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Blackstone has dominated the flat-top griddle market so completely that most buyers don't even know there's an alternative. The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill is the legitimate challenger — and for some cooking styles, it's actually the better buy.
Quick Verdict
The Blackstone 36" ($349) is the better pure griddle — bigger cooking surface, better heat distribution, and a massive accessory ecosystem. The Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 ($549) is the better hybrid — interchangeable griddle and grill grates let it do both jobs from one machine.
The Contenders
Blackstone 36" Griddle
$349
Smash-burger and breakfast enthusiasts who want the largest cooking surface for the money
Check PriceCamp Chef Flat Top Grill 600
$549
Cooks who want one machine that genuinely does both griddle and traditional grilling
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Cooking Surface
Winner: BlackstoneBlackstone wins on raw size: 768 sq in across 4 burners means you can cook 28 smash burgers at once or full breakfast for 12. The Camp Chef offers 604 sq in with 4 burners — still plenty for a family of 6, but noticeably smaller. For volume cooks (graduations, tailgates), Blackstone is the obvious pick.
Versatility
Winner: Camp ChefCamp Chef wins decisively. The Flat Top Grill includes both a flat-top griddle surface AND interchangeable grill grates — swap them out in 30 seconds. You can sear steaks with grill marks, then flip to the griddle for hash browns. The Blackstone is griddle-only. If you want one machine that genuinely replaces both grill and griddle, Camp Chef is unmatched.
Heat Distribution
Winner: BlackstoneBlackstone has had years to refine its burner layout — the 36" model heats evenly across all 4 zones with minimal cold spots. The Camp Chef is good but has slightly more variation between zones, especially at the seams between burners. For smash burgers where consistent heat matters, Blackstone has the edge.
Build Quality
Winner: Camp ChefCamp Chef wins. Heavier-gauge steel construction, sturdier legs, and a more refined finish. The Blackstone is solidly built but feels noticeably lighter — fine for backyard use, but the Camp Chef feels like it'll outlast it. Both come with similar 1-year warranties.
Accessory Ecosystem
Winner: BlackstoneBlackstone wins by miles. Walk into any Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, or Academy and you'll find 50+ Blackstone accessories — covers, hood domes, spatulas, breakfast kits, pizza ovens that bolt on. Camp Chef has a smaller ecosystem mostly limited to their direct site. If you like accessorizing, Blackstone is the easy choice.
Final Verdict
Buy the Blackstone 36" if you primarily want a flat-top griddle, want the largest cooking surface for the money, and value the massive accessory ecosystem. Buy the Camp Chef Flat Top Grill 600 if you want one machine that genuinely replaces both a grill and a griddle, and you don't mind paying $200 more for that flexibility.
Buying Advice
If you're choosing between adding a Blackstone to an existing gas grill OR replacing the gas grill with a Camp Chef Flat Top, the Camp Chef is the smarter consolidation play. If you want pure griddle performance and you'll keep your existing grill, Blackstone wins.
