Which American Made Grills Series Should You Buy? Atlas, Alturi, Estate & Hybrid Compared
Last updated: August 2026. Specifications sourced from American Made Grills. Prices reflect current Northwoods Grills listings and are subject to change. This guide covers built-in grill heads only.
The short answer
American Made Grills builds four built-in grill lines in Bohemia, New York, and every one of them uses #304 stainless steel and carries the same Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty with 100% non-prorated replacement parts. The four series differ in fuel flexibility, burner output, and finish level — not in where or how carefully they are built.
- Buy the Atlas series if you want a USA-built stainless built-in at the lowest entry price and you cook mostly burgers, steaks, and chicken over gas.
- Buy the Alturi series if you want a design-forward built-in with an infrared back burner, angle-mounted interior lighting, and an integrated rotisserie in a mid-to-upper price band.
- Buy the Estate series if you want the highest gas-only BTU output and the most refined architectural look for a custom outdoor kitchen. Choose Estate Freedom if you want Estate build quality with a configurable feature set at a lower price.
- Buy the Hybrid series (Encore, Ovation, or Muscle) if you want to cook over gas, charcoal, and hardwood in the same grill. Nothing else in the lineup does this.
You can browse every model in the American Made Grills built-in grills collection at Northwoods Grills, or see the full American Made Grills catalog including burners, liners, and accessories.
What every American Made Grills built-in has in common
Before comparing series, it helps to know what does not change between them. These features are shared across Atlas, Alturi, Estate, and Hybrid:
- #304 stainless steel construction throughout the grill body and hood.
- Built, factory tested, and serviced in the USA at the company's Long Island, New York facility.
- Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty with all replacement parts 100% non-prorated.
- Flame Thrower ignition, the brand's patented lighting system.
- 18-gauge double-lined hood with a full-width #304 stainless handle.
- Easy-Clean Briquette System for heat diffusion and flare-up control.
- Certified to ANSI Z21.58 / CGA 1.6 outdoor cooking gas appliance standards.
- Natural gas or liquid propane versions of every grill head.
The practical takeaway: you are not buying a cheaper build when you buy Atlas instead of Estate. You are buying fewer burners, less lighting, and a simpler feature set on the same American-made chassis philosophy.
Atlas Series: the entry point into American-made
Best for: first-time outdoor kitchen builders, secondary grilling stations, and anyone who wants a USA-built stainless built-in under $5,000.
The Atlas is the most affordable way into the brand. It runs 18,000 BTU stainless U-tube burners over briquette trays, uses heavy-duty 8mm square cooking grates, and includes interior halogen lights, LED lights over each knob, two multi-position warming racks, and a removable dishwasher-safe drip tray. A weather-proof vinyl grill head cover is included.
Atlas built-in models and specs
| Model | SKU | Burners | Total BTUs | Cooking Surface | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas 36" Built-In | ATS36-B | 3 | 49,500 | — | $4,335 |
| Atlas 42" Built-In | ATS42-B | 3 | 54,000 | 853 sq in | $4,895 |
What you give up with Atlas
The Atlas has no infrared back burner as standard, so rotisserie cooking relies on an optional 40 lb. capacity rotisserie kit rather than a dedicated rear infrared element. Its rotisserie weight capacity is also lower than the Estate's 100 lb. system. Total BTU output is roughly half that of an Estate of comparable width. If you regularly cook whole birds, large roasts, or for crowds of twelve-plus, size up or step up.
Alturi Series: design-forward performance
Best for: homeowners building a modern outdoor kitchen who want visible design intent — angle-mounted interior lighting, a spring-assisted hood, and an integrated rotisserie — without stepping into Estate pricing.
The Alturi is the brand's architectural gas grill. Angle-mounted interior lights wash the whole cooking surface rather than spotlighting the center, the spring-assisted hood opens with one hand, and the rotisserie system is integrated rather than bolted on. It shares cabinet widths and cooking-surface dimensions with the Estate, which makes it a straight swap in most island cutouts.
