I tried cooking on Traeger's newest flat-top griddle — it's pricey, but so worth it

Traeger’s smokers are currently some of the best pellet grills in terms of performance and value, but as versatile as a good pellet grill is, it can’t do everything. So, the company has aimed to capitalize on Blackstone's success and entered the world of flat-top grills. The latest addition to its grill lineup is the Traeger Flatrock 2 Zone. The griddle features two heating zones, 468 square inches of total cooking space, and retails for $799.

The Flatrock 2 Zone may be new territory for the company, but the griddle's foundation remains in line with other past products. To set itself apart, Traeger is focusing primarily on a premium build quality and refining the basics, like using U-shaped burners.

I’ve used nearly half a dozen different Traeger grills over the last several years, including the Flatrock 3 Zone model. This new, smaller one offers a more compact option that should fit in nearly anyone’s outdoor space. You’ll just need to decide whether you can afford a premium griddle.

What I like

Assembly is simple, and there's a strong focus on quality.

If you buy this grill from a retail store, there’s a chance it will come preassembled and ready to go. However, you’ll need to count on putting the Flatrock 2 Zone together yourself if you buy it online directly from Traeger.

I’ve assembled many of the best Traeger grills over the years, and they continue to get easier to do. There has been a subtle change to the manufacturing and packaging, but the assembly has become even more streamlined, starting in early 2025 with the Woodridge series.

The Flatrock 2 Zone took me between 60 and 90 minutes of casual work to assemble by myself. I don’t know if having two sets of hands would have cut the time in half, but it would have gone at least a little quicker. Moving the heavy metal cooktop and main grill frame would have been less stressful, too. However you proceed, you’ll only need a Phillips head screwdriver and a basic wrench, both of which are included among all the screws and instruction manuals.

Traeger’s major differentiator claim for its griddles is durability. Some of the most common complaints among users of the ultrapopular Blackstone griddles — the most direct competitor to the Flatrock — are about durability and build quality. I can’t comment on all the various models or styles from Blackstone, but the Traeger Flatrock 2 Zone does feel sturdy.

It’s hard to quantify the unit’s build quality, but once it was put together, even rolling it across pavers in my backyard didn’t induce panic from overly shaky or rattling parts. The four wheels were simple to level, the side tables have rubber bumpers cushioning them from hard impact, and no parts are unstable when the griddle is actually in use cooking food.

Traeger’s five-year warranty is comparable to Weber’s warranty for its similarly priced griddles, but far exceeds Blackstone’s one-year warranty.

The features aren't flashy, but result in superior cooking results.

At first glance, the 2 Zone griddle is straightforward without any tricks or distinguishing features. Even Traeger is primarily banking on the quality to sway people. However, if you look closer, there are a few subtle differences from other units that might be appreciated by griddle aficionados. The first is the U-shaped burners and the recessed cooktop, both of which contribute to even, steady heat. Lots of griddles have side walls, but still have an exposed area between the flames and the cooktop. The Flatrock’s recessed cooktop completely blocks the flames from the wind and the elements.

The Flatrock’s folding side shelves aren’t a revelation, but they are semi-novel for a backyard griddle. Similarly, the attached folding lid that stays rigidly fixed at all angles isn’t groundbreaking, but it is a premium offering. You know what else is very nice? Four wheels. This one rolls easily, so you don’t have to lift one side to move it around.

The Flatrock also boasts a “TruZone” internal divider for distinct temperatures between zones, a dedicated grease collection bin, a carbon steel cooktop, and a line of accessories that work across all of its grills. All of which are near table stakes for any decent griddle offering.

This 2 Zone model reaches 58 inches tall, including the height of the lid raised to its peak. The grill is 35 inches deep, including an askew lid hinged open. Both of those dimensions are identical to the Flatrock 3 Zone model. Where the models differ is the 59-inch width for the 2 Zone compared to the 74-inch width on the 3 Zone model. The smaller one has a 26-by-18-inch cooktop surface area, while the larger model is 33 by 18 inches — 468 square inches compared to 594. Put into practical terms, the 2 Zone claims 18 burgers, compared to the 3 Zone’s 24 burgers.

Not only does the Flatrock 2 Zone not have WiFi or Bluetooth to connect to its app, but the grill doesn’t even have a power cable. The 3 Zone version has an electrical cable for the propane sensor and electric ignitor, but the smaller one omits those. Instead, it uses a piezo ignitor. As someone who rarely tests a product that doesn’t have a battery or plug into a wall, the 2 Zone’s untethered flexibility is refreshing.

There’s a small window above each temperature knob to visually see the flames spark to life. Although it was a little tough to see through once grease was smeared over it, the window still worked just fine as a secondary sensory confirmation to sound.

Another way the 2 Zone differs from the larger model is how it holds a propane tank. It adds a bottom shelf with a cutout for a standard-size tank to slot into. There’s a twisting handle in the back that secures the tank from tipping over while pushing the griddle around. I much prefer this solution to the hook that holds the tank on the 3 Zone. With the added bottom shelf, there’s now a place to store a few tools if needed.

