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Insulated Grill Jacket Buying Guide

If you have an outdoor kitchen in the works, you’re probably itching to get started. But before you begin ordering materials and creating a building schedule for your new space, there’s one important question you must consider — are you using combustible materials in your BBQ island?

If there are combustible materials present within the clearance area of the grill, it’s not enough to simply build it into the island. You must install an insulated jacket to hold the grill or you could burn down not only your outdoor kitchen, but your home and property as well.

Insulated grill jackets are so important because they shield appliances and structures around the grill from the excessive heat produced when cooking, keeping the outdoor area cool while preventing a fire or warping. As an added bonus, these appliances also protect the grill’s undercarriage from rust and corrosion.

• When an Insulated Grill Jacket is Required

  As stated above, you must install your grill with an insulated jacket for safety purposes when combustible materials are within the clearance zone. This will always apply to built-in grills on combustible BBQ islands, even if the material has been treated. The most common combustible surfaces are wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

  Even if your outdoor kitchen island is made of non-combustible materials, such as brick or stone masonry, a built-in grill must be accompanied by an insulated jacket if other combustibles reside within the clearance zone.

  Keep in mind that not all grill brands offer insulated jackets (and not all brands need one — see below), so make sure the company you buy from also produces these appliances if necessary. Though your grill might fit in another brand’s jacket, there’s no guarantee it will adequately protect the BBQ island. Built-in grills most often have gas as their fuel source, but there are some models that use charcoal or other fuels that might also require a jacket.

  Depending on the manufacturer’s requirements, you may need additional safety appliances for an outdoor kitchen built of combustible materials.

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• When an Insulated Grill Jacket is Not Required

  Remember that the need for an insulated jacket comes down to whether combustible materials fall within the clearance area of your grill. If no combustibles are present within this safety zone, you don’t need an insulated jacket for your BBQ island.

  There are also some grill brands that don’t require an insulated jacket even when installed in combustible materials. For help determining if your grill falls into this category, call one of our experts at 1-877-743-2269 or consult our Free Outdoor Living Design Service.

  Installing an insulated grill jacket may be the most important thing you do when building an outdoor kitchen with combustible materials near the grill. Failure to do so can put your home — as well as friends and family — at serious risk.

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