Top 10 Cities With Most Clueless Cooks In America

I'm wondering how people are going to take this: We've got the list of cities with most clueless cooks. Don't take this personally Cleveland, but our friends at Linz Heritage have created this list based on factors like basic cooking skills, utensils, and techniques.

Before we dive into WHY, let’s give you the list of the Top Ten: 

1 Cleveland, Ohio

2 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

3 Seattle, Washington

4 Madison, Wisconsin

5 Lubbock, Texas

6 Portland, Oregon

7 Austin, Texas

8 Minneapolis, Minnesota

9 Atlanta, Georgia

10 Nashville, Tennessee

According to their analysis of Google search terms related to basic cooking skills, Cleveland tops the list for cities with most clueless cooks per capita. To determine our ranking, search terms and keywords related to basic cooking queries were analyzed across cities with a population of at least 250,000. While there’s no specific region associated with a lack of cooking skills, our research suggests certain cities are significantly behind the curve.

Interestingly, some cities with thriving restaurant scenes, such as Seattle, Washington (No. 3), Portland, Oregon (No. 6), and Austin, Texas (No. 7), rank within the top 10 list of cities with the least-savvy cooks.

Midwestern cities like Madison, Wisconsin (No. 4), and Minneapolis, Minnesota (No. 8), also make the list, along with two cities with industrial roots, Lubbock, Texas (No. 5), and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (No. 2).

Rounding out the list are two unexpected cities. Despite its cobblers, cornbreads, and collard greens, Atlanta, Georgia, comes in at No. 9. Nashville, Tennessee, with its countless famous down-home dishes, claims the No. 10 spot on our list.

In their nationwide survey of cities with most clueless cooks, over one-quarter of respondents (28%) admitted to being embarrassed by their lack of cooking skills, and nearly a quarter (24%) avoid hosting dinner parties because of their lack of cooking chops.

These feelings might come from the healthy slice of humble pie served up by friends and relatives. One-third of all respondents (33%) say they have received negative feedback about their cooking skills.

Not everyone is looking to improve upon their shortcomings in the kitchen, though. More than one-third of respondents (35%) say they have no desire to become a good cook.

The majority of respondents (54%) cited lack of time as the top reason preventing them from cooking more. Nearly half (49%) admitted that it comes down to laziness or lack of motivation.

A significant number of respondents also blamed lack of exposure and access for their reluctance to cook. More than four in ten (44%) said they lack adequate experience, 34% lack the necessary kitchen resources, and one in four (25%) confessed that they simply don’t have the confidence to get started.

In terms of cooking skills, nearly one in five (17%) describe themselves as “beginner” cooks and only 14% claim their kitchen skills are “advanced” or “expert.”

When Americans are looking for cooking inspiration, nearly half (48%) say they follow food influencers on social media, and almost three-quarters (73%) say they watch cooking videos online to learn new recipes.

That same percentage (73%) also say their parents were good cooks, so maybe some of the prowess is handed down. Then again, 70% of bad cooks also claim their parents were good cooks. Bad cooks also enjoy online cooking videos, with 67% reporting that they watch cooking content.

So to our friends in Cleveland, it's not too late to get off the list of cities with most clueless cooks.

Some people can’t live without their air fryers, while others consider them to be glorified convection ovens. First things first, air fryers aren't deep fryers. Many people use them as an alternative that can have similar results, but they’re just not the same. Air fryers circulate very hot air around your food, and that heat penetrates the food, achieving crispiness without a lot of or any oi at all.

Some experts have identified cancer risks related to high levels of certain chemicals found in some air fryers. Consumer Notice reported that Several models of air fryers contain polyfluorinated molecules, also known as "forever chemicals," in the nonstick coating of the basket. They also mention that scientific studies have established the health risks of exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), showing links to health problems including infertility, hormone disruption, and some types of cancer.

They do suggest purchasing an air fryer with stainless steel or glass coatings to reduce PFAS exposure.

WebMD reported that in one study air frying fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases. But there is a workaround. You can lower the amount of COPs when air frying fish by adding fresh parsley, chives, or a mixture of the two. They said that these herbs act as antioxidants to reduce the COPs in air-fried foods.

Then some people may avoid air fryers altogether due to mess and buildup that’s hard to clean or get to, uneven cooking, limited food space, or the fact that there are better or more efficient ways to cook.

On the other hand, many people love air fryers because they are quick, easy to use, and use less oil than deep frying.

If an air fryer is the latest addition to your kitchen appliance lineup, you may want to skip using it with certain foods.

We're not talking about chicken wings here, we're talking about large whole chickens. You're better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you're wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn't guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it's raw meat.

An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you're looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There's a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn't know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn't wash their air fryer basket after each use. "I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today," they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of "solidified juices" and "fat/ grease" from steak and chicken.

It's possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn't because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.

Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven't tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don't put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don't want to forget the seasonings.

Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn't. Most air fryer models won't reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer's heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.

Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn't do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that's already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.