TrueFlame TF Built-In Gas Grill Size Guide: 25″, 32″, 40″

Before you commit to a TF size, measure the opening you have to work with — or, if you're framing a new island, the opening you intend to build. Three dimensions decide whether the grill head will drop in:

• Width. Side-to-side along the front face of the island. The grill drops in from above and rests on the front, sides, and back of the cutout. Cutout width: 23¼″ for TF25 (25″ nominal), 30¾″ for TF32 (32″ nominal), 38¼″ for TF40 (40″ nominal).
• Depth. Front-to-back from the inside of the front island wall to the inside of the back wall. Cutout depth is uniform across the TF lineup: 20¾″.
• Height (drop). Top-of-counter down to the bottom of the island enclosure. Cutout height is uniform across the TF lineup: 8¼″. This is the portion of the firebox that hangs into the island below the counter line.

Beyond the cutout itself, also confirm the clearance envelope around the island: 2″ minimum from each side and the rear if the surrounding material is non-combustible (brick, masonry, stainless steel), more if any wall is combustible (see the Clearances section), 5 ft minimum overhead clearance to any construction, and a 120V outlet within reach of the enclosure for the transformer.

Cutout dimensions for each TF built-in head, sourced from the TrueFlame TF Grill owner's manual. All dimensions assume a non-combustible enclosure. Verify the rough opening before committing — the grill drops into this opening from above and rests on the surrounding countertop via the integral hanger flange.

Overall head dimensions sit larger than the cutout because the head includes the hanger flange that rests on the counter and the hood that sits above the counter line. Use the cutout dimensions above for framing the rough opening; use the overall dimensions below to verify counter footprint and surrounding clearances:

Per the TrueFlame TF owner's manual, every TF built-in must maintain the minimum clearances below. The clearance scheme differs by what the grill is adjacent to — non-combustible material (brick, masonry, properly rated stainless steel, concrete) requires the shortest clearance; protected or unprotected combustible material requires more space.

The 2″ non-combustible clearance applies to the right side, left side, and rear of the grill. Backsplash clearance is also 2″ minimum from the rear of the unit when the backsplash is non-combustible.

If the TF grill is installed under a covered patio with an exhaust hood, the hood area above the cooking surface must be larger than the cooking area of the grill, and the blower must produce a minimum of 1,000 CFM for proper outdoor exhausting. Installation in fully enclosed patio areas is not recommended.

The non-combustible enclosure must include ventilation openings to allow air circulation around the grill firebox and to prevent gas accumulation. The TF owner's manual specifies:

• Either fully open to the outside, OR ventilation openings MUST be provided.
• Each opening should have a minimum of 10 sq in of free area. Four openings sized equally provide a total of 40 sq in.
• Two openings should be in the side walls of the enclosure, equally spaced and at a minimum of 90° from each other. The openings should begin 1″ or less from the bottom of the enclosure.
• The openings must remain unobstructed: maintain a 6″ minimum clearance between vent openings and any items outside the enclosure, and a 2″ minimum clearance between vents and items within the enclosure.

A pressure regulator must be installed on the gas line; never connect a gas line directly to the grill. Removing or failing to install the pressure regulator can result in fire, serious injury, and voids the Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty. The factory regulator orifice is tuned for the gas type specified on the rating plate; converting to a different fuel requires the included orifice conversion kit (NG kit shipped with LP factory units, LP kit shipped with NG factory units).

• Gas supply pipe must be ½″ minimum inside diameter (1″ outside diameter).
• For longer supply runs, size the line to accommodate the total BTU demand of all gas-fired equipment connected to that line — refer to NFPA 54 / ANSI Z223.1 guidelines.
• Do not use tape, pipe dope, or threading compound on flare fittings. Pipe joint compound resistant to gases is allowed on NPT fittings only.
• TrueFlame recommends only qualified professionals perform plumbing on this product.

Size the supply line based on the peak demand of the grill plus any other appliances drawing from the same line (range, water heater, dryer, fire feature, side burner, power burner). When pairing a TF grill with a TFSB2 Side Burner or TFPB Power Burner on the same supply, use a 3/8″ threaded T-adapter fitting to connect both appliances — install per the gas line diagram in the TF owner's manual.

