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This isn't a question of which is better — it's a question of which cooking style suits you. A griddle and a gas grill do fundamentally different things. Here's how to decide which one belongs in your backyard.
Quick Verdict
Buy a Blackstone 36" ($349) if you love smash burgers, breakfast, stir-fry, and flat-top cooking. Buy a Weber Spirit E-310 ($449) if you want classic grilled flavor, grill marks, and the ability to smoke. You can't go wrong — but they're very different experiences.
The Contenders
Blackstone 36" Griddle
$349
Cooks who love smash burgers, breakfast, and high-heat flat-top cooking
Check PriceWeber Spirit E-310
$449
Traditional grillers who want smoky flavor, grill marks, and two-zone cooking
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Flavor
Winner: Gas GrillThe gas grill wins on flavor depth. Open flames, dripping fat hitting Flavorizer bars, and the Maillard reaction from grate contact all contribute to classic grilled flavor. The griddle produces excellent caramelization and crust (especially for smash burgers), but lacks the smokiness. Neither is 'better' — they're different flavor profiles.
Versatility
Winner: BlackstoneThe griddle handles a wider range of foods. Eggs, pancakes, stir-fry, fried rice, quesadillas, cheese steaks — things that would fall through grill grates. The gas grill handles thick cuts, whole chickens, and indirect cooking better. If you could only have one, the griddle arguably cooks more types of food.
Ease of Use
Winner: TieBoth are easy — turn on burners, wait, cook. The griddle has a slight learning curve with seasoning and oil management. The gas grill is more forgiving for beginners. Cleanup is similar: griddle needs scraping and oiling; gas grill needs brushing and occasional deeper cleaning.
Entertaining
Winner: BlackstoneThe griddle is more interactive and visual — guests can watch you cook and eat in batches. The gas grill is more set-it-and-check-it. For a social cooking experience, the griddle wins. For hands-off hosting where you want to mingle, the gas grill is easier.
Final Verdict
Most households benefit from having both. If you can only pick one: choose the gas grill if you value traditional grilled flavor and indirect cooking. Choose the griddle if you want maximum food versatility and the smash burger experience. Both are excellent primary cookers.
Buying Advice
If you already own a gas grill, the Blackstone is the best complement. If you're buying your first outdoor cooker and eat a lot of breakfast, the griddle is surprisingly practical. For classic steak-and-burger grilling, start with the gas grill.
