To find the best built-in grills, we recommend you look for a built-in grill that features high-test stainless steel construction, cast iron, porcelain, or stainless steel cooking surfaces, and heating technology for consistent professional-level cooking performance and no less than 40,000 BTUs of cooking power on its main surface. Built-in grills with quality-of-life features like backlit or LED-lit control knobs for easy, safe night-time use, and a front-display thermostat for precise heat output monitoring are also good to look for.
After analyzing hundreds of reviews amongst a multitude of products with varying price points and features, we’ve determined that the Summerset TRL Series is the best built-in grill you can buy on the market today. Keep reading about this, and our other top picks to learn more about the best grills available.
Top 8 Built-in Grills
#1 Summerset TRL Series Built-In Grill
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A high-powered hybrid infrared rear burner, precision controls, and a generous main cooking area for a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use professional-grade built-in grill.
- 18,000 BTU infrared rear burner
- Patented ceramic briquette system
- Double-walled lid for superior heat retention
- High price point compared to many
The Summerset TRL is a natural gas and infrared built-in grill with a long-lasting and durable #304 stainless steel construction. Its three heavy-duty U-tube main burners output 18,000 BTUs of heat, using a patented captured ceramic briquette system for consistent cooking across its 855 square-inch cooking surface. 8mm stainless steel grates provide exceptional built-in grill marks, while a 15,000 BTU infrared rear burner opens up further culinary options. With providing more inches of cooking space, this stainless steel grill will let you be able to cook more quantities or types of food if you’re hosting a BBQ in your outdoor space. This will save you extra trips to the refrigerator. The entire surface that includes these stainless steel cooking grids is very impressive, but keep in mind the price and your budget.
Additional features like a unique flame ignition system, interior halogen lighting and LED front panel lighting for use at night, and an attachable rotisserie kit for the rear burner add even more convenience and functionality, but this feature-rich advanced design comes at a higher price point in many comparable models. However, it’s justified for the exceptional reliability, performance, and versatility it offers.
#2 Blaze LTE Built-In Grill
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A generous grilling surface, hybrid infrared and gas cooking elements, patent-pending built-in grill design for unique professional searing, and top heating performance.
- Heat zone separators
- Flame-stabilization grids for consistent cooking
- Double-walled lid for superior heat retention
- Higher learning curve than many
- On the expensive side
The Blaze LTE is a 304-grade cast stainless steel natural gas and infrared built-in grill with five-cast stainless steel 14,000 BTU main burners and a 10,000 BTU infrared rear burner with an optional rotisserie system. Patent-pending triangle-shaped steel cooking rods create professional-level sears and heat zone separators on its generous 915 square inches main cooking surface, allowing for cooking multiple food types simultaneously. This natural gas grill does sit towards the higher end of the various price ranges out there, but future customers should be reassured that they’re investing in one of the best luxury grills, plus the optional infrared rotisserie burner. The grill grids and control valves give you exceptional control and heat distribution while you’re cooking various types of food. Blaze grills aren’t playing around, for Blaze professional grills will get the job done correctly and efficiently.
Its advanced features include a push-and-turn flame-thrower primary ignition, a backup flash tube secondary ignition for an ultra-reliable startup, a removable warming rack, and LED knob illumination for easy nighttime use. Its complex, feature-rich design does give it a higher learning curve than many similar models, but it’s a top choice for a very modern, durable built-in grill that offers exceptional performance and reliability.
#3 Napoleon 3 Prestige PRO 665 Built-In Grill
Award: BEST FOR LARGE GROUPS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A handy removable serving tray, an extra-large drip tray for mess-free cooking, and a very large cooking area with side prep tables make it excellent for serving larger groups.
- 1140 square inches cooking area
- 99,000 total BTU output
- Lift ease roll top lid
- Very large and bulky compared to many in class
The Napoleon 3 Prestige Pro 665 is a large-size, top-rated natural gas built-in grill with infrared rear and side burners that outputs a total of 90,000 BTUs on its extremely generous 1140 square inch main cooking area. It’s designed with superior heat retention in mind to provide oven-like performance and professional-level searing, with patented “wave” cooking grids, and a double-thick but easy-lift roll-top lid. Dual-level sear plates, an integrated smoker boxer, and its infrared rear burner add even more functionality.
It’s larger, bulkier, and heavier than many in its class, although the cart-style design and locking caster wheels add a certain amount of mobility. But for impressive performance, a huge array of options and cooking functions, and convenience features like LED backlit control knobs for nighttime use and generous storage, it’s a top-notch choice for a professional-level outdoor kitchen.
