Built-in BBQ Grill Recommendations

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Tyler Durden said:
Don't waste the money... these things have a 10-12 year lifespan most of the time.  So you'll end up replacing them in the long run.

You can find cheaper alternatives at Lowe's, HD, Sam's or Costco.  Just make sure you are looking for NG versions and not the propane ones.  They are not interchangeable unless the model is specifically designed to accommodate either fuel type.  NG is not as pressurized as Propane, so the fuel lines to the burner need to have bigger openings.

Unless you are cooking in competitions, where all the bells and whistles really do matter to get food out more quickly and seared precisely, I would imagine that its not worth the cost difference to you to go for the barbecues galore $2K model.
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The BBQ's Galore model is only $1599. The grills at Home Depot that are in the 1k range look unsightly. The Turbo Elite may be a happy medium between cost and function/aesthetics.
 
The aesthetics part is mostly because it would bug me to see it everyday. Kind of defeats the purpose of spending time and money designing your landscaping only to put a bbq that looks like it came from the 50s. Nothing against the 50s.  :)
 
Totally disagree with Tyler.  I would go for a quality American made built in.  High quality burners and stainless steel cost money tho.  There's a difference in grilling over a Fire Magic vs some cheap Chinese made POS from Lowes and it's not just bells and whistles.  The DCS you listed is good.  The others I wouldn't  bother with.  Another choice in the mid level range is a Weber built in.  Great customer service is a Weber hallmark and their grills are super reliable.  Otherwise, IMHO you have to step up to the expensive high end to get reliable grilling over and over.

But, don't take the opinions on some local BB.  Go lurk on a real BBQ forum and read those threads.  Those BBQ geeks know everything about grills and grilling.  Email BBQguys and ask those dudes, they sell everything.
 
Funny to hear how people justify to buy or not to buy for their homes.  Not that there is anything wrong with anyone decisions, but not everything you buy has to increase your home value.  Some of us buy things we enjoy doing (i.e. BBQing) and want to put it in our houses because we don't intend on selling anytime soon. As for me I opted for no built in because it was an additional $1500 to extend the gas line and build the structure.  Then you have to pay like $1000-1500 for a grill.  Geez the bleeding doesn't stop.

That being said, key things too look for in BBQ.  Burners...i bought a cheap $400 NG grill.  Burners were cast iron and ended up rusting and falling apart quickly.  I thought they were trying to up sell me on the better burners.  Grill...worth investing in the stainless steel grills.  ceramic grills suck.  Those were the two big things that failed on mine.

 
Tyler and OP,
I'm looking at built-ins from the standpoint of wanting to grill regularly (we live in the perfect weather to grill year round) and reliably.  The cheap stuff just doesn't hold up if you grill on a consistent basis, and forget about nice even flame over the whole grill in cheapo models.  If you're only planning to live in a house for a short period, then don't even bother with a built-in, get a cart.  But if you want a reliable grill that will last you, you have to pay for quality burners and steel.

Btw, IMHO, a 30" is kinda small.  Works well if you only grill for a small family, but if you ever have a get together and wanna grill lots of stuff, a 40"+ is much better, albeit at a higher cost.  You'll be thankful later for the larger grill so everything can come off at once vs grilling in shifts.  Just food for thought. 

Also, nothing wrong with wanting a showpiece grill that's the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen. 
 
You guys are funny. I appreciate all the analysis here. So I'm leaning towards the Turbo Elite since that's right dab smack in the middle (i.e. not too cheap, 304 grade stainless steel, comes with a rotisserie, led knob lights, interior lights, and from a reputable company). I've heard great things about DCS but spending $2000+tax vs. $1599+tax doesn't seem that appealling to me. Any issues you anticipate with going with this brand?
 
Turbo Elite is BBQ Galore's own proprietary brand.  I have no experience one way or another, so no recommendations.  Just make sure their customer service is stellar and they stand behind their grills.
 
I'm with Tyler, I'm just an occasional griller so the portable ones you find at Costco, Lowe's or HD are just fine.

If you design a backyard with an area for it, it looks just as nice. Me and my father-in-law built a built-in one and 10 years later, it's no longer working... so now it's just an eyesore, we just use the counter space for when I grill on the portable one. We can probably drop in a new one but it would have to be the same dimensions.

So many times I've been to an open house with a built-in and I open the grill cover and decide that I'm never going to cook on that... so there is that "pool" mentality in effect. True story: One outdoor built-in I knew of was a home for rats... eww.
 
Yes, with my experience with some of these BBQ's, stick with Costco.  Great products and an amazing product return policy.  There is something to be said about companies that stand behind their products.
 
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