Outdoor Kitchens Guide

In a previous article I talked about the price ranges of the grills that typically go into an outdoor kitchen. There are a few reasons for the wide price range. The first has to do with the accessories on grills. Some things are standard equipment on one grill, but an upgrade on another brand of grill. I will explain some of these differences, but the important thing to remember is always find out the particulars of the grill you are comparing so you can know if it is an apples to apples comparison. The good news is that all the information you need for your research is available online.

Let’s assume you have narrowed your choice down to 3 grills in the 30″ range, which we consider a standard size built in grill. One grill might cost $1000, another $1800, and the third $3000. Learn what each grill comes with. Some grills come standard with a rotisserie, some do not. Some have the rotisserie burner installed in the back wall of the grill regardless of if you ordered a rotisserie or not. Other brands do not include the back burner on standard, non rotisserie grills. If you choose a grill that does not come with the back burner installed, you might not be able to upgrade that grill to use a rotisserie, or at the very least it will be much more expensive than the grill that has the burner in place. On a grill that has the burner in place already, you just buy a rotisserie motor and rod and you are all set. This difference in a future upgrade price is several hundred dollars.

As your grill dealer about the burners in the grills you are looking at. The burners are the parts in the belly of the grill that the gas and flame come out of. Most quality grills will have stainless steel burners, but some do not. Check the warranty on the burners. A quality grill will offer a lifetime warranty on the burners. The best burners you can get in your built in grill are cast stainless steel. Only a few brands offer this, but they are by far the best and will provide even heat and last the longest. Does the grill have lights inside the hood? Some do and some don’t so consider this when comparing prices.

The rotisserie and lights are the most common differences in grills as far as accessories go, but there are huge differences in overall quality. When possible, try to see each grill you are considering in person. If you are dealing with an outdoor kitchen contractor, he should be able to arrange for you to see some of his completed jobs. If he can’t, let that be a red flag to you. When you personally see and touch all the grills you are considering, you will know why the prices range so much. They all do the same basic thing, which is cook your food. But the better grill will feel more heavy duty overall, and the grill with the better burners will produce more and better distributed heat.

You can find grills from $1000 to $4000 in the 30 inch range. You can get a very high quality grill in this size for around $2500. Anything over that is probably just in the brand name and  possibly additional accessories. Again, look at your budget and your overall image of what you want your outdoor kitchens to be and choose your grill accordingly. There is nothing wrong with a $1000 grill. Just know what it is you are purchasing and you will not be surprised down the road.