Grill Dimensions: Sizes, Cooking Area and Clearances
Outside dimensions and cooking area for gas grills by burner count, charcoal kettles, kamados, portable grills and flat-top griddles, how many burgers each holds, and the clearance and patio space a grill needs.
A typical 3-burner gas grill measures about 50-60 in wide with the side shelves up, 22-30 in deep and 45-48 in tall with the lid closed (127-152 × 56-76 × 114-122 cm), with 400-550 sq in of primary grate. The standard 22 in charcoal kettle has 363 sq in (2,342 cm²) of grate, enough for about 13 burgers.
- 3-burner gas
- 50-60 in wide
- 22 in kettle grate
- 363 sq in
- Lid-open height
- 57-62 in (gas)
- Patio space
- About 5 × 6 ft
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Gas grill dimensions by burner count
Gas grills are sized by their number of main burners, which sets the firebox width. The overall width depends heavily on the side shelves, which add 10-16 in each, and many fold down for storage.
| Grill | Primary grate | Width, shelves up | Depth | Height, lid closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-burner | 300-450 sq in (1,940-2,900 cm²) | 40-50 in (102-127 cm) | 20-27 in (51-69 cm) | 43-47 in (109-119 cm) |
| 3-burner | 400-550 sq in (2,580-3,550 cm²) | 50-60 in (127-152 cm) | 22-30 in (56-76 cm) | 45-48 in (114-122 cm) |
| 4-burner | 500-700 sq in (3,230-4,520 cm²) | 55-66 in (140-168 cm) | 24-30 in (61-76 cm) | 45-49 in (114-124 cm) |
| 5-6 burner | 650-900 sq in (4,190-5,810 cm²) | 62-76 in (157-193 cm) | 25-32 in (64-81 cm) | 46-50 in (117-127 cm) |
The cooking grate on almost every full-size grill sits 34-38 in (86-97 cm) off the ground, close to kitchen counter height. With the lid open, full-size gas grills reach 57-62 in (145-157 cm). Side burners and sear stations sit on the shelves and do not change the footprint, but they do remove the shelf as a prep surface.
Charcoal kettle grill sizes
Kettles are named by bowl diameter. The cooking grate is round and slightly smaller than the bowl.
| Kettle | Grate area | Burgers (about) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 147 sq in (948 cm²) | 5-6 | Portable, picnics, balconies where allowed |
| 18 in | 240 sq in (1,548 cm²) | 8-9 | Two to four people |
| 22 in | 363 sq in (2,342 cm²) | 13 | The standard backyard kettle |
| 26 in | 508 sq in (3,277 cm²) | 18 | Large families, two-zone cooking with room to spare |
The grate areas are Weber's figures for its 14, 18, 22 and 26 in kettles; other brands' kettles of the same nominal size are close. A 22 in kettle on legs stands about 39-40 in (99-102 cm) tall with the lid on and takes a floor area of roughly 2 × 2.5 ft including handles and any small shelf.
Kamado grill sizes
Kamados are ceramic or insulated steel egg-shaped cookers sold by grate diameter. Area grows with the square of the diameter, so the jump between sizes is larger than it looks.
| Grate diameter | Grate area | Examples | Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 in (25 cm) | 79 sq in (507 cm²) | Big Green Egg Mini | 1-2 |
| 13-13.5 in (33-34 cm) | 133-143 sq in | Big Green Egg Small and MiniMax, Kamado Joe Jr. | 2-3 |
| 15 in (38 cm) | 177 sq in (1,140 cm²) | Big Green Egg Medium | 3-4 |
| 18-18.25 in (46 cm) | 254-262 sq in (1,640-1,690 cm²) | Big Green Egg Large, Kamado Joe Classic | 4-8 |
| 24 in (61 cm) | 452 sq in (2,920 cm²) | Big Green Egg XLarge, Kamado Joe Big Joe | 8-12 |
| 29 in (74 cm) | 661 sq in (4,261 cm²) | Big Green Egg 2XL | 12+ |
Areas here are calculated from the grate diameter (π × radius²); extra racks raise the total. Ceramic kamados are heavy: an 18 in model weighs roughly 160-250 lb (73-113 kg) with its cart, so check deck load and whether it needs to be moved for winter. A cart or table insert adds to the footprint: a large kamado on a cart with side shelves is about 4-5 ft wide.
Portable grills and griddles
| Type | Cooking surface | Overall size |
|---|---|---|
| Tabletop gas (1 lb cylinder) | 150-280 sq in | About 20-30 in wide with handles or shelves folded |
| Portable charcoal (14 in kettle or box) | 140-200 sq in | 14-24 in wide, 14-17 in tall |
| 17 in tabletop griddle | About 17 × 14 in | About 20 × 18 in footprint |
| 22 in griddle | About 22 × 14-16 in | Tabletop or on legs |
| 28 in griddle | About 28 × 17-19 in | About 45-50 in wide on its cart with shelves |
| 36 in griddle | About 36 × 21 in (roughly 750 sq in) | About 60-66 in wide on its cart with shelves |
Griddles are named by the width of the cooking plate. A 36 in flat-top gives about as much cooking surface as a 5-burner gas grill in a narrower footprint, since it has no lid hood behind it.
