AEI Corporation

Which Fuel Source Is Best for Patio Barbecues?

Posted: December 20, 2024 at 10:30 AM

7 minute read | Grills

Choosing the right fuel source for your patio barbecue is a crucial decision, especially for contractors, developers, and property owners designing communal grilling areas or outdoor spaces. With three primary fuel types available—natural gas, propane, and electricity—each offers unique advantages and considerations. Understanding these differences will help you select the best fit for your multifamily property, resort, or residential backyard.

The Appeal of Patio Barbecues in Multifamily and Commercial Settings

Patio barbecues play an essential role in enhancing outdoor living experiences. For apartments, condos, and resorts, having reliable, durable barbecues in communal grilling areas adds value and convenience for residents or guests. AEI’s commercial patio barbecues are designed specifically for these environments, with features that prioritize safety, usability, and longevity:

• 60-minute fuel shutoff timers: Also known as fuel shutoff grill timers, they prevent barbecues from being accidentally left on, conserving fuel and reducing fire risk.
• Laser-etched control panels: Using a high-powered laser to cut the barbecue’s instructions directly into the stainless steel control panel ensures directions remain legible, even after years of use.
• Anti-theft control knobs: Designed to stay securely in place, ensuring the barbecues remain functional and intact.

These important features come standard on all our T-Series barbecues making them not only practical but also reliable, offering long-term solutions for multifamily properties, resorts, and residential backyards.

Comparing Fuel Sources for Patio Barbecues

Choosing between natural gas, propane, and electricity for your patio barbecue can significantly impact how the space is used and maintained. Each fuel source offers distinct benefits and trade-offs, and understanding these differences is key to selecting the right option for your property.

Natural Gas Barbecues

Natural gas barbecues are a popular choice for communal grilling areas where convenience and permanence are priorities. These barbecues connect directly to a property’s existing gas line, providing a constant and reliable fuel supply. One of the primary advantages of natural gas barbecues is their ease of use. Once installed, there is no need to worry about replacing fuel tanks or running out of power during a busy cookout. Residents or guests can simply turn on the barbecue and start cooking. Additionally, natural gas is a cost-effective solution for properties that expect frequent grilling.

However, natural gas barbecues come with some limitations. Because they are connected to a fixed gas line, they are stationary and cannot be moved without professional uninstallation and reinstallation. This lack of mobility makes them ideal for permanent grilling areas but less suitable for properties where flexibility in outdoor layouts is desired. Installation requires access to a gas line and professional expertise, which can add to the initial setup cost. Despite these considerations, natural gas barbecues remain a dependable and economical choice for fixed communal grilling spaces.

Propane Barbecues

For properties that prioritize flexibility and portability, propane barbecues are an excellent option. These barbecues operate using refillable propane tanks, which are typically housed beneath the unit. This design allows propane barbecues to be moved easily, making them perfect for properties that need to adapt their outdoor spaces for different events or seasonal arrangements. Propane barbecues also provide a convenient solution for properties without access to a natural gas line or an appropriate electrical outlet, making them versatile and adaptable to various settings.

The portability of propane barbecues makes them highly sought after in specific scenarios. For example, if a property occasionally requires additional grilling capacity for special events, portable propane barbecues can be brought in to accommodate the increased demand. Similarly, if the layout of a patio space needs to change frequently, propane barbecues can be moved or stored as needed. However, one drawback of propane barbecues is the need to periodically replace and refill the propane tanks. While this is a manageable task, it does add a layer of maintenance that some users might find inconvenient. Despite this, the mobility and versatility of propane barbecues make them an appealing choice for properties looking to maximize outdoor functionality.

Electric Barbecues

Electric barbecues are increasingly popular for properties seeking a sustainable and low-maintenance grilling option. These barbecues require a dedicated NEMA 6-30 receptacle to supply the high power necessary for cooking at temperatures comparable to their gas counterparts. Electric barbecues are highly efficient and eco-friendly, producing zero emissions at the source. For properties that align with green energy initiatives or aim to reduce their environmental footprint, electric barbecues are an ideal solution.

Once installed to a NEMA 6-30 receptacle, electric barbecues are incredibly easy to use. They eliminate the need for fuel tanks or gas lines, offering a straightforward plug-and-play experience. Additionally, some municipalities mandate electric barbecues in new developments to comply with energy efficiency and sustainability regulations, making them a requirement in certain cases. However, electric barbecues do come with placement limitations, as they must be located near a compatible outlet. This restricts their portability compared to propane models, but for properties with fixed outdoor kitchens, electric barbecues provide a modern, eco-conscious solution.

Key Features of AEI’s Barbecues for Multifamily Properties

No matter the fuel source, AEI’s patio barbecues are designed with the user in mind. Each model comes standard with features that enhance safety, durability, and ease of use:

• Durable External Construction
  • Stainless Steel Barbecues: All electric models and select gas models are made with high-quality stainless steel, ensuring durability and resistance to weather conditions.
  • Cast Aluminum Barbecues: Our smaller barbecues are made with cast aluminum making them naturally highly resistant to corrosion and weather conditions. Their smaller profiles make them perfect for several barbecues to be installed in a single grilling area so multiple families can cook at the same time
• Internal Components:
  • Stainless Steel Internal Components: All of our barbecues use stainless steel for important internal components, like cooking grids, warming racks, burner assemblies, and more.
• Variety of Mounting Options:
  • Pole-mounted: Immovable, low profile, pole mounted barbecues are perfect for multiple barbecues in a grilling area
  • Pedestal barbecues: Immovable, low profile, added storage space, pedestal barbecues are perfect for multiple barbecues in a grilling area
  • Grill carts: Portable when paired with a propane barbecue, low profile, grill carts are perfect for properties that need flexibility to move their barbecue.
  • Prefabricated grill islands: All the elegance of a custom countertop without the cost or time to build. Grill islands are also light-weight compared to custom countertops, so they can be used when total weight is a concern, like a rooftop patio.
  • Custom countertops: for high-end outdoor kitchens.

These features make AEI’s barbecues versatile and reliable, catering to a range of property layouts and user needs.

Making the Right Choice for Your Patio Barbecues

When selecting the best fuel source for a patio barbecue, consider the unique needs of your property and its residents. Here’s a quick recap to guide your decision:

Fuel Source	Best For	Best For Key Advantages	Considerations
Natural Gas Barbecues	Permanent grilling areas in multifamily properties or resorts	Constant fuel supply, low-cost operation	Requires professional installation and is stationary
Propane Barbecues	Flexible and portable setups, event-driven grilling	Portable, versatile, and doesn’t require gas/electric infrastructure	Tanks need refilling and are costlier than natural gas
Electric Barbecues	Eco-friendly properties, urban settings, and new developments	Green energy compliance, low maintenance, no emissions at the source	Requires a dedicated outlet and may have placement limitations

 

By understanding these differences, you can provide a grilling experience tailored to the needs of your residents or guests.

AEI’s patio barbecues offer versatile solutions for multifamily properties, resorts, and residential backyards. Whether you choose natural gas for its reliability, propane for its portability, or electricity for its sustainability, AEI’s barbecues are designed to deliver long-lasting performance. With features like fuel shutoff timers, anti-theft control knobs, and durable construction, our barbecues are built to meet the demands of any outdoor space.

Explore our range of natural gas barbecues, propane barbecues, and electric barbecues to find the perfect match for your property. Together, we can create communal spaces that bring people together, one barbecue at a time.