July 7, 2025, 2:34 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Summer is grilling season! More and more people in Germany are turning to disposable grills. What started as a small trend has become a lasting favorite–despite being environmentally problematic.
Disposable grills are currently experiencing a significant surge in demand in Germany. According to recent market data, sales figures are rising sharply, while traditional grills are losing ground. Consumer advocates, however, view this trend critically.
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Sales of Disposable Grills Increase by Nearly 40 Percent
As a recent analysis by the market research company NielsenIQ shows, 459,200 of these charcoal trays were sold in the first five months of this year. This is an increase of 129,700 units, or about 39 percent, compared to the same period last year. Corina Kirchner from NielsenIQ confirms this to myHOMEBOOK, stating that “the sales of disposable grills (charcoal) have increased significantly.”
This is by no means a short-term development. Already in the same period last year, from January to May 2024, sales had increased by 26 percent compared to 2023. The trend is thus gaining momentum. According to NielsenIQ, sales figures were recorded across the entire retail sector, including hardware stores and large supermarkets.
Standard Grills Lose Market Share
In contrast to the disposable variants, sales of traditional charcoal and gas grills are declining. According to analysts, around 475,000 of these devices were sold in the first five months of 2025. This represents a decrease of 11,700 units, or 2.4 percent, compared to the previous year. The price trend is also interesting: while charcoal and gas grills have become cheaper on average, electric grills are generally more expensive than in the same period last year.
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But it’s not just disposable grills that are seeing increased demand. “There is a positive trend towards pizza ovens,” explains Kirchner. According to market researchers, demand for these has also risen, indicating the growing diversity in outdoor cooking.
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Cities and Consumer Advocates Warn of Risks
Despite their success, disposable grills face criticism: municipalities like the city of Dortmund warn against placing the aluminum trays directly on grass for fire safety and environmental reasons.
The Consumer Center NRW also views the trend critically, calling disposable grills a “real environmental sin.” The reason is the high resource consumption in aluminum production. “Some cities have now banned their use on public green spaces because disposable grills get very hot and damage the lawns,” consumer advocates explain in a press release. “Risk of injury, health risks from burnt food, cheap charcoal, and chemical starters–all good reasons to opt for a sturdier mini grill that can be used multiple times.”
Stay Away from Disposable Grills
“Even though disposable aluminum grills may seem practical, you should avoid using them for the sake of the environment. A small tripod grill is only slightly more expensive but can be used many times.”