Outdoor Grills, Smokers, Fryers, & Ovens

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Outdoor Cooking

US demand for outdoor cooking equipment and related accessories is expected to decline on average 3.8% per year from a high 2021 base to $4.4 billion in 2026. Sales surged in 2020 and 2021 as consumers and businesses invested heavily in outdoor spaces because of the COVID-19 pandemic; consequently, the growth outlook will be subdued as the market returns to more sustainable levels. However, several trends will help maintain sales at levels above historical norms, including:

continuing movement among consumers toward higher value products such as gas, pellet, and kamado grills
rising ownership of multiple pieces of outdoor cooking equipment to broaden the range of cooking methods users can employ outdoors
product development, particularly to make the outdoor cooking experience easier and more approachable for novices (e.g., Wi-Fi connectivity, combo grills)
a greater emphasis placed on cooking at home and better use of outdoor areas for consumers in the post-COVID world

Outdoor Cooking Is More Elaborate & Brings More Indoor Quality Outside the Home

The consumer market drives sales of outdoor cooking equipment, accounting for about 90% of outdoor cooking products demand in any given year. As the outdoor spaces of homes have become more elaborate, the incorporation of multiple pieces of cooking equipment – such as smokers, ovens, and fryers – in addition to grills has become more prevalent. High consumer interest in outdoor kitchens – which typically feature one or more cooking elements – promotes investment in these units to expand the culinary versatility of these spaces.

In addition, these spaces are being outfitted with more indoor-like qualities to provide enhanced functionality and offer more seamless transitions between indoor kitchens and outdoor cooking areas. These trends support not only more intensive use of outdoor cooking equipment per household but also purchase of higher value products with improved aesthetics.

Outdoor Cooking Equipment Is Becoming Easier to Use & More Connected

Newly released outdoor cooking equipment features state-of-the-art cooking control and connectivity. Consumers can connect to and control outdoor cooking equipment from their phones or voice-activated speakers. Grills can be programmed to cook certain foods – a feature that takes stress out of the process of cooking and facilitates entertaining. Not only are these products higher value, boosting sales levels, they are more approachable to novice grillers who are otherwise hesitant to use outdoor cooking equipment. Products that help users better control cooking temperatures can make grilling more similar to indoor cooking methods, with which many people are more experienced.

Outdoor Living & Outdoor Kitchens

While consumers have always enjoyed various outdoor activities, the concept of outdoor living (e.g., entertaining, dining, and cooking outdoors) has evolved in the last decade. Increasingly, outdoor living means furnishing outdoor spaces with more than a simple patio and grilling set, but with a number of amenities, including cooking appliances. Increasingly, it means outfitting outdoor spaces with high-quality grills and outdoor kitchen appliances to match the style and functionality of indoor spaces. Thus, outdoor living continues to drive new sales of outdoor cooking equipment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in outdoor living surged as consumer lifestyles changed. Since they were cooking more often at home (in addition to using their outdoor spaces more frequently), consumers invested in outdoor cooking equipment upgrades and additions of multiple cooking units – particularly types that allow for a variety of cooking methods – to broaden their culinary capabilities. Outdoor kitchen installations also grew during the pandemic as consumers sought to enhance the utility and style of outdoor cooking areas:

Popular purchases for these projects include high-end grills – usually built-in natural gas or propane types – and other cooking surfaces.
Consumers are also increasingly adding in cooking fixtures that can enhance flavor, such as a kamado grill.

Home renovation spending is expected to remain elevated compared to the pre-pandemic era and will continue to boost outdoor cooking product sales over the next several years. In particular, projects involving installation or expansion of outdoor kitchens will promote sales, as these projects often entail purchase of grills in addition to equipment like fryers, ovens, and smokers (in more elaborate spaces):

Homeowners with outdoor kitchens are generally more willing and able to invest in high-end models with value-added features and finishes that imitate the look of indoor appliances.
While the large number of outdoor kitchens installed during the pandemic will limit the number of installations going forward, sales opportunities exist among homeowners looking to add more units to expand the culinary capabilities of their outdoor kitchens or to upgrade to higher value models.

In addition to cooking, dining, and entertaining guests, outdoor cooking features can supplement a number of outdoor living activities, including:

camping
tailgating

These activities are also important to the outdoor cooking products industry, as participants generally own and regularly purchase additional or upgraded portable grills and other cooking equipment like smokers.

