They also look good and blend nicely with your outdoor kitchen island especially if you have it professionally built. A dedicated outdoor cooking space is also convenient.
Choosing the best built-in gas grill can be a headache considering all the models available on the market. We have done the hard work and come up with the best 6 outdoor built-in gas grills.
Feel free to jump right to the Buying Guide at the bottom end of this article for tips on how to choose the best built-in gas grill. We used the same criteria when reviewing our appliances.
Comparison Table
1. Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S
2. Blaze Professional 34″
3. Napoleon LEX 605
4. Weber Summit S-460
5. Lion Premium L75623
6. Bull Outdoor Products 26039
Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S
- Cooking Area: 884 sq inches
- Build Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 46 x 32 x 28 inches
The Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S is a luxury grill for cooks who will not spare any cost to have the finest built-in grill on the market. You can choose from the cart or drop-in model.
There is an oven gasket on the lid for heat retention and an air gap between the dual-layer grills. The way this grill is built has an uncanny resemblance to an indoor oven so you get the best of both worlds. It even retains temperature better than an indoor oven.
The typical oven has about 25 degrees temperature fluctuations while the Memphis is around 5 degrees.
The control panel is a touchpad that is simple to operate and includes a meat probe that lets you know the temperature of the food. The appliance connects to Wi-Fi allowing you to operate it remotely.
The sear this unit produces is as close to a wood or charcoal grill sear as you could hope for with a gas grill. The only downside is this grill is pricey. Otherwise, this is a phenomenal grill that a professional chef would have a difficult time finding fault with.
Pros
- The high-end grill gives the perfect result
- Wi-Fi enabled controls
- The tight seal ensures minimal temperature fluctuation (5 degrees)
- Great temperature range; 180-700 degrees Fahrenheit
- The direct flame insert makes a great sear
Cons
- The powerful appliance may be overkill for some
- Expensive
Blaze Professional 34″
- Cooking Area: 800+ sq inches
- Build Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 24 x 34 x 25 inches
The Blaze Professional 34″ Natural Gas Built-in Grill is a fully-loaded grill for the serious cooks with the budget for a high-end appliance.
This grill has separate heating zones which you can adjust temperatures independently. You can grill your ribs while cooking fish or vegetables in one go with no problems.
This option also comes with a complete rotisserie kit with a waterproof motor so it’s a unit that is built to last. The night grilling feature is a nice touch which includes interior illumination and backlights on the knobs.
There is also dual ignition; a flame-thrower and flash tube so you never have to worry about the ignition failing on you which is common with grills.
On the downside, this is a powerful unit that takes some getting used to and may burn food the first few times. Overall this is a solidly-built, high-performance unit that is worth the money. We recommend this for professional chefs and experienced cooks.
Pros
- Good-size cooking area
- Two wheels for easy transport
- Side shelves provide extra workspace and storage area
Cons
- Stainless steel cooking grates aren’t as good as cast iron grates
- Not very sturdily built
Napoleon LEX 605
- Cooking Area: 850 sq inches
- Build Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 36.5 x 21.38 x 7.5 inches
The Napoleon LEX 605 (BILEX605RBIPPS) Built-in Grill has a total of 5 burners to take care of all your outdoor cooking needs. This unit comes with a double-walled lid so the internal temperature stays high and even throughout.
850 sq. inches cooking space is plenty for entertaining guests and with the 5 burners available you can make a great barbeque spread. The unit cooks quickly and evenly.
The backlit control knobs are a nice touch that makes it easier to see at night and enhance the grill’s aesthetics.
Overall this Napoleon LEX 605 is beautifully designed and does its job well. The downside is you have to buy the rotisserie kit separately. Still, this model is the best value for money built-in gas grill in this review and is an appliance that even a professional cook would appreciate.
Pros
- Durable stainless steel construction
- The stylish appliance is aesthetically pleasing
- 5 burners provide barbeque variety
Cons
- Does not include rotisserie kit
Weber Summit S-460
- Cooking Area: 468 sq inches
- Build Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 31 x 34 x 50.5 inches
This model comes with four main burners with a sear burner located at the center of the unit. This is a nice touch to get that grill sear on your meat. There is also an infrared rotisserie burner at the rear of the unit with a decent output of 10,600 BTUs.
The double-layer stainless steel under the unit’s hood provides great insulation for even heat distribution and temperature control. As with all Summit grills, you can choose between natural gas and propane models.
Finally, the cabinet under the grill is a convenient addition to store your accessories and utensils.
The downside with this Summit is its excessive air intake which can make using the grill as a smoker difficult.
Pros
- The cabinet is convenient for storage
- Good quality build
- Good 10,600 BTU rotisserie burner
Cons
- Excessive air intake makes it difficult to use as a smoker
Lion Premium L75623
- Cooking Area: 830 sq inches
- Build Material : Stainless Stell
- Dimensions: 31 x 34 x 50.5 inches
The Lion Premium L75623 Grill is a significant leap forward in quality and functionality than the Bull Outdoors Outlaw and justifies the extra you would have to spend on it.
The strong commercial-grade stainless steel body is good for an outdoor cooking area and its four cast burners produce 75000 BTU perfect for a barbeque. This model comes with a rear infrared rotisserie burner which holds up to 40 pounds of food and produces a maximum of 15,000 BTU.
