KoKoMo Professional Series · Model KO-PRO-5BG
Cast Burners, Interior Lighting, and 87,000 BTU of Cooking Power
This is the top of KoKoMo's built-in gas line. Five commercial-grade cast stainless burners at 15,000 BTU each, plus a 12,000 BTU infrared back burner — 87,000 BTU total across 920 square inches. Then the details that separate a Professional from a Classic: heat zone separators that physically divide the cooking surface, interior lighting so you can see what you're doing after dark, and illuminated control knobs.
Everything about it is built for the person whose outdoor kitchen is the real kitchen from May through October, and who cooks on it after the sun goes down.
87,000Total BTU
15,000BTU Per Cast Burner
920Sq. In. Cooking Area
304Cast Stainless Burners
At a Glance
What You're Actually Getting
- Five commercial-grade 304 cast stainless burners at 15,000 BTU each
- Infrared back burner rated to 1,000°F in under 30 seconds
- Heat zone separators dividing the surface into individual temperature zones
- Interior grill lighting for cooking after dark
- Illuminated control knobs
- 920 sq. in. of total cooking area, including the warming rack
- Ceramic searing briquette system across the full burner bed
- Independent SureLight ignition per burner, with flash-tube backup
- Dual-wall hood, seamless polished edge, mounted temperature gauge
- Full-width stainless drip tray, removable for cleaning
Classic vs. Professional
Three Things This Grill Has That the Classic Doesn't
KoKoMo sells a 40" five-burner in both lines and they look similar in a photograph. They are not the same appliance. Here is exactly what the Professional adds, and why each one matters in practice.
01 Burner Hardware
Cast stainless burners at 15,000 BTU
The Classic runs stainless pipe burners at 12,000 BTU. The Professional uses cast 304 stainless at 15,000. Casting produces a thicker, denser burner body — higher strength and more corrosion resistance than formed tube. The practical result is 15,000 more BTU across the main bed and burners that hold their shape longer under repeated thermal cycling.
02 Heat Control
Heat zone separators
Physical dividers between burner sections that stop heat migrating sideways across the cooking surface. On a grill without them, a hot zone bleeds into the zone beside it and your low end never stays low. These let you actually hold 250°F next to 700°F instead of approximating it.
03 Night Use
Interior lights and illuminated knobs
Interior lighting illuminates the grilling surface, and the control knobs light up so you can read your settings in the dark. If you entertain in the evening, this is the feature you'll notice every single cook — and the one you'll resent not having.
The Burner System
Why Cast Stainless Changes the Cook
Burner construction is the least glamorous spec on any grill and the one that determines how long you keep it. Formed tube burners are stamped and welded from sheet stainless. Cast burners are poured — a thicker, denser body with no seam to fail along.
More output, held more evenly
Each cast burner produces 15,000 BTU against the Classic's 12,000. Across five burners that's 75,000 BTU on the main bed before the back burner is even lit. More important than the headline number is what the mass does: a heavier burner body distributes flame more evenly along its length, so you don't get the hot-in-the-middle, cool-at-the-ends pattern that thin tube burners develop as they age.
Ceramic briquettes underneath
Below the grates sits a bed of commercial-grade ceramic searing briquettes acting as the flame tamer. They spread each burner's heat laterally so a zone reads consistently across its width, and they intercept drippings before those drippings reach open flame — which is what causes flare-ups. Unlike lava rock they don't break down, so there's nothing to replace seasonally.
Heat Zone Separators
Five Zones That Stay Where You Put Them
Every multi-burner grill claims zone cooking. Most of them can't hold it, because there's nothing physically stopping heat from a burner running wide open from drifting into the section next to it. Twenty minutes in, your indirect zone is running 150 degrees hotter than you set it and the chicken you parked there is dry.
Heat zone separators are dividers built between the burner sections. They contain each burner's heat within its own lane, which is what makes a genuine temperature gradient possible across 39¾ inches.
What this lets you actually do
- Hold a true low-and-slow zone at one end while searing at the other
- Reverse-sear a thick cut without moving it to a second appliance
- Run vegetables, protein, and a warming zone simultaneously without cross-cooking
- Keep finished food genuinely warm rather than slowly overcooking it
Combined with independent valves
Each of the five burners has its own valve and its own igniter, so the zones are yours to arrange in any pattern. The separators make those settings hold. Independent control without separation gives you five knobs and two real temperatures; this gives you five.
After Dark
Built for Cooking When the Sun's Down
Most outdoor entertaining happens in the evening. Most grills are designed as though it happens at noon. The Professional addresses that with two features the Classic line doesn't carry.
Interior grill lighting
Lights inside the hood illuminate the cooking surface so you can judge color and doneness without holding a phone flashlight in your teeth. It sounds like a small thing until the first time you're plating for eight people in the dark and you can actually see what you're serving.
