<\/p>\n
Americans are looking for a relaxed, low-pressure spring and summer \u2014 with plenty of time outdoors and full of backyard BBQs and pizza nights.<\/p>\n
A survey of 2,000 Americans<\/a>, evenly split between men and women, revealed that nearly half (47%) said their perfect season is relaxed and low-pressure, while 30% want to spend as much time outdoors as possible.<\/p>\n Another 30% are looking forward to simple moments like backyard BBQs or pizza nights, with 24% describing their ideal vibe as social but easygoing.<\/p>\n Commissioned by\u00a0Current<\/a>\u00a0and conducted by Talker Research, the survey suggests this shift goes beyond seasonal preferences \u2014 reflecting a broader change in how people gather and connect.<\/p>\n When asked about their ideal get-together, respondents favored casual, low-effort hangouts (42%) and small groups (40%), while more than a third (36%) pointed to outdoor cooking with friends as a key part of their experience.<\/p>\n Six in 10 (59%) said outdoor cooking is part of their home\u2019s overall \u201caesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is signaling that grilling and outdoor meals are becoming embedded in everyday life. Outdoor cooking is shifting from a standalone activity to something that\u2019s more fully integrated into how people live and gather,\u201d said Anna Grant, General Manager at Current. \u201cFor a long time, it\u2019s been constrained by fire, fuel and space, but advancements in electric cooking are beginning to remove those limitations \u2014 making the experience more flexible, more accessible and better suited to modern living.\u201d<\/p>\n At the same time, gendered perceptions around grilling persist. About a third of respondents believe a negative stereotype exists about women grilling (37%) and a similar number think men should take the lead (35%).<\/p>\n In reality, while men are more likely to take the lead, many women are also grilling (79% of men and 43% of women).<\/p>\n Regardless of who is cooking, ease remains a key desire. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they have skipped grilling or outdoor cooking because it felt like too much hassle or mess (45% of men and 49% of women).<\/p>\n For these respondents, they highlighted that the biggest challenges include cleaning the grill (54%), dealing with unpredictable weather (46%) and managing the mess of outdoor cooking (31%).<\/p>\n Many respondents who cook outdoors also pointed to common grilling mishaps, including food sticking to the grill (42%), falling through the grates (41%) and burning the food (38%).<\/p>\n Perhaps as a result of this, three-quarters said they want grilling to feel easier (74%) and cleaner (76%).<\/p>\n \u201cGrilling should enhance your time outdoors \u2014 not complicate it,\u201d added Grant. \u201cSimple steps like prepping ahead, keeping cleanup minimal and choosing tools designed for ease can make all the difference. The goal is to spend less time managing the process and more time enjoying the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Research methodology:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans, split evenly between men and women, who have access to the internet;<\/strong>\u00a0the survey was commissioned by\u00a0Current<\/strong>\u00a0and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between\u00a0April 6\u20139, 2026.<\/strong>\u00a0A link to the questionnaire can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR\u2019s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research\u00a0Process and Methodology page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nClosing the Gap in Grilling Participation<\/b><\/h2>\n
Identifying Key Challenges To Outdoor Cooking<\/b><\/h3>\n