**When it comes to cooking epic food, your tools matter just as much as your ingredients. If you’ve been trying to decide between a **griddle vs skillet, this expert guide will tell you what each tool brings to the table. Master your cooktop setup and choose the right tool for the job by figuring out what sets these two heavy hitters apart.  

First of all, what is a griddle? A griddle, sometimes referred to as a flat top or Flatrock, is your flat-top workhorse that is typically found outside. It’s a wide, smooth cooking surface with no sides, designed to deliver consistent heat and provide an even cook, resulting in epic flavor for your food.

Griddles really shine when you’re cooking multiple items at once or need room to spread out. That wide, open surface gives you the space to move freely and take full control of your cook. It’s a level of flexibility you won’t get from a skillet or a griddle vs grill.

With no tall sides to trap steam or block airflow, a griddle helps you achieve that perfect sear and crispy finish. It's made for high-heat cooking, where direct contact with hot cast iron creates the ideal surface for building crust and locking in flavor. If you're looking for texture and control, the griddle is the tool for the job.

Cleaning a flat top is simple. With no corners to trap grease or food bits, you can easily scrape the surface clean. Keep it seasoned and oiled, and your griddle will continue to deliver better results every time you use it.

Unlike a griddle, a skillet is a deep, round pan with sloped sides that makes it to cook foods like sauces and stews, or to fry foods in deeper oils. It’s a versatile tool that handles everything from searing steaks to sautéing vegetables, frying bacon, or simmering a rich sauce. Thanks to its higher walls and even heat retention, a skillet keeps splatter in check and gives you better control over liquids and oils.

Cast iron skillets are especially good at locking in heat and delivering a consistent cook. Whether you're building flavor for a stew,  getting a golden crust on your cornbread, or keeping an epic dip warm, the skillet creates that signature texture you just can’t get from other pans. It holds up to high heat and transitions from grill to oven with no fuss.

When are Griddles Better Than Skillets?

A Traeger griddle is the ultimate cooking tool when you need a larger cooking surface, want versatility in cooking, and many more.

Larger Cooking Surface

With an outdoor griddle, you never have to worry about running out of room, whether it’s the Traeger Flatrock 2 Zone or Flatrock 3 Zone. You can cook multiple items at once, like pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon.

Cooking For a Crowd

Because you can cook multiple items at once, cooking for a crowd is simple and easy. Not only can you cook multiple items at once, but you can also cook in batches and throw a ton of food on your flat top surface, unlike a skillet, where you can only cook one thing at a time.

Breakfast, Flatbreads, and More

Sure, you’ve seen pro chefs effortlessly flip pancakes in a skillet, but for most home cooks, that move takes practice. A griddle makes all food that involves a flip easier. With its flat, open surface and no sloped sides to get in the way, flipping delicate foods is a lot more manageable. Whether you’re cooking crepes, pancakes, quesadillas, or fried eggs, the griddle gives you plenty of space and visibility so you can work with confidence.

Plus, you can use both hands and maneuver a spatula without bumping into the sides of a pan. That extra room means fewer broken yolks, fewer torn tortillas, and more golden-brown perfection. When precision flipping matters, the griddle comes out on top.

Cooking Outdoors

Another benefit of the griddle, especially a Traeger Flatrock Griddle, is that you can take your cooking outside and turn your backyard into a full-on diner. Fire it up on the patio and crank out everything from bacon and eggs to smashburgers and stir fry. No smoke alarms, no kitchen cleanup, just good food, fresh air, and big flavor. The griddle brings serious heat to your outdoor kitchen, making it the ultimate tool for cooking under the open sky.

Versatility in Cooking

With a skillet, you only have a handful of dishes you can make due to its size. With a griddle, though, you can make practically anything. In the mood for a good ol’ fashioned breakfast? A griddle breakfast is the way to go. Looking for a juicy steak? Done. Want something quick and easy to snack on? Flatrock Parmesan pickle chips are easy to make and epic to eat.

Interested in buying a griddle? Make sure to learn everything there is to know about the Traeger Flatrock.