How to Select a Built-In Grill
There’s nothing quite like a meal cooked over an open flame. Food made on the grill tastes great, and cooking outdoors means less cleanup in the house. Creating a complete outdoor kitchen is a growing home improvement trend, and built-in grills are the centerpiece of any setup. Learn how to select a built-in grill in this Build with Ferguson video:
There are a few things you need to consider when shopping for a built-in grill: fuel type, size, and features and accessories.
Fuel Type: The most common fuel types for built-in grills are natural gas and liquid propane.
Natural gas grills are plumbed into a municipal gas utility, which is not an option for every area, but if your address is served by natural gas, this is a very convenient choice because you’ll never run out of fuel. If your outdoor kitchen doesn’t already have a natural gas hookup, you will need a certified contractor to run a supply line. This can be a significant upfront expense, so make sure you’ve settled on the exact location for your grill before the hookup is installed.
Propane powered grills don’t require a permanent supply line or complicated setup. Whenever you need a fresh propane tank, you just swap it out with a few twists of the tank valve and regulator hose – no tools required.
Some grills are available in a choice of natural gas or liquid propane models, and though less common than built-in grills, there are models available that use charcoal, pellets, or electricity for fuel.
Size: To determine size, you’ll have to consider the space the grill will be installed in. The 36-inch model featured in this video is plenty big for everyday family meals and small gatherings. It has three main burners with individual control knobs, so you can choose to hear as much or as little of the grill as you need to. You can even set the zones at different temperatures, which is great if you’re cooking different types of meat or meat and vegetables at the same time. This model also includes an infrared burner which reaches the high temperatures that are ideal for searing meats.
Features and Accessories:
You can use a built-in grill as a freestanding grill by setting it on a grill cart. Grill carts are on wheels to make them portable and include storage underneath for the propane tank and grilling tools.
Built-in grills should be installed with at least 24 inches from any combustible materials like cabinetry or siding. Be sure to design your outdoor kitchen according to manufacturer guidelines for safe installation. Remember that your built-in grill should be installed with an insulated jacket; each manufacturer has insulated jackets specifically made for its built-in grills.
Access doors are meant to close off the area below your grill. This is where the tank will sit for liquid propane grills, and it can also act as storage for grill brushes, spatulas, tongs and other utensils.
Motorized rotisseries are great add-ons. They’re perfect for cooking a whole chicken or large cuts of pork and beef.
Side burners are made for food that you prepare in pots or pans, and they work exactly like your kitchen stovetop does. From boiling pasta to sauteeing vegetables to frying eggs, a side burner adds flexibility to your outdoor kitchen.
There are lots of other features that make outdoor food prep more enjoyable, like a lighted grill area or black lit knobs that help you cook after sunset.