Alturi built-in models and specs
| Model | SKU | Burners | Total BTUs | Cooking Surface | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alturi 30" U-Tube Built-In | ALT30T | 2 | 52,000 | 755 sq in | $4,923.08 |
| Alturi 36" U-Tube Built-In | ALT36T | 3 | 78,000 | 920 sq in | $6,153.85 |
| Alturi 42" U-Tube Built-In | ALT42T | 3 | 78,000 | 1,083 sq in | $6,769.23 |
Alturi drop-in companion burners
The Alturi line has matching drop-in burners so the faceplates and knobs stay consistent across the island: the Alturi Double Side Burner (ALTSB2, $1,432.36) for two independent side burners, and the Alturi Power Burner (ALTPB2, $2,493.37), a dual-ring burner for stock pots, wok cooking, and seafood boils. Both drop into the island alongside the grill head and need their own insulating liners.
Estate Series: the top of the gas lineup
Best for: custom outdoor kitchens where the grill is the architectural centerpiece and gas output matters more than fuel variety.
The Estate is the highest-output gas-only grill American Made Grills builds. It pairs 26,000 BTU stainless U-tube burners with a 12,000 BTU infrared back burner, uses heavier 9mm cooking grates (versus the Atlas's 8mm), and adds heat zone separators, built-in rotisserie spit storage, interior halogen lights, and LED lights over each knob.
Estate vs. Estate Freedom — what's the difference?
Both are Estate-grade grills built on the same chassis. Estate Freedom is the configurable version: it ships with a core feature set and lets you add cast red brass H-burners, a 100 lb. capacity rotisserie kit, a stainless griddle plate, a drop-in infrared sear burner, or a smoker tray as "Freedom to Choose" items. The result is a meaningfully lower entry price for the same American-made construction, with the option to build up over time. The standard Estate arrives fully specified.
Estate built-in models and specs
| Model | SKU | Burners | Total BTUs | Cooking Surface | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estate 30" Built-In | EST30 | — | 93,000 | — | $6,390 |
| Estate 36" Built-In | EST36 | 3 | 93,000 | — | $8,335 |
| Estate 42" Built-In | EST42 | 3 | 90,000 | 1,083 sq in | $9,335 |
| Estate Freedom 30" Built-In | EST30-FR | 2 | 64,000 | 755 sq in | $4,405 |
| Estate Freedom 36" Built-In | EST36-FR | 3 | 90,000 | 920 sq in | $5,890 |
| Estate Freedom 42" Built-In | EST42-FR | 3 | 90,000 | 1,083 sq in | $6,560 |
Note that the Estate Freedom 42" delivers the same 90,000 total BTUs and the same 1,083 sq in cooking surface as the standard Estate 42" at a lower price. If you are comfortable specifying your own upgrades, Freedom is the value play in the Estate family.
Hybrid Series: gas, charcoal, and hardwood in one grill
Best for: serious cooks who want live-fire flavor on a weekend and gas convenience on a Tuesday, without owning two grills.
This is the series that defines the brand. Hybrid grills use a multi-fuel tray system that lets you burn gas, charcoal, lump charcoal, and hardwood in the same firebox — and mix them, running gas on one side and wood on the other. Every Hybrid model includes interior lighting and a rotisserie back burner.
There are three Hybrid models. They are mechanically similar and differ primarily in styling:
- Muscle — bold, aggressive styling inspired by classic American muscle cars.
- Encore — the established, traditional expression of the Hybrid platform.
- Ovation — the newest design, with a balanced, modern profile aimed at contemporary outdoor kitchens.
Hybrid built-in models and specs
| Model | SKU | Burners | Total BTUs | Fuels | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle 36" Hybrid Built-In | MUS36 | 5 | 110,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $10,158.72 |
| Muscle 42" Hybrid Built-In | MUS42 | 6 | 132,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $12,190.45 |
| Muscle 54" Hybrid Built-In | MUS54 | 8 | 176,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $12,760 |
| Encore 36" Hybrid Built-In | ENC36 | 5 | 110,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $10,158.72 |
| Encore 54" Hybrid Built-In | ENC54 | 8 | 176,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $12,760 |
| Ovation 36" Hybrid Built-In | OVA36 | 5 | 110,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $10,158.72 |
| Ovation 42" Hybrid Built-In | OVA42 | 6 | 132,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $12,190.45 |
| Ovation 54" Hybrid Built-In | OVA54 | 8 | 176,000 | Gas, charcoal, wood | $12,760 |
Pricing is identical across Muscle, Encore, and Ovation at each size, so the choice between them is purely aesthetic. Pick the one that matches your island and hardware.
