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If you love hosting parties or cooking is one of your favourite hobbies, a built-in grill makes your outdoor kitchen more functional and convenient. Whether you’re considering an indoor grill or buying BBQ grills, this guide will help you set up your kitchen better.
Many people consider a self-installed built-in grill, but hiring professionals is highly recommended if you want a smooth, durable installation while saving time and energy. These professionals ensure the grill, surrounding structures, and utility connections are properly planned and installed.
Before finalizing the design, consider these factors that play an important role in providing a seamless grill installation.
- Location
- Material
- Grill Fuel
- Grill Size
Pick the Right Spot
Choosing the right spot for your grill installation takes careful thought. Keep your outdoor grills far enough from your house, trees, and other flammable structures. But it should be close enough to your indoor kitchen so you can easily carry food and tools there.
Your professionals will assess the yard to calculate how the wind blows there. This helps them avoid installing your grill where the wind will blow smoke into the seating area or to your neighbour’s house, creating inconvenience.
Another point to consider when choosing a grill location is the natural gas and water pipelines. If you plan to use natural gas for cooking and want to add a nearby sink for easy cleaning, install the grill where you can easily access these utilities.
Finalise the Material & Design
Choose materials that can withstand changing weather, grease, heat, and cleaning chemicals while delivering long-term, high-end performance. For the island structure, brick and stone are popular choices, offering durability and complementing a range of kitchen styles.
The countertop is usually made from granite and porcelain, preferred for their aesthetic appeal, heat resistance, and durability. Some modern households also prefer concrete countertops for their minimalistic look.
Choose the Grill Fuel
If you want convenience and efficiency, gas built-ins are the best option for you. They’re easy to light, heat up fast, and give you full control over the flame. Cooking on gas built-ins is simple: light it up, adjust the flame, cook your meal, and turn it off when you’re done.
Many people like the charcoal flavour, but charcoal built-ins become double the work if you are installing them for daily meals. They take time to light and heat up, and the cleanup is time-consuming. This can be a stressful task when you need to serve food quickly. However, if cooking is your hobby and you enjoy the process without rushing, charcoal built-ins serve best for your parties.
If you are installing a built in BBQ in a restaurant, or want restaurant-style crust on steaks and chops at home, infrared built-ins can be a good option for you. They provide intense, concentrated heat that attracts experienced cooks, but they require careful heat management.
Sizing Your Grill
Choosing the right grill size involves more than counting the number of guests you usually serve. Consider how much food you cook at once, the number of burners or cooking zones you need, and the available space in your outdoor kitchen.
For example, if you regularly cook several dishes at a time, a wider grill is the right choice. But if you cook one or two items at a time, a compact grill can be a better choice without taking unnecessary room, unless more than one person is cooking.
Keep the structure slightly larger than the grill size because your built-in grill might look permanent, but it isn’t. Over time, parts fail, and brand designs change. So your design needs to be flexible enough to adapt to changes and allow easy replacements. Also, the framework should make it easy to access the gas, water, or electrical connections if you need repairs or service.
Conclusion
A built-in grill can upgrade your home’s aesthetics and your kitchen’s functionality, if the installation is done the right way. Careful planning beforehand saves you from future problems. Work with a professional to plan the island structure, choose the right materials, and keep utility connections in mind to make future maintenance, repairs, and replacements easier.
