Ours griddle came with the place, but it really suits us. Cooking large family breakfasts is where it shines - you get to play short order pancake cook. We have an outdoor BBQ and good weather, so the grill option and cleanup hassles are not particularly appealing...

Just another thought if you think you might ever have the need of 6 burners, Lodge makes a large cast iron 2 burner grill/griddle.

eandhl,
Is that something that goes over the burners? Do you have one?
I have only had a 4 burner stoves. I guess every once in awhile I could have used more, like Thanksgiving. But it's another way to look at my decision. Would I use the griddle more than I would need 2 extra burners? Hmmmmm.

jwmenehune, I just noticed your post and thought my response to another forum question would be also relevant.

"I have a single griddle in my Bluestar RNB36. The SS cooking area (inside the raised lips) measures 11in x 18 in and I feel it's too small because the perimeter stays a bit cooler and the actual usable area is about the same as a large frying pan. The 24 inch griddle would be much more preferable.

Also, because the plate is so thick that it takes at least 20 minutes to get up to temperature, so, for me, it is useless. I need to point out that I'm not a big griddle chef and have only used it 3-4 times in the 3 years I've had it--mainly because it takes 20 minutes to heat it hot enough for 5 minutes of cooking pancakes.

In its defense, it may take this long to get up to temperature because my husband insists on setting the knob thermostat at 350, so it never gets up to temperature (I check with an infrared thermometer). I'll crank the knob all the way up and he turns it back down; if I can keep him away the time to heat it may not be so bad. (he also turns down my burners when he thinks I'm not looking--perhaps he thinks I'll burn the house down?)

This is my first range griddle, and my expectations may have been unrealistic. I LOVE the 22k BTU burners and how quickly they respond. My unprofessional guess is that the Culinarian griddle will also take a long time to heat up, and griddle chefs may already know that.

When we were deciding on the configuration of the BS, we decided to go with 4 burners and a griddle because I did not think we would have a need for more burners. I thought I could always supplement by buying a free-standing induction burner for parties,etc., but I haven't needed it yet. I'm sorely tempted to replace the griddle with two additional burners, but the stainless grill cover actually makes a very nice, smooth landing area for pots, bowls, etc. and spills are very easy to clean."

In light of my own very specific griddle needes, I would have opted for the 6 burners and just used a griddle plate straddling two burners. Almost every cookware manufacturer makes one, so get the largest one that would fit your range. Again, consider getting a supplemental induction burner.

The Lodge grill/griddle works great. I am going to get the grill, I think . . . I like the idea of being able to take the griddle off and clean it and we are happy with our current Lodge one. I can see myself using the grill all the time, less for meats, but lots for veggies, texas toast, paninis, quesadillas, etc. The idea that I can throw some veggies on the grill and have them inside with me while I cook the rest of the meal is very appealing . ..

I have the wolf 48" with grill and griddle. We are a family of 5 and eat most meals home. I have never used more than 2 burners at a time, so pay attention of how you currently cook and the how often you would actually need 6 burners.

We love both grill and griddle,, but wish we would have forgone the grill for a bigger griddle. The built-in griddle is ten times more convenient than a griddle pan (which I used in my last house). We use it daily! We use it for everything from pancakes to teppan.

The grill is nice but finicky. You can't cook anything with a marinade etc. I use it to grill vegetables and chicken breasts. Most things I grill outside. However it is nice to how the grill where I can easily keep an eye on the food.