Important Factors To Consider
These are factors and features that you will want to be aware of and be familiar with before you make a final decision on your grill island. Some of these will boil down to a matter of preference while some may be a matter of quality.
Budget
Before you get too excited, you really need to take a close look at your budget and determine just what your budget can handle in terms of a BBQ grill island. You can find a range of sizes and prices with some islands costing close to $10,000 while others may only cost $2,000.
You dont necessarily have to spend top dollar to find a good option. There are several really great choices you can work with that are budget-friendly. So take a look at your budget before you really start browsing your options and then browse options that fit into your budget.
You will be making an investment here, one that should be built to last for many years to come. These are not your standard, cheap grills that you can buy for $300-$500. You ARE going to spend more but you are also getting quite a bit of bang for your buck.
Remember that you are getting a full island setup, which includes countertop space and storage as well as the grill set-up. Many grills in island grill designs have a lot of high-end features that can really make the grill stand out in your outdoor cooking area.
Size
If you have any type of space limitations, pay careful attention to the dimensions and understand what your limitations are and what sizes you simply cant work with.
Power
Quality Craftsmanship And Design
Bring style to your outdoor kitchen with natural granite or restaurant grade 304 stainless steel countertops. A genuine granite countertop is the perfect combination of practicality and aesthetics, while the classic look of the stainless steel countertop will bring an industrial minimalistic feel to any space.
black galaxy granite countertop
How We Test To Find The Best Outdoor Grill Accessory Storage
Testing a kitchen tool is important to ensure that it is working properly. Some ways to test a outdoor grill accessory storage are to see if it can chop vegetables or fruits, if it can blend food, or if it can make dough. Other ways to test include seeing how well it cleans, how easy it is to use, and how durable it is.
We consider a variety of factors when deciding which outdoor grill accessory storage is right for you. These include color, design, durability, and safety features, as well as how much time it saves in comparison with other methods or items on the market today!
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Outdoor Kitchens & Grill Tops
Outdoor kitchens often open up a whole new use for your outdoor living area, changing the outdoors from where your kids play to where the family hangs out. As with indoor kitchens, outdoor kitchens are often the family gathering place for conversation and spending time together. With an outdoor kitchen, the family and friends can gather in a comfortable, social environment while the cook grills dinner.
One of the most popular of all outdoor upgrades, the outdoor kitchen is one of the best returns on investment in landscaping. And designed with the cook in mind, the one isolated chef is now in the center of the new entertainment area.
The Jewel In The Crown
Luxury, high quality, and craftsmanship are written in the DNA of every outdoor bbq grill kitchen design by Fesfoc.
Only the most resistant, exclusive materials have been selected to create this authentic design masterpiece. Fesfoc uses the latest in high-precision numerical control machinery to achieve real design masterpieces.
Never before has cooking on such high quality outdoor bbq kitchen been conceived, combining the beauty of avant-garde designs with the authentic taste of traditional cuisine.
Every day you cook outdoors with this jaw-dropping outdoor kitchen gas bbq, it will be a unique and unrepeatable experience, where you will create wonderful memories with your loved ones.
Empire has been designed to stand out and to be the epicenter of all your parties.Fesfocs master craftsmen have worked with the best materials to achieve absolute exquisite finishes.
The powerful master lines of the stunning Empire outdoor bbq kitchen reflect elegance, luxury, and exclusivity in every inch.
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Add Gourmet Luster To Your Outdoor Kitchen With The New Vent Hoods
Bring safety, longevity, and high-end style to your covered grill island with the new vented hood from Summerset Grills. Excessive smoke and heat can gradually stain or damage pergolas, porches, custom pavilions, or any other kind of covering when there is not enough moving air. Achieve added protection while elevating your outdoor space’s aesthetic with this single addition, common to gourmet kitchens. Sleek and streamlined, each hood is constructed of double-lined #304 stainless steel to match the full line of Summerset products. Available in 36, 48, and 60 inches, the Summerset Grills Vent Hood will add the perfect ambiance and scale to your outdoor kitchen.
Durable And Weather Resistant
Capable of holding up to wet, humid conditions and extreme temperature changes, our premium countertop materials are specifically chosen for their resiliency outdoors.Our rust-resistant stainless steel and naturally UV-resistant granite tops keep their beauty through many seasons of use, and heavy-duty polyester covers further protect your countertops from the elements.
white pearl granite countertop
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Why Trust The Spruce
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product reviewer for The Spruce. She’s written close to a dozen grill-related articles for The Spruce Eats, including firsthand testing of a Traeger grill and a Masterbuilt smoker. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a writer and master gardener with over 20 years of experience.
Best Outdoor Countertops For Cold Climates
Top outdoor countertop options for cold climates are:
The problem for outdoor countertops in cold climates with many freeze and thaw cycles is water absorption. Absorbed water will expand when frozen and then contract when thawing. This process can lead to cracking in the countertop material.
