Looking for a low maintenance grill for your BBQ island, that’s sure to impress your guests?
A built in pellet grill may be just the thing!
Pellet grills are as easy to use as your indoor oven, and can consistently churn out deliciously smoky foods with just the touch of a button.
There are a few different built-in pellet grill options to choose from… But only one can secure a spot in your outdoor kitchen!
So, how do you make sure you’re choosing the absolute best pellet grill?
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know before buying a built-in pellet grill… As well as review some options!
Let’s get to it.
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Important Considerations Before Buying a Built-In Pellet Grill
Before you hit checkout on a built-in pellet grill… There are some important considerations to bear in mind.
Built-In Pellet Grill Materials
Ideally, a built-in pellet grill will be a permanent addition to a BBQ station… It’s an investment you’ll want to last!
For a pellet grill that’ll work (and look) great for the long haul… High quality materials are key.
Generally, we recommend 304 stainless steel for all outdoor appliances.
Rain, snow, or shine… This durable material won’t rust or corrode over time, making it an all-around great choice for outdoor use!
In your search, try to find built-in pellet grills made with full 304 stainless steel construction.
This will give you some peace of mind that your grill will hold up… And you won’t have to spend more to replace it in just a few years!
your pellet grill's dream home
Built-In Pellet Grill Size
Now that material is on your radar… It’s time to consider size!
How many people will you be cooking for?
Are you just grilling for your family? A smaller, 26” – 32” grill should cut it.
But if you’re planning on hosting big, neighborhood get-togethers… Then you’d better size up! (36” and up!)
The last thing you’d want is to regret your decision… So if you’re unsure about size, it’s always better to opt for a larger model!
When considering cooking dimensions, also take into account the size of the hopper.
If you don’t want to refuel in the middle of a long cook, look for pellet grills with a large hopper capacity!
You’ll Need Access To Electricity
Pellet smokers require electricity to operate.
This means you’ll need to have utility lines run to your outdoor kitchen to power up your electric grill.
If you’re still in the beginning phases of your project… This is the best time to take this on!
We don’t have to tell you that it’d be a major headache to have utility lines run after you’ve already built your kitchen.
Electricians typically charge $50-$100 an hour to run utility lines, and the process usually takes a few hours.
While this shouldn’t elevate overall prices by too much… Don’t overlook this expense as you budget for a new pellet grill!
Built-In Pellet Grill Features
Before committing to any particular pellet grill, you should make sure it has the right capabilities to suit your needs.
An important feature to consider is temperature output. On average, pellet grills can sustain temperatures between 150-500 degrees Fahrenheit, but many can get significantly hotter!
If you’re looking for a pellet grill that can do it all (bake, slow cook, smoke, and sear)… You’ll want one that’s capable of both super high and low temps.
You’ll also want to consider just how low-maintenance you want your wood pellet grill to be.
All pellet grills require little effort to use… But many will also come equipped with WiFi connectivity, for a completely remote grilling experience!
And after you’re done cooking… Chances are you’ll want a built-in pellet grill that’s easy to clean. Many pellet grills have removable grease trays, to make cleanup less of a hassle.
And don’t forget about special add-ons! Are you looking for a built-in pellet grill that’ll come loaded with unique bells and whistles?
Special pellet grill features often include lighting, temperature probes, direct flame zones, rotisserie attachments, and other useful accessories.
Just know that the more special add-ons… The higher the price!
Built-In Pellet Grill Warranty
Finally, you’ll want to check the warranty before buying a built-in pellet grill.
A product’s warranty is a great indication of how long you can expect it to last!
High quality, heavy-duty built-in pellet grills should be backed by a lifetime warranty.
This’ll give you peace of mind that your pellet grill will last for decades… And if anything ever does go awry, you’ll know that you’re covered.
Especially when a pellet grill will be a permanent addition to an outdoor kitchen… A robust warranty is crucial!
Alright… With these considerations in mind, it’s time to look at some brands!
The Best Built-In Pellet Grill Brands
Honestly, built-in pellet grills are still fairly new to the outdoor cooking scene. Unlike gas grills or charcoal grills, there aren’t tons of options available!
But what we could find, we’ve included below for your consideration.
So, let’s jump in!
RecTeq Built-In Pellet Grill
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: 1,070 Square Inches
Materials: 304 Stainless Steel Grill Grates, Stainless Steel Exterior
Warranty: 6 Years
Price: $1,199.00
PROS
- 304 stainless steel interior
- Convenient WiFi technology
- PID technology for precise temp control
CONS
- Exterior stainless steel grade not specified
- Only one size option available
- Would like to see a longer warranty
RecTeq specializes in manufacturing wood pellet grills.
