Savvy Property Owners Invest in Outdoor Grills for Student Housing

Back in the day, college students mostly survived on pizza, instant noodles, and the infamous "freshman 15." But those days are long gone for Generation Z. Today's undergraduates and grad students are way more focused on health and nutrition than ever before. Research shows that while 80 percent of Millennials are health-conscious eaters, Gen Z blows past their efforts in this area.

• Nearly 75 percent follow specific diets or eating patterns.
• About 27 percent regularly track their calorie intake.
• 26 percent are advocates of clean eating.
• 19 percent identify as vegan or vegetarian.

It’s also worth noting that college students tend to scrutinize nutritional information when grocery shopping. Plus, they take food prep very seriously. Having access to natural gas or propane patio grills is a major plus when choosing student housing. Why? Because cooking meals on multi-family patio grills helps lock in the natural juices, flavor, and nutrients.

Landlords looking to attract tenants who are students should definitely think about investing in grills for student housing. These can be a great return on investment if you opt for liquid propane or natural gas patio grills.

Planning Outdoor Patio Grill Space and Number of Residents

Integrating one or more outdoor patio grills into a multi-family living space begins with assessing the available space and the number of residents. Typically, an off-campus housing facility with 50 or more tenants will need several grilling stations. Standard pedestal grills generally cater to the needs of about five people at a time.

In a multi-family setting, not everyone will be grilling simultaneously. College students often have different class schedules, which reduces the likelihood of grill congestion. However, weekends and holidays might see some bottlenecks around the liquid propane or natural gas grills. Here are a few ways to approach your grill investment:

• Install multiple pedestal grills on communal outdoor patios to accommodate more students.
• Create a full-fledged outdoor kitchen around a large-capacity stainless steel grill.
• Utilize a prefabricated grill island to save on costs associated with a custom outdoor kitchen.
• Install a prefabricated grill island in areas where a custom outdoor countertop might be too heavy, like on rooftop patios.

The number and size of the grill(s) should match the square footage of the patio. Pedestal grills are ideal for smaller spaces since they take up minimal room. Some propane patio grills can be cart-mounted, allowing residents to move them into place when needed. They can also be stored away during inclement weather or when not in use.

The most appealing grills for student housing are stainless steel products that serve as the centerpiece for a complete grilling area. Many landlords prefer cast aluminum grills because of their compact size, allowing more people to use the grill at once.

Adding accessories like side burners, warming racks, and even an infrared rotisserie burner can make a big difference. Naturally, property owners will need a 60-minute gas shutoff grill timer to prevent fuel wastage. This feature is standard on all our T-Series commercial grills.

Marketing Grills for Student Housing

Recruiting college renters has never been simpler. Gen Z is all about the internet, where property owners can advertise for free. Platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are essential tools. These sites let property owners list details about available housing along with facility features. This gives property managers a fantastic opportunity to highlight outdoor living areas and top-tier stainless steel patio grills.

When trying to entice students to sign a lease, don’t hesitate to share pictures of popular grilled dishes. Images of juicy burgers, chicken wings, vegetable kabobs, and more emphasize that your facility offers a superior quality of life. As poet Maya Angelou famously said, “People will never forget how you made them feel.” Even the thought of food prepared on multi-family patio grills is mouthwatering.

Moving from the planning stage to having a standout perk requires careful consideration. You’ll need one or more high-quality outdoor patio grills that can endure harsh weather, provide reliable service, and deliver evenly distributed heat. Residential living facilities often choose durable T-Series grills to avoid negative social media reviews, knowing that college students take these seriously.

PGS T-Series Multi-Family Patio Grills

The PGS T-Series offers a range of options tailored to various outdoor grilling needs. The T-Series includes excellent cast aluminum grills as well as large-capacity stainless steel natural gas and liquid propane patio grills suitable for complete outdoor kitchens. These high-quality multi-family patio grills are designed to withstand severe weather and corrosion. They can be used in numerous ways to meet the needs of small groups and large gatherings. A deeper look into the T-Series details might provide insights into the best options for your needs.

PGS T-30 Pedestal Grills

The T-30 grills can run on liquid propane or natural gas. Often used as pedestal grills, they produce 30,000 BTU to heat 330 square inches of direct grilling space. Built with heavy-duty cast aluminum, T-30 barbecue grills come with a convenient stainless steel side shelf. As grills for student housing, these PGS models can also be cart-mounted. This flexibility makes them ideal for off-campus housing facilities that need mobility.

PGS T-40 Patio Grills

The PGS T-40 grills resemble the T-30s. Also constructed with heavy-duty cast aluminum, they can be cart-mounted or installed as pedestal grills. The key difference is that T-40 generates 40,000 BTU to evenly distribute heat over 434 square inches of commercial-grade stainless cooking grids. This upgrade comes with two stainless steel side shelves and is available with natural gas or liquid propane.

PGS S27T Outdoor Grills

Owners of multi-family properties and condominium management companies looking to enhance their offerings should consider the S27T stainless steel grill. This large-capacity model often serves as the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen. Made of stainless steel, it delivers 45,000 BTU across 540 square inches of grilling area. The S27T features self-cleaning 304 stainless steel cooking grids and includes anti-theft knobs, laser-etched user instructions, and a side-mounted heat indicator. Adding a warming rack is optional, and the 60-minute gas shutoff grill timer comes standard. Property owners usually install this model into a countertop to create a complete outdoor living space.

PGS S36T Stainless Steel Grills

Similar to the S27T, the S36T patio grill also boasts stainless steel construction, anti-theft knobs, a 60-minute gas shutoff grill timer, and is available in both liquid propane and natural gas versions. The difference lies in its ability to generate up to 67,000 BTU over 720 square inches of self-cleaning grids. Positioned as the main feature in a luxurious outdoor kitchen, it appeals to those seeking off-campus housing.

PGS S48T Stainless Steel Grills

The PGS S48T stainless steel grill is mainly used in large gathering areas requiring extensive food preparation. It provides 90,000 BTU over 960 square inches of self-cleaning grids, along with all the quality features of the S27T and S36T stainless steel grills. Like most of our grills, the S48T can be equipped with an infrared rotisserie burner. This add-on allows users to cook large cuts of beef, pork roasts, chicken, vegetable kabobs, whole pineapples, and more.

Students will be thrilled to live at your property while attending school, and grills make paying a premium worthwhile. Additionally, adding outdoor patio grills can be cost-neutral for off-campus housing budgets. This investment can easily be incorporated into rent payments.