#4 Bull Outdoor Products BBQ Angus Built-In Grill
Award: BEST FUEL EFFICIENCY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Modern design and features like infrared heating elements, high-test industrial steel construction, and double-lined lid for superior heat retention combined with propane ignition for excellent fuel efficiency.
- 1026 square inches cooking area
- Attachable rotisserie system
- Infrared back burner
- Higher price point than many
The Bull BBQ Angus is a stainless steel 4 burner natural gas built-in grill w/rotisserie made of durable, heat-retaining 16 Gauge 304 stainless steel. Its cast steel main burners output 75,000 BTUs of cooking power across 1026 square inches of main cooking area, and an included rotisserie kit and high-powered 15,000 BTU back burner add more cooking options. More quality-of-life features include a large warming rack, and interior twin lighting for nighttime cooking. This is one of the top high-end grills on the market, with many cool features supporting outdoor cooking.
Its power, performance, and list of features come at a higher price point than many in the class. However, it’s an excellent choice for exceptional results for a wide variety of BBQ and grilling recipes with additional infrared cooking technology and one of the largest total cooking areas available for its type.
#5 Napoleon Prestige 500 Built-In Grill
Award: BEST MODERN FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: Napoleon’s patented WAVE cooking grids for perfect sear marks, ultra-reliable Jetfire ignition system, and a plethora of performance and convenience features for a thoroughly modern built-in grilling system.
- Failsafe ignition system
- 66,000 total BTUs main output
- No-mess dual-level sear plates
- Vented design offers slightly less heat retention than some
The Napoleon Prestige 500 is a built-in propane gas grill that outputs 66,000 total BTUs on 4 stainless steel burners and features an infrared rear burner. Its 750 square inches main cooking area features Napoleon’s WAVE cooking grids for creating distinctive, professional-grade sear marks. Its Jetfire ignition system with multiple dedicated burners offers consistent, reliable startup and the option to cook multiple different items simultaneously.
Other modern features include its high-power infrared rear burner, an additional failsafe ignition, and dual-level sear plates that catch and vaporize food drippings, protect its stainless steel tube burners from damage, and keep your built-in grill clean. The long list of features means it’s got a slightly higher learning curve than some similar models, but its state-of-the-art cooking tech, along with convenience features like LED-lit control knobs for nighttime use, makes it an ultra-modern built-in grill with plenty of reliability and versatility.
#6 AOG American Outdoor Grill T-series Built-In Grill
Award: BEST DURABILITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Constructed with 304-grade stainless steel for maximum durability, longevity, and heat retention with features like battery-free ignition, drip collectors for clean usage, and high-powered main burners, round out a built-to-last powerhouse.
- Efficient solid brass fuel valves
- 4-prong adjustable rotisserie
- 50000 BTUs output
- Somewhat small main grilling area for class
The AOG T-series is a natural gas built-in grill constructed with 304-grade stainless steel for maximum durability and longevity. Its 4 main burners output 50000 BTUs of heat, with solid brass gas valves that offer precise temperature control and long-lasting protection against corrosion. An additional 4-prong rotisserie built-in grill adds extra cooking functionality, while a patented Rapid Light piezo ignition system provides battery-free, reliable startup, and a stainless-steel and glass thermostat with bezel adds more convenience. That way, you can keep an eye on the temperature range while you’re slow cooking on a powerful burner. The durable construction and impressive BTUs of power make this model stand out compared to other options.
Its 648 square inch total cooking surface is slightly smaller than many models in its class and overall build size. However, its ultra-durable, sleek design and construction, high heat performance, generous rotisserie system, and extra convenience features like a drip collection system that makes cleaning easy and increases grill life make it an excellent choice for those looking for a professional-grade built-in grill that will stand up to regular use for years to come.
#7 Coyote S-Series Built-In Grill
Award: BEST HEAT OUTPUT
WHY WE LIKE IT: Clean-burning cast stainless steel Infinity burners, output a super hot 80,000 BTUs, with flare-up preventing 304 steel heating grids for safe and consistent cooking, and advanced convenience features for a powerhouse top-in-class performer.
- 80,000 BTUs of output
- Double-walled canopy for max heat retention
- Removable warming tray
- Higher price point than many models
The Coyote S-Series is an ultra-high-performance natural gas built-in grill with heavy-duty 18 gauge 304-grade stainless steel construction and performance-enhancing heat control grids that help significantly minimize flare-ups and ensure heat distribution on its 875 square inches main cooking surface. Its advanced Infinity burners output 80,000 BTUs of heat, a double-walled canopy and firebox for maximum heat retention, and a removable warming rack for extra convenience.
