How To Select The Right Sized Outdoor Grill To Meet Single & Multi-Family Home Needs
An outdoor barbecue enthusiast can sometimes get overly excited when choosing a new portable propane grill and exclaim, “go big or go home!” It’s difficult to disagree with the idea of having more than ample space to prepare choice cuts of beef, chicken wings, and veggies on your very own outdoor grill. But too much of a good thing can leave home and multi-family property owners wasting fuel unnecessarily because much of the cooking area remains underused.
If you are considering purchasing a high-quality residential BBQ or commercial natural gas grill, the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears may be more apropos. In the fairy tale, she inadvertently breaks the chair that was too small and feels uncomfortable in the one that was too large. That’s why Goldilocks — like backyard BBQ lovers — need to select a grill that fits “just right.”
How To Select The Right Sized Outdoor Residential BBQ
It’s essential to understand that choosing the right sized outdoor grill should primarily be based on cooking space. Direct and indirect cooking areas are typically measured in square inches. Some residential BBQ insiders firmly believe that the best choice reflects approximately 100 square inches for each family member. The average family usually has three people in it.
That measure typically meets the needs of weekend outdoor grill chefs and accounts for occasional friends and family members gathering with some delay. For instance, preparing hot dogs and hamburgers for 3-6 people won’t likely occupy all the grilling space. But add a few more guests, ribeye steaks, grilled onions, veggie kabobs, and 300 square inches can look like rush hour traffic.
Although 100 inches per family member seems reasonable, decision-makers are tasked with taking a long look at how often you entertain friends and family members or hold large gatherings. That being said, these are ways to think through the size of the residential BBQ grill you might need.
- Small Grills: A modestly-sized grill such as a PGS A-Series or T-Series grill starts with 330 square inches of grilling area. This size typically suffices when people lean toward intimate gatherings. For the average family of three who is not necessarily backyard BBQ aficionados, these models generate more than enough BTUs, and warming racks enjoy upwards of 121 square inches.
- Mid-Sized Grills: A mid-sized unit for a family of five would run upwards of 500 square inches if we adhere to the theoretical guideline. That’s a great deal of cooking grate surface and likely “too big” unless you plan to entertain regularly. It may be worthwhile to select a grill at about 400 square inches, such as the larger PGS T40 model. This option generates upwards of 40,000 BTUs and a cooking space of 434 square inches. If you rank among the many homeowners who use a residential BBQ regularly for family meals and entertain infrequently, PGS Grills offer side burners. Using side burners means you won’t waste fuel cooking on the liquid propane or natural gas grill.
- Large Grills: Large families and homeowners who entertain regularly may be best served by installing built-in grills. The PGS line allows backyard chefs the flexibility of permanently fixing them in place or using cart mounts for a portable propane grill. The PGS Legacy built-in grills are industry-leading models that deliver upwards of 960 square inches of direct cooking space and warming racks that run 355 square inches. This flagship large grill generates 102,000 BTUs and can handle whatever you throw at it. The Legacy built-in grill can also be accessorized with an infrared rotisserie burner.
When selecting the right sized outdoor grill, homeowners may also want to consider placement. Not every deck, patio, or veranda can accommodate the square inches of grill space you require. Much of that challenge stems from the size of the mounting option.
A portable propane grill set on a cart with wheels can be repositioned easily. Pedestal mounts tend to minimize the grill’s footprint. Naturally, built-in grills are largely integrated into outdoor countertops. For those who don’t want to hire a contractor to do a build-out, PGS grills can leverage the prefabricated Gensun kitchen island.
The critical takeaway when selecting the correct sized outdoor grill is to consider regular family use as well as gathering frequency. If you believe a small or mid-sized model meets the vast majority of your grilling needs, you can always accessorize with side shelves and burners. This strategy allows homeowners to save a little money and use the square footage that’s “just right.” But if you anticipate large family gatherings, birthday parties, graduation events, and other get-togethers, it may be best to go big and stay home.
How To Choose The Right Sized Grills For Multi-Family Properties.
Landlords and residential community facilities face additional challenges when selecting the best suited outdoor barbecue grills. The math will not likely be as simple as counting family members and the number of people who attend get-togethers. Apartment complexes and condo associations, for example, house residents who also bring an unknown number of guests. As a decision-maker, ask yourself the following questions before selecting portable propane or natural gas grill.
- How many residents do you have?
- How many typically live in each unit?
- How big is your property?
- How big is your communal outdoor patio space?
- Are your individual units large enough to have their own grills?
Smaller multi-family dwellings such as side-by-sides and duplexes may require only a mid-sized outdoor BBQ to suffice, depending on frequency and tenants. When property managers install a built-in gas grill in a common area, people tend to use it during lovely weather days or special events. If you operate a luxury residential community, it may be worthwhile to install on a large built-in gas grill and distribute mid-sized and smaller units strategically. This can help avoid community members experiencing weekend wait times.
At this juncture, it’s clear we are way beyond headcounts and potential gatherings. Large communities may call for a built-in grill installation near the pool, green spaces, and areas designated for large groups. Some savvy property owners invest in installing smaller propane grills on everyone’s patio and charge a lease premium. This generally results in an excellent return on investment, resident satisfaction, and occupant waitlists.
Choose the Right Sized PGS Grill & Accessories for Your Needs
Home and multi-family property owners deserve durable cast aluminum and stainless steel BBQ grills that stand up to inclement weather and the test of time. The PGS Grill line offers small, mid-size, and large outdoor grill options with square inches of cooking space to meet everyone’s needs. Because these high-quality grills can be deftly accessorized, enjoy flexible mounting options, and work on liquid propane or natural gas, they remain the popular solution. PGS Grills enjoy comprehensive warranties, and owners can conveniently order OEM grill replacement parts if something eventually wears out. Whether you want to go big, medium, or small, there’s a PGS Grill that fits just right.