Hinged or "Set On" Top for Built in Griddle?

[jfmorris]

Which type of top would you go with when building in a griddle? I am planning to in the next month or two to build my Camp Chef FTG-900 into an outdoor kitchen with a concrete countertop. I won't be able to use the soft cover at that point, so will need to plan on a hard cover, and it basically comes down to these options:

1. Stainless "set on" lid

https://www.outdoorkitchenequip.com/stainless-cover-for-camp-chef-ftg900

2. Painted "set on" lid

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1234865524/cover-for-ftg900-camp-chef-griddle?click_key=e047cbdb1aa961329413c23acd3e09f2 9f546b28%3A1234865524&click_sum=ccb0323f&ref=searc h2_top_narrowing_intent_modules_top_rated-2&frs=1

3. Hinged lid

https://backyardlifegear.com/collections/frontpage/products/hinged-cover-for-camp-chef-ftg900-flat-top-griddle-6-burner-black

I contacted the seller of the stainless set on one, and he can build it without the hooks if I won't be hanging it off the back edge of the griddle.

Anyway, looking for thoughts. I am leaning towards option 1, as it gives a nice flat top when the griddle is not in use, to set drinks or other stuff on. But with the hinged lids, you don't have to fuss with putting it away somewhere when not in use.

[Attjack]

When I lift off the cover of my EVO it's a bit of a hassle to find a place to set it so I would go hinged.

[Rod]

I voted hinged. Just got my Flatrock that is hinged. The Blackstone's drain was in the back. I had a "set on" lid. So it was kind of a pain to lift it up and slide it down while avoiding the grease bucket. If you go with a hinged lid, be sure it opens up a full 90 degrees or you may create some shadows cooking at night depending on your set up.

[jfmorris]

Yeah, lighting is something I'll be working on. Planning a flood of some sort to light up the grills, but it will be coming from the side of the griddle, which avoids my shadow and any shadow from a lid.

[Panhead John]

My Pit Boss is hinged and I LIKE it that way. Personally I wouldn’t want to have to remove it every time and look for a place to set it……hinged gets my vote too.

[Attjack]

Although I voted "hinged" if mine was hinged, I probably would not like how it obstructs my view since it looks out over the yard when I'm standing behind my griddle.

[jfmorris]

Well, the view in the area in question is nothing to brag about. 20-something feet to an 8 foot privacy fence...

I have had folks come up and stand behind the griddle to watch me cook when doing hibachi style stuff, and the hinged lid would certainly interfere with that. At one point I had it wheeled up to the end of a 12 foot long table, across the end, and did the hibachi and served from the griddle, kinda like at the Japanese steak house...

[Attjack]

That would be the downside. Too bad there's not a hinged option that can easily be released.

[ecowper]

THe first thing I did with my WSM was put a hinge on because it was obvious that the set on style lid was a PITA. I would have done the same with the SnS but it has a bale to hold the lid and that works just about as good. I've been looking at griddles and I really only want one with a hinged lid for this same reason.

[RonB]

I agree with hinged. Then you don't have to worry about what to do with the lid.

[Donw]

I have a set on for my griddle and as you said it makes a nice flat surface when not using it. Mine also has hooks built into it and I use it as a windbreak on breezy days which really helps.

[jfmorris]

Yeah, wind was kicking up last night when I was using the flat top to make some burgers and dogs. It didn't really affect the cook so much as I had to deal with a few leaves and twigs finding their way onto the griddle while cooking!

Now I'll be looking for a way to cover all this with a roof...

[Jim White]

I love the hinged lid on my Pit Bos 5 burner. It opens all the way to vertical so it doesn't obstruct at all. When planning your counter and surrounding space, be sure to allow for the swing space for the lid to sit vertically essentially behind the griddle. I'm attaching mine to a stainless table on casters. It will park in a perfectly sized gap in my stainless cabinets but can be rolled out if needed. In fact, I had initially allowed too much swing space, so we are in the process of moving from a 30 inch deep table to a 24 inch that will be the same depth as the surrounding cabinets. I'll need to find a use for that 30 inch deep table that now has screw holes in the top...

[jfmorris]

Thanks for letting me know about the "swing space". I gotta figure that out if I go the hinged route.

[JLR]

It would be nice to have a hinge, but one that could be easily removed.

[jfmorris]

Unfortunately the hinge bracket would mount below the level of the countertop, so it won't be removable once installed.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

I am the camp of the Dissenting Opinion.....I vote for the Set On Lid ...starting to review options for a lid for my Camp Chef Flat-Top. They are not super heavy so I am not sure I agree with the PITA aspect and it is one more thing that will need to be wiped down/cleaned after the cook.

