How to Use a Flat Top Grill

Whether you are a seasoned grilling enthusiast or a beginner looking to heat up your cooking repertoire, flat top grills offer endless possibilities along with a world of flavors. Everything from sizzling steaks and burgers to mouthwatering veggies to your favorite breakfast guilty pleasures can all be cooked to perfection on a flat top grill.

Elevate your grilling game and unleash your inner gourmet chef by learning the tips, tricks and techniques of this versatile cooking tool. Keep reading to learn more about flat top grills and how to cook on them.

What is a flat top grill?

Unlike traditional grills with open grates, a flat top grill is a cooking appliance with a large, smooth surface. The absence of grates makes them ideal for preparing foods that would typically fall through the openings, such as diced vegetables or chopped meat. Plus, foods prepared on a flat grill typically have a distinct, flavorful taste because they are cooked in grease without being exposed to an open flame.

The flat top is made from materials that efficiently distribute heat across the non-stick cooking surface, like steel or cast iron. The heat can spread out evenly or be adjusted to create different temperature zones. This allows for simultaneously cooking a wide range of foods at the same time.

How to cook on a flat top grill

There are a number of differences between cooking on a traditional grated gas or charcoal grill and an outdoor griddle. Overall, flat top grill cooking offers more flexibility and a larger surface area with better heat distribution. Here is how to use a flat top grill:

Preheat the grill

Make sure the surface of the grill is free of any debris, turn on the unit and adjust the temperature accordingly to your desired cooking level. Preheating times depend on the specific grill model, size and outdoor temperature, but most propane flat top grills usually take around ten to fifteen minutes.

Prepare your food and oil the grill’s surface

Chopping up veggies and cutting and seasoning meat can be completed while the flat surface grill is preheating. Then, brush or spray a light coating of canola or vegetable oil onto the flat top surface to help prevent sticking.

Place the food on the grill

Place your ingredients directly on the gas griddle’s surface once it is done preheating and everything is prepped. Avoid overcrowding the grill and try to leave enough space between your food for even cooking.

Monitor the temperature

Keep your eye on the temperature of the grill and adjust the heat accordingly. Higher heat can be used for searing while lower heat is more suitable for slow cooking and keeping food warm. Using a food thermometer, follow recommended cooking times and make sure your meats are cooked thoroughly to avoid any potential safety risks.

Turn and flip your food

Use grilling tools and utensils like tongs or a spatula to turn or flip your food over so it gets cooked through evenly. Many foods like burgers and steaks typically cook and taste better when they are only flipped once to allow for proper searing and to help maintain juices for extra flavor.

Keep your food warm or take it off the grill

Once your food is cooked to your liking, you can remove it from the grill and place it directly on a plate or serving platter. If you are waiting for more food to finish cooking, you can also move your cooked food to a cooler area of the grill’s surface to keep warm.

Leaving a flat top grill on unattended can potentially be a safety hazard, so make sure everything is turned off when you are finished using it and be sure it is adequately cooled down before putting a grill cover on.

How to clean a flat top grill

First, you must ensure that the grill is completely turned off before you begin cleaning. Most outdoor flat top grills are easier to clean if they are still somewhat warm, so cleaning it after using it can be a little more convenient than cleaning it before your cooking session. You can clean a flat top grill by:

Scraping off residue and debris with a scraper or spatula. This is easier when the grill is warm because higher temperatures loosen any sticky food particles.
Removing the access grease. Apply a grill degreaser or a soap and water mix to the grill’s surface. Then, use a towel, brush or grill pad to scrub the cleaning agent around to help eliminate grease buildup.
Rinsing off the surface and letting it dry. Excess grease and degreaser or soapy residue can be washed away with clean water. Then, dry off the surface with a clean cloth or towel to avoid water spots and rust.

It’s also important to regularly clean out the grill’s drip tray or grease trap. Grill parts, such as replacement drip pans, can conveniently be replenished when an older one becomes too heavily caked in grease. Cleaning your flat top grill and replacing the drip pan prevents grease overflow, helps lower safety risks and improves the grill’s overall performance.

Master the art of flat top grilling

A flat top grill’s surface opens up a world of culinary possibilities, helping you create a plethora of perfect meals. Maybe you’re researching how to design an outdoor kitchen, or, perhaps you just want to up your grilling game but without the smoky flavor, every aspiring home chef can benefit from the versatility and convenience of flat top grilling. Hopefully you have worked up an appetite because now that you know a thing or two about flat top grilling, it’s time to start cooking.