36-Inch vs. 42-Inch Built-In Grill: Which Size Should You Buy?

Once a built-in grill project gets past 32 inches, the conversation in our showroom almost always narrows to two numbers: 36 or 42. They are the two sizes every premium brand builds around, they are the two sizes most island drawings get sketched for, and the six inches between them changes more than you would expect. We sell and install both every week across Queens, Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey, and this guide lays out what the extra width actually buys you, using the manufacturer numbers from the 34 to 42 inch grills we carry.

If you have not settled on a size class yet, start with our broader what size grill do I need guide. This one assumes you are past 30 inches and trying to decide whether the 42 is worth it over the 36.

36 vs. 42 at a glance

Here is the decision in one table. The numbers are ranges across the active 36 and 42 inch built-in grills we stock from Twin Eagles, Lynx, Hestan, Fire Magic, Summerset and XO, pulled from each manufacturer's spec sheet.

Shop 34 to 42 inch grillsBuilt-in natural gas grillsBuilt-in propane grills

How much more cooking area does a 42 really give you?

Less than the width suggests, and it varies a lot by brand. Manufacturers do not stretch the grate evenly; some add depth, some add a burner, and some keep the same three burners and just space them out. Here are the real numbers for the matched 36 and 42 pairs we carry.

Two things stand out. The Lynx L42TR is the biggest step up in the group, because Lynx adds depth as well as width going from 36 to 42, so the 855 square inch grate is more than a third larger than the L36TR. And the Fire Magic Aurora A790i is the oddball: Fire Magic names it by the 36-inch grate, but the grilling surface is 36 by 22 inches, which is 792 square inches, more primary grate than several 42s. The trade-off is that the A790i needs a 37-inch cutout and the hood is over 42 inches wide overall, so it takes 42-class island space to get it.

The honest summary: a 42 buys you 15 to 20 percent more primary grate at most brands, about a third more at Lynx, and the Fire Magic 36 is a 42 in disguise.

How many people can each size feed?

We plan on 20 to 24 square inches of primary grate per burger, chicken thigh or sausage, with room to flip and a cool zone for food that is done. On that basis a 36 with 640 to 650 square inches cooks 28 to 32 items in one round. A 42 with 760 to 855 square inches cooks 36 to 42.

In practice, that means:

• 36 inches: weeknight dinners for a family of four to six with two burners lit, and a Saturday party of 12 to 15 in a single round. For 20 to 25 guests you cook in two waves, which most hosts do anyway because people eat at different times.
• 42 inches: 15 to 25 guests served in one round, or a large family where everybody wants different things at once: burgers on the left, peppers and corn in the middle, chicken finishing on the right.

The question we ask in the showroom is not "how many people at your biggest party," it is "how many people most Saturdays." A 42 that cooks six chicken breasts on a Tuesday is a lot of stainless steel to preheat. A 36 that gets maxed out every Memorial Day is a grill you will be annoyed with twice a summer. Decide which annoyance you would rather live with.

Three burners or four: what changes?

Burner count is where the brands split, and it is the thing most people get wrong when they assume a 42 is always a four-burner grill.

Twin Eagles and Lynx keep three burners at 42. The Twin Eagles 42 runs the same three 25,000 BTU burners (75,000 total) as the Twin Eagles 36; each burner just covers a wider strip of grate. The Lynx L42TR runs the same 23,000 BTU Trident infrared burner plus two 25,000 BTU ceramic burners (73,000 total) as the L36TR. The 42 gets more grate per burner, not more zones.

Hestan, Aspire, Summerset and XO add a fourth burner at 42. The Hestan 42 runs three Trellis burners plus a 22,000 BTU ceramic infrared sear burner for 97,000 BTU, versus three burners and 75,000 BTU on the Hestan 36. The Aspire by Hestan 42 steps from 69,000 to 92,000 BTU with its fourth burner. The Summerset Quest 42 goes from three to four 18,000 BTU U-tube burners (54,000 to 72,000). The XO Pro Luxury 42 runs four 22,000 BTU cast burners plus an infrared sear burner.