Head-to-head: Alturi vs. Estate vs. Atlas vs. Hybrid
| Atlas | Alturi | Estate | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Gas only | Gas only | Gas only | Gas + charcoal + wood |
| Entry price | $4,335 | $4,923 | $4,405 (Freedom) | $10,159 |
| Built-in sizes | 36", 42" | 30", 36", 42" | 30", 36", 42" | 36", 42", 54" |
| Peak BTUs | 54,000 | 78,000 | 93,000 | 176,000 |
| Grate thickness | 8mm square | Heavy-duty | 9mm | Heavy-duty |
| Infrared back burner | Optional kit | Yes | Yes (12,000 BTU) | Yes |
| Interior lighting | Halogen | Angle-mounted | Halogen | Yes |
| Best for | Value + USA build | Modern design | Max gas output | Live-fire flavor |
How to choose the right size
Grill width is the decision most people get wrong, and it is the one you cannot change after the island is poured. Measure your cutout before you order, and confirm the dimensions against the manufacturer's cutout specifications.
- 30 inches — cooks for 2 to 6 people. Right for compact patios, condo terraces, and courtyard kitchens. Roughly 755 sq in of cooking surface.
- 36 inches — cooks for 6 to 10 people. The most common choice for a primary family grill. Roughly 920 sq in.
- 42 inches — cooks for 10 to 16 people. The right call if you host regularly or want a dedicated indirect zone running alongside a searing zone. Roughly 1,083 sq in.
- 54 inches — Hybrid series only. Built for entertaining at scale, catering, and multi-zone live-fire cooking.
A rule that holds up: buy one size larger than the gathering you host most often. The extra width is what gives you a true cool zone for resting meat and holding sides.
The part most buyers forget: insulating grill liners
If your island is framed with any combustible material — wood studs, standard framing lumber, some composite panels — you need an insulating grill liner. This is not an upsell. It is what makes the installation code-compliant and safe, and skipping it can void your warranty and fail inspection.
Liners are sized to the grill head and are not interchangeable between widths:
- Insulating Liner for 30" grills (GL-30) — $763.93
- Insulating Liner for 36" grills (GL-36) — $891.25
- Insulating Liner for 42" grills (GL-42) — $1,018.57
Drop-in side burners and power burners need their own liners as well: the side burner liner (GL-ASB2, $445.62) and the power burner liner (GL-APB2, $509.28). You can see every option in the grill liners collection.
Accessories worth budgeting for
- Rotisserie kit — model-specific spit assemblies. Alturi kits run $255 for 30", $290 for 36", and $308 for 42".
- Drop-in infrared sear burner — the Alturi IRB-ALT ($305.78) delivers 26,000 BTUs and replaces one standard burner. The cheapest way to add steakhouse-grade searing.
- Smoker tray — the Alturi stainless smoker tray ($70) is the least expensive way to get real wood smoke out of a gas grill.
- Deluxe built-in grill cover — cut to the specific model. Built-in covers run from about $90 for a 30" head to $121 for a 42" head.
Natural gas or propane?
Every American Made Grills built-in is sold in both natural gas (NG) and liquid propane (LP) configurations, and you choose at purchase. Natural gas requires a plumbed line to the island but never runs out and costs less per BTU. Propane requires no plumbing and works anywhere, but you manage tank swaps and need island space for the tank. Conversion after purchase is not a simple swap on these grills, so specify correctly the first time.
Why buy your American Made Grills built-in from Northwoods Grills
We stock the full line, not just the popular sizes. All four series, every built-in width, in both natural gas and propane — plus the drop-in burners, insulating liners, rotisserie kits, sear burners, smoker trays, and model-specific covers that go with them. That matters more than it sounds: a built-in grill order that arrives without the right-sized liner stalls the whole island project.
