Grill vs Hotplate: Which One Should You Use?

When it comes to cooking in your outdoor kitchen, knowing when to use the grill and when to switch to the hotplate can make all the difference. Each has its strengths, and choosing the right surface will help you get the best flavour, texture, and safety out of your barbecue.

Grill Cooking

A grill uses raised grates that allow fat and juices to drip away, giving food that distinctive smoky flavour and iconic sear marks.

Pros

• Creates authentic barbecue char marks and a smoky taste on steaks, burgers, and chicken.
• Helps drain fats for leaner, healthier meals.

Cons

• Smaller or delicate foods, like seafood or diced vegetables, can slip through the grates.
• Fat drippings can lead to flare-ups or fat fires if not managed carefully.
• Not suitable for delicate foods like eggs or pancakes.

Best for: Lean meats such as chicken breast, turkey meat.

Hotplate Cooking

A hotplate (or griddle) is a flat cooking surface, similar to a stovetop frying pan, that offers even heat distribution.

Pros

• Ideal for eggs, pancakes, onions, red meats, seafood, and other delicate foods.
• Prevents small or fragile items from falling into the flames.
• Reduces the risk of flare-ups since fat stays on the surface.
• Provides a quick and easy way to cook a variety of foods.

Cons

• Doesn’t deliver the same smoky flavour or grill marks.
• Fats don’t drain away as easily, which can make some dishes less healthy.

Best for: Breakfast foods, red meats, sausages, seafood, and vegetables.

Finding the Right Balance

The choice between grill and hotplate depends on what you’re cooking. For fatty cuts of meat such as chops, sausages, and other red meats, a good rule of thumb is to cook 80% of the time on the hotplate to reduce flare-ups, and finish with 20% on the grill to add sear marks and smoky flavour.

This approach gives you the best of both worlds: safer cooking and that unbeatable barbecue taste.

Final Tip: If you love versatility, look for an outdoor kitchen setup that gives you both a grill and a hotplate, so you’re always ready for any menu.