AEI Corporation

When you manage a multifamily property, hotel, or resort, every purchase affects your bottom line. Amenities are not just extras. They are part of your brand. They shape the experience residents and guests have on your property.

Patio grills are one of the most used outdoor amenities in apartments, condos, hotels, and resorts. Whether you install natural gas grills, propane grills, or electric grills, these units often become the center of your outdoor space.

At first glance, cheap grills from department stores seem like a smart decision. The upfront price is low. They look polished and ready to use. And they promise quick installation.

But cheap patio grills come with hidden costs.

Over time, those costs reduce your return on investment, increase maintenance headaches, and can even damage your reputation.

In this blog, we will break down the hidden costs of cheap grills and explain how investing in high quality patio grills protects your ROI.

Why Cheap Patio Grills Are So Tempting

Department store grills are designed for homeowners who grill occasionally. Maybe once a week during the summer. Maybe a few times a month.

Multifamily and hospitality properties are different.

In an apartment community, grills may be used daily by multiple residents. In a hotel or resort, they may be used nonstop during peak season.

Cheap grills are not built for that level of use.

They are manufactured with thinner metals, lighter components, and fewer built in safety features. The focus is on selling large volumes quickly, not on long term durability.

The low price tag hides the true cost of ownership.

The Real Cost of Replacing Cheap Grills

The first hidden cost is frequent replacement.

Cheap patio grills often break down faster under heavy use. Burners corrode. Igniters fail. Grates rust. Control knobs snap. Frames weaken.

Instead of lasting many years, they may need full replacement after only a few seasons.

Now imagine this scenario.

You install four inexpensive propane grills in your apartment community. Within two years, two grills stop lighting properly. One develops severe rust on the burners. The fourth has warped heat plates and uneven heating.

You replace three out of four units.

That cycle repeats again in a few years.

Instead of making one long term investment, you keep buying grills over and over. Over ten years, you may purchase three sets of cheap grills.

That destroys ROI.

High quality patio grills are built for commercial or shared use. High quality grills are designed to withstand daily cooking by multiple users. When you invest once in a durable grill, you avoid the constant replacement cycle.

Installation Costs Add Up Fast

Each time you replace a grill, you pay more than just the cost of the unit.

For natural gas grills, installation may include:

• Disconnecting and reconnecting gas lines
• Leak testing
• Securing the grill to a pedestal or mount
• Labor from maintenance staff or contractors

Propane grills require tank setup and safety checks.

Electric grills require proper electrical connections and weather safe placement.

Every replacement means more labor hours. More scheduling. More disruption.

If your maintenance team is busy swapping out broken grills, they are not focusing on other property needs.

Over time, repeated installation costs can equal thousands of dollars. That hidden expense rarely gets considered when buying cheap grills.

Increased Maintenance Bills

Cheap grills require more service calls.

Because department store grills are built with lower grade materials, they break down more often. Common problems include:

• Rusted burners
• Failed ignition systems
• Corroded cooking grates
• Broken control knobs
• Warped internal components

For multifamily properties, this leads to resident complaints and work orders. For hotels and resorts, it leads to guest dissatisfaction and front desk calls.

Each maintenance call costs money. Even if your in house team handles it, labor hours add up.

High quality patio grills reduce maintenance frequency. Stronger components, better construction, and commercial grade design mean fewer breakdowns.

Less downtime equals happier residents and guests.

Aftermarket Parts vs OEM Replacement Parts

When a department store grill fails, finding parts can be frustrating.

Models change frequently with cheap grills. Replacement parts for department store grills may be discontinued, or never available. You are often forced to use aftermarket parts that may not fit perfectly.

Aftermarket parts can:

• Take longer to install
• Require tedious adjustments
• Fail sooner
• Cause uneven performance

Aftermarket parts lead to more maintenance and more downtime.

AEI carries OEM replacement parts for PGS grills directly on our website. When a part needs to be replaced, you can order the correct component quickly and install it with confidence.

OEM parts are designed specifically for the grill. They fit properly and function correctly. That reduces frustration and protects your investment.

Fuel Waste Without Built In Grill Timers

One of the biggest hidden costs of cheap patio grills is wasted fuel.

In shared grilling areas, users may forget to turn off the grill. Without built in grill timers, a natural gas grill, propane grill, or electric grill can run for hours unattended.

That means:

• Wasted natural gas
• Drained propane tanks
• Higher utility bills
• Increased safety risks

AEI’s T Series patio grills come standard with 60 minute automatic gas flow shutoff grill timers built directly into the control panel.

This is critical for multifamily and hospitality settings.