We are an authorized American Made Grills dealer. Every grill is authentic, comes with genuine factory parts, and carries the full manufacturer warranty — the Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty with 100% non-prorated replacement parts, backed by factory service in the USA. Grey-market and unauthorized sellers cannot make that promise, and warranty claims on those units are routinely denied.
Free shipping on your built-in. A grill head is heavy, awkward freight, and shipping is where a lot of outdoor kitchen budgets get an unpleasant surprise. Ours is included.
We can spec the whole island, not just the grill. If you are not sure whether you need a liner, which rotisserie kit fits your head, or whether to size up from 36" to 42", reach out before you order. It is a lot cheaper to get the cutout right on paper than after the masonry is set.
Frequently asked questions
Are American Made Grills actually made in the USA?
Yes. American Made Grills are crafted, inspected, factory tested, and shipped from the company's facility in Bohemia, New York, on Long Island. Warranty service is also handled in the USA.
What is the American Made Grills warranty?
All models carry the Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty, under which all replacement parts are 100% non-prorated. Registering the grill after purchase speeds up any future claim.
What is the difference between the Alturi and Estate series?
Both are gas-only built-in grills that share cabinet widths and cooking surface dimensions. The Estate delivers higher total BTU output (up to 93,000 versus the Alturi's 78,000) and uses heavier 9mm cooking grates. The Alturi emphasizes design — angle-mounted interior lighting, a spring-assisted hood, and an integrated rotisserie system — at a lower price point.
What is the difference between Estate and Estate Freedom?
Estate Freedom is the configurable version of the Estate. It ships with a core feature set at a lower price and lets buyers add cast red brass H-burners, a 100 lb. rotisserie kit, a griddle plate, a drop-in infrared sear burner, or a smoker tray as optional "Freedom to Choose" items. The standard Estate arrives fully specified.
What is the difference between the Muscle, Encore, and Ovation hybrid grills?
All three are built on the same Hybrid multi-fuel platform with identical burner counts, BTU output, and pricing at each size. They differ in styling: Muscle is bold and muscle-car inspired, Encore is the traditional expression, and Ovation is the newest and most modern profile.
Can American Made Grills hybrid grills really burn wood and charcoal?
Yes. The Hybrid series uses a multi-fuel tray system that accepts gas, charcoal, lump charcoal, and hardwood in the same firebox. You can run different fuels on different sides of the grill at the same time.
Which American Made Grills built-in is the most affordable?
The Atlas 36" Built-In (ATS36-B) at $4,335 is the lowest-priced American Made Grills built-in grill. The Estate Freedom 30" (EST30-FR) at $4,405 is a close second and steps up to a 12,000 BTU infrared back burner and 9mm grates.
Do I need an insulating liner for my American Made Grills built-in?
You need one if your island contains any combustible material such as wood framing. The liner is what makes the installation safe and code-compliant. Liners are sold by grill width and are not interchangeable between sizes.
How many BTUs do I actually need in a gas grill?
Total BTUs matter less than BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. Anything in the 80–100 BTU per square inch range preheats quickly and recovers heat well after the lid opens. All four American Made Grills series fall in or near that range, which is why the Atlas cooks well despite lower headline BTU numbers.
What size cutout does an American Made Grills built-in need?
Cutout dimensions are model-specific and differ from the nominal grill width. Confirm the exact cutout for your chosen SKU against the manufacturer's specifications before framing your island, and account for the insulating liner if your island uses combustible construction.
Our recommendation
If you are building one outdoor kitchen and want it to be the last one, the Muscle 42" Hybrid Built-In is the most capable grill in the lineup — six burners, 132,000 BTUs, and gas, charcoal, and hardwood in one firebox.
If you want the best balance of price, output, and USA-built quality, the Estate Freedom 36" (EST36-FR) at $5,890 is the strongest value in the catalog: 90,000 BTUs, 920 sq in, 9mm grates, a 12,000 BTU infrared back burner, and the same lifetime warranty as grills costing twice as much.
If budget is the constraint, the Atlas 36" Built-In gets you into an American-made #304 stainless grill with a lifetime warranty for $4,335.
Browse the full American Made Grills built-in grills collection to compare every model side by side.