It comes at a significantly higher price point than many in its class. But its ultra-hot high performance, generous main cooking surface, heat-retaining design for extra fuel efficiency, and ultra-durable, heavy-duty build, along with convenience features like a warming rack and precise controls, make it a top performer.
#8 DCS Series 7 36-Inch Built-in Grill
Award: BEST AESTHETICS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This DCS Series 7 propane grill is a 36-inch built-in with three U-shaped burners with Ceramic Radiant Technology for even cooking.
- Patented grease management system
- 75,000 BTU’s cooking power
- Ceramic Radiant Technology
- Expensive
The DCS Series 7 36-inch is a propane gas built-in grill made of stainless steel for durability and sleek design. There are three 25,000 BTU U-shaped burners for a total of 75,000 BTUs of cooking power on a 638 square inch main cooking surface. There are double-sided stainless steel cooking grids to accommodate anything you wish to grill. DCS also includes a patented grease management system that channels the grease away from your food and flame to help reduce flare-ups.
There is also a 14,000 BTU infrared rear burner for slow roasting using the included rotisserie kit, which can hold up to 50 lbs. The included dedicated smoker tray allows you to add your favorite wine, beer, or juice to the tray, and the 3,500 BTU smoker burner to slowly cook for added layers of flavor. There is also a 241-square-inch stainless steel warming rack. Additionally, if you like to grill after dark, there is a 40-watt halogen Smart Beam grill light to illuminate the entire cooking surface to make grilling at night easier.
How We Decided
We preferred natural gas, propane, and hybrid infrared built-in grills constructed with high-test stainless steel featuring cast iron, porcelain, or stainless steel cooking surfaces and heating technology that ensured consistent professional-level cooking performance. We liked built-in grills with backlit or LED-lit control knobs for easy, safe night-time use, and a front-display thermostat for precise heat output monitoring. You want to find the right balance so that you get an exceptional control panel that isn’t too complicated.
We also preferred built-in grills with additional dedicated cooking surfaces for searing, rotisserie, smoker, and sauteing, and built-in, removable warming racks. We liked grills with primary cooking surface areas of at least 500 square inches and outputting a minimum of 40,000 BTUs of heat output on their main surfaces.
Finally, we liked built-in grills with quality-of-life features such as double-layered steel lids for increased heat retention and advanced drip trays for easy cleaning and increased life. Design features that offered lower smoke output, more fuel efficiency, and extra durability were also appreciated. Extra features like cold storage that can promote exceptional food preservation is a big perk, too, in case you’re a person who loves having everything in one place. It also never hurts to invest in a brand that has good customer service options, like a customer support phone line.
Best Built-In Grills Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Cooking Power
A built-in BBQ grill should offer a large cooking surface of at least 500 square inches, but most importantly, it should be capable on its main burners of heat output of at least 40,000 BTUs per hour, with design features like double-walled lids and advanced built-in grill design for consistent heating across cooking surfaces.- Additional burners for searing, rotisserie, and other cooking functions will ideally feature infrared heating element integration for consistent ultra-hot performance.
- Plus, there are plenty of built-in grill ideas you can use to implement in your outdoor kitchen grill setup.
- Some of the best built-in grills have a BTU output of at least 15000 per hour, especially for searing burners requiring quick preheating and consistent high heat.
- Alongside wanting built in grills that have a powerful burner, you want to make sure the grill has a durable construction, so it won’t wear down too quickly as time goes on. Add in some premium features for a great quality grill that will last you and your grilling for years to come.
- Moreover, as you browse through the many BBQ units, you’ll find options like commercial-grade steel, durable hoods, and powerful grill heads. But, for these elements of the perfect grill to stay strong, you’ll also want to get a warranty on your built-in unit.
- While a limited warranty typically comes with most products upon purchase, there are options to get an extended warranty or even a lifetime warranty. Most of your average grills may not be available with a lifetime warranty. But top brands, like Lion Premium Grills and Memphis Grills Elite, will be available to buy with a good warranty. A good warranty can be an excellent consideration given this type of grill that’s an expensive and permanent fixture to your outdoor kitchen space. If possible, try and find a 15-year warranty so you’re covered for years to come. If you’re looking for a cheap grill at a reasonable price that’s easy to install, this type of grill is probably not for you.
- As a matter of fact, with the best grills, you can find the perfect outdoor grill for your backyard setup. Whether it’s a gas grill or a charcoal smoker, there’s no doubt you will be able to find the best grill that meets all your needs and expectations.
