A grill and griddle combo lets you sear on an open grill and cook on a flat steel griddle in one setup. That covers steaks and burgers as well as eggs, pancakes, vegetables, fish and smash burgers. There are four main ways to get both. They differ in fuel, in how hot they sear, in how they look on a patio and in what they ask of you. This guide compares them so you can pick the one that fits how you cook.
The short answer
- Want push-button speed? A gas grill with a griddle, or a propane griddle.
- Already own a charcoal grill? A griddle plate for it is the cheapest way to try griddle cooking.
- Want real fire, a 1,000°F sear, a big griddle and a centerpiece for the patio? A wood-fired flat-top grill like Arteflame.
The four main types
| Type | Heat source | Griddle | Searing | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas grill with a griddle | Propane or natural gas burners | A griddle plate on part of the cooking area, or a griddle side burner | On the grill grates, set by burner knobs | Fast and easy; griddle space usually takes grill space; no wood or charcoal flavor |
| Propane flat-top griddle | Propane burners under a steel plate | The whole cooking surface | On the flat plate; Blackstone says over 650°F under ideal conditions | Great for breakfasts and smash burgers; no open grate over a flame |
| Charcoal grill with a griddle plate | Charcoal in a kettle, kamado or similar grill | A plate set over part or all of the coals | On the remaining grate area | Low cost if you own the grill; the griddle shares a small, round cooking area |
| Wood-fired flat-top grill | Hardwood or lump charcoal fire in the center | A solid steel ring around the fire | On an open grate over the fire; Arteflame passes 1,000°F | Real wood flavor, heat zones, a fire pit after dinner; 30–45 minutes to heat through |
Blackstone figures are from blackstoneproducts.com as of September 2026. See our Blackstone vs Arteflame comparison.
Gas grills with a griddle
A gas grill with a griddle plate gives you both surfaces with knob control and a quick start. The trade-off is space: on most models the griddle sits where some of the grill grates would be. Flavor comes from the food and the browning, not from the fuel, because propane and natural gas burn clean. Read gas or wood-fired grill: which is better?
Propane flat-top griddles
A propane griddle is all griddle: burners under a flat steel plate, with a knob for each zone. It is excellent for pancakes, fried rice, cheesesteaks and smash burgers, and it is easy to move. It has no open grate over a flame, so thick steaks sear on the plate rather than over fire.
Charcoal grills with a griddle plate
If you already own a kettle or a kamado, a griddle plate turns part of it into a flat top. It is an inexpensive way to try griddle cooking with charcoal flavor. Because the plate and the grate share one small, round cooking area, it suits cooking for a few people more than hosting.
Wood-fired flat-top grills
A wood-fired flat-top grill builds the griddle around the fire. On an Arteflame, a hardwood or lump charcoal fire burns in the center under a round grill grate that passes 1,000°F. A solid steel cooktop ring surrounds it: on the 40" models about 450–550°F near the fire and 250–350°F toward the outer edge. You sear on the grate and cook everything else on the steel at the same time. The steel sits between the fire and the food, so there are no flare-ups on the cooktop. After dinner, lift the cooktop off and it is a fire pit.
It asks a little more of you than gas: allow 30–45 minutes for the steel to heat through, add wood on longer cooks and clear the ash afterwards. In return you get wood-fired flavor, a large griddle in several heat zones and a sculptural grill that people gather around.
How to choose
- How do you want to start? If you want to cook within minutes on a weeknight, gas wins. If lighting a fire is part of the evening, go wood-fired.
- How thick are your steaks? For thick cuts, an open grate over a very hot fire builds a crust before the inside overcooks.
- How many people do you cook for? Compare the griddle area, not just the grate area.
- Does it need to look good? A grill that stays on the patio all year is part of the view. Round, steel fire-pit grills are made to be seen.
- Will it stay outside? Look at the steel thickness and the finish. Arteflame fire bowls and grill bodies are 10-gauge Corten steel, about 3.4 mm thick, and the 40" cooktop is 1/2" hot-rolled steel.
Arteflame grill and griddle combos
| Model | Cooking surface | Best for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE20 (20") | 300+ sq in | Small patios, 2–4 people | $895 Complete Set |
| ONE30 (30") | 700+ sq in | A family meal | $1,495 Complete Set |
| 40" Fire Pit with Cooktop | 1,250+ sq in | A low fire pit you can cook on | $1,995 |
| Classic 40" grill | 1,250+ sq in | Hosting a crowd | $2,495 |
| Platinum 40" | 1,250+ sq in | The 40" with a stainless steel fire bowl | $3,495 |
Every Arteflame is made in the USA, ships free within the continental US and carries a 3-year limited warranty. Prices as of October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grill and griddle combo?
A cooker that gives you an open grill for searing and a flat griddle surface for eggs, vegetables, seafood and smash burgers. Some put the two side by side over gas burners, some add a griddle plate to a charcoal grill, and wood-fired flat tops like Arteflame put a griddle ring around an open grate over the fire.
Which grill and griddle combo sears best?
For thick steaks, an open grate directly over a hot wood or charcoal fire. On an Arteflame the center grate passes 1,000°F. Blackstone says its propane griddles can reach over 650°F under ideal conditions, which suits smash burgers and thin cuts.
Is a gas or a wood-fired combo easier to use?
Gas. It lights with a button, heats in minutes and you set each zone with a knob. A wood-fired combo takes 30–45 minutes for the steel cooktop to heat through, and you control heat by moving food between zones.
Do grill and griddle combos have flare-ups?
On open grates, fat that drips into the flames can flare up. On a solid steel griddle there is nothing to drip through. On an Arteflame the steel cooktop sits between the fire and the food, so there are no flare-ups on the cooktop.
How much does an Arteflame grill and griddle combo cost?
From $895 for the 20" ONE20 Complete Set and $1,495 for the 30" ONE30. The 40" Fire Pit with Cooktop starts at $1,995, the Classic 40" grill at $2,495 and the Platinum 40" at $3,495.
Ready to cook over real fire?
See all Arteflame grills