yard · 10 min read
Gas vs pellet grill on a small patio
Weeknight speed vs set-and-hold. Power, clearance, and smoke — not a taste-test trophy.
By Gary Thomas · Updated 2026-06-28
Affiliate disclosure: links to Lowe’s, Overstock/Beyond, Amazon, and others may earn a commission. Not a lab test. Not a licensed contractor. Full disclosure.
On a small patio or a side yard, the real split is weeknight heat versus set-and-hold cooking — plus whether you already have a GFCI-protected outdoor receptacle. Bay One does not run taste tests, smoke-ring photography, or “we grilled 40 steaks” rankings.
Gas: faster, no hopper
A two- or three-burner gas grill is the usual footprint for a small patio. BTU numbers on the box are manufacturer claims. What you can verify yourself: lid thermometer, side-shelf width against your railing, and whether the tank stores outside the bay (it should not live next to a water heater).
| Spec | Planning figure |
|---|---|
| Footprint | Measure width with side shelves up; small patios lose to a “compact” grill that is 60 in. across |
| Fuel | 20 lb propane cylinder is the consumer default; follow the grill manual for placement |
| Clearance | Use the manufacturer’s wall and rail clearances — they are fire instructions, not suggestions |
Pellet: power and patience
Pellet grills need electricity for the auger and fan. If the patio has no outdoor receptacle, do not fish a cord under a garage door or invent a wiring job from this website. That is electrician territory. Hopper size on compact models is often in the 10–20 lb class; that is a spec sheet fact, not a smoke-time guarantee.
| Spec | Planning figure |
|---|---|
| Power | Needs a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet; no outlet means no pellet grill until an electrician installs one |
| Compact hopper | Often ~10–20 lb on smaller consumer units — read the listing |
| Noise / neighbors | Fans run; a tight side yard may care more than a back acre |
Covers and winter
Measure the grill, then shop covers. A generic “XL” cover ponds water on a small patio. Seasonal put-away is on the spring/fall checklist. Heavy boxed grills are a delivery vs pickup problem, not a “throw it in the Civic” problem.
| Spec | Planning figure |
|---|---|
| Fit | Width × depth × height from the grill manual, not from a lifestyle photo |
| Storage | A cover is not a substitute for keeping a propane cylinder correctly placed |
Related guides
Questions about a layout, not a live electrical panel? Write to Gary Thomas.