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- The Blazing Business of Barbecue -- 1998
The following numbers are taken from the 1997 Barbecue Industry Association Consumer Attitudes and Usage Research. The exact numbers may have changed somewhat during the recent years, but the figures should still mark the trend.
Barbecue Equipment in America
Grill Ownership
*3/4 of U.S. households own a barbecue grill
*84% of family households own a barbecue grill
*54% of non-family households (mostly single people) own a barbecue grill
*57% of grill owners own an LP gas grill; 54% of these also own a charcoal grill
*8% own a natural gas grill
*3% own an electric grill
*More than half of grill owners intend to purchase an LP gas grill as their next grilling appliance.
*More households own LP gas grills in the Northeast than any other region in the U.S. The Northeast has more heavy barbecuers (4+ times per month), followed by North Central, South, and West.
*Outdoor electric grills are most likely owned by retired people and those who live in condominiums.
*39% of grills were purchased during the past two years
*25% are now three to four years old
*37% were purchased five or more years ago
*11% are purchased as a gift
*Men are more than twice as likely than women to be the household member who decides to buy a grill.
Grill Usage
*61% of men barbecue
*39% of women barbecue
*Bigger families (3 or 4 members) barbecue more often than smaller families
*64% of gas grill owners grill year-round
*41% of charcoal grill owners grill year-round (especially those who own cart-type covered grills)
Fuel
*95% of charcoal grill owners use charcoal briquets; more than half of these use them exclusively.
*About 25% of charcoal grill owners have used instant light briquets over the last 12 months.
*About 50% of charcoal grill owners have used lump/natural charcoal; very few use it exclusively.
Smoker Grills
*About 1 out of 10 barbecue grill owners has a water smoker in addition to their other grills
1 out of 20 owns a horizontal wood smoker as a supplementary grill
*Types of Water Smokers in Order of Popularity:
#1 Charcoal
#2 Electric
#3 Gas
*More than 2/3 of horizontal dry smokers and water smokers are likely to be used all year long.
Grill Accessories/Enhancements
*About 1/4 of all gas grills now have an extra burner for side dishes.
Features That Most Gas Grill Owners Want:
* Large cooking surface
* Shelves
* Side burners
* Grease catchers
* Fuel gauge
Features That Most Charcoal Grill Owners Want:
* Ash catchers
* Smoking capability
* Shelves
Utensils Owned Most Often by Barbecuers:
* Tongs
* Long-handled forks
* Cleaning brushes
*Long-handled spatulas
Less Than Half of Barbecuers Own:
* Gloves/mitts
* Long-handled brushes
* Grill covers
* Skewers
Most Popular Foods to Grill:
* Hamburgers
* Steak
* Hot dogs
* Chicken breasts
* Chicken parts
* Potatoes
* Pork chops
* Ribs
* Sausage
Most Popular Side Dishes:
* Roasted potatoes
* Steamed vegetables
* Marinated vegetables
*9/10 of barbecue grill owners always or sometimes use barbecue sauce when grilling. Most buy sauce, sometimes adding their own ingredients. Basting during cooking is the #1 use of sauces.
Favorite Barbecue Sauces:
* Hickory
* Tomato-based
* Honey
* Mesquite
*About 1/5 of barbecuers have used wood in the past year, with charcoal grill owners using it most often.
Woods of Choice:
* Mesquite
* Hickory
* Oak
* Fruitwoods
These numbers are taken from the 1997 Barbecue Industry Association Consumer Attitudes and Usage Research.
