July 16 marks National Hot Dog Day, a celebration of one of America’s favorite summer staples. But behind every perfectly grilled hot dog lies an unsung hero: natural gas liquids (NGLs).

From propane grills to the plastic packaging that keeps your condiments fresh, NGLs play a vital role in summer fun. And as one of the largest NGL exporters in the world, Energy Transfer helps make it all possible.

Ready to test your summer smarts? Let’s see how well you know your hot dogs and your NGLs.

Question #1- How many hot dogs do Americans typically consume each summer?

A.)        256 million

B.)        850 million

C.)        3.6 billion

D.)        7 billion

Propane, a type of NGL, is often used to heat grills that cook the majority of the 7 billion hot dogs consumed by Americans each summer. Energy Transfer helps move these essential fuels across the country, making your backyard BBQs possible.

Question #2- What U.S. state was the most popular summer road trip destination of 2024?

A.)        Florida

B.)        Texas

C.)        Pennsylvania

D.)        Louisiana

A major component in tire manufacturing is butane, an NGL that contributes significantly to the production of rubber. You can’t take a road trip to Florida with a car that has no tires!

Question #3- Which summer wardrobe staple will keep you coolest on a hot day? 

A.)        T-shirt

B.)        Sundress

C.)        Polo

D.)        Swimsuit

E.)        All of the above

If you said all of the above, you are correct! Fabrics like polyester, nylon and spandex are made from byproducts of NGLs and are used to make different types of clothing – including t-shirts, sundresses, polos and swimsuits. So, if you wear any of these items, NGLs are an essential part of keeping you stylish and cool this summer!

Question #4- Which treat are you using by the campfire this summer to make s’mores?

A.)        Vanilla wafers

B.)        Milk chocolate bars

C.)        Peanut butter cups  

D.)        Chocolate chip cookies

There is only one correct answer to this question: milk chocolate bars! Did you know that most lighter fluids used for campfires are made with butane, isobutane and propane? Butane will maintain a consistent flame, whereas isobutane works better as the sun goes down and the temperature drops in the evenings during the summer.

Question #5- Which of these poolside items are derived from NGLs?

A.)       Pool floats

B.)        Towels

C.)        Goggles

D.)        Diving board

E.)        All of the above

Trick question – they ALL are derived from NGLs!

Many of our summer favorites – grilled hot dogs included – wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for natural gas and NGLs. Propane, butane and ethane contribute heavily to the production of all the items listed above. Propane, readily available and affordable, is a primary source of heat for many grills; ethane is a contributing factor to the production of clothing items and tires; and butane is heavily used in the production of rubber and the manufacture of lighter fluids.

So, as you fire up the grill or head to the pool, take a moment to appreciate the energy behind the season and the company helping deliver it to the world. With operations centered at our Nederland Terminal in Texas and Marcus Hook Terminal in Pennsylvania, our NGL business supports about 20% of the global NGL market, helping fuel summer fun across the U.S. and beyond.