apartment building. A natural gas griddle installed by a licensed master plumber may be possible, subject to building and board approval.
Can a built-in griddle go in a wood-framed island?
Usually only with the manufacturer's insulated jacket. Check the manual for your model.
Talk to a specialist
Plan the griddle and grill together
We have been designing, selling, installing and servicing fire features and outdoor kitchens for over 30 years across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and South Florida. Come see the plates, the zones and the finishes in person, and we will lay out an island that cooks the way you do.
Book a free consultation Call 718-326-4328Showroom: 58-30 Maspeth Ave, Maspeth, Queens. Our Greenvale, Long Island showroom at 13 Glen Cove Road opens winter 2026. Plan your visit.
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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.
Sources: AmazingRibs, Live-Fire Market Trends: 2025 (Dec. 2025), O'Melveny on the Weber Blackstone closing (May 2025), Michelin Guide, Kitchen Language: Plancha, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, Planchas vs Griddles, NYC Department of Buildings barbecue tool kit, Lynx Asado L30AG, Twin Eagles Teppanyaki, Fire Magic built-in griddle, Fire Magic griddle manual, NY Energy Law 11-104. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.