Grills Gone Wild

No, that headline is not a typo. Grill's Gone Wild is an annual promotion we do on one of our radio stations, giving away 104 pounds of meat and a grill to cook it on.

As I glance outside at this moment, I see my grill wanting some loving attention, and now I'm not the only one that likes to cook outside:

Fire Up Those Grills!

Thirty-one percent of American grill owners are grilling more than they were one year ago because they're "trying to eat healthier," according to the 19th Annual Weber GrillWatch Survey.

More than one-third (39 percent) of survey respondents said they are grilling leaner meats, more vegetables (38 percent), more poultry (34 percent) and more fish (22 percent) than they did one year ago. Six percent are grilling more meat substitutes such as veggie burgers and tofu, and 5 percent are grilling more fruit.

Grilling trends upward
More than half (57 percent) of all grill owners said they grill throughout the year. Among owners of different grill types, those who use outdoor electric grills (65 percent), gas stand-ups (61 percent) and smokers most often (60 percent) are more likely to define their grilling season as year-round than charcoal grill owners at 53 percent.

For the first time, researchers asked how many hours a week Americans grill during their grilling season. While the overall average of all respondents was 4.4, one-third said they spend five or more hours grilling each week. Sixty-seven percent said they spend up to four hours. Seventy-one percent reported they fire up their grill at least once a week during their grilling season, up from 69 percent last year, and 47 percent said they fire it up "at least a few times per week" compared to 43 percent last year.

While 95 percent said they grill dinner "on a regular basis," 37 percent said they now grill lunch on a regular basis, and 2 percent grill breakfast or brunch regularly.

American grill owners also reported they entertain family or friends in their home an average of 10.7 times a year, slightly more than the non-grill owner average at 9.6 times. In addition, grill owners used their grills seven out of the 10.7 times they entertained during the year.

Grill ownership results
Charcoal grill ownership continues to trend upward -- 53 percent of grill owners said they have one, up from 50 percent last year and 47 percent in 2005. On the flip side, gas grill ownership is on the decline with 63 percent ownership versus 70 percent ownership in 2005.

Ownership of smokers and outdoor electric grills has stayed relatively constant during the past two years at 17 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Whereas gas grills are still preferred over charcoal as the grill type used most often (56 percent versus 38 percent), the number of Americans who declared they use charcoal most often has steadily increased during the last three years (38 percent this year versus last year's 36 percent and 2005's 32 percent). Twenty-three percent of respondents said they equally use both gas and charcoal.

Once again this year, almost one-third, 29 percent, of American grillers reported they own multiple grills. Among owners of different grill types, those who own smokers are most likely to own multiple grills -- 75 percent said they own more than one, followed by outdoor electric grill owners at 57 percent.

Cooking on the grill
While Weber GrillWatch Survey respondents said hot dogs (81 percent) and burgers (75 percent) are the easiest foods to grill, they said fish is the most challenging (44 percent) followed by shellfish (38 percent).

When asked which foods they'd like to know how to cook better on the grill, respondents most often cited beef roasts (24 percent) and beef brisket (20 percent). These were followed by whole chicken and whole turkey at 19 percent each; ribs and pizza at 18 percent each; pork roast/tenderloin at 16 percent, and cakes at 14 percent.

Accessorize, accessorize
American grillers have purchased a wide variety of grilling accessories during the last year. Wire brushes and tongs top the list at 35 percent each, followed by grill lighter tools (28 percent), forks (25 percent), and grilling mitts (22 percent). Younger grill owners under age 35 are the most robust purchasers of grilling accessories.

Grill gifting
Nearly one in four grill owners (22 percent) have purchased an outdoor grill for someone as a gift. Birthdays are the top occasion at 37 percent, followed by Christmas (23 percent, up from last year’s 18 percent), which outpaces last year's second most popular occasion of Father's Day (20 percent). Fourteen percent of respondents said they have purchased a grill as a housewarming present.

Most popular grilling holidays
Americans fire up their grills on just about every major holiday. The Fourth of July again tops the list at 86 percent, followed by Labor Day (74 percent), birthdays (73 percent), and Memorial Day (69 percent). Fifty-two percent of grill owners cook outside on Father's Day compared to 45 percent on Mother’s Day.

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