If you’re reading this… You’re interested in a fully equipped backyard kitchen.
Or in other words… An outdoor kitchen. (Smart idea!)
In your research, you’ve probably come across the Weber Summit grill center and KitchenAid islands.
You may find yourself on the fence between these two options.
So today… Our mission is to determine which island is best for your needs. (Or another option entirely!)
Let’s get into it.
Weber Company Overview
Weber is a grill company that hardly needs introduction. Based in Chicago, Illinois… Weber is a mainstay in the outdoor living world.
In fact… It’s been over 70 years since the first Weber grill was invented. You’d be surprised where the inspiration came from, too! As explained on their website… The first Weber grill was “born from a buoy.” Yes. A buoy. Weber’s founder, George Stephen, was a metal worker. He was manufacturing buoys… And the shape gave him inspiration to create a never-before-seen grill. This little experiment ended up becoming the iconic Kettle grill we all know and love! And it’s the Kettle grill that earned Weber a place on the map. Since then… Weber has vastly expanded their grill line to include gas, pellet, electric, portable, and more charcoal grill options. But today, we’re keeping the conversation about Weber to their Summit grill center. (We’ll get back to that!) Overall… Weber’s recognition is well-deserved for making family barbecues a classic American past time. Let’s move on to KitchenAid.KitchenAid Company Overview
Like Weber, KitchenAid is also a household name! Although, for different reasons.
Any home baker will be well-acquainted with their heavy duty stand mixers and other household appliances. Interestingly… KitchenAid grills are not manufactured by KitchenAid themselves. So, who makes these grills? A company by the name of Nexgrill is the true manufacturer of KitchenAid grills. Founded in 1993… Nexgrill has been in the outdoor grilling game for nearly 30 years. They specialize in supplying “upscale, mid-range, and professional grilling products”. Speaking to the KitchenAid grill line in particular… There’s a range of gas grills offered as cart, built-in, and island models. Today, we’re just going to compare the KitchenAid islands with Weber’s grill center. Time to begin our comparison.Have your own Outdoor Kitchen Idea?
Outdoor Kitchen Type & Assembly
If you’ve been researching outdoor kitchens for a while… You’ll know there are many types out there!
The most common you’ll see are modular, ready to finish, prefab, and ready to assemble.
By our standards… Both brands would fall under the banner of a modular outdoor kitchen.
What does this mean?
In layman’s terms… A modular outdoor kitchen is comprised of standardized units.
These are separate cabinet structures that are assembled together to create a complete island.
Let’s see how assembly comes into play for both Weber and KitchenAid islands.
Weber Summit Grill Center Assembly Style
In the case of the Summit grill center Weber… It’s pretty simple!
Their grill centers are straight islands… So it’s just one large modular cabinet.
Most of the time, modular outdoor kitchens require some level of installation.
For Weber, assembly is on the heavier side.
It appears that the central piece comes mostly assembled. This is comprised of the grill with two cabinet doors underneath.
The remainder of the grill center requires full assembly on your part. So both the left and right side of the cabinet will need some elbow grease!
How about KitchenAid?
KitchenAid Island Assembly Style
On this side of the coin, things are much the same!
As already established… KitchenAid also offers modular islands.
There are two island options offered.
There’s an island with a stone finish, and one with a stainless steel finish.
Both are assembled the same way.
Based off of the installation videos… These islands arrive as two fully constructed cabinets.
All you need to do is attach the two cabinets and make some finishing touches.
And you’re done!
Pretty painless.
Materials are where the real differences will come into play.
Materials
We all understand the concept of, “you get what you pay for”.
It’s especially true when it comes to grill island materials!
When you’re investing at least a few thousand dollars into your project… It’s only natural you want it to last a while!
So let’s see how materials between Weber and KitchenAid stack up.
Weber Summit Grill Center Materials
You’ll notice that the Summit grill center comes in two color options: black and stainless steel.
There are only slight differences in materials between the two… So both will be discussed in this section.
Let’s start with the doors. For the black model, these doors are black painted steel. The second Summit grill center option is stainless steel.
Other stainless steel components include the handle, trim, storage cabinet shelves, work surfaces, and the lid. (The black model includes a porcelain coated steel lid.)
The grill center body is made from a solid steel welded frame… And the end caps are made with painted cast aluminum.
What does this mean for you?
Generally speaking, we prefer to see concrete used for an outdoor kitchen material.
But if steel is going to be used… We would like to see 304 grade stainless steel. This will provide the best rust and corrosion resistance over time. Lower grade stainless will severely impact longevity.