In addition, participation in other outdoor-specific activities, both at and away from home, can indicate interest in outdoor cooking. For example, at-home activities such as gardening and landscaping involve spending significant recreational time outdoors. These activities are also important indicators of demand because consumers who enjoy these activities are likely to make further use of their outdoor spaces by purchasing stylish and feature-filled outdoor cooking equipment.

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Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. About This Report

Report Details

Study Scope & Product Description

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

3. Overview

Historical Market Trends

Supply & Demand

Demand by Market

Consumer-Grade

Commercial-Grade

Sales by Outlet

Demand by Region

Outdoor Cooking Equipment in Use

Pricing Trends

Retail Sales

Global Perspective

Foreign Trade

Imports

Exports

4. Factors Impacting Outdoor Cooking Market

Outdoor Living & Outdoor Kitchens

Demographics (Millennials, Baby Boomers, & Urbanites)

Product Development

Product Trends

Convenient & Low-Maintenance Products

Easy-to-Install & Modular Products

Smart Technology

Growth in E-Commerce

Local Building Codes: Fire Hazards & Electrical Safety

5. Consumer Insights

Homeownership & Property Size Trends

Homeownership vs. Rental Rates: Historical Trends

Homeownership vs. Rental Rates: Age Groups

Homeownership vs. Rental Rates: Annual Household Incomes

Owned Land & Property Size

Outdoor Living Trends

Presence of Outdoor Space at Home

Participation in Outdoor Living Activities

Outdoor Living Trends for Millennials

Outdoor Living Trends for Baby Boomers

Outdoor Living Trends for Urbanites

Consumer Grilling Trends

Outdoor Cooking Equipment Ownership: Number of Units by Demographic

Outdoor Cooking Equipment Ownership by Living Situation

Outdoor Cooking Equipment Preferences by Type

Fuel Type Preferences

6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment

Products

Demand by Product

Grills

Ovens

Smokers

Fryers

Fuel Sources

Demand by Fuel Source

Gas

Charcoal & Other Solid Fuel (Pellets)

Electric & Liquid Fuels

7. Accessories

Demand by Product

Spare/Replacement Tanks

Grill Covers

Cooking & Cleaning Utensils

Other Outdoor Cooking Equipment Parts

8. Key Suppliers & Market Share

Industry Composition

Outdoor Cooking Equipment: Market Share

Outdoor Cooking Accessories: Key Suppliers

Mergers & Acquisitions

Manufacturing

Brand Name Recognition

Marketing

Conventional Advertising

Online Advertising

Strategic Media Partnerships

Cooperative Agreements

9. Appendix

Scope

Definitions

Freedonia Methodology

Study-Specific Methodology

Sources

Related Studies & Reports

Macroeconomic Assumptions

Economic Environment

Demographic Trends

Consumer Spending

List of Tables

2. About This Report

Table 2-1. Annual Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Product, 2019 - 2022 (million dollars)

Table 2-2. Annual Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand by Market, 2019 - 2022 (million dollars)

3. Overview

Table 3-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand, 2011 - 2021 (million dollars)

Table 3-2. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 3-3. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 3-4. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand by Region, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 3-5. Outdoor Cooking Equipment in Use by Fuel Source, 2011 - 2031 (million units)

Table 3-6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Pricing by Product, 2011 - 2031 (dollars per unit)

Table 3-7. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Retail Sales, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 3-8. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Imports by Source, 2011 - 2021 (million dollars)

Table 3-9. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Exports by Destination, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

5. Consumer Insights

Table 5-1. US Homeownership & Rental Rates, 2011 - 2021 (% population)

Table 5-2. US Homeownership & Rental Rates by Age Group, 2011 - 2021 (% adults)

Table 5-3. US Homeownership & Rental Rates by Annual Household Income Bracket, 2021 (% population)

Table 5-4. US Homeownership Rates by Property Size, 2011 - 2021 (% of respondents who own a single-family house)

Table 5-5. Participation in Selected Outdoor Living Activities by Age Group, 2021 (%)

Table 5-6. Statements About Plant Growing by Millennials (Aged 25-45), 2022 (%)

Table 5-7. Statements About Gardening by Baby Boomers, 2022 (% of consumers who grow plants)

