Built-in Grills

Plan the Cut-Out, Not the Nominal Width

A grill's model size is not the size of the hole it needs. The grill hangs from a flange that rests on the countertop, so the cut-out is narrower than the grill: TrueFlame's 32" grills, for example, take a 30-3/4" wide opening, and Wildfire's 36" Ranch Pro takes 35" x 21-1/2" x 10-1/2". Every built-in grill page lists the cut-out width, depth and height. Give those to your fabricator, and check them against the unit you receive before the island is cut.

Insulated Jackets for Combustible Islands

If the island is framed with wood or any other combustible material, the grill needs an insulated jacket (also called a liner or sleeve) between it and the frame. Wood framing behind stone, tile or stucco still counts as combustible. Each brand makes jackets sized for its own grills, and the jacket has its own cut-out, so decide on it before the island is framed. In a masonry, block or cement board island the grill goes straight into its cut-out, and the countertop itself must always be non-combustible.

Gas, Vents and Access

• Access door: the gas connection sits under the grill, so plan an access door below it. On propane, the tank also needs a ventilated place to live, such as a vented door or a propane tank drawer. See island drawers and doors.
• Island vents: any cabinet with a gas connection needs vents so gas cannot collect inside. Coyote, for example, requires at least two vents in each such cabinet, and Broilmaster requires vent registers in a cabinet holding a propane tank.
• Power: grills with lights, LED knobs or a rotisserie motor need a 120V outlet in the island. Analog grills need none.

Vent Hoods Under a Roof

If the grill sits under a roof, a covered pergola or other overhead construction, plan an outdoor-rated vent hood above it. Requirements vary by grill: TrueFlame's manuals, for example, call for a hood at least 6" wider than the grill. An indoor kitchen hood is not a substitute.

Built-In Grill FAQs

What size cut-out does a built-in grill need?

The one listed on its product page, which is smaller than the grill's nominal width because the grill rests on a flange. A 32" TrueFlame grill, for example, takes a 30-3/4" wide opening. Use the cut-out width, depth and height from the product page or manual, and measure the grill you receive before cutting stone or countertop.

Do I need an insulated jacket?

Only if the island is framed with combustible material such as wood, including wood framing hidden behind stone or stucco. Then the manufacturer's jacket for that grill is required. In a masonry, block or cement board island the grill drops straight into the cut-out.

Does a built-in grill need electricity?

Only if it has lights, LED knobs, a digital display or a rotisserie motor, which run from a 120V outlet in the island. Analog grills such as the American Outdoor Grill T-Series and the Summerset Sizzler need no electrical power.

Do I need a vent hood over a built-in grill?

In the open air, no. Under a roof, a covered pergola or other overhead construction, plan for an outdoor-rated vent hood sized to the grill. Check the grill's manual for its exact requirement and your local code.

Why does the island need vents?

Propane is heavier than air and natural gas is lighter, and either can collect in a closed cabinet if a fitting leaks. Vents in each cabinet with a gas connection, or with a propane tank, let it escape. Coyote, for example, requires at least two vents in each such cabinet.

Can I use a built-in grill without an island?

Yes, if the brand makes a cart for it. Coyote, Wildfire, TrueFlame and Broilmaster all sell carts that turn their built-in grill heads into freestanding grills, and many grills are listed both ways. The cooking hardware is identical.

Related Collections

• Gas Grills
• Island Drawers and Doors
• Side Burners
• Outdoor Range Hoods
• Outdoor Refrigeration
• BBQ Islands
• Napoleon OASIS Outdoor Kitchens