What You Should Know Before Buying a Built in Gas BBQ

When it comes to outdoor grilling, deciding between gas and charcoal is the first question you should ask yourself.  But if you value ease, control, and a fuss-free cooking experience, a gas built-in BBQ is a practical choice. Gas grills offer quick start-ups, even cooking, and the ability to adjust the heat with ease. Whether you're experienced or brand new to outdoor cooking, a built-in gas BBQ is a straightforward choice. 

Here at Urban Outdoor Kitchen, we have a huge range of handpicked, quality built in gas BBQs. Check out the range here. 

How to choose the right type of grill 

The built in gas BBQ grill is the centre-piece of your outdoor kitchen, so it’s worth investing in something that will stand the test of time. High quality grills won’t won’t or erode over time, plus they are likely to have a lifetime warranty, which means if something goes wrong, you’ll be covered. Our range of built-in gas grills and grill heads also have a number of features including LED lighting for cooking in the evening, digital control panels, and integrated smoker boxes and built in rotisseries. 

If you’re looking for something small, two burners would cook food for up to four people. But if you're looking for a large barbecue that is perfect for larger families, or you regularly entertain large groups of people, then a 5-burner or 6-burner BBQ will do the trick. Having a larger built in grill also enables you to create different cooking zones, so you can ramp it up high if you want a flame grills steak, or you can keep an area on low to keep your vegetables grilling.  

What are BTUs and how many do I need? 

The BTU of your built in gas BBQ grill is the total heat output of all burners per hour. This number is usually reserved for the main burners (the ones located directly beneath the cooking grate). The Bull Brahma Built In BBQ comes with 75,000 BTUs of power whereas the Bull Diablo Built in Gas BBQ Grill comes with a whopping 105,000 BTUs. Other things to consider: 

Are the Built In Gas BBQs with higher BTUs better?

The BTU shouldn't be the only factor you consider when buying a BBQ. Heat flux is usually a better indicator, the amount of heat per square inch.  To calculate your grill’s heat flux, divide the total BTU rating by the primary cooking area. A heat flux of between 80 to 100 means the grill will heat up quickly and maintain a consistent cooking temperature throughout the cooking period.

How many BTUs should a side burner have? 

A side burner is usually cooking a smaller cooking area, therefore should have between 10,000 and 13,000 BTUs. 

What material should I choose? 

The majority of built-in gas BBQs we sell at Urban Outdoor Kitchen are made from 304 stainless steel which offer superior corrosion resistance and are suitable for outdoor use. We highly recommend that if you're buying a built in has BBQ, that you choose one with this type of material.  Often, BBQs have a dual lined hood which enables them to retain heat, but stay cool on the outside - a great safety feature. 

Rotisserie 

A lot of premium BBQs come with a built in rotisserie. Rotisserie cooking is the ability to cook the meat whilst skewered and rotated, giving it an even cook. Not only that….this slow roast technique also has a juicy rich flavour.  The most typical type of food cooked on a rotisserie is a chicken or turkey. But did you know you can also get great results with a leg of lamb, pork loin, beef, duck or even a pineapple! Check out some rotisserie recipes at The Spruce Eats. 

The addition of a smoker box allows you to get that all important BBQ flavour, whilst cooking with gas. Check out our Bull BBQ range, a lot of which come with smoker boxes.

Lighting

For those who like to cook in the evening, think about options such as lighting. Our Bull Grill range have a fantastic selection of grill heads and grill carts that come equipped with lighting. 

Natural gas is a great choice for a built in gas BBQ grill if you have access to a gas line. It means you won’t need to top up your gas tank, and it will be easier to maintain. Liquid propane as a fuel is much more flexible and it’s generally the option of choice for more outdoor kitchens. You’ll need to think about storing the gas tank somewhere, and most Outdoor Kitchens and Carts have a specific storage space.  

Any built-in gas BBQ will require a suitable outdoor surface. It's essential that the surface is completely flat and is non-flammable. Urban Outdoor Kitchen has a range of built in gas BBQs that come with their own cart, or even that come as a fully built kitchen, meaning you can rest assured knowing the hard work has been done. Check out our outdoor kitchen range, or our BBQ Grill cart range here.

We hope that helps you in selecting your built in gas BBQ grill. If you're still un-decided, why not give us a call on 033 090 7136 and one of our experts can take you through the range.