Built-in propane grills

[Gonz]

Our regular freestanding grill is getting old and worn out, and the place I have it right now is too close to the side of the house and the heat from the back of the grill is damaging the siding. So I thought I'd move it to the opposite corner of the deck, which led me to consider building a small cooking area and getting a built-in/drop-in grill instead. Why are these things so damn expensive? A quick look online shows me that these things start around $1000 and quickly go up in price.

Here's my question: What is so special about a drop-in grill vs. a regular freestanding grill that I couldn't just buy a nice freestanding grill, take the legs and base off and mount it just like a drop-in?

 

[Not A Nice Person]

Just a guess, but probably:

1. Durability---built heavier because it's a permanent installation
2. Natural gas option---I'd imagine there's a higher, spendier building code involved for anything hooked up to a gas line instead of a propane tank.
3. Market---they KNOW most customers are already spending a ton on the surround, deck, pergola/awning/roof, etc.

~Boar

 

[Gonz]

I stopped by the local Sears appliance store and asked the guy there and his best answer was that they just don't sell alot of the built-ins so the price is higher. Not really a great answer by any means, but upon closer inspection of the grills in the store he and I couldn't see why my idea of taking the base off and mounting the grill unit on it's own won't work.

The only thing I could think that might be different about drop in units would be heat conduction to the surrounding area i.e. countertop or surround. I'm guessing it's a bad idea to put in a laminate countertop next to a grill! I'm thinking along the lines of granite or granite tile for the countertop, and the surround itself would be framed with metal studs, sheathed with cement backer board then a manufactured stone mortared to the cement board. It also appears that I could use the base part of the grill separate for doors and storage beneath the grill.

I also saw a freestanding grill today had a nice front access storage with a swing door and two pull out drawers. The entire thing sat on casters, I figure I could just take off the casters and mount the unit right inside a framed opening. That was a nice grill that was priced around $600 which sure beats the hell out of $2000 for a built-in!


edited to swap out "pressure treated lumber" to metal studs, since I've since read that lumber with that kind of heat nearby will char and eventually might burst into flames.

 

[AVB]

Home Depot has a few drop ins available as I'm sure Lowes does too. When I was looking I notices that there was a support structure and a enclosed bottom on the built ins. I went with a wheeled one since I didn't want the local creatures trying to get in and eat the grease. The wheeled one I can clean easier. YMMV.