Forget smokey BBQs – these modern flattop griddles will level up your summer cooking game

The humble smash burger appears to have become the unlikely catalyst behind a surge in popularity for gas-powered griddles (or planchas) that goes well beyond the campsite where these versatile outdoor barbecue alternatives have been in use for years. That signature burger technique – pressing a ball of mince onto a flat, searingly hot surface to create a crisp, flavour-packed crust – demands intense, even heat that only a heavy-duty metal plate can provide.

Consequently, what began as a street-food trend has evolved into a much broader movement that seems to be reshaping outdoor cooking and pushing major barbecue brands to offer a more versatile, high-heat solution. And it's not just smash burgers, because you can cook almost anything on a griddle – juicy steaks with caramelised crust and perfectly cooked centres, delicate fish, bacon and eggs, toasties, fruit, you name it.

In this State of the Art, we're focusing on user-friendly, gas-powered table-top griddles from the likes of Pit Boss, Weber and Campingaz. While their locomotive-grade metal plates add a lot of weight, all of these models are portable by car, which means you can also take them camping and picnicking. What's not to like?

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PIT BOSS ULTIMATE LIFT-OFF PLANCHA

Pit Boss brings flat-top freedom with exceptional flexibility

The Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Plancha is exactly the sort of product that feels engineered to capitalise on the current flat-top cooking boom, while meeting the needs of novices who may have never used a griddle before. As a consequence, this US-sourced model is equipped with a non-stick armoured ceramic cooktop that requires no pre-seasoning. At 58.7cm x 46.3cm, this silky-smooth plate has enough space for six to eight hungry gannets while requiring little to no oil.

This is an appealingly civilised approach when compared to the cast-iron norm; during day-to-day use, this style of cooktop is impressively low-maintenance, requiring little more than a wipe-down after cooking. The coating also resists rust better than traditional steel plates, though ceramic surfaces are best used with nylon polymer spatulas and scrapers rather than traditional steel, which could remove the ceramic coating over a period of time. Pit Boss produces a full set of nylon griddle tools designed specifically for this model.

With a colossal 7.63kW of output delivering an average cooking temperature of around 260˚C, this beast has no trouble delivering the high temperatures needed for smash burgers or seared steak. Heat distribution is generally consistent, and the dual-burner setup offers enough control to juggle multiple ingredients. The robust hinged lid, too, is an excellent feature for the onset of rain.

One of the very best facets of this model is its Lift-Off party trick: the whole cooktop and lid can be easily removed from its stand, transforming it into a portable unit. Build quality throughout is exceedingly good, with practical touches on the stand section like folding shelves with tool hooks, a paper towel holder, a bin-liner holder, a bottle opener and a removable steel grease catcher at the front for easy access.

The Pit Boss 2-Burner Ultimate Lift-Off Plancha is inarguably the most versatile griddle system on the market right now. It takes a while to assemble, while its conspicuous design won't appeal to everyone, but for ease of use, portability and everyday practicality, this is an impressively designed combo that will doubtless serve you extremely well in the long term.

WEBER SLATE GP 56CM GRIDDLE

Premium griddle cooking from the king of barbecue brands

The Slate GP 56cm brings barbecue behemoth Weber into the increasingly fashionable world of portable flat-top cooking, and it's clear that the US brand has no intention of doing things by halves. Where rivals like Blackstone lean towards a more utilitarian design approach, the Slate GP looks elegant and feels reassuringly premium, with a well-finished body, a weighty 56cm porcelain-enamelled cooktop, and a lightweight lid that's ostensibly for weather protection only and not for cooking.

The Slate GP is designed for tabletop use, though Weber also produces a 76cm option with stand for those with more space on the patio. At 56cm in width and 41.5cm in depth, the Weber we've got here is rust-resistant, though its porcelain-enamel cooktop isn't as slippery as the ceramic Pit Boss – some foods may stick if you don't apply enough oil – but it doesn't require any pre-seasoning and is very easy to clean.

The Slate takes between 10 and 15 minutes to reach cooking temperature and, as with all griddles, the heat is mostly consistent across the entire plate, with just a few cooler spots here and there. The Slate works with any standard refillable propane gas bottle and ships with a standard regulator and hose pre-fitted.

As is the case with all griddles, the Weber is also equipped with a grease management system comprising a cut-out on the front left of the plate and an easily removed grease catcher beneath. The addition of top-quality adjustable feet can be considered a major bonus, especially if it's being used on an uneven surface.

Granted, at around 24 kg, the Slate isn't the lightest or most compact option around (Weber also produces a smaller 43cm single-burner version in case you're interested), but there's no doubting that this is an amazingly well-engineered griddle that lives up to Weber's reputation for exceptional build quality and impressive functionality, even when used in cooler weather or when there's some wind in the air.

For those tempted by the smash burger revolution or anyone simply looking to broaden their outdoor cooking repertoire, the Slate GP 56 is a confidence-inspiring option that will not disappoint.

CAMPINGAZ SIGMA 1 CV

A practical, space-efficient option for camping, balconies and small patios

While it lacks the premium finish of more expensive rivals, the budget-priced Sigma 1 CV is perfect for car camping, picnics or those without much space at home. Unlike some griddles that ship with untreated cooking plates, the Sigma comes with a reassuringly weighty 45cm x 30cm enamelled cast-iron plate that requires only a gentle spritz of cooking oil to prevent any sticking.

