I have the 36" Viking instead of the Wolf, and was faced with the same decision. I opted for the griddle, and it has worked very well for me. IÂve found it best to avoid messy foods (such as burgers, bacon  anything that splatters) since clean-up can take more time than cleaning a skillet. Fantastic for pancakes  makes it a snap to flip them no matter what the size. Also use it a lot as a warming spot  you can park a pan on it and keep it "just right" warm versus trying to do so even on the lowest direct flame. Good for keeping foods warm as well.

Once the griddle is properly seasoned clean-up is very easy and no need for any oil/butter. Also frees up space between the two rows of burners, so you get a bit more elbow room when using large pots.

Hope this helps with the decision.

thanks TMJ... that totally helps!

You may want to consider getting the 6-burner range, and getting an accessory removable griddle like the Lodge Logic or the Chef King. The accessory griddles are easy to clean, and you'll still have the flexibility of all 6 burners when you need them. Also, if you use the griddle, and haven't had a chance to clean it, and company is coming over, you can just remove the portable griddle someplace, but the built-in will remain unsightly in full view until you have a chance to clean it.

Regardless of whether you choose a built-in griddle or an accessory griddle, I hope you have really good exhaust fan with lots of cfms and capture area for when you use your griddle.

Lodge Logic Griddle LPG13

Chef King Griddles

I have the 36" Wolf Dual Fuel range. Four burners and a griddle. I have owned it for two years now and cook nearly every single day - real cooking - not slop and dunk out of a box. Anyhow, I LOVE the griddle. We cook the obvious things like pancakes and sandwiches, but also vegetables, etc. I have never needed six burners at once in the two years I have owned it. Go with the griddle - you'll never regret it!

My best friend had the 6 burner with an accessory griddle in her old house and opted for the same in her new house because of the flexibility it gives her. She loves it.

thanks everyone for the advice... the accessory griddle is a good idea. i honestly don't know if i would ever use 6 burners though. Also, i like the fact that the griddle can be used as a warming place... never thought of that! would love to hear more opinions :)

The other way I use my griddle is as a cutting board. I took a piece of maple and cut it so it fits tightly between the griddle edges. Makes for a great work surface for cutting. Granted, you wonÂt want to use it when you have all the other burners firing away at high, but in cases where you have just one or two burners going (for example, a slow simmer stew) itÂs nice to have a work surface right by the pot for chopping something that gets tossed into the pot.

The maple work surface also makes the whole cook top look a bit more neat and tidy. I think Viking sells a board for their usual outrageous price for accessories, but itÂs very easy to make your own for just a couple of bucks worth of lumber (or, in my case, a leftover piece of maple I rescued from the contractorÂs trash pile).