Gas Grill
Myth: Cleaning a gas grill requires chemicals and hard scrubbing.
Fact: Open the lid before turning it on. Then close the lid to burn off old food. Finish cleaning with a wire brush. Then start cooking.
Myth: You can put the food on a cold grill.
Fact: Wait until the grill has heated up to avoid food sticking to it.
Myth: You can wait to clean out the grease pan until it is full.
Fact: Avoid fires by cleaning out the grease catch pan every time you grill.
Charcoal Grill
Myth: Spread the charcoal around the grill and light with chemical starter, gasoline or kerosene.
Fact: Avoid chemicals getting into your food. Use a chimney starter and a butane lighter.
Wait about 20 minutes until charcoal is covered in white hot ash. Then spread evenly around.
Myth: I can store unused briquettes in the garage and use them next time.
Fact: Charcoal and wood briquettes absorb moisture. Store in tightly sealed bag in a dry area.
Myth: Food is done when I poke it with a knife and it doesn’t bleed.
Fact: Use a meat thermometer to check.
Cooking temperatures: hold for 15 seconds to kill bacteria:
Poultry 165 degrees. Ground Beef 155 degrees. Pork & Fish 145 degrees.
Myth: If food is cooked I can leave it out for people to help themselves before, during and after the party.
Fact: Most food poisoning cases are caused by ignoring these guidelines. Serving temperatures: keep hot foods hot at 135 degrees or above. Keep cold foods cold at 41 degrees or below. Immediately refrigerate uneaten food if it has been kept at the above temperatures. If not then throw it out to avoid sickness. The danger zone is between 135 degrees and 41 degrees.
Covid 19 Weekly Updates:
Scientists now report that viruses can survive on hard surfaces like glass, plastic and stainless steel for 3 days or more.
Covid 19 virus cases and deaths are rising dramatically in 81 countries. The global cases are now at 8,637,901 and deaths at 459,399.
The United States is still the global hotspot with 2,219,675 cases and 119,097 deaths. New case spikes have been seen this week in Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Tennessee, Oklahoma and South Carolina as restrictions have eased.
Please continue your safety practices. Increased testing doesn’t cause spikes. Carelessness causes spikes!
