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A built-in grill is a staple of any outdoor kitchen. These luxury items of backyard barbecuing drop into an outdoor kitchen’s counters, creating a seamless look. A built-in BBQ for outdoor kitchens also offers better performance than a standard gas grill. Their powerful burners allow them to reach extreme temperatures, and they often come with useful extra features such as built-in rotisseries and smoker boxes.
Since these grills also come with a steep price tag, knowing what to look for is crucial to ensuring you get what you pay for when investing in one. Our pick for the best overall is the Blaze Professional LUX 34-Inch Built-In Grill. It’s made of commercial-grade stainless steel, has a large cooking surface, and comes with a grease-management system that makes cleanup easier. Ahead, learn what factors and features to consider when shopping for one of these luxury outdoor cooking appliances, and find out why the models below are some of the best built-in grills on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Blaze Professional LUX 34-Inch Built-In Grill
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Summerset TRL Propane Gas Built-In Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw Drop-In Grill Head
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESIGN: DCS Series 9 36-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PROPANE: Weber Summit S-460 Built-In Propane Gas Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INFRARED: TEC Sterling Patio FR Infrared Built-In Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DUAL GRILL: Napoleon Prestige Pro 825 Built-In Natural Gas Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COMPACT: Coyote C-Series 28-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Blaze Prelude LBM 32-Inch Propane Gas Built-In Grill
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Built-In Grills
We considered a variety of factors to make our selections for this type of grill, including performance, build quality, and additional cooking features. We chose outdoor kitchen grills that produce enough British thermal units (BTUs) to evenly heat the entire grill surface and reach the temperatures necessary for searing meat.
Build quality was also paramount. A built-in BBQ is an investment and therefore should last a long time. We only chose models with commercial-grade 304 stainless steel construction in the body, burners, and grates, ensuring they can resist rust and warping at high temperatures.
Keeping performance and build quality in mind, we stuck with grill brands that have a reputation for manufacturing quality built-in models, including Blaze, Bull, DCS, and Weber, to name a few. A good outdoor built-in grill should give users the ability to cook a variety of foods in multiple ways, so we leaned toward models that offer such features as infrared burners, rotisseries kits, and lighting for nighttime barbecuing.
Our Top Picks
Below we’ve compiled the best of the best when it comes to built-in gas grills. The lineup includes outdoor grill inserts with top-notch build quality, excellent performance, and useful additional features.
Best Overall
Blaze Professional LUX 34-Inch Built-In Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 615 square inches
- Heat output: 54,000 BTUs (grilling surface); 10,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner)
- Dimensions: 24¼ inches tall by 34 inches wide by 28⅜ inches deep
- Burners: 3
What We Like
- Made of commercial-grade 304 stainless steel
- Heavy-duty 12-millimeter-thick hexagonal grill grates
- Lighting on the control panel and under the hood
- Includes searing rods and rotisserie kit
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers have mentioned that temperature control is difficult
One would be hard-pressed to find a better constructed built-in gas grill than the aptly named Blaze Professional LUX. Every inch of this grill consists of commercial-grade 304 stainless steel, including the firebox, burners, drip pan, searing rods, and hood. If that isn’t enough, heavy-duty 12-millimeter-thick hexagonal searing rods are further proof of just how rock-solid this grill is.
Those high-quality materials translate to impressive performance. Its three burners put out a whopping 54,000 BTUs, plenty of power to heat its 615 square inches of main cooking surface. There’s also a rotisserie kit that works with a 10,000 BTU infrared burner and a well-designed grease-management system that makes post-grilling cleanup easier. The Blaze Professional LUX is well equipped for nocturnal grilling thanks to red LED lighting on the control panel and built-in halogen lights under the hood.
Get the Blaze Professional LUX built-in grill at BBQGuys or Amazon.
Runner-up
Summerset TRL Propane Gas Built-In Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 603 square inches
- Heat output: 54,000 BTUs (grilling surface); 15,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner)
- Dimensions: 21¼ inches tall by 32 inches wide by 25 inches deep
- Burners: 3
What We Like
- Includes a rotisserie kit
- Comes with interior lights and sear zone options
- Durable stainless steel construction and heavy-duty grates
- Built-in ceramic briquettes retain heat
What We Don’t Like
- Briquettes can make searing difficult
The Summerset TRL’s unique cook-box design is what sets it apart from the competition. Ceramic briquettes sit just above the burners, helping the grill retain heat for even cooking temperatures on the cooking surface. The briquettes also have the added benefit of reducing flare-ups while making it easier to keep the grill clean.
