TrueFlame TFE Built-In Gas Grill Size Guide: 25″ and 32″

Before you commit to a TFE 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. Cutout width: 23¼″ for TFE25 (25″ nominal), 30¾″ for TFE32 (32″ 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 TFE lineup: 20¾″.
• Height (drop). Top-of-counter down to the bottom of the island enclosure. Cutout height is uniform: 8¼″.

The TFE cutout dimensions are identical to the TF cutout dimensions at the same nominal size. What differs is the surrounding clearance envelope — TFE requires 4″ from a non-combustible wall on each side and the rear, vs 2″ on TF. Verify the surrounding wall material and plan the rough opening with the TFE clearance scheme in mind. The Clearances section below covers each wall type.

Cutout dimensions for each TFE built-in head, sourced from the TrueFlame TFE 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 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 TFE owner's manual, every TFE built-in must maintain the minimum clearances below. The TFE clearance envelope is larger than the TF envelope at every wall type — plan the surrounding non-combustible / protected combustible / unprotected combustible distances using the TFE figures, not the TF figures.

The 4″ non-combustible clearance applies to the right side, left side, and rear of the grill. Backsplash clearance is also 4″ minimum from the rear of the unit when the backsplash is non-combustible.

If the TFE 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 1,200 CFM — higher than the TF series' 1,000 CFM requirement. 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. Per the TFE owner's manual:

• 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.

Neither TFE size includes a rear infrared burner. If rotisserie cooking is on the planning list, the TF32 or TF40 includes a 10,000 BTU rear infrared burner standard — see the TF size guide for the matching cutout and gas connection details. 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).

• 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 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.

The TFE entry tier does not include a transformer, halogen interior lighting, or the LED control-panel package that ship standard on TF. A TFE grill installs without 120V service at the cutout — a real install advantage where running power to the island isn't feasible (remote patios, post-and-beam installs, properties without a nearby electrical panel).

What you give up by skipping the electrical package:

• Halogen interior lighting — TF lights the cooking surface for nighttime use. TFE does not.
• Full-length LED bar above the knobs — TF illuminates the control panel face. TFE does not.
• Per-knob LED indicators — On TF, each knob has a red LED that lights when the burner is on; useful for confirming a burner has been shut off after cooking. TFE knobs are unlit.

If your install scenario adds an electrical outlet later, the TFE grill can be swapped for a TF in the same cutout to gain the LED package. Verify the surrounding clearance scheme matches the tier you order — TFE requires a 4″ non-combustible envelope, TF only requires 2″.

All BBQ islands housing a TFE 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 TFE grill is installed in a built-in island and the fuel is propane (TFE25L, TFE32L), 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-TFE-25 and CART-TFE-32 include propane tank storage with cylinder lock-down hardware as part of the freestanding-cart configuration. These are TFE-specific carts sized for TFE25 and TFE32.

To connect a TFE 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. A licensed gas technician should install all gas lines. Note that side and power burners do require a 120V outlet for their LED package, so adding one to a TFE-based island will pull electrical service to the cutout anyway — at which point a TF upgrade becomes a worthwhile re-evaluation.

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.