Most people think “built-in grill” and think “rich people” or “mansion” and pretty much stop there.
But to be honest, there is really no reason why the average Joe couldn’t fit one of the best built-in grills into his own backyard kingdom.
When you consider the price of some of the more starter-level built-in grills versus some of the higher-end freestanding grills, you kinda start to wonder if you can’t swing it, after all. I mean, find a buddy or two with some carpentry and masonry skills who can build the base and we’re in business, right?!
Let’s dive headfirst into some of these beauties, so you can start drooling, stop wishing, and get that outdoor kitchen built already! I mean, c’mon!
8 Best Built-In Grills That Your Money Can Buy
1. Napoleon BIP500RBNSS-3 Built-In Prestige 500 RB Natural Gas Grill with Infrared & Rear Burners
Napoleon is definitely a high-end brand with a solid reputation that earns then a high rank as one of the best brands for built-in grills. I mean, with 4 burners that put out 66,000 BTU, you will definitely not be lacking in power with this built-in grill!
We like the natural gas version since you can “hard-wire” it into your house gas line (we recommend hiring a professional), and you’ll always have fuel available. No need for a propane tank gauge or risking running out of fuel!
Inside, you’ll also find 760 sq inches of total cooking area and a rear infrared rotisserie burner, all under a smooth Lift-Ease roll top lid. This is a nice model to experience hybrid infrared grilling if you’re ready to dive into the future of grilling!
The ignition fires right up with Jetfire Ignition. A built-in temperature gauge and colorful “night light” control knobs offer premium features. Besides just being a fun addition, the control knobs will glow red when the gas is left on, as a safety feature!
This is definitely one of the best high-end built-in grills.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]4 burners and comfortable cooking area (760 total sq in)
Lift-Ease roll top lid for easy opening
LED backlit knobs, with red glow safety feature
Rear infrared rotisserie burner
More affordable price versus competitors’ models[/i2pros][i2cons]BTU per burner is fairly low (66,000 over 4 burners)
Propane model does not include a regulator
Replacement parts can be hard to come by as the grills from this brand age[/i2cons][/i2pc]
2. Lion Premium Grills L75623 32-Inch Natural Gas Grill
With a full 830 sq inches of total cooking space and 75,000 BTU across the 4 stainless steel burners, you’re definitely not going to be short on sear power. Powering with natural gas (like this model is) is a great way to keep your high-end grilling experience going!
We especially love that there is a lifetime warranty on the cast burners. Lion grills are definitely well-made and well-stood behind!
The warming rack is adjustable, which makes it very convenient to fit just about anything into this grill. As another option with a rear infrared rotisserie burner, you’ll have the flexibility of infrared or traditional gas grill cooking.
Something that takes this grill up a notch over our first option, however, is the two built-in interior lights. It’s super handy for those late-night cookouts, so you won’t need to purchase a separate grilling light.
Something to keep in mind for this grill is that while it’s called a 32-inch grill, it only actually offers about 30 inches of interior cook space. You’ll want to double-check any accessories you purchase for it!
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Large cooking space (830 sq in combined)
Better BTU per burner (75,000 over 4 burners)
Lifetime warranty on the burners
Adjustable warming rack
Rear infrared rotisserie burner
Built-in work lights[/i2pros][i2cons]Sizing is slightly misleading (30 inches inside dimensions but called a 32-inch grill)
Warming rack is a little loose, may fall out if mishandled[/i2cons][/i2pc]
3. BULL Outdoor Products 47628 Angus Grill Head, Natural Gas
This grill is definitely a beast and for sure one of the best built-in grills under $2000! Despite the higher price tag, this is one of the mid-range offerings from BULL, so you’ll be able to get a comparably good, albeit smaller, built-in grill for less money if your budget requires it.
The 4 stainless steel burners plus a rear infrared rotisserie burner put out a solid 75,000 BTU of total cooking power. With 600 sq inches of primary cooking space (and a 210 sq in warming rack), you definitely will find that this grill packs a lot of power into a slightly smaller package than the first two on our list.
You’ll find two interior lights on this grill as well, you’ll see your food nicely at all hours.
