Grilling Mistakes You May Be Making

Posted in Accident & Injury, Health & Wellness on June 29, 2021

July is national grilling month. There’s no better way to celebrate summertime than gathering with friends and family and firing up the grill. Keep your guests safe and avoid these common grilling mistakes.

Common Grilling Mistakes

1. Grilling under the influence

37% of grillers admit they’ve fired up a grill while having a few cocktails. But after a few drinks, you’re four times more likely to get a grilling-related injury.

2. Not preheating the grill

Let your grill heat up for at least 10 – 15 minutes before putting any food down. This lets the heat transfer through the grates evenly and prevents food from sticking.

3. Undercooking the meat

22% of Americans believe they’ve gotten food poisoning from a past cookout. To avoid poisoning any of your guests, invest in a meat thermometer to check when your meat is safe to eat. Download safe minimum cooking temperatures chart.

4. Cross-contaminating the food

Using the same tongs/fork/platter for raw and cooked meat can result in food-borne illness. Keep multiple tools handy and use a separate clean platter for the cooked food.

5. Keeping the grill too close to structures

Never grill indoors, including inside your garage. When choosing a location for your grill, select a spot at least 10 feet away from your home, deck railings, and other structures. There are 10,600 home fires started by grills every year, on average. It’s also important to check for overhanging branches and other plants or bushes that may catch fire if exposed to heat.