If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor kitchen or are considering building one, the most important decision you’ll make is what kind of cooktop to install. For most homes, that’s a gas grill. Beyond that, the options are seemingly endless.
Now, just ask yourself: Do you prefer propane or natural gas? How large do you need the cooking area to be? Do you want lights for nighttime grilling? A rotisserie for flawless chicken? A stainless steel or enameled body? Luckily, there are plenty of great options, from sleek and minimal to high-end with all the bells and whistles for creating the perfect grilling experience.
Best Overall
Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw 4-Burner Drop-In Grill Head
Double-walled hood
Accurate built-in thermometer
Even heat distribution
Flare-ups can happen
A durable, reliable gas grill insert that won’t break the bank, this 60,000-BTU Outlaw delivers an exceptional cooking experience on a compact 30-inch grill insert with four porcelain-coated bar burners, solid stainless-steel grates, dependable Piezo igniters, zinc knobs, and a warming rack. A double-walled stainless-steel hood not only helps to maintain a consistent temperature when you’re trying to grill in inclement weather, but it also prevents damage and discoloration from the elements. The built-in thermometer is sturdy and amazingly accurate.
Bull has put a lot of time and energy into engineering gas grills, and in doing so, solved the common problem of uneven heat distribution with its ReliaBull Heat Technology. You no longer need 10 practice rounds before finding the hot and cold spots; you’ll have even heat on your very first cook. One downside is that reviewers comment on flare-ups occurring with high heat.
Dimensions: 32.25 x 24.12 x 21.25 inches | Cooking Area: 810 square inches | Power: 60,000 BTUs | Fuel Type: Propane or natural gas
Best Budget
Bull Outdoor Products Stallion Built-in Propane Grill Head
Even heat distribution
Ample cooking space
Individual control for each burner
Knobs may get hot during use
No accessories included
At a price point of just over $1,000, there’s no getting more for your grilling money than you will with this Stallion built-in grill. It offers everything you’d expect from a higher end model, such as more than 800 square inches of cooking space, a full 60,000 BTUs across four porcelain-coated, cast-iron burners, and “ReliaBull Heat technology” flame tamers and burner design. There’s also a full-sized grease tray, individual valve control for each burner, and it works for both natural gas and propane installations.
The lovely design of this grill insert belies its (relatively) low price, and users will find it indistinguishable from more expensive inserts thanks to its sleek and modern appearance. The material is heavy duty for all components, and installation is on the easier side. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a premium grill, such as a motorized rotisserie, anyone looking for a basic grill on a budget should be delighted with this choice.
Dimensions: 32 x 24.12 x 21.25 inches | Cooking Area: 810 square inches | Power: 60,000 BTUs | Fuel Type: Propane or natural gas
Best Natural Gas
Lion Premium Grills 32-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill
15,000-BTU rotisserie burner
Commercial-level features
Comes with accessories
Very heavy
Warming shelf may come loose easily
If your outdoor cooking setup allows for it, natural gas can be a great option for a grill. Not only is it more economical than propane, but you’ll also never have to worry about running out of gas during a cook or throwing out your back lifting propane tanks in and out of your car.
Speaking of heavy lifting, this grill is a beast. At 170 pounds, the brand claims this 32-inch drop-in grill is the heaviest in its class—and we couldn’t find evidence to the contrary. The solid construction (stainless steel cooking grates, a double-layer seamless welded stainless steel smoker head, and even a stainless steel light switch) paired with a 60,000-BTU main cooking area make for a professional cooking experience. Other features include commercial size push-to-turn knobs, an infrared rotisserie back burner, an extra-large temperature gauge, and a "gourmet package" that includes a cover, griddle, and griddle remover.
Dimensions: 32 x 24.25 x 21.5 inches | Cooking Area: 830 square inches | Power: 60,000 BTUs (main burners), 15,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner) | Fuel Type: Propane or natural gas
Best Splurge
Bull Outdoor Products Brahma 38-Inch Drop-In Gas Grill
Great for nighttime use
Rotisserie with motor
Fast to heat
Wind can knock out burner flames
The priciest gas grill insert on our list, this 38-inch Bull Brahma is still of great value. Bull’s innovative ReliaBull Heat Technology allows this large drop-in unit to deliver even heat every time you light it up, and the piezo igniters can last up to ten years. Solid stainless steel grilling grates cover five cast stainless-steel bar burners, and with an additional back infrared burner and warming drawer, this model delivers 90,000 BTUs and more than 1,000 square inches of cooking space. Other features include a single-piece, dual-lined hood, backlit zinc knobs, a rotisserie motor, and a built-in interior lighting system to make nighttime grilling a breeze. The Brahma is available for both propane and natural gas hookups.
