You're standing at the gas grill in the hot sun, wiping the sweat from your brow, and having your favorite cool drink. You are making one of your favorite grill recipes for the neighbors that are coming over in a few minutes for a home and garden party. You are using your brand new gas grill with all of the bells and whistles. You even went to the trouble of sending out fun invitations you found on the internet and you have just the perfect theme picked out for your party. Your new pool furniture has arrived and the weather is a perfect 80 degrees. Your picnic table is set up for the kids and their friends. Summer life doesn't get much better than that. With every grill recipe, party and backyard barbecue you can still maintain safety and common sense. Your party could be a disaster without first thinking about safety for yourself and your guests. Here are a few tips that ensure safety first:
? If your gas grill is lit, never leave it unattended
? Never move the grill once it is lit and hot
? Be sure to read the owners manual before actually grilling food
? Check all of the parts of the grill to make sure it has been firmly and correctly put together
? Never attempt grilling in a trailer, garage or any enclosed space. The fumes and flames can quickly kill you
? Beware of a windy day when sparks can easily get away from you
? If grilling with charcoal, lighter fluid should be capped
immediately after use and never use gasoline or kerosene to start a flame
? Keep children and animals away from the grill
? Grill away from grasses, trees, shrubs, awnings, umbrellas
? Place the grill on a fire resistant material such as brick or concrete, never grass
? Have fire resistant cooking mitts ready and waiting
? Wear clothing that doesn't hang out over the grill
? Control flare-ups by lowering the thermostat
? Keep a bottle of sanitizer next to your grill to protect your hands from cross contamination
? Have a fire extinguisher close at hand if needed and try baking soda to control a flame that is out of control
? The correct long handled utensils used just for grilling keep your hands safe
Keep your food safe as well as your body and property. Food safety begins in the grocery store when you keep your meat at a cold temperature when you are bringing it home. Don't let meat sit in a warm car or out too long in air temperature. Keeping food safe is as important when traveling to a picnic or just staying at home. When you work with meat, there are all kinds of bacteria and germs that grow so keep your raw meat away from any vegetables you are grilling. Be sure not to put your cooked meat onto the same plate where you removed the raw meat. Don't bring the meat out of the kitchen until you are ready to place it on a hot grill. There is no reason to have it out exposed to the sun and bugs. This all seems like common sense, but you would be surprised how many people don't think about cross contamination between cooked and raw food. Having your guests sick from salmonella poisoning doesn't make for a very fun picnic or party and they won't be returning any time soon. If you love to entertain outdoors in the summer, follow a few safety tips when it comes to handling food and grilling on any style of grill. You will have more fun and so will your guests.
Beverly Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying patio and outdoor furniture, hammocks, picnic tables, above ground pools, gas grills, outdoor kitchens and more. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.
Summer is finally here and for a lot of us... Read More
Types of BacteriaBacteria are all around us, in the air,... Read More
Put on your apron! It's time to stir up a... Read More
Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
The secret-at least most of it-is in the rise. The... Read More
One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread... Read More
The debate on ribs has ended in my home. After... Read More
Are you the fruit cake in your family? Before you... Read More
Grilling vegetables is easy. The fact that more people don't... Read More
There's nothing better than the juicy, flavorful hard candy from... Read More
Summertime--and the living is easy! But the kitchen is hot!!... Read More
Ever go home and look in the fridge only to... Read More
With the holidays on their way soon, many people will... Read More
Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More
What would you eat if you were stranded without power?... Read More
"Can I freeze it?" is a question often asked in... Read More
The human body requires the intake of six types of... Read More
Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Here's a little known factoid - did you know that... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
Bad eggs are rare but they do occur. Crack eggs... Read More
Homemade pasta cooked al dente (to the teeth), is a... Read More
To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More
Prevention of food poisoning starts with your trip to the... Read More
Sometimes bread machines can be tricky. We were trying to... Read More
How many of you remember dad trying to get the... Read More
The best way to decide what you need in your... Read More
Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More
Lobster, once the food of poor farmers, is now considered... Read More
It's a sad fact that these days it has become... Read More
Do you realize the many ways that bacteria can contaminate... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Pyrex mixing bowls typically come in sets of 3 with... Read More
Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More
Cobblers and dowdies, crisps and crumbles, buckles and betties-what are... Read More
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More
What would you eat if you were stranded without power?... Read More
Have you ever wanted to buy new cookware but didn't... Read More
Would you like to lose some weight -- in your... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
Want to enjoy the tantalizing taste of Asian food at... Read More
Saving money ? is something we would all like to... Read More
Summertime--and the living is easy! But the kitchen is hot!!... Read More
The debate on ribs has ended in my home. After... Read More
It is one of life's oddities that we take a... Read More
To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More
Most grocery stores carry cans of whipping cream ready to... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
We're partial to cornbread. We like its rustic texture and... Read More
Successful cake decorating is all about preparation. Baking and preparing... Read More
Food poisoning is related to unsafe food, a dirty kitchen,... Read More
You just found that great recipe that you have been... Read More
Muffins are a mainstay around our house. They are as... Read More
Homemade pasta cooked al dente (to the teeth), is a... Read More
IntroductionWoks have been synonymous with Chinese cooking since the emergence... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
From ancient times till the nineteenth century cooking was basically... Read More
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More
In the previous article, we suggested that you start a... Read More
Are my breads, cookies, or cakes baked and ready to... Read More
Cooking Tips |