Unfortunately, we were unable to determine what grade of steel is used in these grill centers. So you’ll have to defer to Weber on that!
However… We can confirm that the aluminum end caps will be susceptible to corrosion.
How does KitchenAid compare?
KitchenAid Island Materials
Remember that there are two island options from KitchenAid.
One has a stone veneer look… The other has a polished steel finish.
There’s quite a few differences here, so we’ll cover each KitchenAid outdoor grill island individually.
kitchenaid Stainless Steel ISland
This one’s going to be easy.
The stainless steel KitchenAid grill island is made from… Well… Stainless steel!
KitchenAid claims full 304 stainless steel construction on this island… Which is wonderful to see!
As already mentioned, 304 stainless provides superior rust and corrosion resistance.
So far, it’s what we like to see in a grill island kit!
Next, let’s move to the stone island.
kitchenaid Stone island
For those who like a more rustic aesthetic… The KitchenAid stone island grill will appeal to you.
So let’s get to the nuts and bolts!
You’ll see that there are a few steel components on this island. KitchenAid maintains that all these components are made from 304 stainless steel. We love to see it!
However, there’s one metal component that we can’t confirm the quality of. If you view the installation video… You’ll see that the stone material is directly attached to the metal structure of the island.
If this material is made from 304 stainless steel… We can’t complain! But you’ll have to defer to KitchenAid on that one.
Finally, we have the stone exterior. KitchenAid states that this is a flagstone facing.
Again, we were unable to confirm exactly what this stone material is made from… But it does appear to be a form of manufactured stone made into panels.
Overall?
Not a bad showing from KitchenAid! If the stone exterior and metal structure turn out to be high quality… It could be a good option.
Alright. Now let’s get to the star of the show.
The grills!
Grill Comparison
Of course, the built-in grill will be the star of your future BBQ island!
And since it is your primary cooking appliance… You want to make sure you choose the best one for your needs.
So, what can you expect from each brand?
Weber Summit Grills
This section will be easy!
Remember that there are two finish options for the Weber Summit grill center. Both use the same grill!
The Summit S-670 gas grill.
So, what are the features?
For fuel type, liquid propane is standard. Although, there is a Weber Summit grill center natural gas option as well.
If you choose liquid propane… There will be an LED fuel gauge. This is a nifty way to see how much fuel is in your liquid propane tank. A simple button press will tell you if it’s time to refill or not.
Materials consist of a mix of steel, porcelainized steel, and cast aluminum. Certain parts are specifically made from 304, 430, and 429 stainless steel.
Ideally, your grill should feature complete 304 stainless steel construction. The remaining blend of materials is truly a mixed bag… And much more susceptible to rust and corrosion!
Inside the grill, there are 6 tube burners (with flame tamers) and one sear burner. The sear burner is excellent for ensuring your steaks have that perfect, charred exterior. In total, the main burners offer a 60,000 BTU per hour output.
You’ll also find an integrated smoker burner with this grill. To the right side, there is a stainless steel smoker box incorporated into the grill. This allows you to add some nice, smoky flavor to your food when desired.
Another feature of the Weber Summit grill is the tuck-away rotisserie. This means the motor is integrated into the counter surface… And flips up when you want to use it.
If you’re wanting to grill at night… This gas grill will come with lighted control knobs.
Finally, the Weber Summit grill center comes with a dual ring side burner. This is a great feature to whip up some sauces and sides for the family meal!
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Island Grill
We’ll begin with the stainless steel island.
Out of the box… This grill comes equipped for use with a propane tank. However, there is a natural gas conversion kit available.
For materials, KitchenAid claims full 304 stainless steel construction on these grills. (Except for the aluminum hood caps and cooking grids, which are wrapped in 304 stainless.)
On the hood caps… Be aware that there’s a higher chance of rusting and corrosion on these parts. Especially if you live in an area with coastal air!
It’s even worse with the cooking grates! Being directly exposed to high heat so often… Grates need to be heavy duty to handle this.
Since KitchenAid’s are only wrapped in 304 stainless… It’s only a matter of time before they chip and you’re dealing with the same issues. Yes, rust and corrosion.
But let’s get back to the grill!
This grill boasts 5 tube style main burners.
Additionally, this grill comes with 2 side burners and a sear burner. Like the Summit, each side burner will help you increase functionality! And of course… The sear station is an excellent inclusion for perfectly charred steaks.
Wondering how much heat that is?
The total BTU output is a whopping 94,000.
Now we’re cooking with gas!