Non-porous materials are best to stand up to winter weather. But you don’t have to rule out natural stone. Even though most natural stone is porous it tends to withstand freeze and thaw cycles and cracks are rare.
Still it is best to seal stone to prevent water absorption and staining.
Also, you’ll want to cover your outdoor kitchen to minimize moisture absorption and possible cracking during a freeze. This is not a common problem, but applies to all natural stone and ceramic and worth the small effort to avoid damage.
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Decide On The Cooking Area
To create a good-looking and efficient kitchen, follow these rules of thumb:
- Eric Larsen
- Along One Wall: Good for smaller, more budget-friendly spaces outdoor kitchens for one cook, with a separate dining or seating area Eric Larsen
- L-Shape: Good for two or more cooks incorporating extras, such as a sink or a refrigerator providing a buffet, bar or seating area for entertaining Eric Larsen
- U-Shape: Good for freestanding kitchens with multiple appliances, including a grill, a refrigerator, and a sink, and a seating/bar/serving area Eric Larsen
- Island: Good for creating a hub for entertaining. Consider dividing with a raised counter so that grilling and prep are separate from socializing. Eric Larsen
Pick Your Building Materials
Material options for a built-in base
- Cultured-stone veneer: Mortared to a wood, concrete-block, or precast-concrete frame, it looks like and lasts as long as natural stone but is simpler to DIY because it’s lightweight and easy to cut.
- Brick: Affordable and a cinch to maintain. Requires careful prep, and you may have to cut bricks to fit. But if you’ve got basic masonry skills, it’s a good weekend project.
- Stucco: Troweled onto a wood, concrete-block, or precast-concrete frame, it’s a hard-wearing and flameproof finish that comes in colors.
Material options for cabinetry
- Stainless steel: It’s durable and weatherproof and matches the grill.
- Has the charm of painted wood, but won’t rot and is maintenance-freejust hose it down to clean it.
- Teak: Offers a warm, classic look. Must be finished annually with a clear sealer.
Material options for countertops
- Granite: Stands up to the elements, won’t stain as easily as marble, soapstone, or slate, and shouldn’t fade in the sun.
- Concrete: Concrete countertops lend a clean, contemporary look but can be prone to cracking if not properly installed. Not DIY-friendly. Must be sealed and resealed annually.
- Outdoor-rated ceramic tile: Thrifty, good for DIYers, and offers a range of styles and colors. Best in regions where freezing and thawing won’t damage grout lines.
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Choosing The Right Bbq Grill Island
Weve shared 7 amazing options for BBQ grill islands but where you go from here may take some thought. There are several things you should consider while you are checking out this type of grill. You will want to be sure that you are choosing something that truly meets your needs.
Weve put together a simple buying guide in an effort to help you understand just what you might want to look at before you make a decision for your grill. Not every BBQ grill is the same so be sure to take these options into consideration.
Evo Affinity Classic Built
The Evo Affinity is a commercial grade cooking surface that is a welcome addition to any outdoor kitchen. You might have noticed right off the bat that it is not the traditional rectangle shaped cooking area that most of the other grills on this list have.
Evo is known for their circular shaped cooking surfaces and whether or not you like this can come down to personal preference, but there are a few situations where the circular shape functions a lot better than a more traditional shape.
In particular, the Evo is perfect for utilizing corners of your counter space. Thats not to say an Evo has to go on a corner, but it functions really really well on corners that might otherwise be awkward to put to use.
Additionally, this is a powerful unit with a high quality cooking surface. Two circular shaped burners heat the surface from below and can get dialed in to anywhere between 225 to 700°F. Thats a huge temperature range that can essentially go from a keep warm setting all the way up to pizza making and steak searing temperatures. The cooking surface is 30 inches in diameter and features about 650 square inches of area to cook on.
There is also a drip pan that surrounds the cooking surface which makes clean up a breeze. The pan funnels grease to removable waste trays which are dishwasher safe. All of that said, Evo makes the clean up side of things as pain free as possible.
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Outdoor Kitchen Planning Guide
Whether you covet a grill and food-prep station on wheels or a built-in BBQ island with fridge and bar seating, don’t hit the home center before reading our expert guide to creating a first-rate backyard cook spot.
Few summer pleasures are as much fun as a cookout. The smell of grilling food is mouth-watering, everything tastes great and its hard not to have a good time – that is, unless youre the harried host running back and forth between the grill and the kitchen for the chicken and steak, forks and knives, beer and wine, and ketchup and mustard. And when everybodys done, all the leftovers must be lugged back inside.
Your solution? An outdoor kitchen! These structures can help you slow down and spend more time with family and friends by putting all the ingredients for outdoor dining close at hand.
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Grill Maintenance 101
Flat Top Grill Vs Flat Top Griddle
In your research on flat top grills Youll likely see it used interchangeably with the term flat top griddles.
Is there a difference?
Why yes, there is.
Its very subtle So look closely, or you may miss it!
