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A built-in gas 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. Since outdoor kitchens are high-end luxury items, built-in grills are designed to fit that look with commercial-grade stainless steel finishes. Built-in BBQs also offer better performance than a standard gas grill with powerful burners that allow them to reach extreme temperatures, along 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. 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
- RUNNER-UP: Summerset TRL Series Built-In Gas Grill
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw Drop-In Grill
- UPGRADE PICK: DCS Series 9 36-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
- BEST PROPANE: Weber Summit S-460 Built-In Propane Gas Grill
- BEST INFRARED: TEC Sterling Patio FR Infrared Built-In Grill
- BEST DUAL GRILL: Napoleon Prestige Pro 825 Built-In Grill
- BEST COMPACT: Coyote C-Series 28-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
- BEST FOR BEGINNERS: Blaze Prelude LBM 32-Inch Built-In Grill
- ALSO CONSIDER: American Outdoor Grill T-Series Built-In Grill
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 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 brands that have a reputation for manufacturing quality built-in grills, 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
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 also well equipped for nocturnal grilling thanks to red LED lighting on the control panel and built-in halogen lights under the hood.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 615 square inches
- Heat output: 54,000 BTUs
- Dimensions: 24¼ inches tall by 34 inches wide by 28⅜ inches deep
Pros
- Commercial-grade 304 stainless steel construction from top to bottom
- Heavy-duty 12-millimeter-thick hexagonal grill grates for each burner
- LED and halogen lighting on the control panel and under the hood for nighttime cooking
Cons
- Some customers have mentioned that it’s hard to control the grill’s temperature
Get the Blaze Professional LUX built-in grill at BBQGuys or Amazon.
Runner-Up
Summerset TRL Series Built-In Gas Grill
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 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, and blue LED lighting for the control knobs.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 607 square inches
- Heat output: 54,000 BTUs
- Dimensions: 21¼ inches tall by 32 inches wide by 25 inches deep
Pros
- Built-in ceramic briquettes retain heat, allowing for even cooking
- Excellent build quality with stainless steel construction and heavy-duty grill grates
- Includes a rotisserie kit that’s supported by a dedicated infrared burner
Cons
- Briquettes can make it a little more difficult to sear meat
Get the Summerset TRL Series built-in grill at Amazon, AJ Madison, or BBQ Guys.
Best Bang For The Buck
Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw Drop-In Grill
Those looking for a built-in barbecue at an affordable price will want to consider the Bull Outlaw. Its 30-inch width provides over 600 square inches of main cooking surface. With four 15,000-BTU burners, the chef 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 its commercial-grade 304 stainless steel construction.
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.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 600 square inches
- Heat output: 60,000 BTUs
- Dimensions: 25 inches tall by 31 inches wide by 22 inches deep
Pros
- Comes equipped with ample cooking space and powerful burners at a low price
- 4 burners allow the chef to create 4 separate cooking zones
- Durable commercial-grade 304 stainless steel construction in the grill body and burners
Cons
- Grill grates are made from cheaper ceramic-coated iron as opposed to stainless steel
- Burners light via a piezo ignition versus a more reliable type of ignition
Get the Bull Outlaw built-in grill at Amazonor BBQ Guys.
Upgrade Pick
DCS Series 9 36-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
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 grills. For example, it’s equipped with double-sided cooking grates. One side directs excess grease to a grease trap for fatty foods such as steaks and burgers. 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 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 and LED lighting under the hood and on the control panel.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 630 square inches
- Heat output: 75,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 27¼ inches tall by 35 15/16 inches wide by 26⅞ inches deep
Pros
- Three 25,000-BTU burners can heat surface to 1,100 degrees
- Includes a full rotisseries system with a 14,000-BTU infrared burner
- Double-sided cooking grates better manage grease for fatty foods
Cons
- One of the more expensive built-in gas grills on the market
Get the DCS Series 9 built-in grill at BBQ Guys, AJ Madison, or Amazon.
Best Propane
Weber Summit S-460 Built-In Propane Gas Grill
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 one of Weber’s handsomest and most 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 also 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 also comes with a storage cabinet.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 468 square inches
- Heat output: 48,800 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 50½ inches tall by 34 inches wide by 31 inches deep
Pros
- Great durability thanks to top-to-bottom stainless steel construction
- Rotisserie kit and smoking station offer additional ways to cook
- Included full-size cabinet provides storage and serves as a base for the grill head
Cons
- Has a smaller main cooking surface area than comparable built-in grills
Get the Weber Summit S-460 built-in grill at Amazon or BBQ Guys.
Best Infrared
TEC Sterling Patio FR Infrared Built-In Grill
This built-in gas grill from TEC uses infrared energy and a unique design to give the chef more control over the temperature of the cooking surface. 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 300 degrees Fahrenheit for more-delicate meats and foods. A heat-zone divider that bisects the cooking surface helps to maintain different temperatures on the cooking surface. The TEC is also durable, thanks to a double-lined hood and top-to-bottom heavy-gauge stainless steel construction.