- Clean-Cooking and Safety
All built-in grills (including the best built in gas grills) have exposed hot surfaces, but their housing can heat up significantly during cooking as well, and the fact that they’re generally installed in kitchens means they need to remain cool enough not to damage their surroundings.- “Cool-touch” features on built-in grills that keep heat from building up to dangerous points are good to look for, but more common are lids and housing designed with maximum heat retention in mind, like double-walled or double thick steel lids- these will also help keep external surfaces cooler.
- Though nonstick grilling surfaces are rare in built-in professional and high-end gas grills, cast iron and porcelain-coated cast-iron and ceramic grilling surfaces are common and have the advantage of being easier to clean and less likely to burn food, in addition to burning hotter and retaining heat better.
- Heat distribution is very important during the cooking process, especially for a top-tier built in BBQ grill, whether you’re slow cooking barbecue for yourself or outdoor cooking for a group. Make sure the entire surface of the cooking space gets heated evenly, so your food cooks properly on the outdoor built-in grill. And if you plan on grilling for bigger groups, plenty of grill space will make your grilling more efficient.
- Keep in mind the installation difficulty as well. Pay attention to how good the installation guide is, or be aware if you must get professional help installing the grill.
- If you’re not interested in the installation process of built-in BBQ grills into your outdoor cooking space, a freestanding grill might be a better option for your needs.
- The market for great gas grills is vast, and with the right research, you can find the best gas grill has to offer. With so many options out there, choosing the best gas grills requires a bit of time and effort.
- Fuel Efficiency
Most of the best built in gas grills will generally use propane or natural gas- both will offer very similar performance and quality in high-performance built-in grills.- The differences between the two largely come down to fuel efficiency during the grilling experience. In short, while you’re searching for the best built in grill, keep fuel efficiency should be top of mind for your choice.
- For propane, refuel propane tank canisters are available at most convenience stores, gas stations, or supermarkets, whereas natural gas built-in grills access your home’s utility gas line. This means that your built-in gas grill, energy-wise, can be considered a utility expense.
- Marginally, natural gas is a bit more efficient than propane, burning slightly hotter and just a little cleaner, but it’s also easier to waste, and it’s more difficult to monitor versus a propane grill. Charcoal grills use another fuel type that’s typically cheaper than electric or gas grills, but they’re messy to clean and are challenging to maintain lower temperatures. They’re a fair choice though if you’re after cooking a variety of food with a backyard grill that you can get at a moderate price.
- With this in mind, if you’re looking to purchase one of the new built-in grills, then research the best built-in grill brands.
- Moreover, it’s a good idea to look for features and designs in a natural gas built-in grill that is meant to increase fuel efficiency. Keep in mind as well that many natural gas built-in grills can be turned into propane built-in grills easily with widely available, inexpensive conversion kits.
- Additionally, infrared heating elements can help fuel efficiency considerably, with their much higher heat output and decreased preheat time without increased fuel use.
The Most Important Features of a Camping Grill
While there are benefits of built-in grills, let’s shift our focus to camping grills, which offer unique advantages and functionalities for outdoor enthusiasts. When selecting a camping grill, consider these important features:
- Compact & Lightweight: Choose a grill that balances size, portability, performance, and price, with designs suitable for travel.
- Easy To Clean and Safe: Look for grills with dishwasher-safe components, cool-touch features, and nonstick surfaces that are BPA-free for safety and ease of cleaning.
- Fuel Efficiency: Opt for grills designed for fuel efficiency, often using small 1lb liquid propane tanks, and incorporating advanced technologies like infrared heating to optimize fuel use.
Comparing Different Types of Grills
Two Burner Vs Other Grills
Two-burner gas grills differ from built-in grills mainly in their size, portability, and ease of use.
- While built-in grills are often larger, more permanent fixtures designed for spacious outdoor kitchens, two-burner gas grills are more compact and portable, making them suitable for smaller patios, decks, or even for taking on the go.
- Two-burner grills offer enough cooking space for small to medium-sized gatherings. They’re ideal for those who need a functional grill without the spatial commitment of a built-in model.
- They are typically easier to maintain due to their simpler design and smaller size.
Griddlers Vs Other Electric Grills
Griddlers and other electric grills both seamlessly integrate into kitchen settings and utilize electricity for cooking. Electric grills resemble outdoor barbecues, featuring raised ridges for grill marks and a grease tray to collect excess oil, making them a healthy cooking option.
Griddlers, designed for indoor use, are compact enough for countertops and often come with multiple functions like a flat-top griddle, grill, panini press, and waffle plates. Some models have reversible plates with both smooth and ridged sides, adding to their versatility.
