Got grill-timidation? State of the summer cookout

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU JUST DON'T DO AROUND THE GRILL.

A NEW SURVEY OF 5,000 AMERICANS FROM PERDUE FOUND THE BIGGEST COOKOUT SIN IS TOUCHING SOMEONE ELSE'S GRILL WITHOUT PERMISSION.

OTHER MAJOR GRILLING OFFENSES INCLUDE SKIPPING THE RESTING TIME FOR MEAT AND CONSTANTLY LIFTING THE LID TO CHECK ON THE FOOD.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, ALSO FOUND ABOUT HALF OF AMERICANS ADMIT THEY FIND GRILLING A LITTLE INTIMIDATING, WITH CHICKEN RANKING AS THE MEAT THEY'RE MOST NERVOUS TO COOK.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT'S THE ONE UNWRITTEN RULE EVERY GRILL MASTER SHOULD FOLLOW?

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 5,000 Americans who have ever grilled, evenly split by state, who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Perdue and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 8 and June 19, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.