Barbecue summer 2026: more power, more burners, more planchas
4-8-2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
In the scorching summer of 2026, Galaxus has set a new record for barbecue sales. While sales of electric BBQs are growing rapidly, charcoal varieties are losing market share. Planchas, a trendy barbecue product originating in Southern Europe, are also a hot commodity.
Traditional BBQs might just be losing their spark. Europe’s barbecue buyers are increasingly going for electrical models over charcoal varieties. According to figures published by online retailer Galaxus, ten years ago, charcoal barbecues accounted for more than half of all barbecue sales. In 2026, that figure has dropped to 30 per cent.
Electric models are on a winning streak, with their share of barbecue sales almost quadrupling from seven per cent to 25 per cent over the same period. Gas barbecues are the most popular BBQ type, making up 45 per cent of sales. Meanwhile, ceramic and pellet barbecues still make up a fairly tiny percentage of the market.
The electric BBQ trend and this year’s hot summer are reflected in Galaxus’s sales figures. By the end of July 2026, Galaxus had sold eight per cent more barbecues than during the same period last year – a period that had already seen record-breaking sales. In total, Galaxus has sold several tens of thousands of BBQs so far this year.
«Electric barbecues have shaken off their reputation as a stopgap solution for balconies,» says Anthony Gullo, the man responsible for Galaxus’s barbecue range. «They’re clean, fast and precise. Once you realise how relaxed barbecues at home can be if you don’t need to light coals, top them up or dispose of ashes, it’s unlikely you’ll go back to using charcoal.»
There are numerous reasons behind the boom in electric BBQs. Firstly, many apartment buildings prohibit the use of open flames on balconies. Secondly, people are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, but also increasingly keen on simplicity. Plus, with cutting-edge grills and targeted advertising, popular brands have successfully dispelled the notion that electric barbecues aren’t «real barbecues». Lastly, there’s the prices. Electric barbecues cost roughly 220 francs/euros on average on Galaxus – significantly less than gas barbecues, priced at around 450 francs/euros.
Customers aged 55 and over are more likely to go for an electric BBQ than any other type. In fact, this age bracket accounts for 26 per cent of all electric barbecue purchases. For gas barbecues, the figure drops to 19 per cent, rising to 20 per cent for charcoal models.
More gas burners, more heat
Customers who’ve stayed loyal to gas barbecues tend to go for ones with more space on the grill grate. So far in 2026, models with three or more burners account for two thirds of sales. In 2014, that figure was hovering around a third. This means that, this year, the average heat output of gas barbecues purchased on Galaxus has risen above eight kilowatts for the first time.
The plancha craze
However, the biggest BBQ trend right now doesn’t relate to barbecues themselves – it’s about the griddle. Planchas – smooth griddles with Spanish and French roots – are booming at the moment. In fact, demand has nearly doubled between 2024 and this year.
«Planchas are tapping into a certain desire,» says Anthony, «Today, people want barbecues to be indulgent – the days of just tossing a bratwurst on the grill are gone.» Planchas really do turn a barbecue into an outdoor kitchen. They require very little oil, cook food gently and are ideal for lighter, Mediterranean-style dishes. They’re also well-suited to cooking seafood, vegetables, smash burgers and even pancakes. «This appeals to a much broader target group than traditional grill grates.» With this in mind, Anthony’s confident that, «The plancha boom will continue.»
Header image: Shutterstock
Alex Hämmerli
Senior Public Relations Manager
Alex.Haemmerli@digitecgalaxus.chAt Digitec and Galaxus, I’m in charge of communication with journalists and bloggers. Good stories are my passion – I am always up to date.
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