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There’s nothing quite like a Memorial Day barbecue to get summer on the south shore started off right. We look forward to them every year! Grilling out with family and friends is one of our favorite pastimes, and there’s no better time to do it than on Memorial Day weekend. It’s the perfect way to relax and celebrate the start of summer. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to brush up on your grilling skills so you can impress your friends and family all summer long!
Safety is always our top priority when grilling
We’ve compiled this list of tips that we follow each and every time we light up the grill:
Make sure your grill is clean before you start cooking.
A clean grill will help prevent foodborne illness. It will also ensure that you don’t have burned leftovers from previous use, which may leave your guests spitting out the food you serve. If you use a wire brush to clean your grill, make sure that you don’t leave behind any of the bristles that could make its way into your food and cause a painful bite for the people you are serving.
Preheat your grill before you start cooking.
This will help ensure that your food cooks evenly. If you are using charcoal, make sure to burn away all of the starter fluid and let the coals get to an ashy gray before putting your food on to avoid the taste of gas in your food. Even with propane-fired grills, it is important to let the fire heat up the grill to sanitize the cooking surface and make sure you produce those beautiful grill lines on the food you are serving.
Use separate plates for raw and cooked meat.
This should go without saying, but doing this will help prevent cross-contamination. If you use the same plate before and after cooking, you’re basically bathing your finished product in all of the bacteria that you just cooked off of it. Serving e-coli, salmonella, or trichinosis to your friends and family will not leave them with the warm and fuzzies the next time you invite them to your backyard romp.
Don’t leave your food unattended.
Stay by your grill so you can keep an eye on it at all times. Aside from the possibility of ruining your barbecue by burning the menu, grill fires are a major concern. Dripping fats can cause extreme flare-ups and grease fires. If this happens on your watch, immediately turn off the burners and remove the food as quickly and safely as possible. Then, smother the flames using baking soda, sand, or kosher salt. Finally, close the grill cover and any ventilation to starve the fire and allow it to go out. Never try to use water to extinguish a grease fire.
Make sure you are properly covered before throwing a party.
Finally, it’s important to make sure your insurance is up to date and sufficient, in case anything goes wrong. Umbrella policies, liability coverages, and more are available to mitigate any financial disasters that may arise from accidents on your property. Be sure to give us a call or contact us through our website today to make sure you are prepared for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend!
By following these simple tips, you can ensure your Memorial Day barbecue is safe and enjoyable for everyone!