Illuminated control knobs
The knobs light up so you can read your settings at a glance. On a five-burner grill running a temperature gradient, knowing which burner is where without crouching down with a light is the difference between managing the cook and guessing at it.
Plan for power. The lighting system requires an electrical supply at the grill. If you're designing the island now, get an outdoor-rated outlet into the plan before anything is poured — retrofitting power into a finished masonry island is a genuinely expensive afternoon. Your electrician should install to local code, or National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70 where none applies.
Infrared Back Burner
The Burner That Changes What You Can Cook
An infrared back burner is a different heat source from the ones under the grates. Rather than heating air, it radiates directly onto the surface of the food from behind — the same principle as a restaurant salamander. KoKoMo rates this one at 12,000 BTU, reaching roughly 1,000°F in under 30 seconds.
What it's for
- Rotisserie chicken, pork loin, and leg of lamb with even browning on every side
- Finishing a reverse-seared roast with a hard crust and no overcooked band
- Charring peppers, or crisping skin without drying what's beneath it
- High-heat wok and stir-fry work in a pan on the rear grates
Lighting it correctly
The back burner lights differently than the main burners, and it catches people out. Turn the knob slowly and stop just before the ignition snaps, then hold seven to ten seconds. That lets gas travel across to the far side where the igniter sits. Then complete the turn. Do it once and you'll never think about it again.
The rotisserie kit is sold separately. The infrared back burner is built into the grill and included. The motor, spit rod, forks, and brackets are an add-on — without them, that burner has no rotisserie to drive. We stock the KoKoMo kit sized for five-burner models and can ship it on the same freight.
Construction
304 Stainless, Front to Back
KoKoMo builds this unit entirely from 304 stainless steel — the grade specified across commercial kitchens and marine applications for corrosion resistance and sanitation. It matters more outdoors than most buyers expect: a built-in grill lives through rain, sprinkler overspray, pool chemistry, and salt air, and lower stainless grades show it within a couple of seasons.
-
Heavy-duty 304 stainless frame with a dual-wall hood — two layers with an air gap, keeping the exterior cooler and holding heat in the chamber
-
Seamless polished edge hood, with no welded seam line to trap grease along the perimeter
-
Commercial-grade non-coated cooking grids, heavier and tighter-spaced than typical for this class — thermal mass is what produces sear marks rather than just cooking meat through
-
Full-size stainless drip tray spanning the firebox, pulling straight out for cleaning
-
Hood-mounted temperature gauge for reading chamber temperature with the lid closed
-
1" mounting flange on all four sides, concealing a rough cutout edge for a clean drop-in
Measurements
Dimensions & Island Cutout
These are the numbers to hand your mason or cabinet fabricator. Confirm them against your unit before anyone starts cutting — and remember to plan an electrical run for the lighting system at the same time.
Burner & Fuel
Main burners
5 commercial-grade 304 cast stainless burners
Output per main burner
15,000 BTU
Infrared back burner
12,000 BTU
Total BTU output
87,000 BTU
Total cooking area
920 sq. in. (includes warming rack)
Flame tamer
Ceramic searing briquette system
Heat zone separators
Included
Primary ignition
SureLight, independent per burner
Secondary ignition
Flash tube
Lighting
Interior grill lights and illuminated control knobs
Fuel type
Liquid propane or natural gas
Rotisserie kit
Optional, sold separately
Materials & Configuration
Exterior material
Stainless steel
Collection
KoKoMo Professional
Island Requirements
The island must be built from non-combustible material — framing a grill cutout in wood is the most common and most dangerous mistake in DIY outdoor kitchen builds. KoKoMo specifies a minimum 14" clearance from the sides and 16" from the back to any adjacent combustible construction. Installation must conform to local code, or to National Fuel Gas Code ANSI Z223.1 where none exists. Check with your city and fire department; outdoor kitchen construction often requires a permit. Have the gas connection made by a licensed professional — improper installation can affect warranty coverage.
In the Crate
What Ships With Your Grill
Included
- Grill head, fully pre-assembled
- Five cast stainless burners, installed
- Infrared back burner, installed
- Heat zone separators
- Interior lighting and illuminated knobs
- Ceramic searing briquette flame tamer system
- Commercial-grade stainless cooking grids
- Stainless steel warming rack
- Full-size stainless steel drip tray
- Hood-mounted temperature gauge
Sold separately
- Rotisserie kit with motor, spit rod, and forks
- Gas regulator and flex connector, per your fuel type and installer
- Protective canvas cover
- Stainless smoker box insert
- Griddle plate insert
- Grill cart, if you're not building it in
Confirm your gas configuration when you order. This grill is available in liquid propane and natural gas. Regulator requirements differ between the two, and conversion work should be performed by a licensed gas professional. Call us before ordering and we'll make sure the unit that ships matches the line already at your island.