[rlozinak]

I voted for the set on lid. I agree with the flat top for putting things on when not in use.

[Murdy]

I'm not sure, I'd lean toward hinged I guess, but it would depend to a degree on how much additional flat counter space you had available. Do you need the extra space to set stuff when the griddle is not in use?

I'm surprised that there isn't a flat, hinged option out there somewhere.

[jfmorris]

Agreed - wish there was a stainless flat hinged option, haha.

I am thinking my wife would appreciate being able to use that 46" x 24" section of counter for serving out by the pool, when I am not actively using the griddle.

[jfmorris]

I am kinda torn here. I'm still listening to everyone's advice. I can see pros and cons to each route.

Set-On Top:
Pros: Stainless, flat surface when not in use, and can likely make cutout in counter tighter to the grill body.
Cons: Gotta stash it somewhere when using the griddle. Could conceivably blow away in high winds?

Hinged Top:
Pros: No need to stash, can serve as a wind break, can serve as a melting dome while cooking
Cons: May need repainting from time to time with grill paint, sloped surface when not in use, man need more clearance between grill and countertop.

The hinges on the aftermarket lids, the two I have found, use brackets that bolt onto the body where the side shelves attach, using the same bolts. That area will be below the level of the surrounding countertop, so the hinged lid isn't something that would be removable without lifting the entire grill out of the recess I'll be setting it down in.

As far as gap around the grill, I am probably going to end up with 1/2 inch to 1 inch on the sides and back, but just don't know what the back side of the hinged lids looks like yet. I'll probably need to bite the bullet and buy the lid I want to use before I build the kitchen, so that I know what I am dealing with.

I found it very interesting when looking at the Camp Chef website yesterday that they have now revamped the FTG600, and it is now offered WITHOUT the regular grill grates, and WITH a hinged lid! If you look closely you will see that the hinged lid on the new FTG600 attaches to holes in the side wall at the back of the griddle top, rather than attaching to the body or to the cart. Not sure I like that part of the new design. The FTG900 remains unchanged (for now).

Question: Another unknown is how stable the hinged lids are when raised. Does anyone with a Camp Chef FTG600 or FTG900 have one, and if so, can you comment on this? My Weber gas grill for example has a lot of heft to the lid, and the weight pretty much keeps it open and to the back while open. No fears of it slamming closed if a breeze kicks up. How are these hinged griddle lids in that respect? Being mostly 20 gauge metal, I can't see them having a lot of weight/heft.

[Bob K]

I have a FTG 900. I got a "set on" lid on Etsy.com of all places, stainless. I got some heavy duty stainless friction hinges from McMaster-Carr and bolted to the frame under the cooktop in back. The friction hinges hold the lid in any position. Usually that’s 90* straight up, but it stays put no matter what angle you set it at.

[jfmorris]

Bob K can you post a picture of those hinges and how your] attached it? Thanks!

The one I am looking at (also on Etsy, but dealing direct with them) just doesn't seem like the 20 gauge stainless would be stiff enough to handle hinges.

[Bob K]

jfmorris - here are the hinges: https://www.mcmaster.com/1783A4/

Will post a pic of my FTG in a bit

[Bob K]

Ok, jfmorris - I got the calipers out, mine is 20 g. too. I used some fender washers to beef up the connection points. Also used some spacers to push the bottom of the hinge out to line things up better, because the frame is inset a bit. You can see those best in pic 2 below. All hardware is 304 SS. Been 2 years and no rust or issues, 1 mile from Gulf of Mexico. No binding or kinking. Let me know if you need more. (Yes the lid needs cleaning, cut me some slack…)

[Alan Brice]

Very nicely done!

[jfmorris]

Perfect! I think I may go that way. I like your setup a lot! I'm planning on doing a cast concrete counter for the top and drop down for the griddle.

Did you just go to the side with the gas hose? I am thinking of putting a brass right angle adapter on the grill and drilling a hole and routing the gas hose straight down. That way I can sit it down onto the countertop, and maybe squirt some silicone up in the hole around the hose from underneath, to keep things dry beneath.

[Bob K]

Thanks gents. jfmorris - yes the LP hose runs towards the back on the right side (when facing the front) and into a hole in the back corner of that deck the unit rests on. I had planned on something like you described with the hose going straight down but never got around to it and by the time the countertop guys showed up I just said put the hole back here. Wet not a concern because the area is covered.