New Camp Chef Griddle!

[jfmorris]

It looks like Camp Chef is changing up their griddle lineup, with something that looks a lot closer to some of the others on the market, at a lower price point of $499 as well:

https://www.campchef.com/temporary-ftg36-sorting/gridiron-36/CC-Gridiron-36.html

It has the hinged lid, still has front grease management, but it now goes into a truly large bucket underneath the cart, with a grease hole. No real trough like what mine has. And I guarantee that square grease hole doesn't get clogged with bits of burger like my little grease drain hole does. I like the size of that grease bucket that slides up underneath as well! It would take more than I can think of griddling at once to overflow that!

All in all, looks like an improvement to the FTG600, which they are still offering at the moment.

[Uncle Bob]

It's new enough that availability is reported very spotty. Dick's Sporting Goods seems to have first dibs on distribution for some reason, but not seen it as in stock anywhere else. Looks promising though....

[texastweeter]

They make good stuff. I have one of their packable camp stoves with the grill, griddle, and pizza oven attachments for it. Love it.

[OC Sandy]

It's new enough that availability is reported very spotty. Dick's Sporting Goods seems to have first dibs on distribution for some reason, but not seen it as in stock anywhere else. Looks promising though....

BBQ Guys also has it live. Today is the release date from Camp Chef. I don't believe others showed it In Stock until today.

[jfmorris]

It's certainly not "flashy" with not a spec of stainless anywhere on it, like on my older Flat Top 900. But, that is one way they were able to shave the price down $100 over the comparably sized Flat Top 600. The cart design looks sturdy, but is missing any kind of storage shelf. And I think they've tried to catch up to the competition some on grease collection, adding the hinged lid and so forth.

I will be interested to read some reviews once folks are able to get their hands on one.

[tstalafuse]

jfmorris I know it is new, but do you think you would buy it over a Blackstone at Wally World for $100 less? Yes, with the questions about a portable pellet grill and this I have fallen deep into the MCS zone. https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/2733901852

[jfmorris]

It depends on whether you prefer the front grease collection with the grease cup underneath, or having it hanging on the back like Blackstone. Personally I find it easier to have it in the front, especially if you have a wall or railing behind the griddle. Just not a fan of the Blackstone setup in that regard.

I’ve been super happy with my Camp Chef, so I’m slightly biased.

[Skip]

I just saw this New CC Model advertised a couple days ago. No Griddle in my garage...yet. After hearing some of you talk about griddles I wondered if this was going to be a good one to look at? There's only 2 of us home most of the time but a couple times a year we grow to 12 people.

[barelfly]

Just my wife and I most of the time, son is home for summer, but otherwise…even my new 36” Blackstone is outstanding for the two of us! Allows for cooks when friends are over!!

I think you will really enjoy a griddle

[jfmorris]

I use a 46 inch griddle for just 2 even. The space gives you room for different zones and doing veggies and proteins and such at the same time. I think this one looks good, but would look for a review before pulling the trigger.

[Panhead John]

jfmorris In one of the pictures which shows the grease hole, what is the indention running across the width of the griddle?

[Purc]

Per the videos I watched, that's the grease tray that is the width of a spatula and the drain hole is large enough to push egg shells down into the large, hidden and removable grease
pot. I have eaten 3 smash burgers this past week while visiting my grandkids in Milton GA. MCS is now telling me I need this griddle, but in TX, it is just me unless family drops by.

[Panhead John]

That’s what I thought. If that’s a grease trough, I’d give that model a hard pass. There’s no way food pieces and residue don’t get stuck in it. I can’t fathom why they did that, a simple grease hole is all you need……

[jfmorris]

It’s just a drop down for the grease and scraps to be scraped into before you scrape them into the hole. Personally I do agree it’s a little wide. But it will channel the runoff from bacon and other cooks to the trap. They have a leveling mechanism and I think that front area slopes towards the hole from either side.

I’ve got a v shaped grease trough on my griddle. All the way across the front, and don’t find it to be problematic at all.

[Uncle Bob]

Our buddy over at The Flat Top King just posted up his initial video review of the features. To me it looks pretty impressive, especially for the price. Though PJ went Mr. Negativepants on the grease trough I disagree. And Neal spends some extra time going over the benefits of it and a couple extra clearance features that CC designed in to deal with clearance at the edges. Blackstone people are obsessed with their rear grease dump, but personally I'm much more in favor of a front located system, and that wide trough makes good sense to me. Potato, potahto..............

The ALL NEW Camp Chef Gridiron - Full Review, Bread Test, Temp Checks, and Seasoning! (youtube.com)

[jfmorris]

Thanks for the link! I fully agree that having used both I prefer the front grease trough and cup. I think this new Camp Chef makes some great improvements. I like the external levelers for example - mine are under the top and require lifting the top while cold to adjust with a hex key. At least it has levelers but these new ones are better.

[bbq_esq]

Any shot of seeing a full review of this thing Max Good ?

[Max Good]

It's on our list.