This grill offers its proprietary “ReliaBull” Technology — this means that you’re getting a semi-infrared grill experience, and you’re going to be able to grill from edge to edge on this grill.
Basically, you’ll get more cooking area from a smaller footprint, and a more even heat distribution within that.
You’ll be able to choose this model fueled by either natural gas or propane, depending on your preferences!
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Better BTU rating per burner (75,000 over 4 burners)
810 sq in combined cooking area
Interior work lights
Semi-infrared ReliaBull technology for even heat distribution
Edge to edge grilling space
Rear infrared rotisserie burner[/i2pros][i2cons]The heat distribution technology and the rotisserie mechanism could be better, but they’re pretty good for the average user (knowing it’s not infrared, it won’t be perfectly even)
Be careful pulling out the drip tray; can come out quickly and you’ll spill![/i2cons][/i2pc]
4. Weber Summit S-460 Built-In Natural Gas Stainless Steel Grill
Here we have a top-notch Weber built-in grill. We all know that Weber has an excellent reputation in the grilling world!
This model falls slightly lower on our list because while it is absolutely one of the best built-in grills under $3000, it’s has a built-in stainless steel cabinet attached to it. We feel like this just slightly diminishes the overall look for high-end outdoor grills built into a gourmet outdoor kitchen.
This unit, in particular, is a natural gas unit, yet again, for a truly built-in and low maintenance grilling experience. You can also purchase a propane version of this grill.
This grill has 4 stainless burners with 48,800 BTU across them, plus a 10,600 BTU sear burner, PLUS a 6,800 BTU smoker burner with a stainless steel smoker box. If that’s not enough for you grilling masters, there is also a 10,600 BTU rear infrared rotisserie burner!
With features like that, this is definitely a high-end grill that offers a very nice package.
On top of the above, it includes the additional premium features of individual burner ignition to customize your grilling zones, a built-in thermometer, and a front-access grease tray to make clean-up easier.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]10,600 BTU sear burner built-in
6,800 BTU smoker burner with smoker box
10,600 BTU rear infrared rotisserie burner
Individual burner ignition for custom grill zones[/i2pros][i2cons]Full stainless steel cabinet diminishes the look of the finished product (slide-in model versus drop-in); stainless seems to stain easily
Very low BTU per burner (48,800 across 4 burners)
Too much air into smoke box so it’s not a great smoker replacement[/i2cons][/i2pc]
5. Blaze Grills 32-Inch Built-In 4-Burner Natural Gas Grill, with Heat Zone Separators & Rear Infrared Rotisserie Burner
Blaze Grills makes a solid product with a lot of neat features considering the somewhat lower price point than other top built-in grills on our list. This is definitely a grill worth considering for your custom outdoor kitchen.
We love the dual divided temperature zones to offer increased versatility on what you can cook (and when). The easy-start ignition makes it a breeze to fire it up.
There are also stabilizing grids over the burners to minimize flare-ups during cooking, but unfortunately, although it sounds a little like an infrared grill setup, these grids don’t offer the same even heating as infrared grills do.
Each burner delivers 14,000 BTU so this baby puts out a combined 56,000 BTU across all 4 burners. The rear infrared burner offers another 10,000 BTU, and you’ll have a total of 740 sq inches of cooking space.
Blaze Grills clearly stands behind their product 100%, by offering an impressive lifetime warranty on their grills (with a couple of parts exceptions).
This grill is available in both natural gas fuel type (this model) or a propane fuel model.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Lifetime warranty is impressive
Durable stainless feels thick and even (not warped/wavy)
Excellently high heat for searing
Steel dividers to put between the burners for a simulated second firebox sort of experience (dual temperature zones)[/i2pros][i2cons]Temperature gauge does not have temperatures but ranges (medium, low, etc)
Does not include the rotisserie kit, as other models have
Low BTU per burner (56,000 BTU over 4 burners)[/i2cons][/i2pc]
6. Alfresco ALXE-42-NG 42-Inch Natural Gas Built-In Grill
Make sure you’re sitting before you dive into this grill. We’ll just say it’s DEFINITELY one of the best professional built-in grills available.
This grill offers a unique titanium and stainless steel burner with refractive ceramic briquettes. This creates a much more even heat distribution, similar to an infrared grill but without the temperature limitations.
