A built-in grill is the real centerpiece of any outdoor kitchen. Whether you are installing your first built-in grill or replacing an older model, you will be pleased to know there are plenty of options available to you in 2021.
Built-in grills need to do everything you expect from a traditional standing grill, but they also need to look impressive and fit seamlessly into an outdoor kitchen. Getting a built-in grill means you are purchasing a permanent fixture for your outdoor space. Since grills like these come to stay, choose a model that is reliable, functional, and pleasing to the eye.
So let’s talk about the upsides (and the downsides) these grills bring to the table (or rather to the yard), and stay tuned as we review the best built-in grills for your outdoor kitchen today!
Best-Rated Built-in Grills
- Well made with high-quality materials
- Large cooking surface
- Even heat distribution
- Large cooking surface
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Heats up quickly
Other Recommendations
- Best – Natural Gas: Blaze Grills Intelligent Natural Gas Grill
- Best Entry-level: Bull Lonestar Select 87048
- Best – Liquid Propane: RSC Premier 32″ Stainless Steel Built-in Grill
- Best Pre-mounted: WEBER Summit S-660
- Most Versatile: Cal Flame 4 Burner Built-in Grill
- Best Grill With a Rotisserie: AOG T-Series Outdoor 3 Burner Built-in Grill
If a built-in turns out to be a bit more than you bargained for, also check out our other related articles:
- Charcoal Grill Reviews
- Portable Pellet Grill Reviews
- Vertical Smokers For Your Home
- Portable Propane Burners
- Outdoor Gas Griddles
- Best Small Gas Grills
Table of Contents
Where Do You Start?
Built-in grills are growing in popularity, which means manufacturers are taking note and offering grills at virtually all price ranges and styles. While all of these options are great for the consumer, it means that making a decision can be a little bit overwhelming.
We will go over our best overall pick, our top budget-friendly pick, and other built-in grills we found worthy of a spot on the list. All recommendations were carefully chosen based on a variety of factors, and they find a perfect balance between quality and price, so you can feel confident that these grills will get the job done! We did the work so you don’t have to; I guarantee you will find the built-in grill that suits your needs and requirements. Let’s jump right into it!
Built-in Grill Reviews
Napoleon is one of the most well-known brands in the backyard grill industry. They have a strong reputation for well-built grills, excellent customer service, and products that are easy on the eye. The Napoleon Prestige 500 Built-in Grill lives up to this reputation and is our top choice for the best overall built-in grill.
This grill strikes the perfect balance between luxury and affordability. For starters, the stainless steel finish, backlit control knobs, and clean overall appearance ensure that this grill fits seamlessly into any outdoor kitchen setup.
The Prestige 500 is not just about looks though. This built-in grill also gets top grades for performance. The 500 is equipped with four stainless steel main burners and an infrared burner, which combined are capable of generating an impressive 66,000 BTUs of cooking heat.
The stainless steel is high grade, so the grill is durable and made to last, which is paramount for any built-in grill.
You get plenty of evenly-heated cooking space, which makes cooking for large groups a breeze. Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ party or want the ability to cook multiple dishes at the same time, the 760 square inches of cooking space is more than enough to accommodate your needs.
Something else we liked about this Napoleon grill was the little extras. If you are familiar with the Napoleon brand, you have probably seen their iconic wavy cooking grates, which help with even heat distribution and give your food a unique and flawless sear. Also, their JETFIRE ignition system is one of the best we have seen. The safety glow, rear-lit knobs make grilling in the dark that much easier. The Lift Easy roll top lid works great, making the overall experience less of a hassle.
Napoleon also offers plenty of additional upgrades, like a charcoal tray, which allows you to turn your grill into a smoker. Overall, this is an excellent built-in grill from a renowned and trusted brand. It earns our top marks for durability, performance, appearance, and affordability.
What we liked:
- Well made with high-quality materials
- Large cooking surface
- Even heat distribution
What we didn’t like:
- The high-end looks and performance come with a high price tag
Specifications:
- Weight: 119 pounds
- Dimensions: 22.25” x 22.5” x 32.5”
Lion Premium Grills certainly have a lot to offer on all fronts. This grill provides a large cooking surface, durable stainless steel construction, and an impressive temperature range.
