Choose a built-in BBQ if you are creating a permanent outdoor kitchen and want the grill set into a non-combustible worktop, with prep space and storage either side. Choose a freestanding trolley BBQ if you want to move it around, take it with you when you move house, or start cooking this weekend without any building work. Many BeefEater ranges come both ways, so you can often have the same grill either way round.
Side by side
| Built-in | Freestanding (trolley) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | Barbecue head plus the island, worktop and labour | One purchase |
| Installation | Non-combustible enclosure built to the maker's cut-out | Assemble and cook |
| Flexibility | Fixed in place | Move it, store it, take it with you |
| Prep and storage space | As much worktop and cupboard as you build | Side shelves and a trolley cupboard |
| Gas | LPG cylinder in a ventilated compartment, or natural gas by a Gas Safe registered engineer | LPG cylinder in or beside the trolley |
| Looks | Clean and integrated with the garden design | Depends on the model |
| Winter | Stays put under a fitted cover | Can be covered, or wheeled under shelter with the cylinder disconnected |
| Moving house | Stays with the house | Comes with you |
The options
It is not a straight two-way choice. Between a built-in head and a basic trolley there are island barbecues that arrive as a complete outdoor kitchen, and masonry barbecues that give you a permanent charcoal grill without any gas at all.
Best for a permanent outdoor kitchen
Built-in BBQ
A barbecue head made to drop into a non-combustible island, with worktop either side and storage underneath.
Best for flexibility
Freestanding trolley BBQ
The grill on a wheeled cart with side shelves and a cupboard for the cylinder. Assemble it and cook.
Best for a kitchen without a build
Island BBQ
A freestanding unit with burners, worktops and cabinets in one piece, so it looks like an outdoor kitchen but needs no enclosure built.
Best for charcoal and a real fire
Masonry BBQ
A German-made concrete barbecue and outdoor fireplace in one, burning charcoal for cooking and logs for warmth.
When built-in makes sense
- You are landscaping and want a permanent cooking area that is part of the design.
- You want worktop space either side for prep and serving, so the cook faces guests rather than turning their back on them.
- You cook outdoors often enough to justify the build.
- You want extras such as a fridge, sink or mains gas, which need a fixed structure.
- You plan to stay in the house for years.
Built-in BBQs have exact enclosure sizes. The BeefEater 1600E 4-burner built-in, for example, needs a non-combustible enclosure 880mm wide with BeefEater's hanging bracket (830mm without it) and 604mm deep, with at least a 40mm gap to the rear wall and 450mm clearance to anything combustible. The 1200 series drops into a cavity instead: the 1200S 4-burner built-in needs 825mm wide, at least 230mm high and 540mm deep, with 450mm clearance to anything combustible. Our built-in BBQ installation guide has every cut-out size we stock.
When freestanding makes sense
- You rent, or may move in the next few years.
- You want to cook this weekend without building work.
- You like to move the barbecue around: into the shade, out of the wind, or closer to the table.
- You have a small patio and need the space back when the barbecue is not in use.
- You want a side burner, cupboard and cylinder storage in one unit.
The Lifestyle Dominica is a 5+1 burner propane barbecue with a double-skinned hood, a 76 x 43cm cooking area and a 3.5kW side burner. For a smaller space, the Lifestyle Cuba is a compact 2-burner with a 49.5 x 40.6cm grill, a warming rack and side shelves, weighing 17kg.
The same grill, two ways
BeefEater makes several ranges both as built-in heads and on cabinet trolleys, so the decision does not have to be about the cooking. The 1600E 4-burner, for example, has the same 3,840cm² of cooking area (a 400mm grill and a 400mm plate) and 16kW from its main burners whichever way you buy it. The trolley version adds a cabinet with stainless steel doors and a 4kW side burner, which is handy for sauces, a pan of potatoes or a wok.
Start freestanding, decide later? It works if you are happy to sell the trolley model on when you build. A trolley barbecue cannot simply be boxed into an island later (see below), so if you already know you want an outdoor kitchen within a year or two, buy the built-in head and build around it.
A middle way: outdoor kitchen BBQs
Some freestanding barbecues are built like a small outdoor kitchen. The Lifestyle Bahama Island has five main burners, a sizzle burner, a rotisserie back burner, a double-skinned hood, an ice bucket and cabinets in one 2260mm wide unit weighing 120kg. It arrives ready to stand rather than needing an enclosure built, so you get the look of a kitchen with the simplicity of a trolley. You will still want a level, solid patio and a fitted cover; see the Bahama cover.
Can I build a trolley BBQ into an island?
Only if the manufacturer makes a built-in version. Built-in heads are designed for the heat and ventilation of an enclosure, with the shields, brackets and clearances to match. A trolley model boxed into an island can overheat the gas valve, hose and regulator and trap leaked gas. Buy the built-in model, and follow its cut-out and ventilation instructions exactly.
