With the 4th of July rapidly approaching, the fireworks are getting ready to blaze, the kids are getting ready to play, and the grill is getting ready to sizzle.
Even though we are sure this holiday will bring you and your family nothing but revelry and love, we would like to warn you about some grilling mistakes that could potentially affect your health in a negative way. Read on to avoid them and ensure a happy, healthy Independence Day!
You are cooking too many things at once
If you are planning to grill multiple foods, make sure to do so in turns. When the cooking temperature is not high enough or has not grilled the meat sufficiently, the meat can cross-contaminate the vegetables and potentially harm your guests with foodborne illnesses.
You don’t switch out your utensils
For the same reason that cooking too many foods at once can cause unwanted sickness, using the same tongs for raw meat and veggies can potentially cause food poisoning as well. Swapping utensils ensures that bacteria from pre-cooked meat is not sneaking its way into your other foods.
You use lighter fluid or match-light coals
Lighter fluid might get your fire started quickly, but it can also potentially poison your guests if it makes its way into your food. You are better off building a flame slowly on charcoals using crumpled newspaper and waiting for them to turn grey before spreading them out to grill.
You don’t clean the grates
If you don’t clean the grates, you run the risk of leaving leftover food and carbonized char on what you are grilling. Contrary to nobody’s belief, burnt grill bits do not make good seasoning. You should scrub those grates right after you finish grilling (as opposed to much longer after you finish) for minimal effort.
You grease the grill
Coating the grill in oil will ultimately prove ineffective because it will trickle down the sides, and the oil that is left on the grill will get burned onto the metal. An alternative approach is to directly coat your meats and veggies with oil.
With these six tips in mind, you and your family will be sure to enjoy a lovely holiday. Happy Fourth!
Sources:
https://www.seriouseats.com/2015/06/grilling-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them.html
https://www.delish.com/food/a46868/grilling-mistakes-to-avoid/