Cooking power is where this grill shines. If you want a grill that gets hot fast, look no further. The grill provides 75,000 BTUs of cooking power and uses a precise temperature regulator to make sure you get the exact cooking temperature you want. The built-in temperature gauge provides accurate readings, which help you cook your meals to your exact preference.
What we liked about this grill is the lifetime warranty Lion Premium offers on the burners. The 16-gauge, 304 commercial-grade stainless steel construction is extremely durable and offers a reasonable level of corrosion resistance.
It also comes with useful extra features, such as the two interior lights for nighttime cooking, an adjustable warming rack, and a stainless steel geared rotisserie motor that is capable of holding up to 40 pounds at a time.
What we liked:
- Large cooking surface
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Heats up quickly
What we didn’t like:
- This built-in grill comes with a premium price, which it makes up in performance
Specifications:
- Weight: 170.1 pounds
- Dimensions: 24.25” x 21.5” x 32”
This entry-level built-in grill from Coyote Outdoor Living is our best budget pick. Given the relatively low cost of this grill, we were impressed with the build quality and precise temperature control.
The first thing you will notice about this grill - it's a little smaller than the other grills on our list, which helps explain the lower price point. With that said, you still get a fairly impressive 640 square inches of cooking space. The grill is heated with two of Coyote’s Infinity burners, which are capable of providing 40,000 BTUs of cooking power.
The grill uses heat control grids to help reduce flare-ups and distribute heat evenly across the entire cooking surface. You also get an integrated thermometer, which offers reasonably accurate temperature readings.
This built-in grill made our top choice largely due to its durable construction and its budget pricing. With cheaper grills, you often find that the manufacturers cut costs by using lower-grade materials. However, this grill is constructed from 18-gauge, 304-grade stainless steel, which is usually reserved for more expensive grills.
If you are looking for an affordable built-in grill and do not mind the reduced power range, this could be the perfect grill for your needs!
What we liked:
- Good quality and performance at a reasonable price
- Even heat distribution
- Durable construction
What we didn’t like:
- Smaller cooking area than the other options
Specifications:
- Weight: 105 pounds
- Dimensions: 29” x 26” x 25.2”
Blaze Grills offers a good mixture of style and quality at a reasonable price. This model is designed for use in commercial settings, such as outdoor dining venues and rooftop bars, but it works just as well for residential purposes.
What we liked was the illuminated control knobs and interior lights, which make this a great grill to work with after dark. The flame stabilization grids also cut down on unwanted flare-ups. When it comes to ignition, the straightforward push-start system works well and makes sure your grill fires up without very little effort.
The heat zone separators are a nice touch, as they allow you to cook two different items at separate temperatures. Cleanup is also fairly straightforward, largely thanks to the removable racks and drip tray.
The entire unit is crafted from precision-cut stainless steel and also features a double-lined grill hood, so the grill should stand the test of time. The only thing we did not like was the relatively high price, especially given you can get a similar grill from a more well-known brand, such as Napoleon, for the same price. That said, this is still a great grill that has a professional appearance!
What we liked:
- Easy to use after dark
- Can cook at two different temperatures at once
- Quick and easy cleanup
What we didn’t like:
- High price point
Specifications:
- Weight: 114 pounds
- Dimensions: 22” x 22” x 31”
Bull Outdoor Products have a reputation for offering high-quality backyard grills that get the job done. While other brands focus on flashy exteriors and unique extra features, Bull products are all about performance. Their durability is practically unmatched among grills, and the Lonestar Select Drop-in Grill is no exception.
This grill provides 60,000 BTUs of cooking power and it can get up to full temperature quickly (thanks to its four welded stainless steel bar burners). You also get dual igniters, so you do not have to worry about starting the grill.
In terms of durability, the grill is constructed from 304-grade stainless steel and also features a dual-lined hood and stainless steel grates. You get an impressive 810 square feet of cooking space. So, if you plan on hosting large gatherings, this could be the perfect grill for you.
As mentioned above, the only downside to choosing this grill is the fact that it lacks some of the frills you would get with a grill made by some of the other brands. However, if you are looking for a large, powerful built-in grill that you can rely on and last for years to come, you really cannot go wrong with the Lonestar Select.
What we liked:
- Designed for performance
- Heats up quickly
- Durable construction
The Cons:
- Lacks some of the extra features of other grills
Specifications:
- Weight: 125 pounds
- Dimensions: 25” x 31” x 22”
This built-in grill from the RSC Premier series features four stainless steel burners and has a maximum output of 48,000 BTUs. The entire unit is designed for longevity. The manufacturer used high-quality stainless steel to provide reasonable resistance to rust and corrosion.