They only have one built-in pellet grill in their product line… The RT-1070!
As you can infer from the name… This 30” grill has 1,070 square inches of total cooking space. This includes a 590 square inch main cooking area, as well as a removable 480 square inch second cooking grate.
This is enough room for either 125 wings, 50 burgers, 8 rib racks, or 8 pork butts.
The RT-1070 can sustain steady temps between 180-700 degrees Fahrenheit. This means it can be used for baking, searing, smoking, grilling, and even dehydrating!
The hopper capacity is 30 pounds, and it can provide fuel for up to 30 hour cooks.
RecTeq makes use of PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) technology for their built-in pellet grill. We won’t get into the specifics here, but this essentially allows for “extremely precise and consistent temperature control.”
If you’re looking for a remote cooking experience, this BBQ grill is WiFi controlled, and pairs with a RecTeq app.
For easy temperature monitoring, there are two wired meat probes included.
Other special features include a sliding grease catch for easy cleanup, a front-accessible hopper, a cast iron heat deflector, and a convenient serving platform atop the hopper.
As for materials… The internal grill components (including the grates) are made of durable, 304 stainless steel.
The exterior is also complete stainless steel construction… But the grade used isn’t specified! If not 304, it’ll be prone to rust.
RecTeq warrants their grills for six years.
At the time of writing, you can purchase it for $1,199.00.
Memphis Grills Beale Street Built-In Pellet Grill
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: 817 Square Inches
Materials: 430 Stainless Steel Exterior, Stainless Steel Cooking Grids
Warranty: 5 Year Limited (Excludes Corrosion)
Price: $1,599.00
PROS
- Convenient WiFi technology
- Good size for those with a smaller outdoor kitchen
CONS
- 430 stainless steel construction isn’t super durable
- Would like to see a longer warranty
- Temperature range isn’t all that impressive
Memphis Grills is another brand specializing solely in pellet grills.
Their selection of built-in pellet grills is a bit larger, and includes three different models!
The first Memphis Grills model on our list is their newest… The Beale Street built-in grill.
This pellet grill is on the smaller side, at just 26”.
It has a 558 square inch main cooking area, with a 259 square inch secondary grilling area.
In total, there’s enough space to fit 15 burgers.
The temp output for the Beale Street built-in grill is between 180-500 degrees Fahrenheit. It’ll be good for smoking, roasting, and baking… Though it doesn’t get hot enough to sear.
That said, Memphis Grills does offer a direct flame insert, which allows for better searing temperatures (this is sold separately).
For easy temperature control, there’s both a convenient one-touch control panel, as well as WiFi connectivity.
As with the previous option, there’s a front loading pellet hopper. This hopper has a 12 pound total capacity, which will allow for 18 uninterrupted hours of cooking, as long as the grill stays at 350 degrees or lower.
As for the build, the hood is dual-walled for extra heat retention. But other than that, we’re not too impressed with the construction!
The Memphis Beale Street grill has a 430 stainless steel exterior, which is unfortunately prone to rust.
The interior is also made with stainless steel, though the grade isn’t specified. If we had to take a guess, we’d say that it’s probably also 430 stainless.
The grill is covered by a five year limited warranty, though electronic components are covered for just two years.
The warranty also doesn’t cover damage caused by corrosion, so keep this in mind!
At the time of writing, the Memphis Beale Street goes for $1,599.00.
design your dream pellet grill station
Louisiana Grills Built-In Pellet Grill
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: 860 Square Inches
Materials: 304 Stainless Steel
Warranty: 5 Years
Price: $2,499.00
PROS
- 304 stainless steel construction
- Automatic smoke mode to prevent overcooking could be useful
CONS
- Surprisingly short warranty for materials used
- Pricey for what you get
- No WiFi control
Next up to bat is the Louisiana Grills built-in wood pellet grill.
Like the other brands we’ve discussed, Louisiana Grills specializes in wood pellet grills, with just one built-in model available.
The LG Estate 860BI has an 860 square inch total cooking area, with a 579 square inch main cooking grid, and a 281 square inch second rack. This is enough space to fit 26 burgers!
The temp range here is between 180-600 degrees, and temperature can be adjusted within five degree increments.
For searing over direct heat, the LG Estate 860BI comes with an adjustable flame broiler.
There’s an easy to use digital control center on this grill… Though there’s no option for remote WiFi control.
The self-feeding hopper has a 28-pound capacity, so it should be able to run for quite a while!