Build quality for the Summerset TRL is what one would expect to find in a premium built-in outdoor kitchen grill. All components consist of 304 stainless steel, and the cooking grates are made from heavy-duty 8-millimeter-thick stainless steel rods. Other notable features include a rotisserie kit that uses a dedicated infrared burner, a reliable flamethrower ignition that doesn’t require batteries, interior halogen lighting for the cooking surface, exterior LED lights on the handles, a rear infrared burner, sear zone options, and blue LED lighting for the control knobs.
Get the Summerset built-in grill at BBQGuys, Amazon, or AJ Madison.
Best Bang For The Buck
Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw Drop-In Grill Head
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 600 square inches
- Heat output: 60,000 BTUs
- Dimensions: 21.25 inches tall by 31 inches wide by 21 inches deep
- Burners: 4
What We Like
- Ample cooking space and powerful burners
- Durable 304 stainless steel in the grill body and burners
- 4 burners for 4 separate cooking zones
What We Don’t Like
- Less durable, ceramic-coated iron grill grates
- No rear burner
- Burners light via a piezo ignition
Those looking for a built-in barbecue at an affordable price will want to consider the Bull Outlaw. Its 31-inch width provides over 600 square inches of main cooking space. With four 15,000 BTU burners, you can create multiple cooking zones and provide even heat over the cooking surface. Similar to other high-end built-in grills, the Outlaw has excellent build quality thanks to commercial-grade 304 stainless steel.
There are some trade-offs for this budget-priced built-in. It comes with porcelain-coated grilling grates instead of the higher-end stainless steel grates found on most built-in grills, and it uses a piezo ignition over the more reliable igniter technologies one would expect to see on top-shelf grills. It also lacks extra features such as a sear burner or a rotisserie kit. Still, for the price, it’s tough to beat the value the Outlaw offers.
Get the Bull Outdoor built-in grill at Amazon or BBQGuys.
Best Design
DCS Series 9 36-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 630 square inches
- Heat output: 75,000 BTUs (main cooking surface); 14,000 BTUs (infrared burner)
- Dimensions: 27¼ inches tall by 35 15/16 inches wide by 26⅞ inches deep
- Burners: 3
What We Like
- Wide temperature range between 300 and 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Easy-to-lift 90-degree hood
- Double-sided cooking grates better manage grease
- Includes a full rotisseries system
What We Don’t Like
- One of the more expensive options
Not only does the DCS Series 9 grill offer rock-solid 304 stainless steel construction, but it also comes with design features and attention to detail simply not found on other built-in BBQ grills. It’s equipped with double-sided cooking grates, making it a larger grill than others included on this list. One side directs excess grease to a grease trap for fatty foods. Flip the grates for vegetables and leaner meats like fish and chicken to create more even heat and better grill marks. Other notable cooking features include a charcoal smoking tray and a water pan and racks for smoking meat.
Ceramic flame tamers cover the burners to better create even heat and searing temperatures over the cooking surface. That design coupled with three 25,000 BTU burners allows this built-in natural gas grill to create cooking surface temps of up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s also a rotisserie system with a 14,000 BTU infrared burner, a smart beam gill light, two hood lights, and LED lights on the control panel.
Get the DCS built-in grill at Amazon, BBQGuys, or AJ Madison.
Best Propane
Weber Summit S-460 Built-In Propane Gas Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 580 square inches
- Heat output: 48,800 BTUs (main cooking surface); 10,600 BTUs (rotisserie burner)
- Dimensions: 50 inches tall by 34 inches wide by 31 inches deep
- Burners: 4
What We Like
- Includes a full-size cabinet for extra storage
- Made of durable stainless steel
- Features a rotisserie kit and smoking station
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively small main cooking surface
The aptly named Summit line of Weber gas grills represents the best that this well-known name in gas grills has to offer. While the stainless steel finish makes the Summit S-460 propane gas grill one of Weber’s most handsome and durable grills, it’s also loaded with features. A handle-mounted light automatically turns on and off when opening and closing the lid for nighttime cooking. There are also stainless steel “flavorizer bars” that vaporize drippings into smoke, returning flavor to the food above.
Weber packs in features that allow for cooking more types of foods, including a 10,600 BTU searing station, a full rotisserie kit with its own burner, and a wood-chip smoker box with a dedicated burner. Unlike other built-in propane grills that consist of a head only, the Summit S-460 propane gas grill also comes with a storage cabinet.
Get the Weber built-in grill at Amazon.
