Outdoor Kitchens
Expert Outdoor Cooking Setup: Blaze Built-In Grill, Side Burner and Outdoor Fridge
Quick answer
The expert outdoor cooking setup is a built-in kitchen: the Blaze Premium LTE+ 32-inch built-in grill with a rear infrared burner, a Blaze LTE+ double side burner, a Whynter 24-inch outdoor fridge and a Traeger Flatrock griddle. Tanks, a smart scale and tools bring the appliances to $5,483, before island construction.
This build is the performance ceiling: a permanent outdoor kitchen for a household that cooks outside several nights a week and entertains groups of 10 or more. It assumes you own the home and plan to stay, have a patio with room for an island, and will hire licensed pros for the gas line or propane enclosure and the outdoor electrical circuit. The appliances listed come to $5,483; the island itself is built separately.
A built-in grill head is a grill without a cart, designed to drop into a cutout in a masonry or steel-frame island. That makes it steadier and lets the counter run uninterrupted from grill to side burner to fridge. The Blaze LTE+ adds a rear infrared burner for rotisserie cooking and a lift-assist double-lined hood. Plan the layout first with the outdoor kitchen planning guide, and compare formats in built-in vs freestanding grills. Smokers belong to a different hobby, covered at SmokerCalc.
The complete expert build: $5,483
What cooks the food
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blaze Premium LTE+ 32 in. Built-In Grill (Propane) | A 32-inch built-in propane head with a rear infrared burner and lift-assist hood. The intermediate Genesis is freestanding and moves with you; this head becomes part of the house. | 1 | $2,499.00 | Price |
 Blaze LTE+ Built-In Double Side Burner (Propane) | Two 12,000 BTU brass-plated burners with LED knobs that match the LTE+ grill, for sauces, sides and a pot of corn without running inside. No lower tier has a side burner. | 1 | $949.00 | Price |
 Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle | Three U-shaped burners behind TruZone dividers on a 594 sq in top, with a propane level sensor and hinged lid. It sits at the end of the island as the breakfast and smash burger station. | 1 | $649.99 | Price |
| What cooks the food subtotal | $4,097.99 | |||
Cold storage
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Whynter BOR-53024-SSW 24 in. Built-in Outdoor Beverage Fridge | A 24-inch, 5.3 cu ft built-in outdoor fridge with a 32 to 64 F range and a cylinder lock, rated for outdoor use. Indoor beverage fridges fail quickly outside, so this line is outdoor-rated on purpose. | 1 | $1,112.99 | Price |
| Cold storage subtotal | $1,112.99 | |||
Fuel
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Flame King YSN230 20 lb Propane Tank with Gauge | Two gauged 20 lb tanks: one for the grill and side burner enclosure, one for the Flatrock. Homes with natural gas should buy the natural gas versions and skip these. | 2 | $139.98 | Price |
 Flame King Smart Bluetooth Propane Tank Scale | A Bluetooth scale under the island tank, which is hard to see and lift inside a cabinet, so you check the level from a phone instead of pulling the tank. | 1 | $19.99 | Price |
| Fuel subtotal | $159.97 | |||
Tools and cleaning
| Item | Why this one | Qty | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Blackstone Pro 22-Piece Griddle Tool Kit | Stainless spatulas, scrapers, tongs and bottles that work on any flat top, including the Flatrock. Dishwasher-safe, which matters when cooking for a crowd. | 1 | $58.99 | Price |
 TempPro TempSwift 0.5 Sec Instant-Read Meat Thermometer | A half-second thermocouple thermometer. Rotisserie and infrared cooking reward precise temperatures more than anything else in this kitchen. | 1 | $29.99 | Price |
 GRILLART 18 in. Bristle-Free Grill Brush and Scraper | An 18-inch coil brush and scraper with no wire bristles, long enough to reach the back of a 32-inch head without leaning over hot grates. | 1 | $22.99 | Price |
| Tools and cleaning subtotal | $111.97 | |||
The total includes the Blaze grill head and double side burner, the Whynter outdoor fridge, the Traeger Flatrock, two propane tanks, a Bluetooth scale and tools. It excludes the island structure, countertops, access doors, gas and electrical installation, permits, an insulating jacket if required, and sales tax.
- Ownership
- owned home, long-term stay
- Island
- about 10 to 12 ft of counter, built separately
- Gas
- vented propane enclosure or natural gas line by a licensed pro
- Electrical
- GFCI outdoor circuit for the fridge and grill lights
- Permits
- check local code for gas and electrical work
Prices were accurate when this list was compiled and change often, so confirm each one on Amazon before ordering. Quantities are multiplied into the total. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
On this page
Who should not buy the expert outdoor cooking setup?
- Renters, and owners who may move within a few years. A built-in kitchen stays with the house. The intermediate setup at $1,956 moves with you.
- Anyone who grills a few times a month. The island, permits and installation often cost as much as the appliances.
- Small patios. An island plus clearances needs far more space than a cart grill.
- DIY-only households. Gas and electrical connections need licensed professionals and often permits.
If you want most of this capability without construction, the KoolMore Reserve island at $4,799.00 packages a six-burner grill, side burner, sink and fridge in one freestanding unit.
What can you skip in this build?
- The Traeger Flatrock ($649.99). Skip it if you rarely griddle; the grill and side burner cover most meals on their own.
- The double side burner ($949.00). A Blaze single side burner at $479.00 covers one pot at a time and needs a smaller cutout.
