It feels like we’re living in the golden age of griddles. There’s no shortage of good options from a variety of outdoor cooking brands, with more coming out all the time.
You can add Louisiana Grills to the list, because they released a new griddle today that looks befitting of the namesake. Their brand takes the functionality from Pit Boss grills and puts it in a more refined looking package.
It’s the first new release from Louisiana Grills that we’ve seen in quite a while. It also may be the first release since all the Dansons brands were acquired by W.C. Bradley Co. There were worries that Louisiana Grills might not have a place in the new organization, but this is evidence that there is a plan for the brand.
Features and Specs
- Retails for $799.99
- 4 stainless steel burners with 62,000 BTUs of power
- 753 square inches of cooking space
- Front grease management system that easily accessible
- Folding side shelves for compact storage of the griddle
- Collapsible folding legs to make it easier to take with you
- Paper towel holder
- Push and turn ignition on the burners for easy starts
- Has a hinged lid built-in
Looking at the Founders Series, it’s easy to tell that it shares some things with the Pit Boss 4-Burner Deluxe Griddle that was released last May. It looks very similar and has much of the same functionality.
However, there are some key differences from the Pit Boss version. The Founder Series has a non-stick, rust-free ceramic cook top, much like you’ll find on the Ultimate Griddle series. This compares to a traditional griddle surface on the Pit Boss.
The aesthetics are obviously different on the Founders Series. The whole griddle is black powder coated and the handle on the lid runs the width of it with a nice look to it. The knobs are also swapped out for ones that have a silver look, and they’re backlit, while the Pit Boss knobs aren’t.
Everything You Need
Another major difference is the Founders Series comes with everything you need to start griddling. Unlike the Pit Boss, which is just the griddle, the Founders Series comes with a custom-fit cover, 2 spatulas, and a scraper.
Similar Value
While the Founders Series retails for $300 more, the features and accessories make up for it. First, the ceramic coated griddle top used to be an option on the Pit Boss. It doesn’t appear to be available anymore, but I believe it was around $150-$175.
Add to that the cost of a cover, the spatulas and the scraper, and it’s easy see the value in the Founders Series. That’s ignoring the styling improvements.
Conclusion
It’s great to see a new grill come out from Louisiana Grills. The Founders Series 4-Burner Griddle is a good option to consider. It has a refined look to it, and while it’s more expensive then entry level grills, it has features and accessories that make it similar in value. For me it comes down to whether you want a non-stick griddle surface or not.
