It depends more on how you live than what you buy
Most homeowners start here: “I just want a really good grill.”
That makes sense. But once you get into designing an outdoor kitchen, the question usually shifts to something more practical:
What grill actually fits how we cook, entertain, and use our space?
There isn’t one “best” grill for everyone. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, how often you cook outside, and how permanent you want your setup to be. In Arizona especially, those details matter more than brand names or features.
When we design outdoor kitchens, we typically walk homeowners through three core options: gas, pellet, and charcoal. Each has a very different feel once it’s installed and in use.
This is the most common choice for outdoor kitchens.
What they’re like:
Best for:
Outdoor kitchens that are used often, not just occasionally
A built-in gas grill is what most people picture when they think of a finished outdoor kitchen. It integrates cleanly into stone or cabinetry and becomes part of the space.
Pellet grills have grown in popularity, especially for people who enjoy cooking as a hobby.
What they’re like:
Best for:
Pellet grills can absolutely be incorporated into an outdoor kitchen, but they require more planning around ventilation, power, and storage.
This is the traditional route. Still loved, but less common in built-in outdoor kitchens.
What they’re like:
Best for:
We rarely see charcoal as the primary built-in grill anymore, but it can be a great addition if you love that flavor.
This is where the right choice becomes clear. Not by features, but by how the grill fits your life.
Ask yourself:
If you’re cooking often, gas tends to win. If it’s more of a hobby or experience, pellet starts to make more sense.
Without getting into exact pricing, here’s the general breakdown:
Also remember: the grill is just one part of the outdoor kitchen. Venting, gas lines, electrical, and finish materials all factor into the total investment.
This is where a lot of online advice falls short.
Gas grills require:
Pellet grills require:
Charcoal grills require:
This is why planning the grill at the same time as the outdoor kitchen matters. Retrofitting later usually leads to compromises.
Every grill needs maintenance, but not equally.
In Northern Arizona, dust and debris add to this. Covered spaces help more than people expect.
Think beyond the first year.
A well-chosen built-in grill can become a centerpiece of your home, not just another appliance.
Outdoor kitchens in places like Prescott, Sedona, and Scottsdale face very different conditions than coastal or mild climates.
Arizona sun is tough on materials.
Higher elevation can slightly affect cooking performance, especially with gas and charcoal.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something we account for when sizing burners and designing airflow.
Dust is a real factor here.
Also, many homeowners use their outdoor kitchens year-round, especially in Prescott where evenings are cooler. That makes convenience and ease of use more important.
This is something we see all the time on job sites.
People tend to choose a grill based on features, not how they actually cook.
A few common mistakes:
The grill is important, but the layout around it matters just as much.
A well-designed outdoor kitchen makes cooking easier, not more complicated.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Best for:
Best for:
Best for:
In higher-end outdoor kitchens, we often recommend:
This gives you flexibility without sacrificing convenience.
Choosing the right grill is less about finding “the best one” and more about building something you’ll actually use and enjoy.
If you’re not sure what makes sense for your space, seeing different setups in person or talking through how you plan to use it can make a big difference.
You may also want to read:
We serve homeowners throughout Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Sedona, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and surrounding Northern Arizona communities.