How big a grill you need
A 4 in (10 cm) burger patty with space around it uses about 25-30 sq in of grate, so divide the primary cooking area by 28 for a quick burger count. That matches the 13-burger rating of a 363 sq in kettle.
- 1-2 people: 150-250 sq in. A portable gas grill, an 18 in kettle or a small kamado.
- 3-5 people: 300-450 sq in. A 22 in kettle, a 2-3 burner gas grill or an 18 in kamado.
- 6-10 people, or two-zone cooking: 450-650 sq in. A 3-4 burner gas grill, a 26 in kettle, or a 24 in kamado.
- Parties and large cuts: 650 sq in and up, or a 36 in griddle beside a smaller grill.
Two-zone cooking (direct heat on one side, indirect on the other) halves the useful area for searing, which is why many cooks size up one step. For low-and-slow barbecue, cooking area matters less than temperature control; see the smoker size guide.
Grill clearance and patio space
Allow about 5 × 6 ft (1.5 × 1.8 m) for a grill station: the grill, a small prep table and room for the cook to stand and step back. Our deck size guide uses the same zone.
- Side and back clearance: most manuals require about 24 in (61 cm) from combustible walls, fences and railings. Vinyl siding can warp at smaller distances even if the wall does not ignite.
- Overhead: no roof, awning, umbrella or low branch above the grill. Manuals for standard grills do not allow use under combustible overhead construction.
- Multifamily buildings: IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on combustible balconies or within 10 ft (3 m) of combustible construction. One- and two-family homes are exempt, as are LP grills with a total water capacity of no more than 2.5 lb (a 1 lb cylinder). Many cities adopt this rule, some more strictly, so check local code and your lease.
- Walkways: keep the cook's standing area out of the main 36 in path from the house door, so nobody passes behind a person at a hot grill.
- Propane tank: keep spare cylinders outdoors, upright, and away from the grill's heat; never store them indoors or in a garage.
Charcoal and gas grills produce carbon monoxide. Do not run one in a garage, enclosed porch or tent, even with the door open.
Built-in grill and island dimensions
Built-in grill heads drop into a counter cutout. Common head widths are 26, 30, 32, 36 and 42 in, and the cutout is usually 1-2 in narrower than the head's face so the frame overlaps the counter. The exact cutout comes from the manufacturer's installation sheet; do not build the island before you have it.
- Counter height: 36 in (91 cm), the same as a kitchen counter, puts the grate at a comfortable height for most cooks.
- Counter depth: about 30 in (76 cm) for a standard built-in head.
- Landing space: at least 12-18 in of counter on one side of the grill, more if there is no separate prep area.
- Combustible islands: islands framed in wood or steel studs with combustible materials need the manufacturer's insulated jacket around the grill head.
- Ventilation: an island that encloses a propane tank or gas line needs vent panels low on the cabinet, since propane is heavier than air.
For other outdoor cooking equipment, see pizza oven sizes, and to keep drinks cold beside the grill, the cooler size chart. The dining set that goes with the grill is covered in the patio furniture layout guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size grill do I need for a family of four?
About 300-450 sq in of primary grate. That holds 12-16 burgers or a meal of meat and vegetables at once, which covers four people with room for guests. A 22 in kettle (363 sq in) or a 2- to 3-burner gas grill fits this range.
How much space does a grill need from the house?
Most gas and charcoal grill manuals require about 24 in (61 cm) from combustible walls and railings at the sides and back, and no roof or overhang above. In apartment and other multifamily buildings, the International Fire Code bans open-flame grills within 10 ft of combustible construction, with an exception for small LP grills using 1 lb cylinders. Local rules can be stricter.
What is primary versus total cooking area?
Primary cooking area is the main grate over the heat. Total cooking area adds the warming rack, which sits above the grate and is used for keeping food warm or toasting buns. Compare grills on primary area; total area can be 25-40% larger.
How tall is a grill with the lid open?
A full-size gas grill is 57-62 in (145-157 cm) tall with the lid open, against 45-48 in closed. Make sure an open lid clears any overhead branches, awnings or umbrellas by a wide margin, since hot air and flare-ups rise from it.
How big is a 20 lb propane tank?
A standard 20 lb grill cylinder is about 12 in (30-31 cm) in diameter and 18 in (46 cm) tall. It holds about 4.7 gallons of propane, roughly 430,000 BTU, which runs a 30,000 BTU three-burner grill on full for about 14 hours.