Charcoal Grilling Number One With Tailgaters According to Study

Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the recent Weber Tailgating Study™, a whopping 62 percent of tailgaters who bring a grill to a tailgate party opt for a charcoal grill. However, more folks are opting to use gas grills (48 percent) than two years ago (42 percent) or even three years ago (46 percent). The percentage who bring smokers (9 percent) and electric models (5 percent) has stayed consistent over the past couple years.

Apparently more is the rule of thumb among the tailgate crowd, as 44 percent of Americans who grill at tailgate parties say they fire up two or more grills, including 8 percent who fire up at least three grills. Those who always grill at tailgates are nearly three times more likely to have multiple grills at the party (54 percent) than those who sometimes grill (20 percent).

Most Americans who tailgate say grilling is always a part of their tailgating parties (66 percent) up from 57 percent in 2005. Only 4 percent report they never grill at tailgates. Younger Americans are most apt to grill during their tailgating parties -- virtually everyone surveyed under age 35 (100 percent) say grilling is a part of their tailgating, compared to 97 percent of those age 35-54 and 92 percent of those age 55 and older.

The Weber Tailgating Study is the nation's first and original comprehensive study that reveals why, how, when and where Americans tailgate. For the Study, Weber commissioned third-party research firm Synovate to electronically survey 1,011 Americans (503 males and 508 females) who tailgate. All respondents were over 18 years old and attended a minimum of two tailgating parties during the last 12 months. The sample is representative of the general population based on household data from the US Census Bureau.

Tailgate Attendees and Duration
This year's Study shows that the average size of a tailgate party is on the rise. Tailgaters report that the average size of their tailgate parties increased from 13.7 people in 2005 to 15.2 people in 2007. Furthermore, the percentage of tailgate parties that usually have at least 20 attendees increased from 23 percent to 28 percent in the last couple of years. People who always grill at tailgates tend to have the largest tailgate parties -- 17.2 people on average versus 11.8 people for those who sometimes grill and 6.8 people for those who never grill.

There has also been an increase in the length of the tailgating party. The Study finds that on average, the party starts 3.8 hours before the game or event compared to 3.4 hours beforehand in 2005. Those who always grill at tailgates get the party going even earlier -- 4.1 hours before the game on average, compared with 3.2 hours for those who sometimes grill.

Food on the Tailgating Grill -- and the Liquid Refreshments
Hamburgers continue to top the list as the most popular food (88 percent), followed by the usual fare of hot dogs (80 percent) and brats or sausages (69 percent). Chicken again comes in fourth (67 percent). Forty percent of those surveyed say they have become more adventurous with the food they grill over the past year. About equal percentages say they are grilling more veggies (37 percent) or grilling sides or entire meals on the grill (36 percent). One-quarter (24 percent) of the respondents say that they are grilling over charcoal more often over the past year.

Beer remains the key drink of choice among tailgaters at 64 percent. Following beer is soda (54 percent), water (42 percent), and iced tea (33 percent). The other top beverages include wine, lemonade, margaritas and coffee.

Types of Events for Tailgates
Football games remain the top venue for tailgaters with NFL games (50 percent) edging out college football games (46 percent) by a small margin. Concerts are increasing in popularity for tailgaters at 31 percent, up from 26 percent in 2005. Also increasing in popularity are NASCAR auto racing events (20 percent up from 17 percent in 2005). High school football is also a popular event for 17 percent of Americans who tailgate.

However if American tailgaters had to pick one specific location as the world's greatest tailgating venue, Lambeau Field would be the "tailgating capital of the world."

Weber-Stephen Products Co., headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the premier manufacturer of charcoal and gas grills, grilling accessories and other outdoor room products. In 1952, founder George Stephen sparked a backyard revolution with his invention of the Weber® kettle. More than 50 years later, the family-owned company remains the industry leader with its Weber®, Weber® Q™, and Ducane® brands. As a leading exporter of grills, Weber brand products are sold worldwide at select home centers, hardware stores, department stores, patio stores, and other retail outlets. Weber has the strongest consumer outreach program in the industry with its Weber Grill-Line(SM) (1-800-GRILL-OUT®)* and a content-rich website with grilling tips, techniques, and original Weber recipes at www.weber.com.

* The Weber Grill-Line and Weber Customer Service are closed on Christmas day.

SOURCE: Weber-Stephen Products Co.