Table 5-8. "How Many Outdoor Grills, Smokers, or Other Cooking Equipment Do You Own?" by Gender, Age Group, & Household Income Bracket, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-9. "How Many Outdoor Grills, Smokers, or Other Cooking Equipment Do You Own?" by Urban vs. Rural Location, US Region, Type of Housing, & Presence of Yard Space, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-10. "Do You Own Any of the Following Pieces of Outdoor Cooking Equipment?" by Gender, Age Group, & Household Income Bracket, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-11. "Do You Own Any of the Following Pieces of Outdoor Cooking Equipment?" by Urban vs. Rural Area, US Region, Type of Housing, & Presence of Yard Space, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-12. "When Considering the Fuel for My Outdoor Grills, Smokers, or Other Cooking Equipment..." by Outdoor Cooking Equipment Owned, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-13. "When Considering the Fuel for My Outdoor Grills, Smokers, or Other Cooking Equipment..." by Gender, Age, & Household Income, 2022 (% of consumers)

Table 5-14. "When Considering the Fuel For My Outdoor Grills, Smokers, or Other Cooking Equipment..." by Urban vs. Rural Area, US Region, Type of Housing, & Yard Space, 2022 (% of consumers)

6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment

Table 6-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Product & Type, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & million units)

Table 6-2. Outdoor Grill Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-3. Outdoor Oven Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-4. Outdoor Smoker Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-5. Outdoor Fryer Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-6. Grill Demand by Fuel Sources, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-7. Gas Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-8. Charcoal & Other Solid Fuel Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

Table 6-9. Electric & Liquid Fuel Grill Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars & thousand units)

7. Accessories

Table 7-1. Outdoor Cooking Accessories Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 7-2. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Spare/Replacement Tank Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 7-3. Grill Cover Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 7-4. Outdoor Cooking & Cleaning Utensil Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 7-5. Other Outdoor Cooking Equipment Parts Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

8. Key Suppliers & Market Share

Table 8-1. Selected Mergers & Acquisitions

Table 8-2. Selected Cooperative Agreements

9. Appendix

Table 9-1. Relevant Industry Codes

Table 9-2. Relevant HS Codes

Table 9-3. Macroeconomic Indicators, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

Table 9-4. Population & Households, 2011 - 2031 (million persons)

Table 9-5. Personal Consumption Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

List of Figures

1. Executive Summary

Figure 1-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessories Market

2. About This Report

Figure 2-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessories: Product Examples

Figure 2-2. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand by Market, 2019 - 2024 (% annual change)

3. Overview

Figure 3-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2004 - 2021 (million dollars)

Figure 3-2. Outdoor Cooking Equipment & Accessory Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (% CAGR)

Figure 3-3. Consumer-Grade & Commercial-Grade Outdoor Cooking Equipment: Key Traits

Figure 3-4. Consumer-Grade Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 3-5. Commercial-Grade Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 3-6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Sales Share by Outlet, 2021 (%)

Figure 3-7. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Pricing by Product, 2011 - 2026 (dollars per unit)

5. Consumer Insights

Figure 5-1. Presence of Lawn, Garden, or Other Outdoor Space at Primary Residence by Gender, Age Group, Household Income Bracket, and Presence of Children at Home, 2022 (% population)

Figure 5-2. Presence of Lawn, Garden, or Other Outdoor Space at Primary Residence by Urban vs. Rural Area, US Region, & Housing Type, 2022 (%)

6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment

Figure 6-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-2. Outdoor Grill Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-3. Outdoor Oven Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-4. Outdoor Smoker Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-5. Outdoor Fryer Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-6. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand by Fuel Sources, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-7. Gas Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-8. Charcoal & Other Solid Fuel Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 6-9. Electric & Liquid Fuel Outdoor Cooking Equipment Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

7. Accessories

Figure 7-1. Outdoor Cooking Accessories Demand by Product, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 7-2. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Spare/Replacement Tank Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 7-3. Grill Cover Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 7-4. Outdoor Cooking & Cleaning Utensil Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 7-5. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Parts Demand, 2006 - 2031 (million dollars)

8. Key Suppliers & Market Share

Figure 8-1. Outdoor Cooking Equipment Market Share, 2021 (billion dollars)

Outdoor Grills, Smokers, Fryers, & Ovens

Featuring 46 tables and 27 figures – now available in Excel and Powerpoint! Learn More

Outdoor Cooking Is More Elaborate & Brings More Indoor Quality Outside the Home

Outdoor Cooking Equipment Is Becoming Easier to Use & More Connected

Outdoor Living & Outdoor Kitchens

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