If you're in the market for a new grill, you've got a lot of options, and built-in grills are one of the best. While we are big lovers of all kinds of grills, freestanding included, there are a number of benefits that a built-in grill offers that just can't be beat. To help you decide whether a built-in grill is right for your home, we've put together this handy guide to highlight what a built-in grill can bring to the table.
Is a Built-In Grill Better than Freestanding?
While everyone's needs are different, we generally believe that built-in grills are better than freestanding grills for most customers. The caveat of course is that in order to use a built-in grill, you'll need to have a grill island or outdoor kitchen for it to be built into, which requires more space and an overall higher price. That said, if you have the room in your backyard and budget for even a small outdoor kitchen island, you stand to reap some serious benefits by choosing to go with a built-in grill.
Benefits of a Built-In Grill
The full list of benefits is too much to fit here, but these are just a few of the ways in which a built-in grill can make your outdoor cooking experience better:
Longevity
Built-in grills tend to last longer than freestanding models, meaning you get more mileage for your money.
Convenience
Even a small grill island offers a serious upgrade when it comes to cooking convenience, with ample space for prep.
Value
While an outdoor kitchen may cost more up front, they are almost guaranteed to provide more value to you than a freestanding grill and will significantly increase your home's resale value.
Flexibility
When you go with a built-in grill, you have many more options when it comes to how you arrange your cooking space.
Appearance
A high-quality built-in grill in a custom outdoor kitchen simply looks nicer than a freestanding grill, providing you the perfect setting for entertaining and relaxing.
How Do I Pick the Right Built-In Grill?
When you're shopping for a built-in grill for your outdoor kitchen, you'll need to keep a number of factors in mind to ensure you find the grill that best suits your needs. For a full breakdown on picking the right built-in grill, check out our buying guide. To get you started, here are a few things to consider when shopping:
Fuel Type
Built-in gas grills are the most common type, but built-in charcoal grills are an option as well. If you choose a gas grill, you'll also have to decide between propane and natural gas. If you're connecting the grill to your municipal gas supply, it's almost certainly natural gas, whereas if you're connecting it to a tank on your property, it's more likely you need propane
Features
With the number of built-in grills on the market, there's almost certainly a model that meets your needs. Common features on high-end built-in grills include rotisserie kits, infrared sear burners, internal lighting and integrated smokers, just to name a few. Be sure to keep an eye out for the features you'll use most while shopping.
Size
Generally speaking, built-in grills range in size from about 21 inches wide to about 56 inches wide. This means that no matter what your plan, there's a grill to fit. While we'd all like to go all out and buy a large grill, you'll need to consider space and budgetary restrictions to find the perfect fit.
Built-In Grill Shopping Help
If the above points have helped you decide that a built-in grill is right for you, but you're looking for additional assistance in finding the right model, you're in luck. We offer some of the most robust shopping resources in the industry with our in-depth guides, such as our listings of the best built-in gas grills and best built-in charcoal grills. If you're looking for help that's a little more personalized, our expert team is available to assist. Get in touch to get started!