Other special features include a removable grease tray, as well as one temperature probe.
With this probe, you can set a desired temp, and the grill will automatically kick into a “smoke mode” when that temperature is reached. This prevents food from overcooking!
All components are made with 304 stainless steel… No complaints here!
Louisiana Grills offers a five year warranty on all steel components (excluding the burn grate). The electrical components are covered for three years.
At the time of writing, this grill is listed for $2,499.00.
Coyote 28” and 36” Built-In Pellet Grills
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: 609 Square Inches (28”) / 808 Square Inches (36”)
Materials: 304 Stainless Steel
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $2,999.00 (28”) / $2,999.00 (36”)
PROS
- 304 stainless steel construction
- Robust warranty
- Lots of thoughtful features
CONS
- No WiFi connectivity
Unlike the other options on our list, Coyote Outdoor Living manufactures a full suite of premium outdoor appliances, including two built-in pellet grills!
First, let’s discuss the Coyote 28-inch built-in pellet grill.
This grill is great for those with a smaller space! It has a 450 square inch main grilling area, and a 159 square inch secondary grilling area. (Enough room for 15 burgers.)
Coyote makes their pellet grills with a dual fan convection system, and the 28” model can sustain precise temperatures between 175 and 600 degrees.
Searing on a Coyote pellet grill is easy, with an included burn pot grates for direct flame grilling.
A touch screen control panel makes it incredibly simple to adjust settings… Just note that there’s no WiFi control available!
The grill is fueled by a front loading, self-feeding hopper with a 12 pound capacity.
As for special features, Coyote’s built-in pellet grills come with three temperature probes, interior and exterior lighting, a wind guard to protect against drafts, and a built-in spring mechanism to easily lift the hood.
Taking a look at the build quality… Coyote’s pellet grills are super heavy duty! They’re made with full 304 stainless steel construction.
Now, there’s also the larger, Coyote 36-inch built-in pellet grill.
This grill has all the same great features as the 28”, with just a few differences that are worth mentioning.
Obviously, the larger size means the cooking area is more spacious!
The main grilling area measures in at 594 square inches, and the secondary rack accounts for 214 square inches. The total 808 square inch cooking area has enough space for 21 burgers.
The pellet hopper is also larger, with a 15 pound pellet capacity.
Lastly, temperature output is slightly higher. This larger model can sustain even temperatures between 175 and 700 degrees!
Coyote stands behind their products, and offers a lifetime warranty on the exterior. The interior frame is covered for five years, and other components are covered for three.
At the time of writing, both the 28” and 36” models go for $2,999.00 on Amazon.
Memphis Pellet Grill Built In: Pro & Elite Models
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: 568 Square Inches (Pro) / 848 Square Inches (Elite)
Materials: 304 Stainless Steel Exterior, Stainless Steel Interior
Warranty: 7 Year Limited
Price: $4,499.00 (Pro) / $5,499.00 (Elite)
PROS
- 304 stainless steel exterior
- Convenient WiFi technology
CONS
- Would like to see a longer warranty
- Pricey for what you get
We discussed a built-in grill from Memphis earlier on… Now, let’s look at their Pro and Elite built-in options!
As with the Coyote grills, the main differences between the Memphis Pro built-in pellet grill and the Memphis Elite models are size, hopper capacity, and temp output. All other features are the same across the board!
Starting with the Memphis Pro… This model is 28”, with a main grilling area of 432 square inches, and a secondary grilling area measuring in at 136 square inches. This is enough space for 18 burgers.
The Elite, on the other hand, measures in at an impressive 39”. Here, the main grilling area accounts for 644 square inches, and the secondary cooking area for 204 square inches (enough room for 30 burgers).
The smaller pellet grill can sustain precise temperatures between 180-650 degrees, while the Elite model can reach 700 degrees.
While the Pro has an 18 pound hopper, the Memphis Elite built-in pellet grill has a larger, dual-bin hopper with a 24 pound capacity.
Both models include a direct flame insert for searing, one meat probe, internal grill lights, a smoke blower, a control panel, and WiFi control.
Both have double-walled, durable 304 stainless steel construction, with stainless steel cooking grates. The exterior should hold up quite well, but it’s worth checking the grade used for the cooking grids!
The warranty is the same for both models, with seven years of limited coverage against defects. The electronic components will be covered for three years, and the meat probe is covered for 30 days. The warranty doesn’t apply to damage caused by corrosion.
At the time of writing, the Pro model goes for $4,499.00, and the Elite for $5,499.00.