It heats evenly, with distinct cook zones for cooking food at different temperatures.

To test the Flatrock 2 Zone’s cooking skills, I was forced to make smash burgers, fajitas, vegetables, eggs, lots of bacon, hash browns, and a few other items. It’s rough work, but my family seemed to enjoy the results, and so did I. In my general use, I didn’t notice any huge variance in temperatures across the cooktop. The bacon along the top cooked at the same speed as the bacon in the middle. I couldn’t see any inconsistencies or cold zones.

But beyond the eye test, I used an infrared thermometer to get a sense of some performance numbers. During a warm afternoon, I set the left side to low and the right side to high and waited around 10 minutes for it to heat up.

The center of the low side measured about 322 degrees Fahrenheit, while the same spot on the high side was about 422 degrees. I was curious about the other spots, so I took temperature readings in four other spots on each side, too. (Imagine cutting each side in half from top to bottom and left to right to create four areas. I pointed the thermometer in the center of those four spots.)

On the left side of the griddle, which was set to low, the top left was 298, the bottom left was 287, the top right was 350, and the bottom right was 307. The right side of the grill, set to high, measured 455 on the top left, 454 on the bottom left, 426 on the top right, and 391 on the bottom right. So, while the center area stays the warmest, the entire area, right up to the edges, keeps a fairly even heat. This bodes well for making use of the entire allotted cooking space. I didn’t detect any cold spots.

How about the heat shield that claims to keep the two zones independent? I measured the right side on high while the left side was off. After 10 minutes of heating up, the center of the right side read 400 degrees, while the center of the left side (which was off) read 164. I was impressed by this test’s results, showing that there is meaningful heat separation between the two zones in such a limited amount of space.

In the more subjective territory, I like the feel of the two temperature knobs. They’re firm, chunky, and easy to rotate to zero in on a specific heat range. On the cleanup front, the grease hole in the cooktop is small enough not to get in the way, but is plenty big for drippings to go down. The grease keg underneath should be big enough for scraps from a couple of weeks of meals if you do want to fill it up before dumping the aluminum liner.

In terms of the griddle’s overall size, the 2 Zone hits a sweet spot for me. I already have a smoker in the backyard, and I just don’t have unlimited space for a second, supplementary grill. When the side shelves are folded up, the 2 Zone is legitimately compact; when extended, they provide a significant amount of prep space. If you do have extra outdoor room or your griddle is your primary cooking solution, then you should look at the 3 Zone model.

Cons to consider

While there aren’t a lot of flashy features of the Traeger 2 Zone griddle, there also aren’t a lot of downsides. It’s a very solid, reliable way to cook food. There are a few things worth pointing out, however. The first is that there’s no propane fuel gauge. That feature is only available on the 3 Zone model. It would be nice to have, but I also like the freedom to roll the griddle around and not have to worry about having an outlet readily available.

The second consideration is that this griddle doesn’t have a natural gas hookup. Other brands have this feature, but Traeger doesn’t offer it, at least not yet. That could be a dealbreaker for some people, but especially for this smaller compact grill, I don’t think it’s a huge blow.

What are your alternatives?

There are plenty of griddle options, including different styles like stovetop add-ons or portable camp-style solutions. But if you’re looking for a permanent backyard flat top grill besides Traeger, your path is bound to cross Weber and Blackstone. Those are the big names in the space.

Blackstone has the market cornered on low- to mid-range-priced griddles. They’re widely available, likely at your local hardware store. For well under $500, you can get to griddling right away in a variety of sizes. The most common complaints about Blackstone griddles, however, usually have to do with flimsy parts that get bent or damaged. I’ve known several people who have been satisfied with their Blackstones, but long-term quality seems to be the biggest risk.

Weber (now technically merged with Blackstone) is closely aligned to Traeger, with a higher price and a focus on solving problematic areas of grilling. The company’s latest Slate line of griddles promises a rust-free, pre-seasoned cooktop, along with an easy-to-remove grease tray. Weber also has a knack for building in accessory spots so that its first-party cutting boards, sauce holders, or tool trays work best.

With limited space in my yard, I appreciate the space-saving folding shelves and smaller cooktop size of the Traeger Flatrock 2 Zone. It should work for even those with minimal patio space. But if size isn’t a concern and budget is the thing that’s top of mind, then a griddle from Blackstone might be the most obvious option.

Keep in mind that flat-tops are a separate beast from most grills; you won't get the same grill flavor that you get from the best charcoal grills or even the best gas grills. For a breakdown on the different grill types, see our guide to the best grills.

The bottom line

At face value, the $799 Traeger Flatrock 2 Zone griddle is a pricey grilling solution. It’s not overly expensive compared to other options on the market, but its cost is certainly not its selling point either. Digging deeper into the flat top grill, it performs extremely well, providing a steady, dependable way to make a meal. For those with the budget and don’t have the patience to fuss with minor inconveniences, you’ll be well served with what Traeger is offering here.

The biggest decision will be deciding whether two zones are enough or if three would be better. Party people or those with large families will be best served by the 3 Zone. For everyone else, the 2 Zone is the one to get.

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