No Smoke: The #1 Grill Masters Are Women This Summer
Women are the unsung heroes of the grill! According to a spicy new survey by Purdue of 2,000 men and women, 53% think ladies aren’t getting the props they deserve for their grill skills. And this isn’t just some wishful thinking. Both men and women agree on this juicy stat.
Confession: I don’t grill because of Hannah Storm and the unfortunate accident that seared off her eyebrows and hair. I’ll never be the same after hearing about that debacle. She’s fine, though.
Anywho.
So why aren’t women getting their grill cred?
Turns out, half of the respondents—55% of men and 47% of women—think grilling is a dude’s domain. But hold your tongs, because 53% also say that idea is as outdated as charcoal.
Plus, a whopping 77% believe grilling should be an equal-opportunity sport.
This survey found that nearly half of the women (48%) are ready to steal the spotlight at the grill this year.
And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good grilled dinner in the summer? A hearty 84% of respondents are all about those grill marks when the weather heats up.
Now, let’s talk grill love. Why do people enjoy it so much? Well, 63% said grilled food is their absolute fave. Another 51% love getting outside, and 42% say grilling just makes them happy. Seriously, who can argue with that?
Jody Hallman, the marketing exec at Perdue, gets it.
“As a fourth-generation family-owned food and agriculture company, we know meals bring people together,” says Hallman. “During the summer, that often happens around the grill. We believe grilling is an equal-opportunity activity that all members of the household can and should enjoy.”
Speaking of food, what are the must-haves for grilling season? No surprises here—burgers are king, with 72% calling them essential. Hot dogs snagged 60%, and steak rounded out the top three with 59%. Chicken breast and ribs also made the list because, well, they’re delicious.
And let’s not forget the underdogs. Fish topped the list of underrated grill proteins at 27%, with chicken not far behind at 16%. Hallman sums it up nicely, “If women are the unsung heroes of the grill, chicken is the underdog of grilled proteins. It’s versatile and perfect for any occasion.”
So there you have it, folks. Women are ready to take over the grill, and we should all be cheering them on. It’s time to flip the script and give these grill queens the recognition they deserve.
Grill Stats:
Grilled food is some of my favorite to eat — 63%
I get to be outside — 51%
It puts me in a good mood — 42%
It’s a seasonal experience — 36%
It’s easy — 34%
It’s a chance to get together with loved ones — 32%I
t’s healthy — 28%
4 Ways To Make Summer Grilling Healthier For You And Mother Nature
1. Use high-quality pure lump charcoal.
Bbq Grid With Charcoal – braai and broil
Use high-quality pure lump charcoal. Charcoal briquettes are popular because they’re easy to light and provide even heat to the grill. But the chunks are often held together with chemical additives that can release additional emissions into the air.
2. Avoid lighter fluid.
Avoid lighter fluid. Lighter fluid is made of hydrocarbons, which can be toxic if ingested. And the smoke given off by lighter fluid-soaked coals contributes to air pollution.
3. Shut down the grill as soon as you're done cooking
Shut down the grill as soon as you’re done cooking. Most people will let their coals burn down and out when they’re done cooking, which means hours of extra and unnecessary emissions. Instead, when you’re done cooking, simply close the lid and shut any vents.4. Switch to a natural gas grill
DES PLAINES, IL – SEPTEMBER 21: A burner on a stove emits blue flames from natural gas September 21, 2005 in Des Plaines, Illinois. Prices for natural gas this winter could skyrocket upwards of 70 percent, resulting from the inclement weather in the Gulf; most affected may be the Midwest according to economists and the Energy Department. (Photo Illustration by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
Switch to a natural gas grill. If you want to go all-in with eco-friendly grilling practices, ditch the charcoal in favor of a natural gas grill.