Best Infrared
TEC Sterling Patio FR Infrared Built-In Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 592 square inches
- Heat output: 60,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 17 inches tall by 44¼ inches wide by 26½ inches deep
- Burners: 2
What We Like
- Broad temperature range of 200 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit
- Glass panels eliminate hot and cold spots
- Self-cleans when set to high temperature
What We Don’t Like
- 2-burner design limits zone-cooking
- Includes few accessories
This built-in gas grill from TEC uses infrared energy and a unique design to give you more control over the cooking surface temperature. Below the 592-square-inch cooking surface, the TEC comes equipped with radiant glass panels that help to distribute heat, eliminating hot and cold spots while reducing flare-ups.
With its two 30,000 BTU burners, the TEC Sterling boasts top temperatures of 900 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than hot enough to sear a nice crust on a steak or burger patty. It also has an impressive low range of 200 degrees Fahrenheit for more delicate meats and foods. A heat-zone divider that bisects the cooking surface helps to maintain different temperatures. The TEC is also durable thanks to a double-lined hood and top-to-bottom heavy-gauge stainless steel construction.
Get the TEC built-in grill at Amazon or BBQGuys.
Best Dual Grill
Napoleon Prestige Pro 825 Built-In Natural Gas Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 825 square inches
- Heat output: 88,000 BTUs (main cooking surface); 18,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner)
- Dimensions: 25¼ inches tall by 56 inches wide by 25¼ inches deep
- Burners: 6
What We Like
- Extra-large cooking surface
- 2 separate grill heads
- LED lighting in the hood and control panel
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers have reported uneven heating
Boasting some 825 square inches of main grilling area divided into two separate grill heads, the Prestige Pro 825 built-in natural gas grill can handle the cooking duties for even larger backyard soirees. It consists of six burners, four on the larger head and two on the smaller one. Since each head has its own hood, it’s easy to roast chicken with the hood down on one side while searing steaks and burgers with the top up on the other.
In addition to its ample cooking space, the Prestige Pro 825 is loaded with additional features, including a wood-chip tray for smoking food and a full rotisserie kit with its own infrared burner. There’s also LED lighting built into the hood and the control panel for nighttime barbecuing. The Prestige Pro 825 is sturdily built with stainless steel construction from the burners and cooking grate to the hood and the grill body.
Get the Napoleon built-in grill at BBQGuys.
Best Compact
Coyote C-Series 28-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 585 square inches
- Heat output: 40,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 23 inches tall by 28 inches wide by 25½ inches deep
- Burners: 2
What We Like
- Made from sturdy 18-gauge 304 stainless steel
- Double-walled hood
- Dual halogen lights under the hood
What We Don’t Like
- No additional accessories included
With its narrower profile, the Coyote C-Series built-in is a great choice for smaller backyard kitchens or for those who don’t find themselves cooking for more than a few people at a time. It measures just 28 inches wide and has 585 square inches of main cooking surface.
Despite its smaller size, the Coyote C-Series is built like a rock with 18-gauge 304 stainless steel, a double-walled hood, and a hand-welded grill box. This built-in natural gas grill also brings the heat, thanks to two 20,000 BTU burners and grids beneath the grates that help distribute the heat for even cooking. Other notable features include two halogen lights in the hood that illuminate the cooking surface for nighttime barbecuing.
Get the Coyote built-in grill at Amazon, BBQGuys, or AJ Madison.
Best For Beginners
Blaze Prelude LBM 32-Inch Propane Gas Built-In Grill
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 531 square inches
- Heat output: 56,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 21¼ inches tall by 32½ inches wide by 25¾ inches deep
- Burners: 4
What We Like
- Integrated burner covers help prevent flare-ups
- Removable heat-zone separators
- 8-millimeter stainless steel rod cooking grates
What We Don’t Like
- No additional features to support other types of cooking
Grilling newbies needn’t spend a lot of money to install a model with advanced cooking features they may never use. This grill from Blaze, which is available in both propane and natural gas, provides plenty of performance and durability at a price that buyers will appreciate. It features 531 square inches of primary grilling space split over four burners, which is ideal for allowing those new to outdoor cooking to hone their skill at cooking two types of foods at once.
Heat-zone separators make it easier to create different temperature areas, while burner covers keep flare-ups to a minimum. Beginners will also appreciate the easy-to-use push-and-turn ignition system. Blaze is known for the build quality of its grills, and the Prelude is no exception. All of its components consist of heavy-gauge 304 stainless steel, and it features durable 8-millimeter-thick cooking rods.
Get the Blaze Prelude built-in grill at Amazon, BBQGuys, or AJ Madison.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Built-In Grill
While finding a built-in grill that suits the size of the backyard kitchen is crucial, there are other considerations that are also important, including heat output, fuel type and materials.