Which approach is better? Three big burners give you more even heat across each zone and fewer cold stripes between burners. Four burners give you finer control: you can run two hot, one medium and one off, and still have a full-width warming zone. If you cook a lot of thick cuts and whole birds, the four-burner layout is more forgiving. If you mostly sear and grill fast, the three-burner 42 is plenty.

What does a 42 do to your island cutout?

The grill head is the easy part of the width decision. The island is the hard part. Every six inches of grill width turns into six inches of cutout, which turns into more countertop, more cabinetry or masonry, and a bigger footprint on a patio that may already be tight.

Notice the depth. The Lynx 42 wants 2 1/2 inches more counter depth than the Lynx 36, and the Hestan and Twin Eagles grills want 23 1/2 to 24 1/4 inches on either size. A 42 on a standard 30-inch deep counter leaves very little back splash behind the hood, and the lid swing needs to clear whatever is behind it.

Then there is landing space. We like at least 12 inches of counter on each side of the grill, and 18 to 24 inches on the side where you plate. With a 36, that gets you a comfortable 6-foot straight island, and a 7-footer with room for a side burner or door-and-drawer combo. With a 42, the same layout grows to 7 1/2 or 8 feet, and once you add a side burner and refrigerator you are at 9 to 10 feet or into an L-shape. Browse our outdoor kitchen islands to see how prefab and modular layouts handle each size.

Rotisserie: how many birds on the spit?

If you use a rotisserie, the 42 earns its width faster than anywhere else. The spit is six inches longer, and the rear infrared burner is usually rated higher: Lynx goes from 14,000 BTU on the L36TR to 16,000 BTU on the L42TR, and Hestan runs an 18,000 BTU rotisserie burner on both the 36 and 42 but with more room under it on the 42.

On a 36 we comfortably load two 4 to 5 pound chickens with room for the forks. On a 42 you can run three chickens, or a small turkey next to a chicken, or a full pork loin with space on either end. For a family that does a Sunday rotisserie chicken, the 36 is fine. For anyone who hosts and wants the rotisserie to be the show, the 42 is the one.

Note that rotisserie kits are optional on some lines. The Twin Eagles C-Series lists the rotisserie as optional on both sizes, the Lynx Professional includes it, and Hestan and Aspire include it on the models with "rotisserie" in the name. Check what is in the box.

Shop rotisserie kits

Does a 42 need a bigger gas line?

Sometimes, and it is worth knowing before the plumber shows up. A 36 in this class draws 54,000 to 90,000 BTU on the main burners, plus a 10,500 to 20,000 BTU rear burner. A 42 draws 69,000 to 97,000 on the main burners plus the rear burner, and the four-burner models sit near 100,000 BTU with everything lit. Add a double side burner and you can be at 130,000 BTU or more on one appliance string.

Natural gas delivers roughly 1,000 BTU per cubic foot, and the pipe size that can carry that load depends on the length of the run and the pressure. The NYC Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 54 sizing tables govern this; on longer runs from the meter, a 1/2 inch branch that was fine for a 32-inch grill will not keep a four-burner 42 plus a side burner at full pressure. Our installers size the line to the total connected load, not the grill alone.

In New York City, natural gas grills must be installed by a Licensed Master Plumber and the piping inspected under the Fuel Gas Code. That applies to both sizes, so the permit side does not change with width. Propane is simpler at either size but the rules are strict: the Department of Buildings barbecue guidance states that standard 20 lb propane grills are not allowed on balconies, roofs, roof decks, rear yards or courtyards of multiple dwellings, and one- and two-family homes may keep no more than two 20 lb cylinders. For a Manhattan or Brooklyn townhouse roof, that usually means natural gas or nothing. On Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey, propane and natural gas are both routine; a 42 on propane just empties a 20 lb cylinder faster, roughly four to five hours at full output versus five to six for a 36.

How much more does a 42 cost?

Within a single series, the 42 grill head typically runs 10 to 20 percent more than the matching 36. Twin Eagles, Lynx Professional and Hestan sit at the low end of that spread; Aspire, Summerset Quest and Lynx Sedona sit toward the high end because the 42 adds a burner or a bigger grate relative to its 36.

