Good cooks make the best meals using suitable ingredients, perfect timing, and excellent skills. But more importantly, they make these meals using the best built in grill. With many options available on the market, knowing which product to buy can be a lot.
And even after purchasing an ideal product, installation and maintenance pose another problem. So, how do you get it right in all three aspects? This article aims to address all these and many more. Let's learn how to select, install and maintain a built-in bbq grill.
Selecting the Right Grill for Your Outdoor Kitchen
Choosing an ideal built-in barbecue grill for your outdoor kitchen can be great as there are various models, features, and sizes on the market.
Hence, determining the perfect product that will stand the test of time and meet your grilling needs requires a lot of consideration. The following suggestions will ensure you select the right product for you:
1. Brand Model
The first step to picking the right product is to be familiar with grill brands. To do this, research the various brands available on the market. Also, look out for grills that are durable and made of high-quality materials. And don't forget to consider your budget.
It is vital to go for brands you can trust. Although well-known brands can be a bit pricey, they are a worthy investment to make if you don't want to be replacing your grill or its parts all the time. These brands have a solid warranty; hence you can always return the grill or get a refund if things soar.
These trusted brands also have excellent customer service. They will help you get updated models for your grill without changing your outdoor kitchen structure. They ensure the updated models fit into your old built-in bbq grill structure.
2. Size
It's also important to consider the size of the grill before making a purchase. This way, you won't end up with a too small or too big product for your home. Generally, most outdoor built-in grills have sizes ranging from 30 to 36 inches. Also, it's vital to consider how the grill will fit into your outdoor structure.
To ensure there are no mistakes, take measurements of your outdoor space beforehand. But remember to leave enough room for ventilation as built-in grills need proper ventilation. If you don't do this, you will be putting everyone at risk.
3. Grill Materials
Paying attention to the grill material is of utmost importance if you are to get the best. Generally, most built-in grills are either entirely made of stainless steel or partially made of one.
Hence, consider stainless steel grills. They are your best bet for longevity. Beyond durability, they do not undergo wear and tear so fast and are aesthetic. This is not to say grills made of cast, porcelain, or aluminum materials are of no good.
They are great too and are even cheaper than those made of stainless steel. Remember to do thorough research if you are opting for more affordable products.
4. Type of Fuel
The type of fuel your grill will use is also a significant factor to contemplate when purchasing one. Consider natural gas and propane as these are the best options for outdoor use. Although natural gas can seem more expensive upfront, they are less costly than propane in the long term.
Most low-priced grills do not support natural gas. Hence, check out for this quality before deciding on the product to get.
5. Features
Consider the attributes of the griddle you hope to get before making a choice. Different grills come with various features. Thus, you should have prior knowledge of what you want. Do you want a grill with a side burner or a smoker box?
Do you want one with many cooking surfaces? Or perhaps you wish to get a grill with a rotisserie burner, lights, and many other aspects that are added to modern-day grills? The answer to these questions will help you select the ideal product for you.
6. Durability
It's no use buying an aesthetic BBQ that stops working after a while. Thus, durability is a critical factor to think about. Grills made of stainless steel generally last long. Also, parts' quality and maintenance play a crucial role in your grill's durability. Look out for a roaster with a sturdy build. And since you will permanently place it outside, consider a product that won't rust or chip off. All these will ensure your grill lasts for a long time.
How to Install a Built-in Barbecue Grill
An inbuilt gas grill is the basis of any good outdoor kitchen. It can serve as a gathering point for family and friends on holidays and weekends when done right. Installation isn't such a difficult task; yet, a few factors should be considered first. These factors include:
Step 1: Select an ideal location
Before purchasing an outdoor grill, it's essential to have an area where you intend to install it. The spot chosen must be a safe distance from the home. It should also be away from dry, explosive, and flammable items such as wood logs, petrol kegs, and so on. You may also want to clean up and ensure everything is in place before installation.
Step 2: Select a Gas Grill
As mentioned earlier, selecting a high-quality grill is vital. Ensure you pick a model within your budget and best suited for your needs. Consider how long you will be residing in the home. If you hope to move soon, you may want to lower your budget. Investing in a high-budget grill may not prove very smart in the long run.
Step 3: Construct an Encasement
To secure your grill, it's necessary to build a covering while also providing counter space for meal preparations. Building a casing will give your outdoor kitchen a more appealing and sturdier look. Not only that, but it will also have a more permanent structure and will be more convenient for use by family and friends.
You can create this sheath by using bricks or masonry. You can also use treated lumbers covered with floor tiles. Any of these approaches are great and will serve you well.
Step 4: Create room for grill accessories
While constructing an encasement, it's also necessary to carve out a room for accessories. This includes space for installing a gas tank, cabinets, and drawers. Also, develop room for storing pots, pans, and barbecue accessories. All this will make it more convenient to prepare meals outdoors without going back and forth.
Step 5: Run a Check
Before permanently encasing your built-in grid, ensure you carry out a check. Test it to be sure all parts are functioning as they should. This includes the pilot lights and burners, and other components. Also, fixing problems detected after installation may be very difficult and expensive. This is because you'll have to first uninstall, before fixing, and remounting.
