Gas gets dinner done fast — but low-and-slow is where backyard legends are made. Our answer for clients who want both: build a pellet smoker right into the BBQ island, side by side with the gas grill. One island, two completely different ways to cook.
Why build the smoker in?
A freestanding smoker on wheels always looks like an afterthought parked next to a beautiful island. Building it in gives the smoker a permanent home at counter height, wind protection from the masonry around it, and prep space right where you need it. The island below holds pellets, tools, and everything else out of sight.
The gas + pellet combo
This build says it all: pellet smoker on one end for brisket and ribs, gas grill on the other for weeknight burgers, and a griddle between them for smash burgers and breakfast. That’s a full range of cooking in one clean run of counter — the layout we recommend to anyone serious about backyard cooking. We built a similar combo in The Paseos, Summerlin.
Design notes from our builds
- Counter clearance — pellet smokers vent differently than gas grills, so we size the cutout and surrounding counter to keep heat away from finishes.
- Pellet storage below — a dry drawer or door bay under the smoker keeps fuel close and protected.
- Counter material matters — we favor stone that shrugs off heat and smoke residue; see our counter guide.
Ready for low-and-slow?
If your weekends revolve around smoke rings, let’s design a custom BBQ island around it — and when it’s built, our first-brisket guide will get you started. Contact us for a free design consultation. Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, and Summerlin since 1998.
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