The double-lined grill hood is made of stainless steel as well. It protects the grill’s burners from corrosion and damage while retaining heat. A full-width drip tray simplifies the cleaning process, and the exterior is treated to prevent discoloration due to heat and weather exposure.
RSC backs the grill up with a lifetime warranty on the stainless steel housing, cooking grids, and all burners. What we liked about this grill was the ignition system. It uses RSC’s electronic Sure-Strike ignition with backup, easy-light flash tubes. With most grills, the igniter is one of the first things to wear out, but RSC made sure that would not be the case with this line of built-in grills.
While we liked the 710 square inches of grilling space, the reliable igniter, and stainless steel construction, you do need to purchase the regulator and LP hose separately. It is still a great built-in grill available at a more than reasonable price.
What we liked:
- Treated exterior to protect against the weather
- Easy cleanup
- Lifetime warranty on grids, housing, and burners
What we didn’t like:
- You need to purchase LP hose separately
Specifications:
- Weight: 120 pounds
- Dimensions: 25.5” x 32.75” x 20”
Weber is one of the most popular brands in the backyard grilling industry. While they are best known for their tabletop and standalone grills, their built-in grills are gaining traction as well.
The Summit S-660 built-in grill features a massive cooking surface and six stainless steel burners, which put out an impressive 60,000 BTUs of cooking power. When it comes to handling, this grill is controlled with LED-lit knobs and the handle features bright LED lights. The lights are activated whenever the main handle is raised.
You’ll be happy to hear that this grill is available in both natural gas and propane fuel versions. Weber also offers plenty of accessories you can later purchase to customize your grill. The sear station was also a nice touch, especially for those who love to give their food grill marks.
The one potential downside to this otherwise impressive grill is the fact it comes pre-mounted on a cabinet. This can be a great feature, but it might not fit the bill for those who are looking for a grill they can position onto their backyard kitchen surface. However, if you like the look of cabinets underneath the grill, this might be the perfect built-in grill for you.
What we liked:
- LED-lit knobs and handle
- Available for natural gas or propane
- Sear station
What we didn’t like:
- Comes pre-mounted
Specifications:
- Weight: 289 pounds
- Dimensions: 31” x 42” x 51”
This line of built-in grills from Cal Flame is perfect for those that want more burner options. You can choose between a three, four, and five-burner grill, as well as a charcoal option. Each burner generates roughly 15,000 BTUs, so you can find the perfect number for your cooking needs.
The four-burner option tends to be their most popular grill. It provides a whopping 800 square feet of cooking surface, with the five-burner option being even larger. Each burner uses an independent ignition system, so you only have to use the burners you need.
We liked how easy it was to access the drip tray and the overall appearance of the grill is fairly nice. This is a low-frills line of grills that work well and look great. If you are looking for a basic built-in grill at an affordable price, this is a great place to start.
What we liked:
- Charcoal and multiple burner options
- Each burner has an independent ignition system
- Affordable price
What we didn’t like:
- Low-frills
Specifications:
- Weight: 107 pounds
- Dimensions: 31.5” x 24” x 23”
This grill is constructed from 304-grade stainless steel, which gives it a nice appearance and a reasonable level of durability. It features handy stainless steel vaporizer panels, which help deliver heat evenly with fewer flare-ups.
It comes with a built-in piezo ignition lighter. AOG also included a rear infrared rotisserie burner, which is a nice touch for those that like slow-roasting meals on the grill.
The grill was designed and manufactured in the USA, which was surprising given the low price point. We liked the heavy-duty design and all the extras. However, the cooking surface is relatively small at only 640 square inches. Given the low cost, sleek design, and reasonable cooking power, this grill could be a welcome addition to any outdoor kitchen space.
What we liked:
- Rear infrared rotisserie burner
- Heavy-duty design
- Affordable price
What we didn’t like:
- Smaller cooking area than some of the other options
Specifications:
- Weight: 150 pounds
- Dimensions: 26” x 40.2” x 20”
Wrap Up
All of the grills that made our list were assessed on their power, durability, appearance, and affordability. There is no wrong choice. All you have to do is measure the space you’ve got for a new grill, and pick a model that accommodates that.
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