Note that there is no stainless steel smoker box incorporated into the grill… So be aware if you’ll be missing some smoky flavor! (You may prefer Weber in this case.)
Other features include 8 flame tamers for the burners. These will improve heat retention and prevent flare-ups.
Moving on to the 5-burner gas grill!
KitchenAid Stone Island Grill
This KitchenAid gas grill is really quite similar to the stainless steel island.
What’s the same?
For fuel, this grill comes equipped for liquid propane. You can convert it to natural gas if desired. This gas grill also features the same materials.
You will also find 5 tube style main burners on this grill.
So what’s different?
Here, you’ll find a sear burner and two side burners. On their website, KitchenAid calls these side burners “Turbo”… But we can’t confirm what the difference is.
Additionally, this grill comes with an infrared rotisserie burner. This rear infrared burner is used for the included rotisserie system.
Interestingly… The total BTU output on these burners is 50,000… So there’s actually less power here!
However, the increased functionality of a rotisserie burner may be a good trade-off for you.
A nice touch on this gas grill is the LED lighted grill knobs.
Otherwise, nothing else to report!
Grill Island Accessories
Accessories are a great way to jazz up your grilling potential. Rotisseries, smoker boxes, sear stations… All are wonderful features to get more out of your grill.
Alternatively… You might be interested in a grill or island cover to protect your investment.
Let’s see what each brand has to offer.
Weber Summit Accessories
While there aren’t any accessories specific to the Summit gas grill… Weber does offer some things you may be interested in.
For grilling, consider a grilling basket, rotisserie skewer set, griddle, or rotisserie crisping basket. You could also grill pizza using their pizza stone! (No outdoor pizza oven required!)
They also offer tool sets, barbecue mitts, aprons, gloves, and temperature probes.
And for those who like to keep their grills looking spotless… Weber offers plenty of cleaning products and tools!
Overall, there’s a wide variety for a tasty family meal.
Let’s see how KitchenAid compares.
KitchenAid Accessories
KitchenAid offers a couple accessories that may be of interest to you.
First, they offer a variety of grill covers. This is a great way to keep you grill safe and protected from the elements. (The 8-burner grill island comes with a KitchenAid island grill cover!)
KitchenAid also offers storage options… But these will already be included in your island.
You’ll also find a natural gas conversion kit, cleaning tools, grill utensils, and a grill skillet.
Not bad!
Now let’s see how the cost stacks up.
Grill Center & Island Cost
Oftentimes… The cost of your BBQ island is the deciding factor!
Everything about a product may seem fantastic… Until you see the price tag.
Understandably so!
Now let’s see if the price is right with Weber.
Weber Summit Grill Center Cost
Remember that these islands come in two finishes… Black and stainless steel.
As a result, their cost is slightly different.
The black finish comes in at $4,399.00 for the whole setup.
The stainless steel model, on the other hand… Rings up at $4,499.00.
Why the $100 price difference?
We can’t exactly be sure. However, it’s likely that stainless steel costs more than steel painted black.
Let’s see how KitchenAid compares.
KitchenAid Island Cost
As we’ve seen… KitchenAid offers two fairly different islands.
So naturally, the cost will differ!
We’ll begin with the stainless steel grill island. Recommended MSRP for this product is $1,999.99.
And the stone island?
Recommended MSRP is $2,999.99.
Much bigger price difference here!
However, there are more features included on the stone island.
You get the stone finish, more counterspace, rear burner in the grill, and two “turbo burners”. (Again, ask KitchenAid to clarify!)
Whether it completely justifies the additional $1,000 is up to you!
Now let’s look at another deciding factor… The warranty details.
Customize the kitchen that suits your needs
Warranty Information
We all know that an outdoor kitchen is a significant investment.
You want to know that investment will be protected!
A great warranty makes the difference between outdoor kitchen bliss… And an outdoor kitchen nightmare.
So before you make a purchase… Make sure that both the outdoor appliances and the island are well-covered.
We’ll begin with Weber.
Weber Warranty
Weber has become fairly well known for their catch-all 10 year warranty.
As they state on their website, “With the 10 year 100% Weber guarantee, should your product have any manufacturing defects within the 10-year timeframe, the part will be replaced at no charge to you-no hassles, just happiness.”
Sounds pretty good, right?
Of course, the warranty excludes normal wear and tear… But 10 years is not bad!
How about KitchenAid?
KitchenAid Warranty
For KitchenAid, both islands share the same warranty.
The grill burners are covered for 10 years. The cooking grates are covered for 1 year.
They also have the “other warranty”, which is for 1 year.