The grill head is not the whole bill. Going to a 42 also means:

• Six more inches of countertop, cabinetry or masonry, and often a longer island overall to keep the landing space.
• A larger grill cover and, if you build with a wood frame, a larger insulated jacket (Twin Eagles sells a separate jacket for each width).
• Possibly a larger gas line, as above.
• A heavier lift. The Hestan 42 is listed at 351 pounds against 310 for the 36; the Twin Eagles 42 is 280 pounds against 247. That matters on a rooftop or a backyard with no side access.

If the budget is fixed, we would rather see you in a better 36 than a cheaper 42. The grate quality, burner material and hood construction you feel every time you cook; the extra six inches you feel twice a summer.

Which brands make a true 36 and 42?

This trips people up. Several of the biggest names do not build a 36 and 42 pair, so the comparison in this guide only applies cleanly to some brands.

• True 36 and 42 pairs: Twin Eagles C-Series, Lynx Professional (L36TR / L42TR, and the all-infrared and all-ceramic versions), Lynx Sedona, Hestan, Aspire by Hestan, Summerset Quest, XO Pro Luxury and American Made Grills Estate.
• Blaze: no 36 or 42. The Professional LUX line is 34 and 44 inches; the Premium LTE+ line is 32 and 40. A Blaze shopper's version of this decision is the 34 vs. 44, which is a bigger jump.
• Fire Magic: 30, 36 and 48 in the Aurora and Echelon lines. The 36 (A790i and E790i) is big for its name, as noted above, and there is no 42 to step to.
• Delta Heat: 26, 32 and 38 inches. The 38 is Delta Heat's answer to this whole category.
• Summerset Sizzler and TRL: 32 and 40, like Blaze LTE+.

So if you have your heart set on Blaze or Fire Magic, the honest advice is to read this guide for the principles and then compare their actual sizes. The 34 to 42 inch collection has all of them side by side.

Long Island and Queens yards: what actually fits

Where you live tells us a lot about which size will work before we ever see the drawing.

Queens and Brooklyn attached houses. A typical rear yard is 20 feet wide and often narrower once you subtract a side path, and the patio is frequently 12 to 15 feet deep. A 6 to 7 foot straight island with a 36 fits along the fence line and still leaves a table. An 8 to 10 foot island for a 42 usually has to run across the back of the yard, which eats the lawn. Most of our Queens installs are 32s and 36s for this reason.

Rooftops and terraces in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The width is rarely the problem; the weight, the crane or stair carry, and the gas rules are. A 36 at 250 to 310 pounds is manageable up a stair with a crew. A 42 at 280 to 350 pounds plus a heavier island is a different conversation. And since propane cylinders are off the table on a multiple dwelling roof, the natural gas line has to exist already or be run by a Licensed Master Plumber.

Nassau and western Suffolk. Quarter-acre and larger lots with a 20 by 30 foot patio are where the 42 starts to make sense. There is room for an L-shaped island, the gas meter is usually on the side of the house with a short run, and the parties are bigger. This is where we draw most of our 42s, along with pizza ovens and refrigeration in the same run. If you are within a mile or so of the water on either shore, specify 304 stainless at minimum; every grill in this guide is 304 except the Lynx Sedona body, which is 201 grade with 304 burners.

Westchester and north Jersey. Similar to Nassau, with the added wrinkle that a lot of patios are on a slope or a raised deck. A 42 island on a deck needs the framing checked for the load before anything else.

Our recommended models

These are the 36 and 42 inch built-ins we point people to most often, picked for grate quality, burner construction, 304 stainless, and how they have held up on our own installs. All are in stock on the store with current manufacturer specs on the product page.

Best 36 OverallTwin EaglesC-Series 36-Inch Built-In640 sq in primary, three 25,000 BTU burners, hexagonal grates and a lifetime burner warranty. The 36 we install most.View details →Best 36 ValueSummersetQuest 36-Inch 3-Burner673 sq in main grate, 304 stainless, angled infrared back burner included. A real 36 at a sensible price.View details →Best 36 PremiumHestan36-Inch Built-In with Sear Burner653 sq in primary, 75,000 BTU with a ceramic infrared sear burner and an 18,000 BTU rotisserie burner, in Hestan's Steeletto stainless or color finishes.View details →Best 42 OverallLynxProfessional L42TR 42-Inch855 sq in primary, the biggest grate in the 42 class, with a Trident infrared burner and 16,000 BTU rotisserie burner.View details →Best 42 ValueXOPro Luxury 42-Inch Built-InFour 22,000 BTU cast 304 burners, infrared sear burner and rotisserie burner included. The most grill per dollar at 42 inches.View details →Best 42 PremiumHestan42-Inch Built-In with Sear BurnerThree Trellis burners plus a 22,000 BTU sear burner for 97,000 BTU, 1,064 sq in total, and the best lid and knob feel in the business.View details →