- The 24-inch fridge. The Whynter BOR-327FS at $772.84 is narrower at 14.6 inches and can be built in or freestanding.
- The Bluetooth scale, if you use natural gas.
What should you upgrade first?
Upgrade fuel first if you have natural gas at the house. A natural gas line removes tank swaps entirely, and most built-in heads are sold in natural gas versions; buy that version from the start, since conversion kits and labor add cost. Read propane vs natural gas grills.
If you want more grill, the Lion L90000 40-inch at $2,599.00 lists 802 sq in of main grilling area with an infrared rotisserie system, and the Napoleon Built-In 700 Series at $2,219.00 includes a rotisserie kit in the same 32-inch class. Compare them in Blaze vs Napoleon built-in grills and best built-in grills.
How does this build compare with the beginner and intermediate setups?
| Beginner | Intermediate | Expert | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas grill | Weber Spirit E-325, freestanding | Weber Genesis E-325, freestanding | Blaze Premium LTE+ 32, built-in head |
| Grill highlights | 3 burners, Boost Burner sear zone | PureBlu burners, extra-large sear zone, Crafted inserts | 4 burners plus rear infrared burner, lift-assist hood |
| Griddle | Blackstone 22 in. tabletop, 361 sq in (optional) | Blackstone 36 in. with hood | Traeger Flatrock, 594 sq in, 3 zones |
| Prep space | Grill side tables | Keter Unity XL cart, 52.7 in | Island countertop (built separately) |
| Extra burners and cold storage | None | None | Blaze double side burner and Whynter 24 in. fridge |
| Propane tracking | Tank gauge plus hook scale | Tank gauges plus Bluetooth scale | Tank gauges, Bluetooth scale, Flatrock level sensor |
| Installation | Assemble and roll out | Assemble and roll out | Island build, gas and electrical by licensed pros |
| Build total | $1,037 | $1,956 | $5,483 |
| Best for | Family of 4, weeknight grilling | Hosting 6 to 10, grill plus big griddle | A permanent outdoor kitchen for frequent entertaining |
How do you plan an outdoor kitchen island layout?
Think in zones along the counter: hot (grill head and side burner), prep (open counter, ideally 24 inches or more beside the grill), cold (fridge, kept away from the grill's heat), and serve (bar or dining side). A 32-inch grill, a double side burner, a 24-inch fridge and prep space typically need 10 to 12 feet of counter. Place the grill so smoke blows away from seating and doors, and check every appliance manual for cutout dimensions and clearances before the island is framed; built-in heads set into combustible framing usually require an insulating jacket. Keep the propane tank in a ventilated cabinet as the grill's installation manual specifies. See what size outdoor kitchen for entertaining and best outdoor kitchen islands.
Why buy an outdoor-rated refrigerator?
Indoor fridges are designed for a narrow temperature range and a dry room. Outside, summer heat makes the compressor run constantly, and humidity and rain attack the electronics and cabinet. Outdoor-rated units like the Whynter BOR-53024 use stainless construction and components rated for outdoor use, and built-in models vent from the front so they can sit under a counter. Owners commonly report that shade and a little distance from the grill help any outdoor fridge hold temperature. Plug it into a GFCI-protected outdoor circuit, and follow the manual's winterizing steps in freezing climates.
Frequently asked questions
Is a built-in grill better than a freestanding grill?
Not better at cooking, but better integrated. A built-in head like the Blaze Premium LTE+ 32 sits in an island with continuous counters, side burners and storage around it. A freestanding grill like the Weber Genesis E-325 costs far less, needs no construction and moves with you. See built-in vs freestanding grills.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost beyond the appliances?
It varies widely by region and materials. The island frame, countertop, access doors, gas line or propane enclosure, electrical circuit and permits are separate from the appliances in this build, and together they often match or exceed the appliance cost. Get written quotes from licensed installers before ordering. For contractor cost ranges, see HouseProjectCalc.
Can a built-in grill run on a propane tank?
Yes. Propane versions of built-in heads, like the Blaze LTE+ 32 LP, connect to a standard 20 lb tank stored in a vented island cabinet. The grill's installation manual specifies the ventilation openings required. If you have natural gas at the house, buy the natural gas version instead, since it removes tank swaps. Never convert a grill without the manufacturer's kit and a qualified technician.
What does an infrared rear burner do?
An infrared rear burner sits at the back of the grill and radiates intense, even heat forward, which is ideal for rotisserie cooking of whole chickens and roasts as they turn. The Blaze Premium LTE+ adds one over the base Blaze Prelude line. You need a rotisserie kit to use it that way; check the maker's compatible accessories for your model.
Is the Traeger Flatrock good for an outdoor kitchen?
It works well as a freestanding griddle station at the end of an island. The Traeger Flatrock has three U-shaped burners behind TruZone dividers, a 594 sq in top and a propane level sensor, so you can hold different temperatures side by side. It is not a drop-in unit, so plan counter space next to it. Read our Traeger Flatrock review.
Do outdoor kitchen appliances need a cover?
Built-in grill heads and side burners benefit from fitted covers in rainy or snowy climates, since water and debris shorten burner and igniter life. Outdoor-rated fridges like the Whynter BOR-53024 are built for exposure but last longer shaded. Follow each manual for winterizing, including shutting off gas and draining any sink lines before freezing weather.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.