There’s nothing more fun or tasty than grilling season, but preparing food outside comes with risks. Learn what it takes to grill safely so everyone can enjoy a delicious meal outdoors.
Grilling and barbecuing are American summer traditions. Grilling is fun (and tasty), but it can also be dangerous if you aren’t careful.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 individuals visited the emergency room because of grilling-related burns and injuries over a recent five-year stretch. During a single year, an average of 9,600 home fires are caused by grills, hibachis or barbecues.
Fire safety and grills
Whether you grill with gas, charcoal or wood, there are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure a safe grilling experience.
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any other structure.
- Don’t use a grill inside a garage or covered carport.
- Clean your grill regularly. Grease and fat build-up are extremely flammable.
- Never leave a grill unattended.
- Don’t overload your grill with food.
- Keep a spray bottle with water and a fire extinguisher close by in case of flare-ups or emergencies.
- Check for rust on metal grills, especially on the cooking grates.
For gas grills — Regularly check for gas leaks. Wipe a solution of half liquid dish soap and half water on the hoses and connections and turn on the gas. If you see bubbles, you have a leak. Also, remember to open the grill lid before you turn on the gas.
For charcoal grills — Use only proper charcoal starter fluid. If the fire gets low, use kindling or more charcoal. Don’t add more starter fluid.
Prepare and cook foods safely
When we think about grill safety, we often forget about the proper grilling of meat, poultry and fish. Preparing and grilling food outside requires the same care and attention as cooking inside.
Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after handling raw foods. Make sure your work surface, utensils and grill are clean before you cook. If you use a wire bristle brush, check the grill’s surface before you cook anything. Wire bristles from grill cleaning brushes may come loose and get stuck in the food you’re grilling.
Use a food thermometer to make sure your meat has been cooked to the proper temperature. If you’re using a smoker, keep temperatures inside the smoker between 225 F and 300 F. This ensures the meat remains at a safe temperature while it cooks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, different types of food have different standard cooking temperatures. Note the temperature for the type of food you’re grilling:
- All poultry and pre-cooked meats, like hot dogs: 165 F
- Hamburgers and other ground beef: 160 F
- Fish: 145 F
- Whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb and veal: 145 F
Also, never leave your marinated food out of the refrigerator for over two hours. Bacteria grows best in temperatures between 40 and 140 F. Hot food should stay at or above 140 F and cold food should stay at or below 40 F.
When the meal is over, divide leftovers into small portions and put them in a covered, shallow container. Refrigerate them within two hours of cooking (one hour if it’s 90 F or hotter outside).
These simple tips will help you and your family stay safe so you can enjoy grilling and all the delicious foods that come with it year-round.