With built-in grill timers, the gas or electricity shuts off automatically after a set time. This prevents fuel waste and reduces the risk of someone accidentally leaving a grill on overnight.

Over time, this feature alone can save significant money on fuel costs.

Reputation and Resident Satisfaction

Outdoor grilling areas are often highlighted in property marketing materials.

Residents expect functional patio grills. Guests expect resort amenities to work properly.

When grills are constantly broken, it affects your reputation.

Online reviews may mention:

• Broken grills
• Poor maintenance
• Disappointing amenities

That can influence future leasing decisions or booking choices.

Reliable natural gas grills, propane grills, or electric grills send a different message. They show that your property invests in quality and cares about the resident or guest experience.

Reputation is difficult to measure, but it has real financial impact.

Commercial Patio Grills vs Department Store Grills

Let us break it down clearly.

Cheap Department Store Grills:

• Built for light residential use
• Shorter lifespan
• Frequent maintenance
• No built in grill timers
• Limited or discontinued replacement parts
• Higher long term replacement cost

AEI PGS Commercial Patio Grills:

• Designed for multifamily and hospitality use
• Long lifespan under heavy daily use
• Lower maintenance requirements
• Built in 60 minute grill timers
• Easy to order OEM replacement parts
• Stronger long term ROI

When you compare total cost of ownership, commercial patio grills outperform cheap grills every time.

Features Designed for Multifamily and Hospitality

AEI’s T Series patio grills are built specifically for shared environments.

Key features include:

Built in grill timers
The 60 minute automatic gas shutoff timer prevents wasted fuel and improves safety.

Anti theft control knobs
These prevent unauthorized removal and reduce vandalism.

Laser etched instructions
Instructions are carved directly into the control panel. They will never fade, peel, or wear away.

Multiple mounting options
Choose pedestal mounts or other secure configurations to match your patio layout.

Material options
We offer stainless steel grills for maximum durability and cast aluminum grills for a more budget friendly option that still delivers strong performance.

Whether you need natural gas grills, propane grills, or electric grills, you can select a model that fits your property’s needs without sacrificing durability.

A Real World Example

Consider a mid sized apartment community with 200 units.

They install six low cost propane grills in their outdoor grilling area. Within three years:

• Four grills require major burner replacement
• Two need full replacement
• Maintenance logs show over 40 grill related service calls
• Propane costs are higher than expected due to grills being left on

The property decides to switch to commercial grade patio grills with built-in grill timers.

Over the next several years:

• Maintenance calls drop significantly
• Fuel waste decreases
• Residents leave positive feedback about improved amenities
• No full grill replacements are needed

The difference in total cost of ownership becomes clear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patio Grills

How long should patio grills last in a multifamily property?

High quality patio grills designed for shared use should last many years, even with daily use. Cheap grills may only last a few seasons or less before needing full replacement.

Are natural gas grills better than propane grills for apartments?

Natural gas grills are often preferred in multifamily settings because they connect directly to a gas line and do not require tank replacement. However, propane grills can work well when natural gas lines are not available, and electric grills are becoming more popular for their low energy costs. The key is choosing a commercial grade grill built for shared use.

Why are grill timers important for shared grilling areas?

Grill timers automatically shut off the gas or electricity after a set period. This prevents wasted fuel, reduces safety risks, and lowers utility costs. In shared environments, grill timers are essential.

Do electric grills work well in condos?

Electric grills are a great option in condos where gas is restricted. The most important factor is selecting an electric grill designed for durability and frequent use.

What is the biggest hidden cost of cheap grills?

The biggest hidden cost is total replacement over time. Frequent breakdowns, maintenance calls, fuel waste, and installation costs often make cheap grills more expensive in the long run.

Protect Your ROI With the Right Patio Grills

When evaluating patio grills for your multifamily property, hotel, or resort, look beyond the price tag.

Consider:

• Total cost of ownership
• Maintenance frequency
• Fuel efficiency
• Replacement parts availability
• Resident and guest satisfaction
• Long term durability

Cheap grills focus on short term savings. High quality commercial grills focus on long term performance.

AEI’s PGS grills are built to withstand daily use, reduce maintenance, and protect your investment. With built-in grill timers, OEM replacement parts, durable materials, and multiple mounting options, they are designed specifically for multifamily and hospitality environments.

A patio grill should not be a recurring expense.

A patio grill should be a long term asset that strengthens your outdoor amenity, protects your reputation, and delivers strong ROI year after year.

If you are reviewing natural gas grills, propane grills, or electric grills for your property, take the time to evaluate the true cost of cheap grills.

Your budget, your maintenance team, and your residents will thank you.

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