• LP models are designed for use with a standard 20 lb. liquid propane cylinder with a Type 1 valve connection. The cylinder is not included.
• The LP cylinder must be stored outdoors in a well-ventilated area, out of reach of children. Never fill the cylinder beyond 80%.
• If the grill is stored indoors, the LP cylinder must be disconnected and stored outdoors in an upright position, away from excessive heat.
• If installing in an enclosure, ventilation is required on opposite sides to create cross-ventilation — propane is heavier than air and vents should be located near the bottom of the enclosure.
• Check for leaks with soapy water after every cylinder change.

Create a soapy water solution (1 part soap to 3 parts water). Confirm all control knobs are in the OFF position, then turn on the fuel supply: for NG, turn the valve handle ¼ turn; for LP, turn the cylinder valve counterclockwise one full rotation. Apply the soapy solution generously by paint brush or squirt bottle on all connections and fittings. If bubbles form on any connection, you have a leak — immediately turn OFF the gas supply, wash the soap off with cold water, and tighten the joint or replace the faulty part. Repeat the leak test before lighting the grill.

Every TF grill ships with a transformer that powers:

• The halogen interior lighting (lights the cooking surface for nighttime use).
• The full-length exterior LED bar above the knobs (control-panel illumination).
• The individual LED indicators behind each knob (red when a burner is ON).

A standard 120V outlet within reach of the grill enclosure is required. Plug the transformer into the outlet; the supply cord routes from the outlet to the back of the grill firebox.

• Use a properly grounded 120V outlet in accordance with local codes, or in the absence of local codes, with the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) or the Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1), whichever is applicable.
• Keep all electrical supply cords and fuel supply hoses away from any heated surface. Electrical cords should not pass through the grill firebox or be in contact with any heated component.
• The Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty covers the transformer, LED bulbs, wire harness, switches, and interior halogen wire/bulb for 3 years (lifetime coverage on the rest of the electrical-adjacent stainless construction).

The TFE entry tier omits the transformer, the halogen interior, and the LED package. If you don't have a 120V outlet at the install location and prefer not to run one, the TFE25 or TFE32 drops into the same cutout as the matching TF size without requiring electrical service. See the TFE size guide for the corresponding cutout and clearance details.

All BBQ islands housing a TF grill must be manufactured from non-combustible materials. TrueFlame recommends cement board with steel studs and proper ventilation per local codes. A minimum 4″ vent size is required — one at the top and one at the bottom — to provide free-flowing air and keep the island cool during operation.

Pre-fabricated outdoor kitchen islands designed for built-in gas grills typically meet the non-combustible requirement. Verify with the island manufacturer before installation.

If the TF grill is installed in a built-in island and the fuel is propane (TF25L, TF32L, TF40L), the LP cylinder must be stored outside the cooking enclosure in a well-ventilated area. Never store a spare LP cylinder under or near the appliance. If you want propane storage integrated with the grill, the CART-TF-25DC, CART-TF-32DC, and CART-TF-40DC all include propane tank storage with cylinder lock-down hardware as part of the freestanding-cart configuration.

If you are installing in an enclosure with LP, provide ventilation on opposite sides of the enclosure to create cross-ventilation. Propane vapor is heavier than air; vents should be located near the bottom of the enclosure for any vapor to escape if a leak occurs.

To connect a TF grill and a TrueFlame Side Burner (TFSB2) or Power Burner (TFPB) on the same gas supply line, install a 3/8″ threaded T-adapter fitting on the supply line — one branch routes to the grill, the other to the side or power burner. We recommend a licensed gas technician install all gas lines. The TF owner's manual includes a side-burner connection diagram (Figure 8 in the LP installation section).

The TrueFlame Gold Standard Lifetime Warranty applies to the original purchaser at the original site of delivery with proof of purchase and photo documentation only. Coverage requires online registration at amddirect.com/register within 30 days of purchase and is non-transferable on resale. Not valid for unmaintained commercial, rental, or non-residential applications. See the Warranty section of the comparison guide for the full coverage table.