Fuel Type
The vast majority of outdoor built-in grills run on natural gas, but there are some models that use propane. Propane grills use a 5-gallon tank, which lasts for between 18 and 20 hours of grilling. Once the tank is empty, one must visit a gas station, grocery store, or home improvement store to refill or swap out the tank, which can be inconvenient.
Natural gas grills hook into the home’s natural gas line, offering a never-ending source of fuel and eliminating the chances the grill may run out of gas mid-barbecue. While this makes natural gas more convenient, adding a direct grill line can be expensive for those who don’t already have one. Expect to pay between $200 and $400 to add a gas connection, according to HomeAdvisor. There are also built-in pellet grills and built-in charcoal grills.
Size and Grilling Area
Size is crucial when choosing a built-in grill as it should fit snugly and seamlessly into the outdoor kitchen’s counter space. Grill sizes for built-in grills range from 24 to 42 inches wide. Smaller 24-inch grills offer around 430 square inches of cooking surface, which is enough to cook for about six people. Larger 42-inch models offer around 800 square inches of cooking surface, which can accommodate a larger backyard barbecue. In addition to width, it’s also important to pay attention to the depth and total height of the grill to ensure a good fit in the outdoor kitchen.
Burners and Heating Power
The number of burners and amount of heat output are key to cooking performance and versatility with any gas grill. The heat output of built-in gas grills is measured in BTUs. A gas grill should have between 80 and 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. The more BTUs, the more evenly the grill can cook, and the better able it is to reach the high temperatures necessary to sear meat.
Built-in grills come with two to six burners. The number of burners determines the number of cooking zones you can create with the grill. The more zones, the more food the chef can cook simultaneously at different temperatures.
Materials
Built-in grills are the cream of the crop when it comes to gas grills in terms of both performance and build quality. The best built-in grills are made of commercial-grade 304 stainless steel from top to bottom, including the grill body, heat plates, burners, hood, and cooking grates. The key here is thickness. A high-quality grill will use thicker metal that better withstands warping in the face of extreme temperatures. Grill-grate quality is also important. The best built-in grills have cooking grates that consist of searing rods that are 8 millimeters thick or thicker.
Additional Features
Built-in grills come with useful additional features that allow the chef to cook food in multiple ways. Common extras on built-in grills include rotisserie kits with dedicated infrared burners, sear burners, and trays for smoking meat. Many built-in grills also include removable heat-zone separators that make it easier to create different temperatures on the cooking surface to facilitate cooking different types of foods at once.
Most built-in grills also come with halogen lights that are built into the grill hood to illuminate the cooking surface as well as LED lighting on the control panel for visibility while grilling at night. Some built-in grills feature embedded thermometers, or users can opt to purchase the best grill thermometer separately.
Tips for Installing a Built-In Grill
While installing a built-in grill isn’t difficult, there are few things to keep in mind to ensure installation goes smoothly. Add the gas connection prior to installing the grill as it will be difficult to add once the grill is in place. Before selecting a built-in grill, decide on the design of the outdoor kitchen and determine what size grill the kitchen can support. Outdoor island BBQ grills may be more tricky to install than grills mounted against a wall, for example. Take precise measurements to ensure a good fit. Before beginning the installation, check the instructions to see what tools are necessary for the install.
- Make sure the gas hookup is ready prior to installation
- Measure carefully to ensure the grill fits snugly into the outdoor kitchen
- Review the instructions to make sure all necessary tools are available
FAQs
That’s a lot of information on built-in barbecue grills, and now that you are armed with some basics, there may be a few questions on your mind. Read on for some frequently asked questions and their answers.
As long as you have the right size grill and the gas hookup in place, installing a built-in grill isn’t difficult. You’ll typically need to install mounting brackets that come with the built-in grill kit into the cavity that will hold the unit, then attach the grill to the mounting brackets before making the gas connection.
Propane grills produce more than twice the heat output of natural gas per cubic foot of fuel, making propane grills more efficient. That said, since natural gas is much cheaper than propane, it’s actually more affordable to run a natural gas grill than it is to run a propane grill.
Most grill owners will want to equip themselves with a grill brush and tool kit, a smoker box, wood chips, a rotisserie kit, grill racks and roasters, griddles, a thermometer, an apron, and gloves.
If correctly maintained, a built-in grill should last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. It should be stored indoors during the winter months and covered overnight or during inclement weather.
Since built-in grills are designed to go inside an outdoor kitchen, they are generally safe. Ensure the outdoor kitchen is made of stone or some other material that won’t burn and therefore won’t create a fire hazard. Don’t attempt to turn a freestanding grill into a built-in grill as it may be unsafe to do so.