The heavy-duty rotisserie system is super quiet, so you’ll love using it! It features not one but TWO 18,500 BTU rear ceramic infrared burners.
Where this grill delivers unreal features, however, is in its cooking power. It offers the highest BTU thus far on our list, with 82,500 BTU over just THREE burners! Put that over a solid 770 square inches of cooking area and you’ve got one heck of a grill!
You can even upgrade to have an infrared sear burner. The sear zone on this grill, which is natural gas-fueled, can reach up to 1,500 degrees F! Talk about a steakhouse-level experience!
They’ve got you covered on cleanup as well, with an electro-polished finish on the cooking grates.
Oh wait, did you want to do some smoked meats on this grill as well? Go for it. It has a 5,000 BTU dedicated burner in the sealed wood smoking drawer.
The knobs and electronics won’t get hot, the warming rack is adjustable, there’s hood-assist for an easy-open lid, halogen work lights, LED lighting on the knobs, AND a matching grill cover.
The only thing they didn’t think to include with this grill was the meat! It deserves a much higher spot on our list, to be honest, for the quality and features list, but the high price really makes this prohibitive for a lot of people.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Very high BTUs (82,500 BTU over just 3 burners)
1,500 degree sear zone
Dedicated 5,000 BTU smoking drawer
LED lights on knobs and interior work lights[/i2pros][i2cons]Briquette holder is a little flimsier than expected
Cooking grate is a little thinner/lighter weight than desired
Very expensive[/i2cons][/i2pc]
7. Memphis Grills Elite Wood Fire Pellet Smoker Grill, with Wi-Fi
You definitely noticed that this one sure looks a little different, and that’s the lack of control knobs. THIS grill, if you’re willing to spend the money on this baby, you’re going to enjoy a lot of awesome grilling.
This isn’t the only option on our list that can cook with wood as its fuel, but it is the only option that runs ONLY by wood. It sure makes for one heck of a conversation started when you outfit your outdoor kitchen with a wood pellet-powered smoker grill combo!
With a hopper that has a 24 lb capacity, you’ll be able to cook for up to about 62 hours, at temperatures between 100-700 degrees F. You won’t be able to reach those screamingly high temperatures of some of the others on this list, with infrared grilling capabilities, but you will enjoy the WiFi controls!
Another feature of this grill is a nice large 844 sq in cooking area! With that much room and a nice large lid, you’ll definitely have room to get some nice big hunks of meat smoking on this baby.
The included temperature probe makes it a breeze to keep an eye on the internal temp of your foods, so you’ll never have to guess when it’s done.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Wood pellet grill means you can cook every meal with a custom flavor using different woods.
No need to worry about replacing burners and ignition parts!
844 sq in cooking area
Up to 62 hours of cook time
WiFi capability
No gas needed so can be safer than using propane or running a natural gas line
Smoker grill combo means no need for a separate standalone smoker![/i2pros][i2cons]No infrared cooking capabilty like competing models
No rotisserie kit[/i2cons][/i2pc]
8. Coyote S-Series 36-Inch 4-Burner Built-In Natural Gas Grill
Last on our list, but definitely not least, is the Coyote 36 inch grill with natural gas fuel.
With 875 sq inches of cooking surface over a ceramic heat control grid, you’ll have ample space with very even heat across the entire area.
The grill is marketed as a 4-burner grill, but this is slightly misleading — the primary cooking area has 3 burners, which put out up to 80,000 combined BTUs, plus one rear infrared burner with RapidSear technology. The rear burner puts out up to 10,000 BTU.
This grill is similar to the Alfresco model on our list in that it includes a smoker box, but it is not built-in the same as the competing model.
Additional premium and worthwhile features include easy push ignition, built-in temperature gauge, and LED-backlit knobs.
[i2pc show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]875 sq in cooking space
80,000 BTU over 3 burners
10,000 BTU on the RapidSear rear infrared burner
Includes a smoker box, but it’s not a built-in feature
Includes a griddle as well (must remove the briquettes first!)
