BBQ Facts

Here are some BBQ facts that some of you might not know with thanks to the National BBQ Association and National BBQ week.

BBQ Fact 1 – BBQ & at-home eating & entertaining is now the UK’s No1 summer home leisure activity, with two-in-three households now owning a BBQ grill!

BBQ Facts 2 – In 2010 the UK was once again Europe’s leading BBQ nation, hosting over 120 million Barbi’s and beating the Germans into 2nd place for the third year running!

BBQ Fact 3 – The average number of BBQ’s held per family during the summer has risen sharply from around 2.5 around ten years ago to over 9 now!

BBQ Fact 4 – The overall BBQ & alfresco eating & entertaining market in 2010 was worth just over £7 billion, up from £150 million back in 1997.

BBQ Fact 5 – Although BBQ & alfresco eating has now become a standard alternative summer meal format with nearly half the population now considering it as normal to BBQ or eat outside during the summer. However paradoxically and perhaps as a result of the recession, alfresco eating occasions are still perceived to be an indulgence or treat, with 37% likening BBQ to a dinner party in terms of entertainment value!

BBQ Fact 6 – Despite the tough economic climate, many consumers will now spend around £35 on food and drink for a BBQ, up from £19 just five years ago!

BBQ Fact 7 – 14% of all households now have 2 BBQ grills and 5% 3 or more. Traditional US ‘smoker’ BBQ’s are now in 1.5% of all homes. 2% of all households now have some form of outdoor kitchen.

BBQ Fact 8 – After-work or mid-week Barbi’s now account for over 40% of all BBQ occasions.

BBQ Fact 9 – Post recession, BBQ and alfresco eating & entertaining has become a more fashionable and cheaper alternative to a visit to the local pub or restaurant.

BBQ Fact 10 – As new house building begins to pick-up again, developers are incorporating patio areas and built-in BBQ’s as key purchase incentives.

BBQ Fact 11 – Hot and spicy food regions such as South America, North Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Southern US styles such as Cajun & Creole, are all becoming more popular on the Barbi, as is, post World Cup; South Africa.

BBQ Fact 12 – Over the last few years there has been a clear ‘sausage to swordfish and burger to brochette’ evolution in the style and type of food cooked at a BBQ.

BBQ Fact 13 – Standard pre-planned BBQ’s are changing fast, as lifestyles become more casual. Down from 70% in 2002 to fewer than 22% in 2010.

BBQ Fact 14 – Although charcoal just about remains the most popular at just over 51%, this is fast changing in flavor of gas.

BBQ Fact 15 – Flat-bed grills remain most popular, but hooded BBQ’s are growing fast and now account for over 40% of all sales.

BBQ Fact 16 – BBQ’s are no longer male dominated with just on 51% tangling with the tongs, whilst 49% of women now go for the grill.

BBQ Fact 17 – Couples are 3 times more likely to host a BBQ than singles, only 4% of pensioners are likely to have a Barbi. 8% of adults claim to have found love over the coals!

BBQ Fact 18 – Both Americans and Australians love to Barbi with 3 out of 4 households owning a grill and using it on average at least 5 times a month.

BBQ Fact 19 – 33% of men and 32% of women now attend between 8-9 BBQ’s a year. BBQ Fact 20 – Apart from the summer 21% of us now have BBQ’s during the spring, with a further 13% claiming to BBQ all year-round and around 200,000 having barbecued over Xmas.