Gas, charcoal or both?
Most built-in and trolley barbecues are gas, which lights at the push of a button and is easy to control. If you love cooking over charcoal, a masonry barbecue gives you a permanent charcoal grill that doubles as an outdoor fireplace; on Buschbeck models the grill sits at four cooking heights, so you control the heat by moving the food. Plenty of outdoor kitchens end up with both: a gas built-in for weeknights and a masonry barbecue or pizza oven as a second cooking zone for the weekend.
For smoking and slow roasting, what matters is a lid and steady, low heat rather than whether the barbecue is built in. A hooded gas barbecue with burners lit on one side only, or a lidded charcoal barbecue set up with coals to one side, will both do the job.
What it really costs
Prices change, so here is what goes into each rather than a figure:
- Built-in: the barbecue head, the island (blocks, render or cladding, worktop), any heat shields and brackets, labour, and a Gas Safe registered engineer if you want mains gas. Add a fitted cover.
- Freestanding: the barbecue, a cylinder and regulator if not included, and a cover.
- Running costs: these depend on the burners and how you cook, not on whether the barbecue is built in. A built-in on natural gas avoids buying cylinders, but the connection must be made by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Space and safety
Whichever you choose, the barbecue needs a flat, stable spot well away from sheds, fences, trees and shrubs, as fire and rescue services advise. BeefEater's manual says to keep combustible materials and flammable liquids at least 450mm away, never to use the barbecue indoors, and never to store the gas cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area. A built-in island takes more floor space than a trolley, but it also gives you somewhere permanent to put things down, which keeps plates and tools away from the hood.
Durability and the British weather
A built-in sits in its island all year, so the quality of the head matters more. BeefEater's own comparison puts its ranges in tiers: the 1200 as entry level in stainless steel (S) or enamel (E), the 1500 and 1600 in the middle (the 1600 with a full-width viewing window; the 1500 has a solid hood), the 7000 as high-end with 304-grade stainless steel on key components, and the Proline as commercial grade with 304-grade stainless steel on all external surfaces. Enamel resists marks and suits a dark scheme; stainless steel suits a modern look but needs cleaning along the grain. Near the coast, clean more often, as salt air speeds up corrosion. Either way, a fitted cover is the best protection; see our BBQ covers.
How to decide
- Will you be here in five years? If not, freestanding.
- Do you want worktop and storage? If yes, built-in or an island BBQ.
- Is the barbecue the centrepiece of a garden project? Built-in.
- Do you want mains gas? Built-in, with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Do you need it this weekend? Freestanding or an island.
Going built-in? Read how to choose a built-in BBQ next.
Common questions
Is a built-in BBQ better than freestanding?
Not better, just different. A built-in suits a permanent outdoor kitchen with worktop space; a freestanding barbecue costs less overall, is flexible and is ready to cook on straight away.
Can I remove the wheels from a freestanding BBQ and build it in?
Only if the manufacturer offers it as a built-in model. Enclosing a trolley barbecue can overheat its gas fittings and trap leaked gas. Buy the built-in version and follow its cut-out instructions.
What material should a built-in BBQ enclosure be?
Non-combustible, such as masonry, block or concrete with a stone, porcelain or tiled worktop. BeefEater requires a non-combustible enclosure for its 1600 series, with a 40mm minimum gap to the rear wall.
Is it more expensive to run a built-in BBQ?
Running cost depends on the burners and how you cook, not on whether it is built in. A built-in on natural gas avoids buying cylinders, but it needs a Gas Safe registered engineer to connect it.
What is an insulated jacket, and do I need one?
A stainless steel sleeve that some manufacturers sell so their built-in grills can go into a combustible frame. Only use one where the maker approves it for that model; the BeefEater built-ins we sell call for a non-combustible enclosure instead.
Are built-in BBQs harder to clean?
Not really. You clean the grills, plates and drip tray in the same way; BeefEater advises a 10 minute burn-off after cooking and a full clean at least twice a year.
Can I store a gas BBQ in the garage over winter?
A trolley barbecue can go under shelter once it is clean and dry, but disconnect the cylinder first and keep it outside. BeefEater says never to store a gas cylinder indoors or in an enclosed area.
Which is better for a small garden?
Usually a freestanding barbecue, which takes less space and can be moved aside. The Lifestyle Cuba is a compact 2-burner at 1150mm wide with its shelves.
Do I need planning permission for a built-in BBQ?
Planning rules apply to buildings and structures, so a roofed outdoor kitchen is treated differently from an open island. Our guide to modular and custom outdoor kitchens explains the permitted development limits for England.
Built in or freestanding?
Browse BeefEater built-ins, trolley barbecues and island BBQs, or send us a photo of your garden and we will help you choose.
