Are you interested in an RTA outdoor kitchen, but feeling confused about appliance brand compatibility?
You’re not the only one.The answer to this question is not easy to find… and you may have even felt frustrated by the lack of clarity on this topic.
As the sole provider of RTA outdoor kitchens, we are fully equipped to finally clear the air for you!
In this article, you’ll gain a complete understanding of what appliance brands are compatible with RTA outdoor kitchens (if any)… and considerations you need to know before making a final decision on appliances.
What Appliance Brands Can Work With an RTA Outdoor Kitchen?
Over the years, we have incorporated many different appliance brands into our grill islands. Coyote, Blaze, Lynx, Traeger, Blackstone, Hestan, and many other brands have seen their day in the sun in an RTA island.
One common misconception is that RTA outdoor kitchens are only compatible with appliances from Coyote Outdoor Living. While it’s true that RTA outdoor kitchens come standard with Coyote appliances… it’s not a requirement to use Coyote appliances in an RTA outdoor kitchen.
And although we can put nearly any major outdoor appliance brand into an RTA outdoor kitchen… there’s more nuance involved than that.
Not Sure What Brand You Want in Your Outdoor Kitchen?
The Grill Must Be Built-In, Not Freestanding
If you want a grill from another brand incorporated into an RTA outdoor kitchen… it must be a true built-in grill.
There are a couple of things that define a built-in grill:
- The flange design
- The ventilation design
Required Flange Design
Let’s start with flanges. A true built-in grill will have flanges extending from the sides, allowing it to sit suspended on the countertop. A regular freestanding grill will not have these flanges and therefore cannot support itself on an outdoor kitchen countertop.
Required Ventilation Design
Secondly, a true built-in grill will be designed to ventilate differently than a regular cart model grill. This is crucial to know… because ventilation design dictates whether or not your outdoor kitchen will be safe to use.
If you try to put your existing cart model Weber grill into an RTA outdoor kitchen… you’re creating a significant fire hazard by using the grill in a way it was not intended.
As long as the appliance brand you’re looking at offers true built-in grills with flanges and proper ventilation… you’re on the right track.
What Alternative Scenarios Can RTA Accommodate?
In some cases, RTA can create outdoor kitchen designs for non-traditional built-in grills.
However, this only applies to a specific type of appliance… and it can only be designed in a certain way.
If you have a Traeger pellet grill or a Blackstone flat top grill that can stand fully supported on a pedestal… this is an area where RTA can accommodate non-traditional built-in grills.
Your outdoor appliance would either sit on a pedestal at the end of your BBQ island… or it could sit on a recessed pedestal in the middle of your island.
This type of design allows for open-air ventilation. Therefore, it doesn’t cause the same safety concern as putting a freestanding grill inside an outdoor kitchen.
In short, by using this method, we can accommodate many pellet grill, smoker, and griddle options!
Additionally, since 99% of outdoor pizza ovens are already designed for this format… you can put just about any pizza oven on an RTA island.
How do I get the Appliances I want into an RTA Outdoor Kitchen?
If the outdoor appliances you want to add to an RTA outdoor kitchen are either (a) a true built-in grill or (b) are suitable to be designed on a pedestal… you’ll be able to have your steak and eat it too!
And now that you’re clear on what appliance brands are compatible with RTA outdoor kitchens, the next step in the process would be to speak with a Design Expert on our team.
Whether you have appliances from a different brand already, or you are strongly considering another brand… a Design Expert will be able to field your questions and map out how all the pieces click together.
Before your call, it’s a smart idea to get more acquainted with outdoor grill classes as well (economy, premium, and luxury).
This article will explain different grill classes, and help you determine which options are appropriate for use in an outdoor kitchen. Plus, we highlight a few different brands in addition to Coyote!
Enjoy the read, and we look forward to helping you bring your outdoor space to life.
