When considering the design of outdoor recreational spaces to promote social interaction and multi-use, the availability of cooking facilities is a must. Australian’s love to barbeque – an activity that brings people together and one that has firmly been established as a national past time.
Thus, how to ensure you choose appliances that will be easy to use, will stand the test of time, allow for easy maintenance and above all ensure safety of those operating the appliances? The first step is obviously to make a selection between gas or electric.
Cost Comparison: Gas vs Electric BBQs
When it comes to cost, you might assume that gas BBQs are the cheaper option. However, at GX Outdoors, we’ve conducted extensive research on this topic, and our findings may surprise you. Based on our calculations, the cost of running a gas BBQ could be up to double the price of running an electric BBQ!
Here’s why: the estimated cost of a gas BBQ with a 5-minute warm-up and 20 minutes of cooking time ranges from $0.55 to $0.75. In contrast, the estimated cost for running a GX Outdoors commercial-grade electric BBQ for the same cycle is only $0.20 to $0.30. The reason for this significant difference is that gas BBQs require gas to run the entire time, whereas our electric BBQs heat up and then the thermostat cuts in and out as required to maintain the optimum cooking temperature.
Don’t let cost be the only factor when making your decision between gas and electric BBQs. Take into consideration the safety risks associated with gas BBQs and the numerous benefits of electric BBQs, such as cost-effectiveness, enhanced safety features and ease of maintenance.
Safety
When it comes to safety, electric BBQs are the clear winner. Gas BBQs pose numerous safety risks, such as fire and explosion due to the naked flame, gas bottle storage, or incorrect usage by the end-user. These risks are particularly high in bushland settings, where the risks of fire are already high.
On the other hand, electric BBQs eliminate the fire risks of naked flame and GX Outdoors BBQ’s come with an automated temperature cut-out if for some reason the element locked on. This makes them a much safer option for use in residential areas as well as bushland settings.
Maintenance
Second to safety, maintenance is a key consideration when choosing an outdoor BBQ for public recreational spaces. You need to ensure that the outdoor cooking appliance is easy to clean, can withstand changing environmental impacts as well as ongoing and frequent use.
Many local Councils will complete daily cleaning on outdoor barbeque facilities. Access to and the ability to drain grease traps/buckets is key. Choosing outdoor cooking appliances that are manufactured from high grade stainless steel also aides in the ability to easily maintain. When considering the gas versus electric debate keep in mind the simple steps it takes to maintain and clean electric BBQs over maintaining and cleaning gas BBQs. A simple wipe down, replacement of a bucket and overall monitoring of the BBQ is all is required.
How we can help
At GX Outdoors, we specialise in electric public BBQ’s. Our range includes models with 10amp and 15amp options, providing flexibility in installation. Our fully enclosed InBench units also offer enhanced safety features such as child safety locks and cooking lock-out times, giving you more control over usage and limiting noise in certain areas.
The control box inside our electric BBQs allows for easy adjustments to cooking cycle time and temperature, ensuring optimal cooking results every time. With electric BBQs, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re using a dependable and secure option for outdoor cooking.
Take a look at our range:
GX Outdoors is the Australian supplier of commercial-grade outdoor BBQs – together outdoors. Let us help you choose an outdoor BBQ appliance perfect for your recreational space. In addition, we provide a suite of shelters, furniture and fitness equipment – providing a complete solution. Contact us today https://gxoutdoors.com/contact-us/.
*Based on an average cost of $35/8kg gas bottle and $0.25/kwH . Ambient temperature, food types and temperatures cooked will vary these calculations.