Grilling is no longer just a summer habit, and the numbers behind it are getting surprisingly specific. Weekly grilling reached 84 million Americans during summer 2023, while smart connected grills jumped 28% year over year to 1.2 million units in the U.S. That mix of tradition and tech is exactly where the industry’s biggest shifts show up, from who buys grills to which fuel types and accessories are gaining ground.
Key Takeaways
- 72% of U.S. households own a grill or smoker, totaling 91 million households in 2023.
- Millennials (aged 27-42) represent 38% of grill owners in the U.S. in 2023.
- 62% of U.S. grill buyers are men, while 38% are women as of 2023 survey data.
- Gas grills hold 52% market share in U.S. unit sales for 2023.
- Charcoal grills sold 18 million units globally in 2022.
- Smart grills sales increased 28% YoY to 1.2 million units in U.S. 2023.
- 84 million Americans grilled at least once per week during summer 2023.
- Average American grills 5.3 times per month from May to September.
- 54% of grillers use their grill year-round, not just summer.
- The U.S. grilling market was valued at $3.2 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.5% through 2030.
- Global barbecue grills market size reached $8.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $12.3 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.2%.
- North American grilling industry generated $2.9 billion in retail sales for grills in 2022.
- U.S. South has highest grill ownership at 75% of households.
- Midwest grills per capita at 0.85 units per household in 2023.
- California leads in premium grill sales with $450 million annually.
In 2023, 72% of U.S. households grilled with gas leading, while smart and eco friendly trends are accelerating.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Demographics10 stats
01
72% of U.S. households own a grill or smoker, totaling 91 million households in 2023.
02
Millennials (aged 27-42) represent 38% of grill owners in the U.S. in 2023.
03
62% of U.S. grill buyers are men, while 38% are women as of 2023 survey data.
04
Households with children under 18 are 25% more likely to own multiple grills.
05
Urban dwellers make up 45% of new grill purchasers in the U.S. in 2023.
06
Baby Boomers (aged 59-77) account for 28% of high-end grill purchases over $1,000.
07
Hispanic Americans grill 15% more frequently than the national average.
08
55% of Gen Z consumers prefer smart-connected grills.
09
Single-person households own grills at a rate of 41% in the U.S.
10
African American households have a 68% grill ownership rate, higher than the national 62% average.
Interpretation
Consumer Demographics Interpretation
America's love affair with the grill is a surprisingly democratic and evolving feast, where Millennials now host the largest block party, Boomers invest in the premium cuts, Gen Z demands Wi-Fi with their Weber, urban balconies are smoking, and the timeless tradition thrives from single-person patios to family-packed backyards, proving that good food over fire is a rare cultural unifier in a divided age.
02 · Category
Equipment & Product Sales13 stats
01
Gas grills hold 52% market share in U.S. unit sales for 2023.
02
Charcoal grills sold 18 million units globally in 2022.
03
Smart grills sales increased 28% YoY to 1.2 million units in U.S. 2023.
04
Pellet grills saw 15% sales growth, reaching 750,000 units in North America.
05
Built-in grills accounted for 12% of premium sales, $380 million revenue.
06
Grill covers and tools generated $450 million in accessory sales 2023.
07
Portable grills sold 4.5 million units in U.S., up 8% from 2022.
08
Infrared grill technology adopted in 22% of new high-end models.
09
Kamado-style grills sales hit 300,000 units in 2023 U.S. market.
10
Electric indoor grills market reached $250 million in Europe.
11
Wood pellet consumption for grills totaled 1.2 million tons in 2023.
12
41% of new grills purchased are under $200 price point.
13
Bluetooth-enabled grills comprise 35% of sales under $500.
Interpretation
Equipment & Product Sales Interpretation
While America's grilling spirit remains fiercely traditional with gas still ruling the roost, the backyard is quietly getting a tech-forward makeover as smart grills sizzle, pellets gain traction, and even the humble grill cover proves there's serious dough in the accessories drawer.
03 · Category
Grilling Habits & Frequency10 stats
01
84 million Americans grilled at least once per week during summer 2023.
02
Average American grills 5.3 times per month from May to September.
03
54% of grillers use their grill year-round, not just summer.
04
Chicken is the most grilled protein, consumed on 41% of grilling occasions.
05
Weekend grilling peaks at 68% of users firing up on Saturdays.
06
37% of grillers experiment with new recipes monthly.
07
Average grilling session lasts 1.2 hours, with 45 minutes prep time.
08
62% of grillers host parties or gatherings using their grill annually.
09
Vegetarians/vegans grill plant-based foods 22% of the time in 2023.
10
Nighttime grilling (after 7 PM) done by 19% of users weekly.
