Pick the Grill Before You Build the Island: Northwoods Grills in Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living
We're proud to be quoted in Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living in a new feature by Melissa Gillespie, "The Outdoor Kitchen Decisions to Make Before the Island Is Built." The article covers the planning that should happen before any stone is laid, including grill selection, fuel and clearances, refrigeration, plumbing and service access. Designers, manufacturers and retailers all contributed.
What we told them
"Two grills sold as '36-inch' can have cutouts that differ by an inch or more, and the gas connection may be in a completely different spot. That's why we tell customers to choose their exact models and hand the spec sheets to their builder before any framing starts. Once the countertop is cut, switching to a different grill usually means recutting or replacing stone instead of a simple swap."
We see this mistake more often than any other. A grill's advertised width is a nominal size, not the size of the opening it needs. The 42-inch class shows it best: there is no standard 42-inch cutout, and the required openings run from about 39.5" to 45" depending on the brand.
How to avoid it
- Choose exact models first. That means the grill, side burner, refrigerator and access doors. Our appliance checklist walks through what most kitchens need.
- Get the real cutout numbers. Use our built-in grill cutout dimensions by brand and model rather than the nominal width.
- Settle fuel and clearances early. Natural gas or propane changes the utility plan. Some installs need an insulating grill liner, and covered kitchens may need a vent hood.
- Give your builder the spec sheets before framing starts. Our outdoor kitchen planning guide covers the rest of the sequence.
Replacing a grill in an existing island?
Then you're working the other way around, because the opening is already fixed. Start with our replacement grill cutout finder.
Want a second set of eyes?
Send us your island plans or the opening measurements before anything is cut, and we'll help you match models that fit. Visit Help Choosing a Built-In Grill That Fits or call 843-212-7209.