Quick answer: What this Backyard Discovery Saxony review covers
This Backyard Discovery Saxony review looks at whether the Saxony family of grill gazebos is a practical choice for backyard cooks who need shelter, ventilation, and weather protection. Short version: the Saxony line is built specifically for BBQ use — it keeps smoke away from siding, protects your grill from rain, and uses durable cedar so it ages well. For most homeowners the best balance of coverage and size is the Backyard Discovery Saxony XL 12′ x 6′ Cedar Wood BBQ Grill Gazebo, which I’ll recommend in this review.
What the Saxony is designed to do
The Saxony series is purpose-built for grilling: an open-side shelter that gives you headroom for hoods to vent, a roof to keep rain off, and cedar construction that resists rot and looks great next to patios. In this review I’ll cover build quality, assembly time, ventilation for smoke, and how the Saxony XL compares to smaller Saxony models.
Highlights
- Purpose-built grill shelter with an open front for easy access.
- Cedar construction that smells great during assembly and weathers to a nice silver patina if left unfinished.
- Pre-cut, pre-drilled parts and organized hardware make assembly realistic for two people in an evening (more on that below).
Assembly and real-world setup
One of the biggest questions people have is whether a grill gazebo is a weekend project or a multi-day contractor job. Backyard Discovery designs these kits for homeowners: boards are labeled, many holes are pre-drilled, and the instructions are straightforward. The larger Saxony XL may take a little longer than the smallest Saxony, but it’s still manageable with two people.
Watch a Real Backyard Discovery Gazebo Build in 4K
Before you commit to a gazebo, it helps to see one go together in the real world. Preston and his brother built a Backyard Discovery Arcadia 12′ x 9.5′ cedar gazebo in a single evening, start to finish.
In the 4K video below, you can see how the pre-cut, pre-drilled cedar pieces fit together, how the hardware is organized, and how manageable the process is for just two people. The fresh cedar smell, solid posts, and overall build quality are a big part of why we like Backyard Discovery so much.
If you want to see more photos and details from this exact build, Preston also wrote about the process on his personal site: PrestonShamblen.com/backyard-discovery-arcadia-gazebo-setup. It includes tips, notes, and behind-the-scenes details from the same evening.
The takeaway for Saxony shoppers: if Preston and his brother can realistically assemble an Arcadia model in a single evening, a very similar or identical garden-style gazebo like the Saxony XL is also reasonable for two people to complete in an evening with basic tools and an assistant.
Performance: smoke, wind, and rain
The Saxony XL is open-fronted, which helps keep smoke rising away from people and siding. The roof has enough clearance for most grills and smokers. For wind and driving rain consider anchoring the posts to a solid pad — Backyard Discovery recommends bolting to concrete or a well-compacted patio. The cedar structure is sturdy, but if you live in a high-wind or heavy-snow area you should check local load requirements; for most backyard climates the Saxony works well as a seasonal-to-year-round shelter.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Built for BBQ use, cedar material, straightforward assembly, organized hardware, attractive finish.
- Cons: Open sides mean less protection in sideways rain; anchoring to a pad is recommended for heavy weather; assembly requires two people for safe lifting.
Why choose the Backyard Discovery Saxony XL?
The Backyard Discovery Saxony XL 12′ x 6′ Cedar Wood BBQ Grill Gazebo is our pick in this review because it balances coverage and accessibility: it’s long enough to house a full grill and prep table, but narrow enough to fit along most patios. Backyard Discovery also offers good warranty support, a long catalog of cedar models, and proven real-world assembly thanks to pre-drilled parts.
Final verdict
Backyard Discovery Saxony review summary: the Saxony series — and especially the Saxony XL — is a smart, homeowner-friendly grill gazebo. If you want reliable weather protection and a dedicated BBQ station without hiring a contractor, the Saxony XL delivers. The cedar looks and smells great at assembly, the parts are homeowner-friendly, and with two people you can expect a realistic evening build similar to the Arcadia video above. For a focused, functional grill shelter this model is worth serious consideration.
