What Wind Chill? BBQ Association Says Super Bowl Brings Out the Grillers

It may be pretty chilly throughout the country this weekend, but that’s no excuse to hide away your grill, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) says.

And it appears that the public agrees with that sentiment.

Ahead of this year’s Super Bowl taking place in unseasonably chilly Atlanta, HPBA (as part of its #WhyIGrill social campaign) reached out to a number of grill owners and asked about their plans for grilling during the big game.

The association found that, of the more than 250 people who responded, about 70 percent plan to get out the charcoal or propane on game day—and around 80 percent say they’ve done so in the past.

The weather generally doesn’t seem to be a major deterrent for grilling fans, with about 90 percent stating they’re on board for grilling even in the dead of winter.

(But let’s just get this out of the way now: Use your head! If you’re facing lots of snow and temperatures well below zero—as some parts of the country are actually seeing right now—the grill may not be the best idea.)

Emily McGee, HPBA’s director of communications, says the group works to highlight this interest in BBQ during the offseason.

“Grilling is personal and has evolved to a year-round lifestyle choice, with everyone from first-time grill owners to popular pitmasters and even notable football players choosing to ‘wintercue’ for the big game,” McGee said in a news release  (opens in a new tab). “We at HPBA are inspired and motivated by this widespread grilling enthusiasm.”

(And in case you were wondering—as I know I personally was—the term “wintercue” is part of a recent HPBA marketing campaign  (opens in a new tab) to support year-round grilling.)

No matter who wins on Sunday—the Patriots or the Rams—odds are good that the grill is going to be full of good flavors.

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