What Canadians think of grilling

With a federal election expected in October, Canadian politicians are currently participating in what is affectionately known as the “barbecue circuit.”

In the backyards of the nation, a different grilling spectacle emerges when the snow and rain give way to the precious summer months. Canadians begin to prepare and enjoy more meals outdoors, and have a unique chance to share good times with friends and family as the days become longer and hotter. But, as is the case with many other facets of Canadian life, grilling is not immune to gender, age and regional differences.

In a survey conducted by Research Co. earlier this month, almost two thirds of Canadians (65 per cent) say they own a barbecue or outdoor grill – a number that fluctuates from a high of 74 per cent in Atlantic Canada to a low of 61 per cent in Quebec.

Home barbecue owners can be categorized into four different groups. First, there are the “apathetic.” Almost one-in-ten owners (nine per cent) say they do not prepare any meals at home for themselves and their family during the summer using the barbecue or outdoor grill. The proportion of people who possess the current tools but choose not to use them reaches 12 per cent among those aged 55 and over, 14 per cent in Atlantic Canada and 20 per cent among those of South Asian descent.

A second group can be labelled as “opportunistic.” They will rely on the barbecue or outdoor grill one to three times a week for meals at home. Just over three-infive owners (62 per cent) fit this description, including 73 per cent of British Columbians and 67 per cent of those of European descent.

The third group is “enthusiastic.” These 22 per cent of barbecue or outdoor grill owners fire it up four to six times a week. This includes 27 per cent of those aged 18-to-34 and 27 per cent of Ontarians.

Finally, there is the “overpowering” group. For seven per cent of owners, every summertime meal requires the barbecue or outdoor grill. Men are almost twice as likely to belong to this group (nine per cent, compared to five per cent of women). Quebec, at 11 per cent, has the highest proportion of

“overpowering” owners across the country.

When barbecue or outdoor grill owners are asked about their favourite food to grill, two offerings rank way ahead of all others: steak (43 per cent) and hamburgers (31 per cent). No other component reaches double digits, including summertime staples such as ribs (nine per cent) and sausages or hot dogs (seven per cent).

What we prefer to grill is yet another issue where affordability appears to be leading to generational quarrel. Steak is the top choice for those aged 55 and over (47 per cent), but drops to 44 per cent among those aged 35-to-54 and to 34 per cent among those aged 18-to-34. Conversely, Millennials are more likely to enjoy grilling hamburgers (34 per cent) than Generation X (30 per cent) and Baby Boomers (29 per cent).

Some of the regional fluctuations are not shocking. British Columbia, for instance, has the highest proportion of owners who say their favourite food to grill is fish and seafood (six per cent). In Alberta, steak as a favourite food is the highest in Canada, at 50 per cent.

But there are some findings that challenge our preconceived notions about specific areas. Atlantic Canadians have the highest affinity for ribs (12 per cent) and are tied for the lowest for fish and seafood (one per cent, the same level observed in the Prairies). Nobody in Quebec selected chicken as a favourite food to grill.

Lastly, we should focus on hygiene. The vast majority of owners (65 per cent) claim to clean their barbecue or outdoor grill “after each use” during the summer, while one third (32 per cent) do this “a few times” and only three per cent admit to “never” doing any cleaning.

Men are slightly more likely than women to clean the barbecue or outdoor grill after each use (67 per cent to 62 per cent). On the question of generations, we observe a high of 76 per cent among those aged 55 and over who clean the grill after each use. The proportion drops to 60 per cent among those aged 35-to-54 and 55 per cent among those aged 18-to-34.