Summer is in Full Swing
July is National Grilling Month!
Grilling is all about good times, good friends and even better food. It sets the perfect atmosphere for a feel-good environment and a fun way to cook a healthy and tasty meal.
Although grilling can be considered a simple cooking method, it is important to remember safety guidelines to prevent fires and injuries. Whether a grill master or a novice, there are a few safety precautions that should be taken to ensure a great grilling experience:
5 Useful Grilling Safety Tips
Protect yourself
Wear grilling gloves and use utensils with long handles to keep your hands and arms safe.
Keep your grill away from the house
Experts say that the grill should be kept at least ten feet from a dwelling, and should be free from debris or decorations.
Preheat your grill
This will help to kill any bacteria that may be present on the grate.
A clean grill is a happy grill
Unless otherwise noted, clean with a metal spatula or brush after pre-heating and again after the cooking process is finished.
Never leave a grill unattended
According to the National Fire Protection Association the second most common cause of gas grill fires is leaving the equipment unattended.
Tips For Keeping Food Safe When Grilling
Wash Hands Often
Washing hands, especially after handling raw meat, with warm water and soap will help prevent the spread of germs and reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Avoid Cross Contamination
Use separate utensils, cutting boards, and serving dishes for raw and cooked foods. Thoroughly wash each item that has come in contact with raw foods with warm, soapy water before re-using.
Check the Temperature
Use a food thermometer to make sure food reaches the correct internal temperature. Never depend on the look of food to determine if it has been cooked thoroughly.
Beware of the Danger Zone
Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 F and 140 F—a.k.a. the Danger Zone. USDA recommends that perishable food be consumed or refrigerated within two hours (one hour in room or outdoor temperatures of 90 F and above).
Usually meat is the main choice for grilling, but using the grill is also a great way to cook vegetables and even fruits!
The most popular vegetable to cook is corn, followed by potatoes. Onions, tomatoes, zucchini, squash, and bell peppers also make for great options to cook on the grill.
Check out some recipes to try below:
– Dana Gardner, Registered Dietitian, MS, LD/N
Want more?
Check out our previous edition of Food for Thought!
In the realm of optimizing health and well-being, the timing of when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. Learn all about how timing your meals can have a large effect on your health with our previous edition of Food for Thought!
