Hi Carter,
I found your post because I am too facing the same question .
We provide a gas barbecue and have done so under the following rational/assumptions/expectations:
- The barbecue is available to all guests whenever they visit
- The use of a barbecue (in the UK and its weather) is less than its actual 'desire for use' so good selling point...
- We provide accomodation for 8
- We provide gas (if they barbecue - they don't cook so cost is spread)
- We expect visitors to be respectful
- Cleaning of the barbecue WE expect to do rather than guests but expect also superficial cleanliness would be respectful and a even a quick scrub down with a wire brush (provided) would be defacto.
- 'Reasonable' use
So much for expectations...
Like the log burning stove, guests use it because its there... 26 degrees, heating on, windows and doors open... log burning stove - burning!
We charge for cleaning... £65, It takes one person 12 hours. 13.5 if the barbecue is used. (Its a nominal fee).
Guests expect that paying for cleaning - means they dirty as much as possible.
So heres what happenned recently... Nice International family group of 8 with another couple staying local. They arranged a BBQ in advance so OK.. will have a couple more guests... OK. Remember we accomodate 8? Eighteen people turn up. Clean the BBQ - No. Use ALL the condiments in the house? Yes. Are we accomodating 8 or what??
So today, cleaning the BBQ - I'm thinking - this is stupid. If I/we were to visit another persons home I/we would clean up after us. That would include the BBQ if we used it, and we have when we have stayed in accomodation. Yes, you pay for 'cleaning' but it doesn't extend to digging out an inch of fat from a tray, scraping off black ash from 4 burners and degreasing the grill area... thats just totally disrespectful, especially when you invite another ten people to help.
So whats the answer?
Do hotels provide BBQ's? Of course not. They want their restaurants filled. Why do I mention hotels - well, they are the competitors of Airbnb. Its not other Airbnb'ers who are competion, lets be honest - we can all be the cheapest if we really try at it and theres plenty of encouragement in that direction I see.
So, (whilst knuckle deep in brown fat) I'm thinking.. provide options:
Option 1: Here are the cleaning instructions for the BBQ, please leave it as you find it (immaculate) - It will take you about 1.5 hours and heres what you do (in pictures, including kuckle deep brown fat) with cleaning container, scrapers, cloths, detergent and stuff provided.
Option 2: We clean £xx.
I REALLY think the £xx option would be the option of choice.
Theres also the BBQ type consideration... brick built, charcoal with griddle... shovel reminants in bin and wire brush griddle. Pretty simple. Allow guests to use their own (bought) disposable BBQ's in pre-built area, very simple. Gas, 4 burner with pan burner and fat collector and canopy - like ours... not so simple.
We are changing the way we offer accomodation here. I am thinking that the option of self-clean / charge for clean would be fair. And I am liking the idea of built area and disposable BBQ's too.
Charging for options is not new to us. We have purchased a hot tub. It is not installed in its final location yet as we're making improvements but we offer it as an extra and charge for it. Airbnb have an additional charge section (it used to be the 'dispute' section) and theres options to charge for extras like this here. BBQ cleaning could be an option.
Also, deposits. We don't charge a deposit. Thankfully, apart from the odd broken glass which we accept as running costs we haven't had much reason to retain a deposit in part or whole. We have had a couple of occassions where tables have been damaged by knife stabbing - about 20 stab marks... hair straighteners burning a table top (!!) obviously, no respect there! BUT... IF we charged a deposit which covered the BBQ cleaning (plus some) then the pain to pay for cleaning wouldn't hurt as much especially if they got deposit monies back.
I hope that helps. It helped me. So thanks for your post.