Interpretation
Grilling Habits & Frequency Interpretation
Americans are conducting a nationwide, year-long culinary experiment with chicken as the control group, proving that the pursuit of the perfect Saturday grill session is a serious science requiring significant prep work and frequent social peer review.
04 · Category
Market Size & Revenue10 stats
01
The U.S. grilling market was valued at $3.2 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.5% through 2030.
02
Global barbecue grills market size reached $8.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $12.3 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.2%.
03
North American grilling industry generated $2.9 billion in retail sales for grills in 2022.
04
The premium grill segment accounted for 35% of total U.S. grill market revenue in 2023, totaling $1.12 billion.
05
U.S. charcoal grill market revenue hit $850 million in 2023, up 5% from 2022.
06
Gas grill sales contributed $1.75 billion to the U.S. market in 2023, representing 55% of total grill sales.
07
Electric grill market in Europe valued at €450 million in 2022, with 7% YoY growth.
08
U.S. grilling accessories market size was $1.1 billion in 2023.
09
Asia-Pacific BBQ grill market expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2027 from $1.4 billion in 2022.
10
Pellet grill segment grew to $450 million in U.S. sales in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Despite our collective stress about inflation, it turns out America’s most reliable investment isn’t stocks or bonds, but a sizzling steak and the increasingly expensive hardware required to cook it.
More related reading
05 · Category
Regional & Demographic Data11 stats
01
U.S. South has highest grill ownership at 75% of households.
02
Midwest grills per capita at 0.85 units per household in 2023.
03
California leads in premium grill sales with $450 million annually.
04
Texas hosts 12% of all U.S. grilling events yearly.
05
Northeast U.S. sees 20% higher electric grill adoption due to weather.
06
Florida's grilling season extends 8 months, boosting sales 15%.
07
Rural areas have 68% grill ownership vs 55% urban.
08
Australia has 85% household grill penetration, highest globally.
09
UK grilling peaks in July with 92% participation rate.
10
Brazil's churrasco culture leads to 95% ownership in urban homes.
11
Asia's urban grilling up 35% with apartment balcony models.
Interpretation
Regional & Demographic Data Interpretation
While America debates gas versus charcoal with regional pride, the world quietly unites in the universal truth that everything—from Texas brisket to balcony skewers—is better when kissed by fire and a hint of smoke.
06 · Category
Safety & Health Statistics12 stats
01
14% of U.S. grilling fires occur in the Southeast region annually.
02
Grill-related injuries total 8,900 ER visits yearly in U.S.
03
21% of grill fires caused by grease buildup per NFPA 2023 data.
04
Propane tank leaks cause 5,800 fires annually worldwide.
05
Children under 5 involved in 22% of grill burn incidents.
06
Alcohol consumption linked to 38% of grilling accidents.
07
Charcoal grills have 2x higher flare-up risk than gas.
08
47 states reported grill fire increases post-COVID lockdowns.
09
Proper ventilation reduces CO poisoning by 90% in indoor grilling.
10
1 in 5 grills fail safety inspections due to hose cracks.
11
Grill brushes cause 1,600 injuries yearly from wire bristles.
12
HCAs in grilled meat reduced 55% with marinades per ACS study.
Interpretation
Safety & Health Statistics Interpretation
Before you invite the neighborhood over for some charred perfection, remember: your backyard barbecue is statistically a cocktail of flammable grease, questionable equipment, and potentially tipsy operators, all of which suggest that wielding those tongs is a privilege requiring more vigilance than just monitoring the internal temperature of your steak.
07 · Category
Trends & Innovations12 stats
01
Sustainability drives 48% of 2023 grill buyers to choose eco-friendly materials.
02
Plant-based meat grilling up 65% since 2020.
03
Wi-Fi connected grills expected to reach 40% market penetration by 2027.
04
Hybrid gas-charcoal grills sales surged 22% in 2023.
05
Low-and-slow smoking trend boosted smoker attachments sales by 30%.
06
Gender-neutral marketing led to 15% rise in female grill buyers.
07
Delivery of pre-marinated meats for grilling grew 40% via apps.
08
Ceramic grill innovations captured 18% of premium segment.
09
AI temperature control features in 25% of 2024 models.
10
Zero-emission electric grills mandated in California, boosting sales 50%.
11
Subscription pellet delivery services grew to 500,000 users.
12
Virtual grilling classes attended by 2.3 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Trends & Innovations Interpretation
Today's grillmaster is a tech-savvy environmentalist who wants the perfect sear without the gender stereotypes, often learning how to do it from a screen while their smart grill, fueled by subscription pellets, handles a pre-marinated plant-based steak.
Reference
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APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Grilling Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grilling-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Grilling Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/grilling-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Grilling Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/grilling-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
63 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level