April 26, 2007

Arlington, VA –Grilling is a popular outdoor pastime, but a new national opinion poll reveals that consumers don’t actually consider themselves to be pros behind the grill. In the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s (HPBA) national poll, a majority (54 percent) of respondents admitted to having below average grilling skills.

“Each year, the barbecue industry is introducing better and more innovative products, allowing consumers to learn new techniques, try delicious new recipes using the latest technology and must-have accessories,” said Leslie Wheeler, HPBA Communications Director. “Manufacturers understand that consumers are hungry for new ways to grill and National Barbecue Month is the perfect time to put your grill skills to the test and assess and buy the necessary equipment to prepare for the hot grilling season ahead.”

Tim Fallis, a perennial winner at the Napa County Fair BBQ contest, is grateful for the protection of a silicon glove when grabbing hot oysters off the grill.

Get Your Grill (Lessons) On
Learning how to grill is not a complicated process, and with all the new accessories and grills on the market today it is easier now more than ever. In fact, just as many young adults are manning the grill as older adults. Nearly half (49 percent) of poll respondents reported being between18-years-old or younger when they first started grilling on their own.

Whether someone deems himself a beginner, intermediate or expert griller, there is always an opportunity to improve. The poll revealed the top three ways people learned how to grill:

• Hands-on from their parents, friends and/or family (51 percent),
• From watching others and television, and/or reading books and magazines (31 percent),
• From instinct (9 percent).

“The basics of grilling are universal and learning from your family or friends can make the novice griller feel more at ease” said Wheeler. “Once you get acquainted with the grill you’ll find grilling really is easy and convenient.”

As millions of Americans step-up to the grill for mid-week meals or big backyard cookouts, you can expect to find different grilling style and techniques. But when it comes to the dos and don’ts of hosting and attending barbecues, everyone has an opinion. Start your blunder-free barbecues this National Barbecue Month and all summer long, by following these etiquette tips revealed from the national poll results.

When invited to a barbecue:

• DO feel okay bringing your own sauce, 49 percent of grillers says it acceptable.
• DO expect the meat to be provided by the host, but pull your weight by bringing your own sides and beverages. Go the extra mile and bring enough to share with others.
• DON’T touch the grill! Sixty-one percent of those polled say only the host/hostess should ‘man’ the grill. As a guest you can look, but don’t touch.

As the host of a barbecue:

• DO have all grilled food ready at relatively the same time (83 percent stated).
• DO offer grilled vegetarian options (66 percent agreed).
• DON’T feel obligated to invite your neighbors. Two-thirds of people polled said there is no need to extend an invitation to neighbors, even if they can see and smell that you’re having a barbecue.

In general, when grilling with others:

• DO start eating your food if your meat is finished before everyone else’s – after all you don’t want your freshly grilled meat to get cold.
• DO stake your claim at a community grill by laying out your grilling utensils or meat.
• DO be considerate of others – it is only appropriate to flip your own meat and the meat of others when manning a grill.

Grilling 101
To help consumers become better grillers, HPBA has developed The Grill-amentals of Great Grilling: A Complete Consumer Guide to Year-Round Grilling, which can be downloaded by clicking here.