AEI Corporation

College students love outdoor living spaces where they can relax, socialize, and cook delicious meals. Apartment buildings and dormitories near college campuses often compete to attract students by offering exciting amenities like pools, gyms, and outdoor patio grills. Providing high-quality grills can significantly enhance student satisfaction and make your property stand out.

In this guide, we'll explore why outdoor patio grills are a perfect addition to college student housing and discuss the best grill options for multifamily properties that cater to students. Whether you own an apartment building or manage dorm-style housing, adding outdoor grills to your property is a great way to attract student residents.

Understanding Student Housing

Student housing, commonly known as dorms or dormitories, provides living spaces specifically designed for college students. These buildings can be owned either by the school or private property owners who lease units exclusively to students. Apartment buildings located near colleges are especially popular because they offer comfortable living close to campus, allowing students to walk or bike to class easily.

Property owners want to attract students by offering valuable amenities, which often include outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation. Adding outdoor patio grills is a proven method for increasing the appeal of your property and making it a desirable living option.

Why Choose Communal Outdoor Grill Areas?

Individual apartments and dorm rooms typically have limited space, making it difficult to include personal patio grills. Communal outdoor grilling areas solve this issue by providing a shared space where students can gather, socialize, and enjoy cooking outdoors. These spaces encourage community building and create opportunities for social interactions among residents.

Depending on your property's size and the number of residents, it may be a good idea to install multiple communal grilling areas, each with multiple grills. This ensures students always have easy access to grills without overcrowding.

Popular Locations for Communal Grilling Areas

There are several ideal locations on your property to create attractive and convenient grilling areas:

Rooftop Patios

Rooftop patios are popular in urban settings, where outdoor space at ground level is limited. By converting a rooftop into an inviting patio area, property owners can offer students an exceptional outdoor grilling experience with stunning views of the city.

However, some cities have regulations that restrict the use of natural gas or propane appliances on rooftops. Electric patio grills are an excellent solution in these situations because they meet city codes. Additionally, prefab grill islands designed for rooftop use are lightweight, making them suitable for locations with weight limits.

Poolside Patios

Poolside patios are another favorite spot among college students. These areas allow students to enjoy swimming while grilling their favorite foods nearby. Combining a grilling area with a pool creates an exciting and highly appealing recreational space for student residents.

Dedicated Grill Areas

If your property has ample outdoor space, consider creating dedicated grill areas with several grills, comfortable seating, lighting, and even patio heaters. These areas become social hubs for students, fostering friendships and community spirit.

Types of Outdoor Patio Grills

When choosing grills for student housing, you have several options:

Electric Patio Grills

Electric grills are becoming increasingly popular, especially in areas with strict energy and safety regulations. They require a proper NEMA 6-30 electrical receptacle, which must be installed by an electrician if you don’t have one already. Electric patio grills are a perfect choice for rooftop patios and areas where natural gas or propane grills aren't permitted.

Natural Gas Grills

Natural gas grills are reliable, cost-effective, and ideal for communal grill areas. These grills connect directly to a gas line, providing a continuous fuel supply without the hassle of replacing tanks. They come in stainless steel or cast aluminum models, offering great durability and corrosion resistance.

Propane Grills

Liquid Propane grills are portable, versatile, and do not require a fixed gas line. Instead, they use propane tanks stored underneath the grill. This makes propane grills suitable for locations where natural gas connections are not feasible. They are available in durable stainless steel and affordable cast aluminum models.

The Best Outdoor Patio Grills for Dorms: The T-Series

The T-Series line offers several outstanding grills, each designed specifically for multifamily student housing environments:

Stainless Steel Grills

• PGS S27T: Compact and efficient grill, perfect for smaller communal areas. Offers 43,000 BTUs of grilling power for efficient cooking.
• PGS S36T: Medium-sized grill ideal for moderately-sized communal spaces. Features 64,500 BTUs for enhanced grilling performance.
• PGS S48T: Large stainless suitable for high-capacity grilling areas, perfect for larger student populations. Delivers 82,000 BTUs to handle busy grilling demands.

Case Aluminum Grills

• PGS T30: Versatile grill offering robust performance and durability, suitable for most communal settings. Provides 30,000 BTUs, which is ideal for versatile cooking needs.
• PGS T40: Large and reliable grill designed to accommodate heavy use in busy communal grilling areas. Delivers 40,000 BTUs for powerful cooking capability.

Electric Grill

• PGS E27T: Electric grill specifically suited for rooftop patios or areas with strict city regulations on gas appliances. Operates at 5880 watts, perfect for electric-only grilling spaces.

Each T-Series grill includes these essential features that enhance safety, convenience, and durability:

• 60-Minute Automatic Shutoff Timer
• Anti-Theft Control Knobs
• Laser-Etched Control Directions
• Robust Warranties
• Dedicated OEM Grill Replacement Parts Website
• Comprehensive Spec Sheets and Manuals

Optional Grill Accessories

• Lift Assist Grill Handle
• Stainless Steel Side Shelves and Storage
• Beverage Centers
• Emergency Stop Buttons

Ready to elevate your student housing property with top-quality outdoor patio grills? Contact AEI Corporation today and let our experts help you choose the perfect grills and accessories for your property. Enhance student living, satisfaction, and property appeal—get started now!

Have a Question?

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.