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
Pros
- 2 burners allow for a broad temperature range of 300 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit
- Glass panels eliminate hot and cold spots on the cooking surface
- Self-cleans by incinerating food particles when set to high temperature
Cons
- 2-burner design limits the types of foods one can cook on it simultaneously
- Includes very few accessories to support other types of cooking
Get the TEC Sterling built-in grill at BBQ Guys or Amazon.
Best Dual Grill
Napoleon Prestige Pro 825 Built-In Grill
Boasting some 825 square inches of main grilling area divided into two separate grill heads, the Prestige Pro 825 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 also sturdily built with stainless steel construction from the burners and cooking grate to the hood and the grill body.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 825 square inches
- Heat output: 88,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 25¼ inches tall by 56 inches wide by 25¼ inches deep
Pros
- Capable of cooking a lot of food at once thanks to a broad cooking surface
- 2 separate grill heads make it easier to cook different food types at once
- LED lighting in both the hood and the control panel for nighttime cooking
Cons
- Some customers have reported uneven heating on the cooking surface
Get the Napoleon Prestige Pro 825 built-in grill at BBQ Authority or BBQ Guys.
Best Compact
Coyote C-Series 28-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
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 497 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 construction, a double-walled hood, and a hand-welded grill box. It 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.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 497 square inches
- Heat output: 40,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 23 inches tall by 28 inches wide by 25½ inches deep
Pros
- Two 20,000-BTU burners provide excellent coverage of the cooking surface
- Sturdy 18-gauge 304 stainless steel construction with a double-walled hood
- Under-hood lighting system for visibility while grilling at night
Cons
- No additional features included to support other types of cooking
Get the Coyote C-Series built-in grill at BBQ Guys, AJ Madison, or Amazon.
Best For Beginners
Blaze Prelude LBM 32-Inch Built-In Grill
Grilling greenhorns 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 barbecuing newbies will appreciate. It features 552 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.
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
Pros
- Integrated burner covers help prevent flare-ups while cooking
- Removable heat-zone separators make it easier to create multiple cooking zones
- Cooking grates consist of heavy-duty 8-millimeter-thick stainless steel cooking rods
Cons
- Doesn’t include any additional features to support other types of cooking
Get the Blaze Prelude built-in grill at BBQ Guys, AJ Madison, or Amazon.
Also Consider
American Outdoor Grill T-Series Built-In Grill
With its rock-solid construction, large grilling surface, and useful extra features, this gas grill from American Outdoor Grill is a great all-around built-in grill. Its cooking surface is a bit wider than those of most built-in grills, giving it a vast 648 square inches of cooking surface. That large cooking surface is well supported by three burners that produce 50,000 BTUs. American Outdoor Grill will also outfit this grill with an optional rotisserie kit and infrared burner for an additional cost.
The American Outdoor Grill has excellent build quality with a stainless steel body, burners, and heat deflectors and heavy-duty thick-gauge cooking rods. Built-in halogen lighting in the hood illuminates the cooking surface for nighttime grilling endeavors.
Product Specs
- Main cooking surface size: 648 square inches
- Heat output: 50,000 BTUs (main cooking surface)
- Dimensions: 20⅛ inches tall by 40¼ inches wide by 26¼ inches deep
Pros
- Large 648-square-inch cooking surface can handle a lot of food at once
- Includes a rotisserie kit supported by a separate infrared burner
- Durably constructed with heavy-gauge stainless steel and thick cooking rods
Cons
- Doesn’t include lighting for control panel, making the knobs difficult to see at night
Get the American Outdoor Grill built-in grill at BBQ Guys, AJ Madison, or Amazon.
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. Ahead, learn more about these and other characteristics of built-in grills.
Fuel Type
The vast majority of 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.
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 gas grills is measured in BTUs, which stands for British thermal units. 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 built-in 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. 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 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.
Q. Is it hard to install a built-in grill?
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.
Q. Is there a standard size for a built-in grill?
While there is no standard size for a built-in grill, most range from 34 to 40 inches wide. This size is similar to the standard size of a freestanding gas grill.
Q. Are built-in grills energy efficient?
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.
Q. How do you clean a built-in grill?
When cleaning a built-in gas grill, avoid using cleaning products, as they can end up in your food the next time you cook. Begin by turning all burners to high and closing the lid for about 15 minutes. This will cause any food particles to burn off. Allow the grill to cool to a moderate level, then use a grill brush to scrape the grates clean. Once the grill is cool, remove the grates. Remove the heat plates below and scrub them with a stainless steel wire brush. Continue on by cleaning the burners with a brush. With the grill box empty, scrub the grill-box walls.
Q. Are built-in grills safe?
Since built-in grills are designed to go inside an outdoor kitchen, they are generally safe. You should make sure the outdoor kitchen is made of stone or some other material that won’t burn and therefore doesn’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.