Hispanic Women Are Taking Charge of the Grill.

During the grilling season, 42 percent of Hispanics fire up their grills at least once per week. Yet it is women who are significantly more likely than men to grill out at least three times per week (23 percent compared to 14 percent). Surprisingly, 36 percent of Hispanics say women primarily do the grilling in the household (compared to 42 percent for men), which varies greatly from Americans overall where 17 percent of women primarily do the grilling.

In addition to these key findings, the third annual Weber Hispanic GrillWatch(TM) Survey, the nation’s most comprehensive study on Hispanics’ outdoor grilling habits, also reveals the following top grilling-related trends among Hispanics:

— Healthy Grilling—Seafood is becoming a staple in Hispanics’ grilling repertoire, with an increase from 51 percent to 61 percent over the past year. The strong majority, 83 percent, say they also grill fruits and vegetables compared to 66 percent of Americans overall.

— Super Size the Grill—Full-sized grills are the most popular models among Hispanics. Use of these larger grills has increased to 63 percent, up from 55 percent last year. Hispanics are increasingly buying more fully-featured gas grills that include stainless steel grates (59 percent, up from 53 percent); side burners (55 percent, up from 38 percent); and storage area with doors (49 percent, up from 40 percent). Other top features include stainless steel exterior, fold-down side shelves, thermometer, smoker, cooking light, and rotisserie.

— Keeping with Tradition—Three out of four Hispanics turn to family and friends as their primary source for grilling recipes. TV shows (32 percent), magazines (31 percent) and cookbooks (26 percent) are the next top sources.

— Being a Great Grill Host—Fifty-eight percent report hosting five or more parties during the grilling season; and about three-quarters (73 percent) of Hispanics mention they are spending either more time or about the same entertaining outdoors as compared to a couple years ago.

Other newsworthy findings in the data categories of Grill Ownership & Usage, Grilled Foods and Outdoor Entertaining include:

Grill Ownership & Usage

Charcoal grills continue to be the number one grill choice among Hispanics. Among those owning grills, 71 percent report they own a charcoal grill (same as last year) as compared to 35 percent who say they own a liquid propane or natural gas grill.

— Grill Usage—Charcoal grills are preferred over gas grills by a wide margin as the grill used most often, 64 percent compared to 21 percent. Interestingly, these figures are almost the opposite compared to the general population where 58 percent prefer gas over 36 percent for charcoal.

— Reason for Grilling—Flavor of the food continues to be the number one reason why Hispanics barbecue (28 percent), followed by those who say it’s a good way to get together with the whole family (16 percent), and because grilling is a healthy way to cook (13 percent).

— Portable Grilling—Hispanics are twice as likely (37 percent) than the general population (18 percent) to use a portable grill.

— Grilling Frequency—Twenty-five percent say they are grilling more often than last year and almost one-half of respondents (46 percent) say they are grilling as often as a year ago.

— Grilling Skills—Nearly half of the respondents say their grilling skills are on the same level with most others (47 percent), while 12 percent say they are not as good.

— Spending—Those who primarily use gas stand-up grills say they would spend more on a grill (average $282) than those who use charcoal stand-up grills (average $195).

Grilled Foods

Although Hispanics continue to be more likely to grill the entire meal on a regular basis than Americans overall (37 percent versus 18 percent), this year more are skipping the side dishes and focusing on grilling the main course – 54 percent compared to 42 percent last year.

— Most Grilled Item—Meat continues to be the most grilled item at 95 percent, followed by poultry at 85 percent, fruits and vegetables at 83 percent, and seafood at 61 percent.

— Grilling Style—Most Hispanics (63 percent) say they basically grill the same foods and their grilling style hasn’t changed over the last year.

— Fruits and Vegetables—Corn on the cob and onions tie as the most popular (70 percent), while various other fruits and vegetables were listed as top grilling preferences, including hot peppers, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, squash, asparagus, pineapple, mushrooms, eggplant, and mango.

Outdoor Entertaining

The main reason why Hispanics mention spending time entertaining outdoors is that they like to go out (27 percent, up from 12 percent last year). Other reasons include wanting to be with/spend time with family, having free time, and nice weather.

— Family—When asked if they could invite anyone in the world to a barbecue, Hispanics say family definitely comes first at 82 percent, followed by friends at 31 percent and a distant third place is five percent for celebrities.

— Guest List—Similar to last year, 75 percent of respondents say they invite up to 10 people to their home when they barbecue.

— Celebrations and Holidays—Birthdays continue to top the list among occasions when Hispanics grill at 46 percent, followed by Fourth of July (23 percent), Labor Day (12 percent – up from 4 percent last year), Christmas (nine percent), Mother’s Day (seven percent), Father’s Day (six percent), Thanksgiving (five percent), New Year’s, and Memorial Day (both at three percent).

— Music—Romantic music/ballads have taken over the number one spot for favorite music to listen to while grilling (20 percent), followed by rancheras (18 percent), cumbias (18 percent), norteñas (14 percent), salsa (11 percent), and other Mexican music (nine percent).

— Popular Places to Grill—Public parks again top the list of places where Hispanics most often use their grill away from home (28 percent), while beaches, forest/campgrounds, lakes/rivers, and vacation home/cabin round out the top five locations.