Grate or Griddle? How to Pick the Best Grill Spatula

A grill spatula does one job that tongs cannot: it gets under something flat and turns it without tearing it. Burgers, fish fillets, a tray of sliced peppers and onions for fajitas, a quesadilla on a flat-top: all of it wants a wide, thin blade on a handle long enough to keep your knuckles out of the heat. A kitchen turner from the drawer can do the job, but its short handle and small head make hard work of a hot grate.

This guide is the narrow version of our grill tools guide. That page covers sets and tongs; this one is only about the turner itself: long-handled grill spatulas, wide burger turners and flat-top griddle spatulas, sold one at a time so you can buy exactly the shape you need. None of the products here repeat the picks on our grill tools, spatula, spatula set, fish spatula or griddle accessories pages.

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Quick verdict: which grill spatula to buy

The rest of this page explains how the nine picks differ, and which head shape suits the way you grill.

Five grill spatulas side by side

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of grill cook, with the details each maker or listing states. All nine spatulas are reviewed in full below.

Product images from Amazon. Sizes and care instructions are as each maker or listing states them; “not stated” means the listing does not say.

Our picks for the best grill spatula

These nine turners split into three shapes. Grate spatulas have long handles and wide, beveled heads for burgers and chicken over open flame. Griddle spatulas have flatter, squarer blades that sit flush on a steel cooktop and double as a scraper. Thin turners give up some stiffness for flexibility, which is what fish needs. Each pick says who it suits and one honest reason to skip it.

How to choose a grill spatula for your grill

Grate or griddle first. Over open grates you want a long handle and a beveled head that slides under food without catching on the bars. On a flat-top you want a squarer blade that sits flush on the steel and can double as a scraper, and the handle can be shorter. Many people who own both end up with one of each.

Head width. America’s Test Kitchen, in its review of grill spatulas, found the most successful models had heads at least 3 inches across at the front edge: narrower heads were precarious under fish and pizza, while very wide heads were hard to fit between burgers. A head that starts narrow and widens toward the handle gets both. If you grill whole fish or pizza, add a wide spatula as a second tool.

Stiffness against flexibility. A stiff blade presses smash burgers and lifts heavy steaks; a thin, flexible blade slides under delicate fish. The same ATK review found the shape and flexibility of the head mattered more than anything else, and that flimsy heads bent under weight. No single spatula is best at both, which is why the OXO precision turner sits on this list beside sturdier picks.

Handle length and grip. Around 16 to 18 inches overall keeps your hand out of the heat over charcoal. ATK found that a 21-inch spatula could feel too long, with less leverage and control. Look for a grip that stays secure when your hands are greasy: rubber, textured plastic or wood.

Material and care. Stainless steel is the low-maintenance choice and most of these picks can go in the dishwasher. Carbon steel, like the Dexter-Russell, is stiffer and traditional but needs drying and a wipe of oil to stop rust. Wood handles need hand washing.

How we chose these nine turners

We started from the spatulas that established grill and cookware makers sell on Amazon, and kept only ones in stock when this guide was written. We read each maker’s listing for the head size, length, material, handle and care instructions, and wrote “not stated” where a listing leaves a detail out. We used America’s Test Kitchen’s published grill spatula review for what separates a good turner from a poor one.

We did not test these spatulas ourselves, and we have not claimed that Julia’s kitchen uses any of them. We left out anonymous multi-piece kits, products already recommended on our grill tools, spatula, spatula set, fish spatula and griddle accessories pages, and items that were out of stock or only available in limited quantities. We also checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall listings for each maker and found no recall of these spatulas.

Grill spatula questions, answered

What makes a spatula a grill spatula?

Mainly length and sturdiness. A grill spatula has a long handle, often 16 to 18 inches overall, so your hand stays out of the heat, and a stiff stainless head that can lift a thick burger. A kitchen turner works on a grill in a pinch, but its short handle brings your hand right over the fire.

Is a griddle spatula different from a grill spatula?

Yes. A griddle spatula has a flatter, squarer blade designed to sit flush on a steel cooktop, often with a sharper front edge for scraping and chopping. A grill spatula’s head is usually beveled to slide under food sitting on bars. Either will turn a burger, but each works better on its own surface.

Should a grill spatula be slotted or solid?

Both work. Slots let fat drain and reduce sticking, which helps with burgers. A solid head is better for scraping and chopping on a griddle and for holding juicy food. Most of the picks here are solid; check the listing photos if you have a preference.

Can you use a metal spatula on a griddle?

On a seasoned steel or cast iron griddle, yes: metal spatulas are the normal tool and a light scrape does not hurt the seasoning. On a nonstick or ceramic-coated griddle, use a silicone or nylon turner instead, such as the ones in our spatula guide.

What spatula is best for fajitas on the grill?

For sliced peppers, onions and strips of skirt steak on a griddle or grill pan, a griddle spatula is easiest because it can sweep, turn and chop in one tool. The Blackstone Signature Series suits the job, and the Weber Flexible Griddle Spatula is the gentler choice for folding and turning. Our guide to how to eat fajitas covers what comes to the table with them.

Our final word on grill spatulas

For most backyard grills, buy the Weber Precision Wide Grill Spatula: beveled on three sides, dishwasher safe and covered by a two-year warranty. Add the OXO precision turner if you grill fish, and the Charbroil Double-Wide if you cook pizza or whole fillets. On a flat-top, choose the Weber Flexible Griddle Spatula for delicate food or the Blackstone Signature Series for a large one, and the Dexter-Russell if you want a stiff, made-in-USA turner for griddle and cast iron work.

A spatula is one tool in a grill kit. Our guide to the best grill tools covers tongs, sets and basting brushes, and the outdoor griddle accessories guide covers scrapers, bottles and covers for the flat-top.

And if you would rather someone else did the grilling tonight, see the menu or call to order.