A grill is a fun outdoor amenity that can make your listing stand out and create an idyllic backyard ambiance for your guests. Since there’s a lot of wear and tear on short-term rentals, the grill should be durable, intuitive to use, affordable, and easy to maintain. But finding all those features in a single grill can be challenging.
If you want to buy the best grill for Airbnb, our top picks can help you find the perfect fit:
- Best Overall Grill: Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Grill
- Best Classic Grill: American Gourmet Char-Broil Classic
- Best Charcoal/Gas Combo Grill: BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel Combination Grill
- Best Luxury Grill: Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill
- Best Budget Grill: Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
Why Should You Get a Grill for Your Airbnb?
While on vacation, friends and family love to spend quality time together, and what better way to do that than to have a barbecue? Families and people who love to cook would be drawn to your vacation rental if you opt for this addition.
Even if you have a smaller space or you don’t want to clutter the backyard with a large grill, you can get a tabletop-size grill which is both compact and useful.
A backyard filled with fun amenities can be your main selling point and a way to beat competitors. In addition to the grill, you can also add a nice patio table and chairs, a hot tub, and some games such as a cornhole set and bocce ball set.
Extra Items You Need for the Grill
Once you buy the grill, you should be ready to spend some more money on the extras. Here is the basic grill equipment your guests will need:
- Grill utensils (for a one-stop-shop, you can get a set of grill tools)
- Grill cover
- Extra propane or charcoal
- Cleaning brush
- Basting brushes
- Seasonings and spices
- Carving knives (or you can get a full knife set)
- Meat thermometer
- BBQ gloves
- Olive oil cooking spray
In addition to this grill-specific equipment, you should also have all the kitchen basics that guests need for cooking, such as a cutting board for preparing the food, cookware, mixing bowls for salad, glassware (for a nice cold glass of beer or soda), dishes, and paper towels.
Since the grill in your vacation rental will be used much more frequently than a home grill, make sure to repurchase these items when they get scratched, bent, or used up.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Grill for Your Airbnb
Once you start looking at grills, you’ll realize that they come in all shapes and sizes. To help you pick the best grill for your vacation rental and your outdoor space, we’ve singled out the most important factors:
Charcoal vs Propane/Gas vs Pellets – One of the key decisions is the type of grill you’ll buy. Propane is probably the best for vacation rentals since it is easiest to clean, doesn’t present a safety hazard, and you won’t need to constantly restock charcoal and wood pellets. If you get a propane grill you should buy a propane gauge to keep track of the gas level.
Charcoal and wood pellet grills are less expensive and most people know how to use them. However, if someone doesn’t have enough practice with barbecuing, these types of grills are more likely to create a dangerous situation.
Durability – Stainless steel is the go-to material selection if you want maximum durability. You should also attentively revise the material of the grates (the most durable ones are porcelain-coated).
Cooking Capacity – The size of the grill depends on your rental’s guest capacity. Rural Living Today has a useful rule which states that “for every person you want to cook for, allow around 72 square inches of grilling space.” So, for a six-person rental, you’ll want to get a grill that has around 432 square inches of cooking surface.
Assembly – Unless you have extra time on your hands, you want a grill that can be put together with ease. You can review what the manufacturer says about assembly or read the reviews for extra information about that aspect.
Ease of Cleaning – A removable grease pan and tray are great features for quick cleanup. Also, if you’re buying a larger grill it would be helpful if it can be easily moved— and that’s why wheels come in handy.
The Best Grill for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
With thousands of reviews, numerous praises, and a sleek look, the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Grill is the winner of the best grill for short-term rentals title.
Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Grill
This grill is highly-rated with an affordable price tag, and on top of that, it comes with these Airbnb-suitable functionalities:
Propane Powered – This is a propane grill so you won’t need to worry about restocking charcoal or pellets, or the possibility of having an uncomfortable conversation with your insurance company about a fire in your backyard.
Large Cooking Surface – The 425-square-inch cooking surface is big enough for families and large parties of guests.
Durable – Stainless steel materials and a rust-resistant porcelain-coated grease pan and grates promise a long lifetime for this grill.
Simple Operation – With the electronic ignition, your guests can start up the grill with a push of a button. Even if barbecue newbies come to your rental, they’ll be able to make delicious meals without any trouble.
Upscale Look – The stainless steel finish gives this grill an elegant and expensive look. Such an attractive design can make your outdoor listing photos stand out and increase your bookings.
Lidded Side Burner and Accessory Tray – Barbecuing will be easier with the side burner for preparing sauces and sides and an accessory tray for prep.
Easy Clean-Up – The grease pan and tray are removable, so cleaning won’t be an issue. Since the barbecue is movable and lightweight, your cleaners can hose it down for a quick wash.
Other Airbnb Grill Alternatives
In case you’re going for a different look or you want charcoal or a dual-fuel grill, we’ve prepared some alternatives that will cover these varieties.
If you’re going for a classic grill, we suggest the American Gourmet Char-Broil Classic Propane Grill. It has three stainless steel in-line burners, a porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox, and two accessory trays for utensils, cookware, and prep. With this grill, you’ll get 360 square inches of cooking space—just enough for a small family.You can give your guests a choice between charcoal and gas so they can use the fuel they prefer. The BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel Combination Grill has a gas side and a charcoal side. With 557 square inches of cooking space in total, this is the ideal grill for rentals with a large guest capacity.
Luxury rentals need a grill that will match that deluxe style, and in that case, you can go with the Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill. This is a porcelain-enameled propane grill with 529 square inches of cooking space over three burners.
It has tool hooks so you can neatly organize the utensils for ease of use. Food lovers will be impressed with the flavorized bars that are angled to catch drippings for that smoky flavor. There is also a warming rack that will keep the grilled food warm or give the burger buns a toasted touch.
Grills can be a costly investment, but you can still get one even if you don’t have a big budget. Our top inexpensive pick is the Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill. This is an old-school type of grill that anyone can operate.
It will last you a long time since it is resistant and durable enough to withstand bangs and bruises. Cleaning it will also be a piece of cake since it has a rust-resistant ash catcher underneath.
Final Thoughts
Gathering around a grill for a barbecue can be a source of the best vacation memories and a magnet for amazing reviews. All of our top Airbnb grill choices come from praised and recognizable brands and they can withstand continuous use at a short-term rental. If we have to pick a favorite, we’re sticking to the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Grill since it has enough features to match more expensive grills, but is also versatile enough for different types of rentals.
