Grill Maestro

In preparation for the great barbecuen that is likely to occur over the weekend, I’ve compiled some fun BBQ facts for your general consumption provided by the HPBA:

• 81% of US households own a grill, if you’re in the last 19%, what are you waiting for?
• The top three days for grilling? You probably could’ve guessed them - Fourth of July (75%), Memorial Day (65%) and Labor Day (55%). Surprise surprise!
• Curious how much propane you have left? Weigh the tank! Most tanks weigh around 17 - 19 pounds, so the difference is how much fuel you got left.
• You’d be surprised with the geographic breakdown of barbecuers considering its rich tradition in the South but Northeasterners are actually the biggest barbecuers. North Central, Southern and Western round out the top four. (This is BBQ only, not smoking, pit roasting, etc.)
• Presdient Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th, was the first to host a BBQ at the White House. The featured menu item were Texas-style barbecued ribs. Mmmmm…
• Throwing burgers and hot dogs on the grill? You’re grilling up the first and fourth most grilled foods; steak snags number two with the always popular chicken taking bronze. Percentage wise it’s hamburgers 87%, steak 83%, chicken 78%, and hot dogs at 76%.
• Take a guess at the number one flavor for BBQ sauce…. did you say hickory, mesquite or honey? If so, you got one of the top three, followed by anything tomato based. The most popular addition to a sauce is garlic, number two is brown sugar.
• A BBQ wouldn’t be a BBQ if you didn’t have some corn on the cob right? Corn makes a showing 42% of the time, with random veggies taking 2nd with 41% and good ole spuds at third with 39%.