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We have a waterfront log cabin that is perfect for summer vacations. We do not live near or on premise and have a cleaner.
We have been asked if we have a bbq on premise and though its almost expected, we are very hesitant for the possible rat problems it will bring (problem on this island) as folks are not neccessarily going to clean up like home owners do.
What are your suggestions?
We were thinking of a disposable tabletop charcoal EZGrill type grill. Provide 1 per stay and they can dispose of it after. But I suppose, where will they keep it in the meantime, and maybe weāre back to the same problem!
The grill isnāt the problem ā itās the trash and the fact that folks donāt clean them. If you donāt live on-site, who is doing your change-overs (which I assume include trash removal from an island)? Thatās who should be cleaning up the grill, or making sure it is clean. Few guests will clean up after themselves the way you want.
Still and allā¦ if you donāt provide a grill, some city slicker is gonna build an open fire and not know how to care for it, and burn the island down ā better to provide a grill.
Not having a grill in such an idyllic location would sure be a turn off for this old northwoodsman!
Just to ensure that you have a variety of answersā¦
We have a gas grill on the property. Itās communal and has been here for as long as I remember. (The last time I remember using it was after Hurricane Wilma in 2005 when we were without electricity for a ten days).
Occasionally, guests ask if they can use it. I tell them that it is not āofficiallyā maintained so will probably need cleaning before use. Also that because itās not maintained, they will probably have to buy gas for it. At this stage, I recommend great local restaurants!
I canāt remember the last time guests used it - I make it sound like too much hassle to them. If they really want to grill, then I like the idea of the disposable type and I hate the idea of a gas canister exploding and any lawsuits that might result! Or salmonella from incorrect cleaning.
I remote host a beach house. I supply a typical 22" Weber charcoal kettle style grill. It is listed as available and that I do not supply anything for it. I reinforce some of the assembly on new ones and tether it with a steel cable so it cannot be moved up on the (wooden) deck. It gets used by a few, but not all. Hasnāt been an issue and grilling enthusiasts love that it is not gas! I clean it up when I visit, and replace the grates every couple of years and replace the whole thing every once in a while. There is no food or grease left in it so no problem with varmints.
We have a propane bbq. I supply the fuel. I tell guests that they need to leave it as they found it and it has to be moved back inside when they leave.
It gets used year-round, even in sub-zero temperatures. Itās a deal-breaker for some guests - grilling is just something they want to do when they are on vacation.
We put in a new deck about 18 months ago, and the grease is staining the deck. So there are definitely downfalls to having oneā¦ and we also go through a lot of oven mitts and dish brushes (they never use the ārealā one provided).
I agree. The residual heat from the fire usually cooks away the meat residue on the bbq. The problem weāve had with our desert rental over the years with the bbq is just maintenance issues. Itās a big propane thing on wheels that works great, but the gas runs out. People screw up the knobs and the grill because they wrongly think they have to wash and scrub the grill. A no no. Just heat up and wire brush.
But for the OP in her remote area Iād say a bbq is a necessity for guests. Get a low tech Weber and leave precise but short instructions!
I have a place near the beach in Hawaii and feel a BBQ is essential. I want guests to be able to grill up our astounding island fish or grass fed beef. They love it too. Since I donāt really feel too keen on the idea of hot coals, embers, etc. I got a gas grille. In Hawaii even the expensive BBQ start corroding due to the elements so I got a really cool little table top grille from Costco with a really long hose that hooks up to a propane canister. The canister lasts at least a year. I cover it with a plastic sheet and a black cover when not in use for protection.
Itās not very messy at all. I just ask guests to clean after every use and be sure to remember the tray below, and nearly none do. No biggie.
I did have guests one time attempt to light charcoals in my glass grill, leaving dust that clogged all the jets and ruined it. But mostly itās been easy and great and zero problems.
You need a BBQ grille if you are on the water. Guests are right to expect it.
Ignore the post I made earlier. I just noticed that you said āpossibleā rat problems. Earlier I thought you were saying it would bring rats to the rental.
OKā¦I have a grill and during the tour guests are warned of keeping it clean due to the bears. They are also warned about keeping garbage out of the vehiclesā¦even candy wrappers or a bear might try to get in. They are told they cannot leave spills or anything outside and need to clean it up immediately.
Because my partner cleans it well in between every turnover, it never gets nasty and cruddy.
You might just try to scare them about how important it is to keep the rats away. That might workā¦
Iāll chime in with my 2cents
I used to make available both a gas grill and a charcoal grill.
A number of things happened over enough summer seasons that now I cheerfully offer the use of a cooler, bbq utensils, a tablecloth that will fit on a picnic table, a bag full of goodies such as S&P, BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, and I offer a bag of charcoal, and directions to the multiple beautiful parks that are just moments away which have grills.
Iāve seen guests spraying lighter fluid into open flame on charcoal grill, had guests forget to turn off gas grills and decline to pay new tank (I couldnāt prove how much was in there to begin with anyway). I let that happen twice before I was smart enough to remove it from my listing, as I literally lost money with the 2nd one!
The mess they would create with either choice was just not worth it.
I do have a small grill that I use when I donāt have guests, but itās in the shed.
