BBQ trends for the summer

Barbecuing is now more than just a seasonal pastime. What used to take place mainly during the warmer months has now evolved into a year-round leisure activity. The trend is towards barbecuing 365 days a year, and for many, cooking over an open fire has taken on cult status. Whether summer or winter, meat or vegetables – this traditional method of outdoor food preparation is becoming increasingly popular and has long since gone beyond the classic BBQ. Today, outdoor cooking offers variety not only in terms of preparation but also in terms of equipment. At the same time, people are increasingly willing to invest more in barbecues and accessories.

Today, barbecue enthusiasts can choose from a whole range of cooking systems, alongside new appliances with a wide variety of accessories. There are versatile barbecues for both professionals and beginners – from premium models with modular add-ons to portable plancha grills. New models reach extreme temperatures in record time, offering a full range of grilling options. Powerful burners ensure even heat distribution, even in smaller, compact models. Interchangeable inserts allow you to choose between grilling, baking pizza or cooking in a wok. Those who want even more can design an entire barbecue kitchen with modular extensions for extra storage space and work surfaces.

Thanks to steady demand, the classic charcoal barbecue is currently enjoying a revival. Existing models are being redesigned to enhance the barbecuing experience. More precise temperature control and stability allow for both slow cooking and the intense heat needed to grill meat to steakhouse standards. Even more traditional are fire pits featuring extras such as a grill rack, a wok holder or a closed plancha griddle. Japanese ceramic kamado grills are also in vogue. They retain heat for a particularly long time, making them ideal for cooking methods such as slow cooking. There is also a growing following for pellet grills with a smoker function, which add distinctive smoky flavours.

Barbecuing on the balcony or in the back garden is now part of the urban lifestyle. You don’t need much space for a city barbecue, but you do need the right equipment. High-performance electric or gas barbecues are available in a range of compact designs for quick use in small spaces. With up to four burners, these low-smoke appliances offer a relaxed barbecuing experience without upsetting the neighbours. Thanks to their consistent heat, they can also compensate for cooler temperatures on early summer days. Clever cleaning systems make tidying up after the BBQ a breeze.

To ensure variety on your next camping trip, compact barbecues and accessories are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Today, portable charcoal barbecues are designed as multifunctional outdoor cooking systems. Low-smoke fire bowls or fire barrels offer an authentic outdoor barbecuing experience. For those two-minute pizzas, there are handy pizza ovens that fit on top of fire pits. One innovative product is a hard-shell cool box that can be opened and folded away in a jiffy. Outdoor cooking as an everyday trend is also reflected in numerous apps that provide live content, recipe ideas and plenty of other barbecue inspiration for when you’re on the go.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional chef, whether you’re cooking street food or a Wagyu steak – the range of new appliances offers the perfect barbecuing experience for everyone. Features such as rear burners or side burners for side dishes, back burners or infrared burners for particularly high temperatures leave nothing to be desired. Smart temperature sensors and app control make them easy to use. Starter packs for accessories, containing handy individual items, encourage barbecue novices to try out new cooking techniques. For group barbecues in particular, there are XL fire pits with significantly larger baking and grilling surfaces, or entire outdoor kitchens.

BBQ and Outdoor Adventures

Barbecuing and outdoor cooking are now an integral part of leisure activities. They are becoming increasingly linked to the desire for short breaks from everyday life and the trend towards micro-adventures – whether in one’s own garden, whilst camping, or on spontaneous trips into the countryside. spoga+gafa 2026 will explore this growing connection between enjoyment, lifestyle and the outdoor experience. From 22 to 24 June, the “BBQ” and “Outdoor Adventure” themed zones at the trade fair will showcase new products relevant not only to barbecuing in the garden but also to outdoor experiences beyond.

The spoga+gafa 2026 exhibitor search provides a complete overview of all participating exhibitors.