Maintenance of Built-in Outdoor Grill
While roasters have a long lifespan, they can be shortened when they are not adequately cleaned and maintained regularly. For instance, burners get more dangerous when there are clogs in them. Rust can ruin your once beautiful spit, and gunk can build up until it causes small fires. The good news is that maintenance and cleaning of griddles isn't such a tasking affair. The following outlined tips will ensure your grill lasts longer and serves you better:
A detailed grill cleaning procedure will be shared below. But asides from this, it's also important to spot clean your equipment after every use. Using some quantity of Windex, wipe down the exterior of the machine, and brush the grates with a soft brush. Also, turn up the temperature of the device once a week to burn off excess gunk. This prevents the hasty buildup of grime.
How to clean a gas grill
According to experts, you only need deep to clean your grill one to two times per year. While this can be enough if you only use the equipment occasionally, you will need to do it more often if you use your griddle more frequently. In this section, the focus will be on how to clean your grill thoroughly.
Items needed:
- Grill brush
- Soapy water
- An empty bucket for debris
- An old sponge
Methods Involved:
Take the following steps to clean your grill correctly.
Scrub the grates thoroughly:
- Give the grate some thorough brushing, removing all charred flesh and food chunks.
- Ensure the brush you are using is a wire brush.
- After brushing the top side thoroughly, remove the grates and scrape the bottom as well. You can use a metal scraper and apply force when brushing if necessary.
- Once done, set the grates aside.
- Detach the burner protectors and wash them: Burner protectors guard your burner mechanisms, preventing grease and other materials from clogging them.
Hence, they get dirty quickly and so need thorough washing. Fortunately, most cooker protectors feature little ledges that you can pull out easily. After this, you can then wash them with soapy water and a sponge until they look new and shiny.
- Wipe off the grime from the burners: There are grills whose burners come off quickly. For these types, wipe off the dirt, rinse, air dry, and reattach. But for those that aren't detachable, wipe down with a damp sponge. Accumulated grime can cause your burner to clog. Hence, it's essential to clean them often.
- Remove all the gunk at the bottom: After wiping down the cooker, focus next on the plates beneath the grill. Remove the plates (they are detachable), and wipe them down with a brush. While you can use a sponge, they aren't very effective. Also, scrape off debris from the edges of the tray.
- Assemble back your grill: Now that cleaning is all over, it's time to put your grill back together. You will notice it looks as good as new, as it should be!
How long does it take to make a grill?
All meals do not sear at the same time. For instance, veggies will cook faster than beef. The grilling time also depends on the temperature of the grill.
Here is a summary of some meals and how long they take to barbecue:
- Beef (1/2- to 1-inch-thick steak): This takes 4 to 6 minutes per side at a temperature of 130o to 145oF
- Hamburger (1-inch thick): Under direct heat and at a temperature between 155o to 160oF, it will take about 5 to 6 minutes per side to grill a hamburger
- Pork (Tenderloin): It takes approximately 6 to 8 minutes per side under direct heat and at an internal temperature of 145oF
- Lamb (1/2- to 1-inch-thick chops): Under direct heat, it takes between 3 to 4 minutes per side at a temperature range of 120o to 145oF to grill a lamb
- Seafood (shrimps and scallops): This takes about 1 to 2 minutes per side under direct heat
- Veggies (Zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, etc.): Under direct heat, it takes 4 to 5 minutes per side
- Chicken (10-to-12-ounce chicken breast, leg, and thigh): This takes about 30 to 40 minutes per side over direct heat and the temperature fixed at 350oF.
How far should an outdoor grill be from the house?
A grill needs proper ventilation; without this, there is a risk of carbon monoxide, gas, and smoke buildup, leading to gas flares, grill fires, and other dangers. Also, heat from grills too close to the house can damage the building's sides; it can lead to smoke damage, amongst other hazards.
Hence, positioning your product far away from any building is crucial. But how far should the chargrill be from your home?
- Ideally, the built-in outdoor grill should be at least 10 feet from your house, walls, and house sides.
- Also, ensure there are at least 8 feet of space between cooking equipment and awnings, carports, and so on, with lots of room for ventilation.
- If it's any closer, then smoke emitted from the griddle will damage your carport and awnings over time.
- Furthermore, never install your roaster in a garage as it can lead to the buildup of carbon monoxide and pose a danger to you and your family.
- In general, when installing a built-in grill, think of the safety of your family and property; this will help you choose the right spot.
How much does it cost to assemble a grill?
There is no fixed price for assembling a spit. But it costs an average of $42 to fix a grill with three legs. Installing large grills with four legs costs about $75. This cost does not include the gas line. To station this, you will need to contact an electrician or a contractor. Although their prices vary, you should get your fuel installed for as low as $90.
Wrap Up
There is no better way to spend your holidays than with your loved ones while having tasty grilled meals. But, doing this requires a functioning grill. In this article, we have shared with you how to select, install and maintain a grill. With this knowledge, you won't only have an efficient grill but also surpass your expectations. And of course, there are many excellent brands of built in grill to choose from.