Lets start with an outdoor flat top grill. This is the appliance well be talking about today.
Flat top grills feature flat metal grill cooking surfaces as opposed to traditional grill grates. They are heated with a burner underneath. The power source is often gas or electric.
Generally speaking Flat top grills often look similar to a tabletop griddle but are usually designed to be built into an outdoor kitchen.
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Outdoor Flat Top Grill Review: The 9 Best Products In 2022
When considering appliances for your outdoor space Most people focus on the grill as the star.
It makes sense.
Throwing burgers on the grill is an integral part of our barbecue culture.
Hardly any of us could imagine a cookout without a grill!
At the same timeThere is so much variety in the world of outdoor cooking.
An outdoor flat top grill is an excellent example.
Little known and massively underrated Its time to bring these amazing appliances to light!
Lets dive in.
Monti Alpi 805 Deluxe Propane Gas Grill Island
Monti Alpi is a high-end brand and they seem to have got everything right with this grilling island. It comes with a modern, sleek stainless steel finish but it is also available in a black stainless steel finish as well. This grill has tons of cooking space as well as a side burner and rotisserie kit.
One of the best parts? This BBQ Grill Island arrives fully assembled so you dont need to go through the hassle of putting parts together or hiring somebody to do so.
The Mont Alpi island has 115,000 BTUs which is the ultimate power compared to many other models. This island has 684 square inches of cooking space, which gives you plenty of room for family meals and hosting guests.
The side burner is an infrared searing burner that can be used for other needs as well. The height of this burner is adjustable to your needs. This grill island has beautiful side countertops that look like granite and can be used as cutting boards even.
This island grill has substantial storage space as well. Plenty of space to hang and hold tools and accessories. This is a propane gas grill but comes with a natural gas conversion kit and there is cabinet space to conceal the tank as well. This grill also has the standard rotisserie kit and comes with a protective cover for the grill.
For more on this brand, check out our Mont Alpi review here!
Pros:
- High power with 115,000 BTUs
Cons:
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Lynx Asado 30 Inch Built
Lynx is a staple in the world of custom outdoor kitchens, and their Asado 30 Inch Built-in Flat Top Grill lives up to the lofty standard that they have set. This grill has a pretty hefty price tag but if its in the cards for you youre handsomely rewarded with a 495 square inch cooking surface area that is constructed with the absolute highest quality materials.
The chasis is made of professional grade 304 stainless steel and the cooking surface is a multi layer all clad aluminum build that has two sheets of stainless steel also built in to provide perfect heat distribution. The cooking area is heated by two 23,000 BTU burners, which are the most powerful set of burners of any grill on this list.
The unit is loaded with blue LED control panel accents that look really nice aesthetically and help to illuminate your set up for night time cooks.
Coyote 30 Flat Top Grill
Product Highlights
Cooking Surface Size: 503 sq. in.
No. of Burners: 2
Last but certainly not least We have Coyotes 30 flat top grill.
At first glance, it looks very similar to the other brands weve discussed. In many ways This is true!
Coyote utilizes complete heavy duty 304 stainless steel construction Its available in liquid propane and natural gas It features two U-Shaped burners.
These burners dish out 17,000 BTUs each for a total of 34,000 BTUs.
Two knobs allow you to fine tune the temperature on each side. You also get a good amount of cooktop area, to the tune of 503 square inches!
For those curious Coyote uses a piezo-electric ignition system.
Lets see whats in the warranty.
The lid, stainless steel frame, burners, cooking surface, and valves are covered under a lifetime warranty. The electric and ignition components are covered for 2 years.
For the price Coyote offers a seriously robust warranty!
Speaking of price How much does this flat top grill cost?
Currently, this outdoor flat grill costs $2,099.00.
Now that weve given you an overview of these brands Youre certainly wondering which one is the best!
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Mont Alpi 400 Deluxe Island Grill
For our final option, we thought we would share the ultimate island grill that has a little bit of everything you could possibly want in an outdoor set up. This island is sleek and unique in design. Its set up in a corner-style so the counters bend inward but offer a lot of space to work with.
This grill has plenty of power with 78,000 BTUs for 540 square inches of cooking space. Considering the features of this high-end grill, the price is reasonable. This grill includes an infrared side burner that also has a cover, it has a rotisserie kit, storage cabinets and drawers, and a refrigerator cabinet.
This grill island is made with 304 stainless steel. It is durable and designed to last for a long time to come. It is well worth the investment. This is a propane grill but it could also be converted to natural gas. The ceramic infrared burner is adjustable in height as well.
The countertops are faux-granite and offer you tons of working space for preparation, serving, and entertaining purposes. The 45-degree angles are very nice for making all of this grill island fit into even tighter spaces without taking up every inch of space you have available!
Pros:
- Made with durable and long-lasting materials
- Plenty of power and cooking space
- Looks great and is very nice overall
Cons:
- The angled countertops might require a specific space