Knobs stay cool to the touch even when grill is at its hottest[/i2pros][i2cons]The stainless grates are somewhat difficult to keep clean
Replacement parts can be tricky to find as grills from this brand age
Temperature control needs improvement, can be finicky[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Built-In Grills Buying Guide
Price
The amount you’re willing to pay for a grill is a highly personal decision. Once you pick a budget for your outdoor kitchen, you definitely want to stick to it!
As you can see from our list, there are definitely some truly high-end built-in grills on our list, at both premium price range as well as much more affordable options. The most expensive ones include the most premium features, while you’ll have to pass on a few of those niceties to get the price down below about $2,000-3,000.
Fuel Type
You’ll notice that almost every option on this list (except for the wood pellet grill, of course), is the natural gas-fueled model.
We think that there are advantages to both fuel types, but the idea of just walking out and firing up the grill without having to check (or store) propane tanks sounds like a major perk.
BTU Rating
Generally speaking, a higher BTU rating means higher heat and better cooking power.
Since the grills on this list are all competent when it comes to minimizing or preventing heat loss, you can roughly figure that the higher the BTU rating (per burner) the better your cooking experience will be.
Burner Count
On any grill, you’d want at least 2 burners in your grill to make sure to have a semi-even heat distribution. Of course, the more burners the better, but the final count can really affect your budget.
When shopping for a built-in grill, however, you’ll want to factor in your use of the outdoor grill. If you’re building a killer outdoor kitchen to entertain large crowds every weekend, you might want to budget for a 4-burner grill with ample cooking space.
Most of the options above, including the 3-burner grills, offer more than sufficient cooking area to suit most griller’s needs.
Cooking Area/Unit Size & Weight
The total cooking area is often the primary cooking area plus a warming rack, but some brands may calculate this by including a side sear burner, as is commonly the case with some more expensive freestanding gas grills. You won’t find side burners on these built-in grills, but many brands offer additional, separate sear burners to accessorize your outdoor kitchen with.
Having a split cooking area/larger warming rack may be to your advantage, however, if you’re willing to cook in rounds for larger crowds and make good use of that keep warm rack. This could make all the difference in price, or affect the size opening you need to fill.
Larger cooking space, while great to avoid crowding the meat while cooking, almost always means a larger grill with larger dimensions (and likely a larger price tag). Reinforcing a larger unit, adding more burners, etc. can increase the weight of the grill head. This is a seriously important factor since having too heavy of a grill in your structure is definitely a recipe for disaster.
Be sure to check that the hole where the unit will go has sufficient clearances and is sturdy enough to hold up whatever your dream built-in grill weighs.
Extra Features
Rotisserie Burner
All the grills in this article offer a rear rotisserie burner, and all are infrared except for the pellet grill option. While this isn’t a necessity and it will up your price tag, it’s a damn nice feature to have to broaden your grilling horizons.
Searing Burner
A sear burner is another luxury feature, but it really gives you the chance to cook steakhouse quality steaks right at home. These burners are often built-in as one of the end burners being basically “more capable” than the others in the grill, able to reach higher temperatures to get your juices seared in for a crispy yet juicy finish.
Some brands offer a small accessory sear burner that can be installed next to (but distinctly separate from) your built-in grill head.
Infrared vs. Traditional Cooking
All of the grills above are technically traditional gas grills, but some offer infrared-like grilling in the main cooking space. This is done via the ceramic briquettes, which are heated by the main burners and radiate the heat to the food.
True infrared grills will have, for example, a ceramic plate above the burners, for a more uniform and uninterrupted even heating, as opposed to the briquettes.
LED Lights/Knobs
This is definitely just a “nice-to-have” feature. There is zero effect on the function of the grill to have the knobs light up or not!
Where we think this is a feature worth having, however, is for those grills that have the knobs glow red when the gas is left on. You can never be too careful!
Warming Rack
There are not many grills these days that don’t include a warming rack of some sort, honestly, and the above built-in grills are no exception. Where they differ, to an extent, is whether it’s a removable, swing-away, or adjustable rack.
Lid-Assist
Are you ready to have the grill work itself? Then the lid-assist models are the ones to get you closer to that dream.
The models with lid assist essentially have a spring mechanism that makes the lid open more smoothly and with less effort required from you. It’s also a nice way to avoid reaching over a hot grill to push the lid all the way open.
