The annual expo for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association took place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on March 11-13. The HPBA is an international trade association dedicated to supporting manufacturers and retailers of fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor cooking products.
As a company passionate about staying up to date on the best in barbecue, Kickass Grills sent our team of experts to the 2023 HPBExpo to see what's hot in the world of outdoor cooking. And because we want our customers to be in the know about what they can expect from our inventory, we've compiled a guide to what you can be excited about from the brands we work with.
Grill Trends from the HPBExpo
Outdoor Griddles are Growing
Current estimates indicate that outdoor griddles represent about 10% of all grill industry sales. Some vendors are estimating that number may grow to as much as 40% in the coming years because of the increased versatility that griddles provide. If you're interested in finding out more about outdoor griddles and finding out if one is right for your backyard, check out our coverage of the best outdoor griddles on the market.
Designing an Outdoor Kitchen is Getting Easier
One of the biggest hurdles consumers face when adding an outdoor kitchen to their backyard is the design of the island itself. While we carry a great selection of awesome prefab islands, if you're looking to build something fully customized, you're significantly increasing both your budget and the project timeline.
While in Louisville, we had the chance to meet with the team from Pro-Fit, an up-and-coming company in the outdoor kitchen industry. We've been in talks with them for some time, but we got the chance to see them in action at the expo. They've developed a revolutionary software suite that streamlines the design and construction process for outdoor kitchen islands.
Using their software, you can design a fully custom kitchen in a matter of a few minutes, with designated spots for whichever grills and accessories you like. Once you've done that, Pro-Fit will ship you the island and countertop in an easy-to-assemble form, as simple as putting together a bookshelf. We're not quite ready to roll out our partnership with Pro-Fit yet, but stay tuned for more.