Twin Eagles Built-In Pellet Grill
Product Highlights
Cooking Area: Not Specified
Materials: 304 Stainless Steel
Warranty: Lifetime
Price: $9,269.00
PROS
- Full 304 stainless steel construction
- Convenient WiFi technology
- Robust warranty
CONS
- Extremely pricey for what you get
- Would expect a larger hopper capacity
Let’s wrap up our list with an option from Twin Eagles.
Like Coyote, Twin Eagles offers a wide range of luxury outdoor appliances, including a 36” drop-in pellet grill!
We couldn’t find any specs available for the cooking area! If you’re interested in this grill, you should check with Twin Eagles on this.
Twin Eagles’ grill has a wide temp range for maximum outdoor cooking versatility, between 140-725 degrees.
Temperatures are set using an integrated touch screen, or remotely via WiFi controls.
The front loading pellet hopper can hold 13 pounds of pellets.
As for special features, this grill has quite a few!
Firstly, there’s an integrated rotisserie system, which can hold up to 100 pounds of meat.
There’s also a radiant heat briquette or lump charcoal tray, so you can use your pellet grill for charcoal smoking!
As well as these, there are two removable drip tray drawers, additional storage for utensils, three internal meat hanger hooks, a vaporizer plate to turn drippings into smoke, and internal lighting.
Construction looks solid, as well… Twin Eagles uses full 304 stainless steel!
There’s a lifetime warranty covering all stainless steel components. The cooking grids, briquette and charcoal trays, vaporizer plates, burner pots, and drip pans are covered for five years. All other components are covered for two years.
This grill is certainly in the high-end price range. At $9,269.00… It’s significantly more than the other options on our list!
The Overall Best Built-In Pellet Grill
Alright. You’ve seen your options. Now, you’re probably wondering which is the best.
We hate to leave you hanging, but… There really is no overall best built-in wood pellet grill!
It all depends on what you’re looking for! And honestly, many of these pellet grills may suit your needs.
However, there is one pellet grill that we can certainly rule out, and that’s the Memphis Grills Beale Street. Since it’s made with 430 stainless steel, it simply isn’t cut out for the long haul.
As for an overall fantastic recommendation… One brand in particular stands out.
Coyote’s pellet grills come loaded with great features, are made with solid materials, and are backed by a lifetime warranty… There’s a lot to appreciate here! The only downside is its lack of WiFi control.
If you do want a reliable grill with WiFi connectivity… The Twin Eagles grill is also a solid contender! But honestly, the price just isn’t practical for the average homeowner.
All in all… You get the most from a Coyote pellet grill, for the fairest cost!
But no matter the grill you choose… Where will it go?
An Easy Outdoor Kitchen with Pellet Grill Solution
Now that you have a better idea of what built-in pellet grills are out there… The next step is deciding where your new pellet grill will go.
Your appliances are only as good as the kitchen they’re part of… So you’ll want your grill station to be of the highest caliber!
That’s where RTA outdoor kitchens come in.
Our summer kitchens are made with high performance concrete panels, backed by a limited lifetime structural warranty and rated for 100 years.
Rain, snow, or shine, you can rest assured that your kitchen island will hold up!
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.. Let’s shift our attention back to built-in pellet grills.
With an RTA kitchen, you’ll have your pick of a wide range of premium appliances from Coyote!
Not only does this include their 28” or 36” pellet grill… We’re also talking refrigeration, sinks, side burners, griddles, and more!
No matter what accessories you include, we’ll carefully customize your kitchen to perfectly meet your wants and needs!
Have we caught your attention?
Well, why not check out our Learning Hub for more information? It’ll provide you with all the details you need to start planning.
And once you’re done with that… Don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ll help you get your pellet grill outdoor kitchen ready for you to enjoy in no time.
still have unanswered questions?
FAQ
Though there aren’t tons of options, there are brands that offer pellet grills specially designed to be built into an outdoor kitchen!
Until recently, there was no such thing as a Traeger built-in pellet grill. Instead, many people would attempt DIY built in pellet grills, by modifying their freestanding Traegers (which is not something we’d recommend)!
However, their newest Traeger Timberline model is technically designed for “built-in” use.
But don’t be fooled! It’s still really not a true built-in model, and simply slides between two kitchen islands.
Pellet grills are as easy to use as an indoor oven, with unmatched cooking versatility!
Plus, pellet grills can cook foods consistently each time, with undeniably delicious flavors.
Pellet grills absolutely need to be vented! This allows for smoke to exit the grill, which helps with temperature regulation.
