Food for Thought – Grilling Safely

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Summer is in Full Swing

4th of July Grilling

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.

Practice grilling safety with a proper apron and gloves

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.

It is important to keep grills away from any obstructions or tripping hazards

Preheat your grill

This will help to kill any bacteria that may be present on the grate.

Pre-heating your grill saves time and keeps your meals bacteria-free

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.

Cleaning your grill grates regularly keeps your food tasting better and bacteria-free!

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.

Unattended Grills can easily lead to fires.

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.

Washing hands reduces the risk of contracting or transmitting food-borne illnesses

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.

Maintain a cleanly cooking environment.

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.

Always check the internal temperature of foods to ensure they are being 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).

Keep an eye on the grill's thermometer.
Grilling fruits and veggies can create some delicious meals.

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!

KK 3-20-23