Dimensions: 39.75 x 24.12 x 21.25 inches | Cooking Area: 1,026 square inches | Power: 75,000 BTUs (main burners), 15,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner) | Fuel Type: Propane or natural gas
Best Compact
Blaze 25-Inch 3-Burner Built-In Propane Gas Grill
Heat zone separators
Removable warming rack
Optional infrared burner
Lifetime warranty
Stainless steel parts may eventually corrode
Stylish and compact, this 25-inch gas grill from Blaze packs in plenty of power—and features. It may only have 558 square inches of cooking space and three 14,000-BTU burners, but thanks to the smart design, no space is wasted. Heat zone separators make it easy to cook different foods at varying temperatures, while flame-stabilizing grids prevent flare-ups.
A removable warming rack provides a little extra space, and a full-width drip tray makes this grill easy to clean. The double-lined stainless steel hood protects the exterior from the elements, and you can add on an infrared searing burner for an additional cost. With a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, this is a great investment for a small outdoor kitchen.
Dimensions: 25.75 x 25 x 21.25 inches | Cooking Area: 558 square inches | Power: 42,000 BTUs | Fuel Type: Propane or natural gas
Most Durable
Blaze Premium LTE Marine Grade 32-Inch Built-in Propane Gas Grill
Marine-grade stainless steel
Double-lined hood
Lifetime warranty
Requires 110V power source
Built-in gas grills are good options when it comes to durability. The Blaze Premium LTE grill takes this durability to a whole new level. This grill is a long-lasting, commercial-grade grill. The outer construction is made with 316L "marine grade" stainless steel. This heavy-duty stainless steel holds up to saltwater, hence marine grade. It won’t corrode even in harsh coastal environments.
The burners and cooking rods, meanwhile, are also made of durable stainless steel. The stainless-steel hood is double-lined, which not only helps regulate temperature, but it keeps the outside of the hood from discoloring. It’s not uncommon for the ignition on a grill to wear out, but this one has a flame-thrower ignition as well as a backup flash tube system for extra durability.
This is a premium grill at a premium price, but it comes with a lot of extras. Should you need it, the Blaze Premium LTE comes with a lifetime warranty. The lifetime warranty covers replacement parts for the main burners, cooking grids, body, flame tamers, heat separators, warming rack, and valves. It comes with many helpful features, such as LED lit knobs, hood lights and a rotisserie burner. Keep in mind that you need access to a 110V power source.
Dimensions: 32.5 x 25.75 x 21.25 inches | Cooking Area: 715 square inches | Power: 56,000 BTUs (main burners) 10,000 BTUS (rotisserie burner) | Fuel Type: Propane
Best with Features
Alfresco Grills 30-Inch Standard Built-In Grill Natural Gas
Rotisserie kit included
Smoker box included
Spring-assisted hood
Only 2 burners
The Alfresco ALXE 30-inch Built-In Gas Grill is a luxury grill for leveling up your grilling. There’s an innovative combination of features that you would use every time you grill, as well as special features that you can use for big events.
First is the rotisserie kit and the smoker box—many grills have these as an add-on but this grill automatically comes with them. The rotisserie kit is integrated into the grill, has a quiet motor, and can handle up to 120 pounds of meat. The smoker box is also included and has a dedicated burner that puts out 5,000 BTUs. The smoker box is large enough to hold wood, herbs, and liquids—whatever you want to smoke.
Beyond smoking and rotisserie, the Alfresco has internal and external lights, stay-cool knobs, and a spring-assisted hood. The spring-assisted hood makes opening and shutting the grill effortless. Best of all, this grill is a high-performer. It cooks evenly and can reach high temperatures for searing. One downside is that having only two burners means there aren't as many options when it comes to multiple-zone cooking. But, though it technically has less grilling square inches than other options, it can still grill 20 burgers at a time.
Dimensions: 30 x 26 x 26 inches | Cooking Area: 542 square inches | Power: 55,000 BTUs (main burners) 15,000 BTUs (rotisserie burner) | Fuel Type: Natural gas
Our top overall pick is Bull Outdoor Products Outlaw 30-Inch 4-Burner Drop-In Grill Head. It heats evenly and maintains a consistent temperature, proven by the built-in thermometer that's consistently accurate. If you're limited on space, the Blaze 25-Inch 3-Burner Built-In Propane Gas Grill is a surefire bet.
