To Grill or Not To Grill??

Question

Mark S. · Answer

I'm with @John Underwood .

We started with a cheap propane grill (the 'cheap' part was the mistake) but it rotted out quickly in the Galveston salt air.  And it was much harder to keep clean and the propane was always a concern.

Instead we bought a charcoal Weber kettle grill for $100 or so.  Haven't had any issues yet.  In fact we use it in two different properties.  Easy to keep clean, easy to operate, etc.  And if it ever fails, just pop in another one.  But so far going on one year and still strong with them.

Lastly, it isn't something that either of our housekeepers include in their service so not having to clean a propane grill is a big plus for us.

John Underwood · Answer

For me I have a very nice Lake house and I use a charcoal grill for the following reasons:

I don't have to worry about running out of gas. I have see some nasty reviews on other properties from the renter running out of gas during their vacation.

I have a gas grill at home and they are a pain to take apart and clean. Charcoal grills are much easier to keep clean.

I advertise a charcoal grill and that the renters supply their own charcoal.

Never had a single complaint about the charcoal grill.

Food taste better on charcoal and people on vacation have to time relax and wait on the charcoal to be ready to cook on.

You can get a good charcoal grill for much less than a good gas grill. It will also need to be replaced at some time.

William Leahy · Answer

Quality gas grill and comfortable outdoor seating. Get them outside as much as possible.

Nay Morgan · Answer

Awesome! This thread has been very helpful.  I was debating, and now I feel a lot better about my purchase.  It even has a smoker!

Aaron T. · Answer

I have a deck and advertise that we have outdoor furniture, so in FL I provide a gas grill and utensils they can use for it.

The dollar store has grilling utensils. then I buy the grill on sale when needed.

Chris Watson · Answer

We went with a Weber Spirit propane and people have even mentioned it in the reviews.  It is quality will last years and do not have to worry about guests pouring hot coals in the garbage or in the woods.  I have a neighbor above me with a cabin and he had his garbage cans in a shed for guests (bears).  His guests put hot coals in the garbage and now he has no shed!

We keep 4 propane bottles on property, 1 hooked up, 1 spare nearby for guests and 2 in my storage shed for the cleaners to rotate.  I thought about hooking the grill up to my propane line (used for the gas fireplace inside) but all it takes is one guest leaving the grill on or a kid playing with the knobs to go through 100 gallons.

Colleen F. · Answer

We don't have natural gas so we have those propane tanks you swap out for a gas grill, you can get an extra.  Its usual for RI.  Charcoal is great for some locations but for others it is a fire hazard disposing of ashes.  We have a small trash can for ashes for charcoal grills in phoenix but some people aren't used the charcoal.

Bill Cereske · Answer

When we first started renting out Lake Tahoe vacation rental, we had a charcoal grill.  Guests would dump hot ashes down the bluff, causing a fire hazard. One or two guests complained about having to buy charcoal.  Now, we have a very nice gas grill on the deck, which is the natural grill to use, because of it's convenience.  Around the corner, we maintain a nice charcoal grill, for those that prefer it and know how to use it.  Everybody is happy and those burn marks are no more.

Valerie Rogers · Answer

This is a debate I've been having with myself for the new property that we are buying in VA. We have a gas grill in our CO property and our FL properties are not allowed to have a grill on the balconies. (The building has charcoal grills on the grounds that the guests can use.)

This new property is a stand-alone house in a neighborhood. It does not have any gas lines so a gas grill it not an option. I don't really want to deal with propane for the obvious reason of inconvenience to the guest if the tank is empty. I'm worried about guests burning the house down with a charcoal grill.

I've been considering an electric grill like these advertised on Amazon. Has anyone ever used an electric grill at your properties?

To Grill or Not To Grill??

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