Brits’ Bad BBQ habits: 1 in 4 Brits admit to never using a thermometer to check food temperature

New data has found that 1 in 4 Brits have never used a thermometer to check if their meat is cooked properly.

BBQ specialists, Hayes Garden World, conducted a survey of 2,005 Brits to lift the lid on Brits’ bad BBQ habits.

The survey found that:

• 2 in 5 Brits never, or rarely, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat

• 2 in 5 Brits always, or often use the same utensils for different types of food

• 1 in 10 Brits never, or rarely, properly clean the grill before using  it

• 1 in 10 Brits never, or rarely, wash their hands in between handling cooked and uncooked food

• 2 in 5 Brits always, or often, drink alcohol whilst BBQing

• 1 in 5 Brits always, or often leave the BBQ unattended whilst it’s lit

A quarter of Brits (27%) admitted to never using a thermometer to check if their meat is the correct internal temperature, which is particularly concerning given the risk of salmonella. Over 55’s (37%), females (28%) and those residing from Southampton (36%) were found to be the biggest culprits.

Similarly, 17% of Brits always use the same utensils for different types of food on the BBQ, which increases the risk of cross-contamination. The worst offenders for always carrying out this habit were found to be Londoners (24%), Millennials (25-34 year olds)(22%) and men (17%).

1 in 20 Brits even admitted to never washing their hands in between handling cooked and uncooked food, with Glaswegians (8%) Gen-Z (7%), and men (5%) confessing to this the most.

A further 5% of Brits admitted to never cleaning the grill properly before using it, with Glaswegians (13%), the over 55’s (6%) and men (5%) the most guilty.

Commenting on the findings, Barbeque Team Team Leader and Buyer, Ian Hodgett from Hayes Garden World said:

“It’s clear to see that some Brits are not following basic food hygiene whilst BBQing. Safe meat preparation is essential to minimise the risk of salmonella, which can cause food poisoning days after consumption.”

“Warm weather and outdoor cooking are ideal conditions for bacteria to grow, so there is an increased risk of spreading the bacteria from raw meat to other foods on the BBQ. So, if you have invested in a BBQ, it’s recommended to invest in a suitable thermometer to check your meat’s temperature, and carry out basic hygiene measures such as washing your hands.”

Hayes Garden World conducted this data to discover Brits’ bad BBQ habits. Check out their range of BBQs and thermometers here.