While we can’t assume what is covered under the “other warranty”… It’s likely that this includes every other component of the grill island.
You’ll have to ask KitchenAid for more information.
If true, these islands are covered for a much shorter period of time than Weber.
After reading all this… You still may not be sure which option is best.
Perhaps reviews will be the deciding factor.
Reviews
As always, we don’t like to take a stance on product or company reviews.
It would be wrong to cherry-pick and create a certain perception.
All we’ll say is… Reviews are extremely important!
And you can only make an informed decision if you’ve seen all the information.
For now, we can give you a general overview of where these summer kitchens stand.
On Weber’s site, the Summit Grill Centers range from 4.1 to 4.6 stars.
While KitchenAid doesn’t have reviews on their website… We were able to find them on Costo’s online store.
The 8-burner grill island is currently rated at 4.2 stars. The stone island is rated at 4.5 stars.
Overall, these products are all quite close in ratings!
So take a close look!
Before we get into which island is best… Let’s review a quick summary.
Quick Summary
We went over a ton of information today.
For those who are visually-minded… Here’s a chart to compare the two brands apples to apples.
Founded: Weber manufacturing founded in 1893
Building Method: Modular
Structure Material: Painted steel/stainless steel
Countertop: Stainless steel
Appliances: Summit S-670
Warranty: 10 year
Rating: 4.1-4.6.
Founded: KitchenAid (Nexgrill) 1993
Building Method: Modular.
Structure Material: Stainless steel/flagstone facing
Countertop: Stainless steel.
Appliances: KitchenAid brand
Warranty: 1 Year “Other Warranty” *unconfirmed
Rating: 4.2-4.5.
Weber
KitchenAid
Founded:
Weber manufacturing founded in 1893, started making grills in 1952.
KitchenAid (Nexgrill) 1993
Building Method:
Modular
Modular
Structure Material:
Painted steel/stainless steel.
Stainless steel/flagstone facing
Countertop:
Stainless steel
Stainless steel
Appliances:
Weber Summit S-670
KitchenAid brand
Warranty:
10 years
1 Year “Other Warranty” *unconfirmed
Google Rating:
4.1-4.6
4.2-4.5
The Verdict
So… What’s the verdict?
Obviously, you want to know which island is best!
Between these two brands… It’s really a toss-up.
With near-complete 304 stainless steel construction… KitchenAid does edge out in the material category.
However, Weber Summit grill centers offer a more robust 10 year warranty.
At the end of the day… Neither option is designed to last a lifetime.
Consider these islands a low-investment starter set.
If you’re looking to get just a few years out of your grill center… That’s great! Either option could be a good choice for you.
At the same time…
You might be interested in a grill station that has more staying power.
Or perhaps you’re interested in a custom outdoor kitchen option.
If so, there’s an alternative you may like.
A More Permanent Solution
Here’s the thing.
You want your outdoor kitchen island to last as long as possible.
They’re expensive… And you don’t want to be stuck making repairs or replacements just a couple years down the road.
You want a lifetime of enjoyment… And absolutely no hassle.
At RTA, that’s what we can offer you.
The concrete we use for our BBQ island panels is rated for 100 years… Which gives us the confidence to offer you a limited lifetime warranty on the structure.
And since we use concrete for our panels…
That means you never have to worry about rust, corrosion, or rot.
An RTA outdoor kitchen will perform, no matter where you live. Snow, ice, rain, humidity, hail… All will leave your island unharmed.
Plus, you can customize your layout to your heart’s content!
It’s truly a win-win.
Curious to learn more?
A great place to start is through our Learning Hub. Not only will you learn all about RTA outdoor kitchens…
You’ll learn everything you could ever want to know about grill islands in general.
Wherever you are in your journey…
We look forward to helping you get that fully equipped backyard kitchen!
Need help with your project?
FAQ
While there’s no confirmation on Weber’s website… There is an Amazon listing that shows the Summit grill center weighs 418 lbs.
The Summit Series is considered Weber’s top of the line grills. They offer more burners, more cooking power, and more features.
Summit grills include sear stations, a tuck away rotisserie system, smoker burner, and side burner.
The Weber Genesis has only the grill with fewer burners.
Weber manufactures Summit grills.
It depends on what model you’re looking at. The grill carts start at $2,749.00 on the low end. On the high end, you’ll pay $4,499.00 for the complete grill center.
The Weber Summit includes a tuck away rotisserie system. Simply pull the flip up motor and set up your rotisserie. Get the chicken on the skewer, flip on the power, fire up the grill… And you’re cooking!
