If you are in a hurry and want to find out what the Best Built in Grill is then we would recommend the Lion Premium Grills 32” Propane Grill .
The best backyard grill masters deserve the best built in grills. These grills are a statement because they look amazing, they’re made with premium materials, and they have exceptional heat distribution.
We’ve spent some time putting together this comprehensive guide covering everything you could want to know about choosing the best built in grill so you can take it for your first ride when you slap that meat on the grate and listen to the sizzle.
Here are the grills that we will be reviewing:
- Lion Premium Grills 32” Propane Grill
- Bull Outdoor Products Lonestar Select Natural Gas Drop-In
- BeefEater Signature 3000E 3-Burner
- Summerset TRL Series Built In Gas Grill with Lights
- KitchenAid 740-0781 Propane Built In
Why Choose a Built in Gas Grill?
If you’re the type of backyard grill master that really embraces the appearance of their yard, then you’ll want to spring for the built in. These grills help enhance your yard while offering a professional look to the space. The built in grill is also know as drop in grill because often the grill is lowered into or dropped in to an outdoor kitchen countertop.
One of the main reasons people go for a built in grill is so they can extend their kitchen space outdoors. Built in grill areas usually come with counter space, sinks, and even an oven. If you live in a place that stays warm throughout the year, you can increase your home’s value and bring the indoors – outdoors with a built in grill on your patio.
Another great feature of built in grills is that they usually come with a dedicated gas line like a stove would. This means you cannot move it once it’s installed. It becomes a permanent fixture of your home and isn’t so much of an eyesore like the propane tanks or charcoal.
Choosing the Best Built in Grill
There are some things you want to look for when choosing a built in grill or the best drop in grill. While there are many different factors you’re likely thinking about when it all comes down to it, we’re all about the grill, right?
The rest of your outdoor space is there to complement the grilling, so you want to make sure you’re taking some time to focus on the centerpiece of your outdoor kitchen. Let’s look into some of the most important buying factors when shopping for the best built in grills.
Materials
You want 304-grade stainless steel inside and out; that’s the best of the best for grills. Not only do you want it, but you want as much of it as possible. This material is your best choice for a long-lasting grill that is durable and stands up against the elements.
Keep in mind that your built in grill is a fixed object that you can’t protect against rain, wind, and whatever else blows in.
Materials like cast iron are more affordable, and they hold heat better, but they’ll damage easier and, of course, rust much faster than stainless steel.
Burners
You need to master two-zone cooking to consider yourself a real grill master, and to do that, you need a grill that allows it. This factor means you need at least two different burner zones on your grill, which is common for built ins because they’re more expensive to start.
Keep the burners in mind when you’re designing your outdoor kitchen as well. You’ll need a decent amount of space allotted for the grill if you plan on having a three-zone burner setup.
Cooking Surface
The same rules for burners apply to the cooking surface as well. You need enough room to let the meat and veggies breathe on the grill, and if you try to squeeze a small grill in when you’re used to entertaining groups of 50 people, you’ll find yourself with a dilemma.
Calculate the necessary square inches by thinking about how many people you want to entertain and be sure to leave at least half an inch between each item on the grill.
Heat Distribution
Even heat distribution is one of the most important factors when shopping for a grill. While every grill has cold and hot spots, you want to limit it as much as possible to ensure your food cooks evenly, and everyone gets their meat done the way they like it.
One way to help determine the heat distribution of a grill is to look at how insulated the grill is and whether or not it’s double-walled.
A double-walled grill helps circulate hot air better inside the grill, which results in a more even cook.
BTUs
The British Thermal Units of a grill are a measurement of heat and power. Keep in mind that all the factors discussed so far will impact the grill, even if it has a higher BTU rating. Think of it like heating a home with poor insulation versus a home that’s well insulated.
The poorly insulated home will require more heat to keep the house as warm as the well-insulated one. Even if the poorly insulated home has a better heating system, it will still cost them more or the same as the well-insulated home.
Built in Grills Review: Our Top Picks
Now that you know all about built in grills, it’s time to look at the best ones. We put some time into researching these and determining the best of the best so take a look at these top picks.