LED Worklights
Here’s a really nice-to-have feature. Most summer nights, dinner falls well before sunset so the lighting isn’t typically an issue.
But for those late-night gatherings as sunset approaches, or for off-season grilling, having a built-in grilling light can make a great help in checking the doneness of your food.
Don’t feel like this is a necessity on your purchase if it isn’t in your budget, however, since you can always pick up some standalone grill lights to add on later.
Best Built-In Grills FAQs
Why are built-in grills so expensive?
As you may notice when comparing the options above to the more common yet high-end freestanding grills, you’ll often find that the price of even the cheaper built-in grills matches 4- to 6-burner freestanding grills.
Freestanding grills may be less durable over time, since the stand or cart is exposed to the elements and can skew the grill head and lid alignments over time, causing air leakage. The durability and workmanship are often much higher quality in built-in grills.
You’ll also often find that the more expensive 6-burner freestanding grills often have comparable combined BTU outputs to a 3- or 4-burner built-in grill.
Another consideration is both premium feel and premium features. It’s not often that you’ll find things like lid-assist or rotisserie kits on freestanding grills, but these are quite common on built-in grills.
While the addition of premium features or higher BTU as standard on these built-in grills is not definitely an indication of “better,” it does add to the manufacturing cost, hence a higher price tag. Also, the more parts that these manufacturers warranty, and the longer they warranty it for, the higher the cost tends to be.
Can I just buy a cheap option instead; are cheap grills worth it?
This is one of those catch-22 scenarios, in a way.
Buying a cheaper built-in grill certainly gets you the built-in experience, but you may be compromising some of the premium features you’d really want.
Considering the installation may require professional help, versus just following assembly instructions on a freestanding grill, this might come back to bite you. What if after just a few years you decide you have to upgrade? Then you’re potentially looking at not only another installation cost but a removal cost as well, perhaps.
That said, if you’re only going to be grilling occasionally and you’re paying less but choosing a high-quality model with a good brand reputation and warranty, then a cheaper grill may very well be worth it to finish that outdoor kitchen without breaking the bank.
What is an infrared rotisserie burner? Do I need one?
An infrared burner cooks by using the burner or heat source to transfer heat energy to the “heating plate.”
The infrared rotisserie burners are essentially a heating plate in a vertical position, on the back of the grill, and the plate gets hot from its burner to transfer the heat to whatever is on the rotisserie rack.
You definitely don’t NEED one, but it sure makes for a pretty and versatile cooking option!
Why do some built-in grills need a plumber to install?
If you’re going to install a new natural gas built-in grill and do not already have a natural gas hookup in place, you’ll want to call in a professional to set the line and verify connections for you.
Safety when it comes to running a gas line is absolutely no joke, so unless you’re experienced and knowledgeable about this yourself, don’t take the risk!
Can I get a built-in wood pellet grill?
You can definitely get a wood pellet grill! There is a Memphis Grills brand option on our list above, one of many wood pellet built-in grills available!
Does it matter if I buy natural gas or propane?
Not really; it’s mostly a matter of personal preference.
Propane technically burns hotter than natural gas does, but you won’t notice much difference during cooking for the average griller.
You may prefer the notion that you’d never have to check tank levels again, and never risk running out of fuel, so a natural gas option may sound pretty sweet!
If you’re going to smoke meat on your gas grill, for example, a natural gas option might be smarter for those longer smoke times (vs. risking a propane tank running out).
Final Thoughts On Best Built-In Grills
As you can tell from the list of options above, there is a lot of similarity yet a surprising diversity across built-in grill models. Any of the options listed above will get the job done (and done might well), but do bear in mind that a few on this list just might break some banks.
That’s why we love the Napoleon Prestige 500 Grill, since it offers a nice blend of premium features and reputation with a more affordable price tag.
Just be sure to do some careful considerations as to fuel type and size especially, before choosing. If you’re building your outdoor kitchen around the grill head specs, you’ll be fine to choose anything. If you’re instead fitting a new grill head to the kitchen, then you’ll save yourself some money and headache to find the best built-in grill that fits the existing cutout.
Either way, happy built-in grilling, you lucky dogs!
