Top Grilling Safety Tips for Summer Barbecues
Food poisoning peaks in the summer months, making it essential to learn the best grilling safety tips to make sure your BBQ food is correctly prepared.
But, what are the techniques for ensuring your food is clean and that your meal is cooked through and free from bacteria? Even a small error in your preparation and cooking methods could result in your guests suffering unpleasant symptoms that require medical treatment.
Keep reading to learn how to grill safely this season.
Keep It Outdoors
Garages and outbuildings are not suitable locations for charcoal grills as there can be a build-up of smoke inside and you could suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. To stay safe, place your grill outside in a well-ventilated area.
Check Your Grill Before Use
Even if you perform periodic grill maintenance, it’s still worth checking your grilling equipment before use. Make sure there are no leftover bits of food or grease on the grill that could cause flare-ups and that all the vents open and close with ease.
Separate Meats, Veggies, Etc.
Meats generally take longer to cook than veggies, so it’s best to grill them first. Otherwise, you could try to take them off the heat when the vegetables are done and leave your meats undercooked.
You could also grill meats on one part of the grill, veggies on the other, and fruits on a separate section. Having a logical system can help you stay on top of how long each food item has been cooking and when it is ready to come off the grill.
Cleanliness Is Important
It’s not only grills for BBQs that need to be clean, you also need to ensure your hands and utensils are hygienic. Wash your hands after handling raw meat and use dish soap to rinse off your tools if they fall on the ground.
You should also always use clean plates that have not been in contact with raw meat when serving food to guests.
Cook Meat Properly
The CDC has recommended cooking temperatures for different meats and you can read these guidelines prior to grilling. It’s also important to ensure there is a level surface for grills so each piece of food is receiving the same amount of heat.
If you are in any doubt as to whether your food is ready, a meat thermometer can help confirm if your meat is cooked through to the center.
Storing Leftovers Tips
You may have some leftovers and would like to save them for the next day. In this scenario, it’s essential to store your extra food, such as chicken in the fridge, and cover it to reduce the risk of bacteria growth.
You should also thoroughly reheat meats and veggies before consuming them at a later time.
Know Where to Go in Case of a Medical Emergency
Even the best BBQ plans can go awry, and you should know where to go in the event of an emergency. Store the number of our emergency room on your phone and make sure all your family members know where to find it.
In the instance that you or a family member is struck down by a food-related illness, you’ll know who to call.
Use These Grilling Safety Tips to Enjoy a Fun BBQ Event
These grilling safety tips can help you relax and enjoy a terrific summer BBQ with friends and family. But, in the event that something does go wrong, our emergency room in Saratoga, TX is here to assist. Our team works 24/7 to deal with any medical issues and help you to feel better as soon as possible.
Sources:
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken? AskUSDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2021). Retrieved August 16 2022 from https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-keep-cooked-chicken.
How to Grill Safely. CDC. (2022). Retrieved August 16 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/communication/bbq-iq.html
