Five Grilling Facts From HPBA Recent Survey

Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Shares Consumer Data on Grilling and Patio Trends

ARLINGTON, Va., May 11, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — May was National Barbecue Month and marks the beginning of peak grilling season. It’s a time when home cooks across the country are firing up the grill for a quick weeknight dinner, festive backyard barbecue bash, or relaxing weekend brunch.

“As the weather is heating up, so are grills across the country,” said Jack Goldman, president and CEO, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. “Our most recent consumer survey finds that grilling has become a lifestyle choice, with growing interest in cooking out for a wide variety of reasons. We at HPBA are discovering why people grill and are learning that although there are many unique reasons why consumers turn to the flame, their love for grilling is unanimous.”

Consider these five facts from the most recent HPBA “State of the Barbecue Industry” consumer survey*:

• Why do people grill? Of all grill/smoker owners, top reasons are:
• Flavor (72%)
• Lifestyle (52%)
• Entertainment (40%)
• Convenience (33%)
• Health (18%).

-Seven in 10 U.S. adults own a grill or smoker, and in Canada, ownership is 8 in 10.

-Gas is the most popular grill type (64%), followed by charcoal (44%), then electric (9%).

• Memorial Day and July 4 remain top grilling days. The most popular days to grill are:
• Mother’s Day (34%)
• Memorial Day (60%)
• Father’s Day (45%)
• July 4 (63%)
• Labor Day (58%).

-Grilling is becoming a year-round lifestyle choice. Chilly temperatures don’t stop many consumers from grilling for the Super Bowl (23%), Thanksgiving (14%), Christmas or Chanukah (10%), and New Year’s Eve/Day (9%). Beyond holidays, 49% barbecued for birthday parties, 24% on a camping trip, 21% at a vacation home party, and 11% during tailgating activities for sporting events.

About the Survey
The HPBA State of the Barbecue Industry Report was conducted online via Rockbridge Associates Inc. in 2017. Rockbridge conducted a 20-minute online survey with grillers who were at least 18 and were either the primary griller or shared grilling responsibilities. The margin of sampling error for aggregate results is +/- 3 percentage points, and the consumer sample was representative of the U.S. and Canadian populations respectively. HPBA conducts this survey in the odd years and the 2019 version will be available later this year.

About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.
http://www.hpba.org