What to Look for in a Gas Grill Insert
Size
Deciding what size gas grill insert to buy depends on your overall outdoor space, as well as the amount of people you plan on serving. According to Christie Vanover of GirlsCanGrill.com, “If you’re going to be doing a lot of entertaining, a grill that is 40 inches or more is best.”
Besides, number of inches, think about the amount of burners the grill has. Christie explains why the number of burners matters, “For instance, a three-burner gas grill with a sear station, only leaves two burners for regular cooking. If you plan to do any cooking over indirect heat, where you leave at least one burner off, that only leaves you with one burner for regular cooking.” Make sure that you buy a grill that has enough burners to accommodate a variety of cooking.
Special Features
Gas grill inserts are available with a multitude of special features. Some grills include these features along with the grill, others are available as add-ons. Keep in mind that certain features, such as rotisserie kits and lighting, require power so you’ll want to think about what features you want when installing your grill, even if you plan on adding them later. Another feature to consider is a grill cart. Grill inserts don’t include storage, so unless you are putting it into an outdoor kitchen, you need to purchase a cart for it to sit on, which will increase the cost of the grill, but provide storage for tools, fuel, as well as side tables.
Cleaning
It’s important to follow manufacturer directions in order to properly maintain a gas grill insert. Cleaning out the grease tray and keeping the grates free of food are important tasks to do after every time you use it. Follow Vanover’s advice on how to clean the grates, "leave the grill running for several minutes after you remove the food to help burn off any residue. Then, clean the grates with a grill brush. Every few months, you may need to clean the grates with a degreaser or a stone block." Furthermore, she recommends the following care for the exterior of the grill. "Wipe the exterior down with a damp cloth once it has cooled down," she says. "To remove build-up or rekindle the shine, use a stainless-steel cleaner."
FAQs
How do you install a gas grill insert?
Once you’ve chosen an appropriate space outside your home and the right grill insert for you, you’ll need a grill insert encasement. You can build this before or after placing the grill in its new location. To install the grill itself for natural gas supply, you’ll need to connect your home’s gas supply to it. You’ll need a professional to run a gas line outside your home to the closest wall to your cooking area. Once you have that ready, shut off your home’s gas line. Then, install the gas hose that a professional has routed to your cooking area by connecting the gas coupling outside the wall to your natural gas grill insert. The hose should run between the coupling and the grill, and should connect to both. Once that has been done, you’ll install any zone dividers and flavor grids. To test your grill, turn on the gas line, and it should work.
Is a gas grill insert the same as a built-in grill?
Yes, a gas grill insert is the same as a built in grill–or at least, the visible part of it. This means that when you look at the grill, all you see is the top, or usable, part of it. However, underneath the gas grill insert will be the power supply, such as the hookup to the natural gas line, which can also be considered part of the built in grill. Therefore, when talking about grill inserts, we’re just speaking about the top part visible to anyone using it. A grill insert, despite being "built-in," is replaceable.
How much money should I spend on a gas grill insert?
To get the right gas grill insert for you, decide in advance what you’ll need in terms of features. If you have basic needs and simply want good grilling power, you can spend as little as about $1,000. However, if you’re looking for accessories, such as a griddle, that come with the grill, if you want additional grill surface cooking area, or if you’re looking for infrared heating, you’ll want to plan on spending a bit more. Grill inserts with numerous features are typically more in the $2,000 range. Fortunately, most come with long warranties, ranging from three years to life, and should last for or beyond the duration of time the average person lives in a home.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Emily Farris is a food and lifestyle writer, as well as a recipe developer, who has also written about grilling for Bon Appétit. She obsesses over kitchen design and is married to a four-seasons griller. She’s embarrassingly good at buying expensive things online and can see straight through the fake reviews.
Ariane Resnick is a special diet private chef, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle writer who thinks it’s perfectly acceptable—if not quite preferable—to eat your veggies and meats with deliciously char grill marks on them. Having used the built-in grills of private clientele throughout the U.S. in many summers past, she’s cooked countless meals on the best equipment available.
Rachel Knecht is a food writer located in Seattle. She updated our recommendations for 2023, as well as interviewed Christie Vanover of GirlsCanGrill.com.