July 4th the most popular grilling holiday PALATINE, Ill., July 4 (UPI) -- For grill owners, July Fourth is the favorite holiday for grilling -- 90 percent said they fire up the grill for Independence Day, a U.S. survey indicates. The Weber GrillWatch Survey commissioned Toluna to survey 1,000 U.S. grill owners age 21 and older who currently own a charcoal, gas or electric outdoor grill or smoker. The sample was divided between 50 percent males and 50 percent females and was balanced demographically to represent U.S. households. Independence Day remains the most popular "grilling holiday" of the year, followed by: 77 percent say they grill Labor Day. 76 percent on birthdays. 71 percent Memorial Day. 53 percent Father's Day. The three foods grilled most often are hamburgers at 73 percent, chicken at 41 percent and 40 percent steak. Seventy-eight percent said hot dogs were the easiest to grill, 72 percent said burgers, 49 percent said steak, 43 percent said brats and 38 percent said chicken. Three-in-10 grill owners said they feel grilling is an extremely important activity when entertaining guests in their home, while 77 percent said grilling is an important activity when entertaining. During grill parties, more than one-half of grill owners said their guests tend to congregate outside and of those, while 26 percent enjoyed "hanging out" exclusively by the grill, the survey said. No further survey details were provided.