A new survey reveals that Britons are undeterred by poor weather when it comes to barbecuing, with temperatures as low as 14°C enough to ignite the grill. The poll of 2,000 adults found that 21% would even fire up the barbecue in single-digit temperatures.
The research, commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre, shows that 67% of dedicated grillers would continue despite a storm their gazebo couldn't withstand. Nearly half (45%) would keep cooking through thunder, while a third would battle on through a full-blown storm. Average winds of 30mph would not deter others.
Half of Britons have never abandoned a barbecue due to poor conditions, with 14% saying cooking in unpredictable weather is part of the appeal. A quarter would refuse to quit if the food was too good, and 31% would not want to disappoint guests. Of those forced to cancel, 49% did so on the actual day.
Items that encourage barbecuing in bad weather include a sturdy umbrella (19%), patio heater (28%), and gazebo (34%). Nearly half (48%) say barbecue culture is a significant part of their British summertime enjoyment, and 58% say the smell of grilling marks the first real sign of summer.
This summer, 50% of Britons are eager to experiment with new or unusual barbecue dishes, while 39% want to sample new flavours. A St Pierre spokesperson said: “That ‘we’ll make it work’ spirit and instinct to gather around good food – whatever the forecast – is a big part of what makes summer feel like summer in Britain.”