The high-quality stainless steel grates and 830 sq. inches interior space ensure a quality cooking experience. On the downside, this Lion L75623 does not have protective castings or rings on the knobs which can get hot.
Pros
- Durable 304-16 grade stainless steel construction
- 15,000 BTU rear rotisserie burner
- 830 sq. inches interior cooking space
Cons
- Knobs lack heat-protection covering
Bull Outdoor Products 26039
- Cooking Area: 810 sq inches
- Build Material: Stainless Steel
- Dimensions: 25 x 30 x 22 inches
The Bull Outdoor Products 26039 Outlaw has four durable porcelain-coated bar burners that heat up the appliance just as well as much larger and more expensive models. The solid stainless steel grates withstand high temperatures and are great for searing meat and general grilling.
810 sq. inches of cooking space is plenty even for a large group. The zinc knobs are durable and sturdy and clean easily.
Overall there isn’t much to say except that this is an entry-level drop-in grill that is surprisingly well constructed for its price. We recommend this one for anyone looking for a capable built-in outdoor grill at a tight budget.
The downside is the Piezo igniters begin to slack after multiple uses.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- High-quality grates
- Spacious cooking surface
Cons
- Basic unit
- Igniters begin to slack after multiple uses
Best Built-in Gas Grill Buyers Guide
What is a Built-in Gas Grill?
A built-in gas grill is typically an outdoor barbeque grill that is permanently installed in your back yard and, as the name suggests, built into an island structure for an outdoor kitchen or cooking area. Drop-down models fit into an existing outdoor kitchen.
The structure surrounding the grill offers some protection from the elements, stability, and room for preparing food or storing grilling accessories and/or utensils.
These grills are powered with either propane or natural gas.
Why You Should Consider One?
There are so many electric smokers on the market that it can be frustrating to pick the right one without some kind of checklist. As a rule, cheaper models don’t perform nearly as well as they should and have a short shelf-life.
The best strategy is to invest money in a smoker that you will use for many years without problems. With that said; there are still many affordable models on the market. Below is what to look for when picking the best electric smoker.
CUSTOMIZABLE
If you grill or entertain often, it only makes sense to have a dedicated outdoor cooking area if you have space. A free-standing grill offers little room for customization. A built-in option gives you full freedom to include cabinets, burners, and anything else you feel might improve your cooking experience.
MORE COOKING SPACE
Built-in grills are typically more spacious than freestanding models. Cooking for a large group can be painstaking with a free-standing grill. A built-in model gives you all the space you need to grill enough to feed a large group in one go.
INCREASE HOME VALUE
Should you decide to sell your house, a high-quality built-in grill complete with a professionally done outdoor kitchen might just be that extra selling point you need to get the house off the market quickly.
DURABILITY
Built-in grills are specifically designed to sit outside 365 days a year in all weather conditions. These units are a lot more durable than their freestanding counterparts which can be stored away during harsh weather. Although more expensive; built-in grills last much longer than their free-standing counterparts.
What to Look For?
Ideally, your barbeque grill should be a one-off purchase. There are many cheap models that didn’t make our review and for good reason. A free-standing grill can be put in storage during the winter or in inclement weather and only wheeled outside when the weather is good.
Built-in grills have to spend their entire lifespan outdoors and therefore must be constructed to withstand all weather conditions.
304-grade stainless steel is a great material that guarantees durability and longevity. Porcelain and cast iron are equally solid construction materials but are more prone to rust, dents, and scratches.
BTUs
The heat or power of a grill is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). Generally speaking, higher BTU is better for grilling and barbeque. The BTU may, however, not matter much if the unit does not retain or circulate heat well. Still, BTU is a good measure of a grill’s power.
Heat Distribution
Cold or hotspots in your grill make even cooking frustrating and difficult. The ideal heat distribution should be even, allowing all parts of the meat to cook evenly and at the same time.
Look out for heavy-duty heating grates, high-quality burner, and insulated or double walled hood. All these features help to distribute heat evenly inside the grill while cooking.
Number of Burners
You should shoot for a minimum of two burners for a good outdoor barbeque. More burners are better since you can cook more food, generate more heat and have more flexibility when cooking different types of meats and vegetables.
Cooking Surface
Cooking surface is measured in sq. inches. Keep in mind how many people you regularly cook for and the group size you typically entertain. Crowding the grill increases the chances of undercooking your food. As a rule of thumb; have at least a half inch space between the foods you are cooking on the grill.
Temperature Range
The perfect temperature range entirely depends on your cooking style and food options. Meats that require fast and hot sear require at least 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider which foods you will be grilling most and how before deciding which option best suits your purposes.
Our Verdict
There is a built-in outdoor gas grill for any budget and to suit any cook from amateur to professional. The Bull Outdoor Products 26039 Outlaw is a good entry level for the amateur cook on a tight budget.
This model is easy to operate and cook with for anyone wanting to get their feet wet with barbequing. The Napoleon LEX 605 (BILEX605RBIPPS) Built-in Grill is the best value for money choice. It offers all the features and functionality of higher-priced models for a fraction of the price.
For barbeque enthusiasts who will spare no cost to get the best built-in gas grill, the Blaze Professional 34″ Natural Gas Built-in Grill is a great high end option.
This unit cooks as close to a charcoal or wood grill as you could hope for from a gas appliance. The Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S is hands down the best built-in gas grill that you can buy.
It gives you everything that you could ever want from a high-end grill that even a professional would love.
