Outdoor Grill usage at a 20 year high.

The outdoor grill is unmistakably one of the more popular appliances in many households, especially during the summer holiday months. Grilling provides an easy mealtime solution with quick preparation and cleanup. And according to The NPD Group’s 20th Annual Eating Patterns in America and Kitchen Audit reports, more households than ever are enjoying that benefit. Outdoor grill usage has steadily climbed over 20 years, peaking this year, according to the report. Although the most popular grilled foods have stayed the same over two decades, there has been a significant rise in grilled seafood.

Another reason for the growing popularity of grilling is that in many households, it literally adds another chef. While men prepare only 16% of all in-home meals, it is the women who rule the kitchen, preparing the majority (80%) of all in-home meals. However, the summer months provide men the chance to step up as masters of the grill, and give mom a break. With the ease and convenience it affords families, the outdoor grill is continuing to find its way into American households.

While the percentage of people who own a gas grill has steadily increased from 47% in 1993 to 56% in 2005, the charcoal grill should not be written off so fast. After a minor dip from 1993 to 1999, the percentage of people who currently own a charcoal grill is approximately 30%.

No matter which type of grill people own, the foods they cook on it have not changed much in 20 years. In 1995, 65% of meals prepared on the grill included the following top five foods: burgers, steak, chicken, hot dogs or pork chops. The top five foods in 2005 were exactly the same. However, from 1995 to 2005, there was a significant increase (58%) in the number of outdoor meals that included seafood, even though seafood never made the list of top five favorite foods cooked on the grill. Americans love their outdoor barbecues, complete with food, family and fun, especially over the summer holidays.

Americans are seven times more likely to fire up their outdoor grills on Memorial Day than on a typical day throughout the year, 10 times more likely on July 4th and eight times more likely on Labor Day.

“We all know that no one can barbecue as well as Dad” says Harry Balzer, vice president of The NPD Group. He adds, “Now that summer is around the corner, moms will get a much-needed break from cooking. And when Mom is happy, everyone’s happy!”