Warranty & Support
Manufacturer Warranty Coverage
KoKoMo covers this grill under a tiered limited warranty to the original purchaser under normal residential use. Coverage periods by component:
Limited Warranty Periods
Stainless steel frame and housing
Lifetime
Stainless steel burners
10 years
Stainless steel flame tamer and grates
10 years
Igniter system and other components
2 years
Grill accessories
30 days
Warranty applies to residential use and excludes rental or commercial applications. It does not cover rust, corrosion, oxidation, or discoloration arising from moisture or overheating, and does not cover labor charges. Coverage is valid at the original delivery site with proof of purchase. Refer to your unit's manual for the full terms that apply to this model.
Register your unit
The serial number sits on the left side of the firebox. Record it with your model number and purchase date before installation — once the grill is seated in a masonry island, that label becomes very hard to reach.
Authorized dealer support
Buying through an authorized dealer keeps your warranty valid and gives you a real person to call. If a claim needs filing, reach us at 833-777-2962 or info@smokeforges.com and we handle it with KoKoMo directly.
Common Questions
Questions Before You Buy
Is the Professional worth the step up from the Classic 40"?
It depends on how you cook. You're paying for three things: cast burners at 15,000 BTU instead of pipe burners at 12,000, heat zone separators that make multi-zone cooking actually hold, and the lighting package. If you grill mostly on weekend afternoons and cook simple direct-heat food, the Classic will serve you well and save you real money. If you entertain in the evening, run multiple temperatures at once, or want the heaviest burner hardware in the line, the Professional is the one. Call us and describe how you cook — we'll tell you honestly which fits.
Does the grill need electrical power?
Yes, for the interior lights and illuminated knobs. Plan an outdoor-rated outlet at the grill location during island design. If you're building now, this is the single most important thing to get into the plan early — adding power to a finished masonry island is expensive and disruptive. Installation should follow local code, or National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70 where none applies.
What exactly are heat zone separators?
Physical dividers built between the burner sections that stop heat from one burner drifting into the section beside it. Without them, an aggressive sear zone will slowly pull your indirect zone up with it, and the food you parked there to cook gently ends up overcooked. With them, a low zone holds low. It's a hardware solution to the problem every multi-burner gas grill has, and it's the feature most buyers don't know to ask about until they've lived without it.
Is the rotisserie kit included?
No. The infrared back burner is built into the grill and included, but the rotisserie kit — motor, spit rod, forks, and brackets — is a separate purchase. We stock the KoKoMo kit sized for five-burner models and can add it to the same shipment. If rotisserie cooking is why you're buying this grill, order both together.
Does 920 square inches include the warming rack?
Yes, and we'd rather say so plainly since most listings don't. The 920 figure is total cooking area with the warming rack counted in. It's still a substantial primary grilling surface for a 40" unit, but plan capacity around the main grid rather than the headline number.
Can I put this on a cart instead of building it in?
Yes. The same grill head that drops into an island mounts to a KoKoMo cart sized for 40" heads, which adds side shelving and enclosed storage on caster wheels. Keep in mind you'll still need power routed to the cart for the lighting. Call us to confirm current cart availability and fitment.
What does delivery look like on a grill this size?
It ships free on all orders. A 40" built-in head moves by freight on a pallet rather than parcel. You'll be contacted to schedule a delivery window. Plan on a second person being available — both for offloading and for setting the grill into the cutout, which is genuinely a two-person job.
Can I return it if it doesn't fit my island?
Eligible unused returns are subject to our published return policy, including freight and restocking conditions; and we'd much rather help you avoid the situation. Measure your opening against the cutout dimensions above, and if there's any ambiguity at all, call
833-777-2962 before ordering. Ten minutes on the phone beats a freight return every time.
Documentation
Specs, Manual & Install Support
Model-specific documentation
The Professional Series carries different burner hardware, an electrical system, and heat zone separators, so its documentation differs from the Classic line manual. We'll send the current spec sheet and installation guide for this exact model — including confirmed cutout dimensions and electrical requirements — before you build.
Request it at 833-777-2962 or info@smokeforges.com
Before you order
Confirm four things: your island cutout, your gas type, whether power is planned at the grill location, and whether you want the rotisserie kit on the same freight. One call settles all of them.
Call 833-777-2962
Email info@smokeforges.com
Authorized KoKoMo Grills Dealer
The Top of the KoKoMo Built-In Line
The Professional 40" five-burner ships free to your door with authorized dealer support from island planning through your first evening cook. If you're weighing this against the Classic, call us — that's a conversation worth having before the concrete sets.
Call 833-777-2962
Prefer email? Reach us at info@smokeforges.com
Free Shipping on All Orders Easy Returns Authorized Dealer 304 Cast Stainless Burners
[sf-highlights] flame :: 87,000 BTU With Infrared Back Burner shield :: Lifetime Limited Warranty on Housing truck :: Free Shipping on All Orders flag :: 304 Cast Stainless Burner System [/sf-highlights]