Lion Premium Grills 32” Propane Grill
The Lion Premium is the grill of grills. If you’re trying to get a gold star on your man card, this is the grill you want to have in your outdoor kitchen.
The grill features 830 square inches of cooking space, four stainless burners, and a lifetime warranty covering the burners, so you know you’ve got longevity and quality here.
You get 75,000 BTUs, which is huge and translated into faster heating and a controlled extended heat if you’re cooking something slower or trying to keep some meat warm for those who arrive late to the party.
There’s an adjustable warming rack on the top that helps you to keep things warm, and the two internal LED lights are nice if you’re working in low light or during the winter when days are short.
Pros:
- 304-stainless steel construction
- 830 square inches of grill space
- Infrared rotisserie burner
- Adjustable racks
Cons:
- Price tag
- Grill grates don’t hold up over time
Bull Outdoor Products Lonestar Select Natural Gas Drop-In
Bull Outdoor is a popular brand, and they make some of the most durable grills on the market. This one is a middle-range 810 square inches of cooking space with a smoker box. It comes in both propane and natural gas, and the stainless steel bar burners and durable and long-lasting.
This premium grill has a real industrial looking appearance, and with four welded stainless steel bar burners, you shouldn’t ever have to worry about rust and corrosion damaging your grill. They come with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Durable materials
- 810 square inches of grill space
- Smoker box included
- Lifetime warranty on burners
Cons:
- Price tag
- Issues with uneven heat distribution
BeefEater Signature 3000E 3-Burner
The appearance of this grill is the first thing that stood out because it’s different. It has the appearance of a rotisserie more than a gas grill. Most gas grills are a shiny chrome color, but we’re a fan of this design; we only hope it doesn’t impact the grill’s durability or cooking quality.
The grill uses cast iron and a porcelain enamel coating to help with rust resistance. You also get a glass viewing window so you and your buddies can stand around, drink beers, and watch the meat cook.
It also comes with a removable hood, so if you wanted to take it off, you could do that as well. BeefEater brings 18,000 BTUs to the table, which isn’t anything crazy, but this one also comes at a much more affordable price than some of the previous options.
Pros:
- Glass viewing window
- Unique design
- Stainless steel burners
- Good heat distribution
Cons:
- Porcelain and cast iron
- Most areas where durability is a factor
Summerset TRL Series Built In Gas Grill with Lights
So, you’ve gone out and spent a ton of money designing your outdoor kitchen, and you want to make it complete with the perfect and most premium of outdoor grills. The Summerset TRL Series is exactly what you’re looking for.
This grill is loaded with features including 18,000 BTU U-tube burners with a 15,000 BTU back burner and 855 square inches of cooking space. It uses a flamethrower ignition system, which makes heating up much faster and easier. It also comes with a rotisserie kit and interior halogen lights, which at this price range, if it didn’t, we would be concerned.
In reality, this grill is nothing more than a statement. While it’s loaded with features, you can find many of these in other grills with more affordable price tags. If you’re looking to really turn some heads, this is the grill you want, though.
Pros:
- 304-stainless steel
- Four burner setup
- Double insulated hood
- 855 square inches of cooking space
Cons:
- Out of many homeowners price range
- Many features included in lower-priced grills
KitchenAid 740-0781 Propane Built In
Here’s a great built in grill from a company we’ve all heard of before. You might have a blender or toaster in your house from KitchenAid, but can they make the best built in grills?
If you’re looking for something more affordable, this grill comes with 775 square inches of cooking space and 61,000 BTUs, which is pretty average. It also features four stainless steel burns, a rotisserie, and something they call the “evenheat” system that guarantees consistent cooking temperatures throughout the grill.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Even cooking
- Grill comes assembled
Cons:
- Issues with durability
- Not a grill brand
Final Thoughts
So, what’s it going to be? Do you need to save a few bucks? Go with the KitchenAid 740-0781 Propane Built In.
We’d go with the Lion Premium Grills 32” Propane Grill because it offers the most bang for your buck. Here you’re getting an absolute beast of a grill at an affordable price range for those of you with outdoor kitchen spaces. You’re getting the right materials, the right amount of power, and a grill from a brand that understands grill manufacturing.