The Sigma's single 2.8kW Blue Flame burner does a commendable job of distributing heat while keeping cool spots to a minimum. The plate got up to just above 260˚C – perfect for creating that all-important caramelised crust on smash burgers and steaks.

Naturally, there are limits with a single-burner system like this. You don't get the luxury of dual-zone cooking, and the smaller 1,350cm² cooking area itself, while perfectly adequate for a family of four to six at a pinch, is certainly not built for feeding a crowd; unless, of course, you're doing bacon and egg baps, in which case you'll be the toast of the campsite.

The integrated hinged lid, meanwhile, genuinely improves the cooking experience. It acts as a wind shield, speeds up the heating process, helps retain heat in cooler weather and dramatically reduces spitting fat – a feature anyone cooking on a balcony or heritage stone patio will come to appreciate. And when you've finished cooking, the lid also offers basic protection against rain.

The Sigma comes with the obligatory grease management system with a dishwasher-safe collection cup, battery-powered ignition and four height-adjustable griddle plate pins that, while fiddly to access, are cause for a little celebration, mostly because a wonky flat-top is no fun when frying eggs and other wet ingredients that can very easily meander across the cooking area.

Moreover, the use of easily-sourced disposable CV470 gas cartridges makes setup refreshingly fuss-free – simply pop a canister in the steel basket provided, push in the regulator and twist its sleeve to lock it in position. This type of gas system also lends itself perfectly to spontaneous use, whether you're sizzling bacon beside a camper van, flipping burgers on a city balcony or whipping up an outdoor breakfast at home.

In a nutshell, the Campingaz Sigma 1 CV delivers proper flat-top cooking in a compact package that is easy to carry a short distance, quick to heat up and effortless to use.

The overall winner is…

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GRIDDLING

GRIDDLE OR PLANCHA?

Planchas are designed with a powerful hob-style burner directly under the centre, or either side if it's a two-burner. This creates an intense searing zone in the middle, while the edges remain cooler. A griddle's heat source is provided by a burner tube that snakes around just below the plate, like most gas barbecues. In general, griddles aim for edge-to-edge consistency, which is ideal for when you want everything to cook at roughly the same rate.

SHOULD I SEASON IT?

If it's of the cast-iron or steel variety, one of the first things you need to do is to season it by rubbing high-smoke-point vegetable oil (avocado, rapeseed, sunflower or peanut) over the entire cooking plate using a paper towel while the plate is piping hot. This process seals the plate with a dark burnt-in coating that creates a non-stick layer and helps prevent rust. In general, you won't need to season a ceramic-or enamel-coated model.

PREHEAT

Preheating a griddle for 10 to 15 minutes ensures even heat distribution. It also helps prevent sticking and improves caramelisation of foods.

WHICH TOOLS?

A quality griddle tool kit includes a wide stainless-steel spatula, a scraper for quick cleaning, heat-resistant tongs, a squeezy oil bottle and, for doing smash burgers, a suitably strong burger press. On a ceramic or treated cooktop consider using nylon polymer tools, as they are less prone to scratching the surface.

CLEAN IT UP

On a cast-iron or steel plate, scrape off residue while the surface is very hot. Pour a little water on stubborn spots to loosen debris, then wipe bone dry because moisture is the enemy of cast-iron cooking plates. If using a ceramic-coated or porcelain-enamelled model, use paper towelling to wipe it down when warm.

5 essential tabletop griddle add-ons

Get the most out of your new outdoor cooker with these handy cooking implements

1 WEBER GRIDDLE SQUEEZE BOTTLE SET

Griddling can be a messy business, especially if you use too much oil. This simple but useful squeezy bottle provides just the right amount of high smoke-point oil without smothering the ingredients.
£14, weber.com

2 OONI DIGITAL INFRARED THERMOMETER

An essential gadget for serious griddle and pizza perfectionists. Ooni's laser thermometer delivers accurate surface readings up to 550°C by simply pointing the beam at the griddle plate and reading the temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. With its colour-coded display it removes the guesswork from griddle cooking in a trice. £50, ooni.com

3 FLASLD HEAT RESISTANT TABLE MAT

Tabletop griddles create a lot of heat and this can be an issue if the unit is placed on a plastic or delicate wooden table. Comprised of a silicone-coated fibre sandwich with a layer of insulating cotton in between, this mat is a cheap, simple and effective solution for shielding outdoor tables from heat, grease and scratches during the cooking session.
From £14, flasld.com

4 BURGER PRESS

This heavyweight burger press genuinely takes the strain out of burger smashing, and is perfect for making panini and toasties, too. Made from 100% cast-iron, its textured base helps prevent sticking while delivering even pressure and a superb crust.
£40, weber.com

5 CHAR-BROIL GRIDDLE STARTER KIT

A smart companion for anyone stepping into the sizzling world of flat-top cooking. Char-Broil's sturdy three-piece stainless steel set includes essential tools for flipping burgers, smashing patties and scraping down the cooking surface.
£43, charbroil.co.uk