Also worth a look: the Fire Magic Aurora A790i if you want 42-class grate in a brand with a 36 badge, the Aspire by Hestan 42 for Hestan engineering a tier down, and the Lynx Sedona 42 if the budget is tight and you are not near salt water.

Which should you choose?

Our recommendation for most households in our area is the 36. It feeds a family and a real party, it fits a 6 to 7 foot island, and in the Twin Eagles, Hestan and Lynx lines it gets the same burner quality as the 42. Step up to the 42 when you have the patio and the guest list to use it, or when you are in the Lynx Professional line and the grate gain is big enough to justify the island. If you are torn, tape both footprints on the patio and cook a mental Saturday in each one.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 42 inch grill too big for a family of four?

For everyday cooking, yes, it is more than you need. A 42 preheats more steel and burns more gas to cook four chicken breasts. A family of four that hosts big parties a few times a year is better served by a 36 and cooking in two rounds on those days.

How many burners does a 42 inch built-in grill have?

It depends on the brand. Twin Eagles and Lynx Professional 42s run three large burners (75,000 and 73,000 BTU). Hestan, Aspire by Hestan, Summerset Quest and XO Pro Luxury 42s run four main burners, often plus a dedicated infrared sear burner.

What size cutout does a 42 inch grill need?

Most 42s need a cutout 40 1/4 to 41 inches wide, 19 1/2 to 24 1/2 inches deep and 10 to 12 inches high, depending on the model. Always frame to the manufacturer's cutout drawing for the exact grill, not to the hood width.

How long of an island do I need for a 36 inch grill?

Plan on a 6-foot straight island at minimum to get 12 inches of counter on each side, and 7 feet if you want to add a side burner or a door-and-drawer combo. A 42 pushes the same layout to 7 1/2 or 8 feet.

Does a 42 inch grill use more gas than a 36?

With all burners lit, yes. A four-burner 42 can draw close to 100,000 BTU on the main burners against 54,000 to 90,000 for a 36. On propane that is roughly four to five hours per 20 lb cylinder at full output versus five to six hours. On natural gas it may require a larger branch line on a long run from the meter.

Can I put a 42 inch propane grill on my roof in NYC?

Not if the building is a multiple dwelling. New York City's barbecue guidance states that standard 20 lb propane grills are prohibited on balconies, roofs, roof decks, rear yards and courtyards of multiple dwellings. One- and two-family homes may have propane grills with up to two 20 lb cylinders. Natural gas grills are allowed but must be installed by a Licensed Master Plumber.

Does Blaze make a 36 or 42 inch grill?

No. Blaze Professional LUX grills are 34 and 44 inches, and Blaze Premium LTE+ grills are 32 and 40. Fire Magic makes 30, 36 and 48, and Delta Heat makes 26, 32 and 38. Twin Eagles, Lynx, Hestan, Aspire, Summerset Quest and XO Pro Luxury all offer a true 36 and 42.

Is the Fire Magic 36 really a 36?

The Aurora A790i has a 36 by 22 inch grilling surface, which is 792 square inches of primary grate, but it needs a 37-inch cutout and the hood is over 42 inches wide overall. Think of it as 42-class cooking area that needs 42-class island space.

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Written by the NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens team. Last reviewed October 2026. We sell, install and service the products discussed here.

Sources:Lynx Professional built-in grills, Twin Eagles C-Series specifications, Fire Magic Aurora A790i, Summerset Quest series, NYC Department of Buildings barbecue guidance. Hestan, Aspire, XO and Lynx Sedona figures are from the manufacturer specification tables reproduced on each product page. Specifications change; always confirm with the manufacturer's current installation manual.