Outdoor Grills, Smokers, Fryers, & Ovens

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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.