Charcoal Grill Tips

Grill your way to better health

Grilling foods can be a low-fat healthier way to prepare meats and other foods if a few precautions are taken to keep everything safe.  Grilling is a healthier cooking method because during grilling, excess fat drips away and food doesn’t soak up the fat as it would with frying. 

 

There has been some research done in relation to grilling and the formation of carcinogens or cancer-causing compounds.  Some studies show that these compounds may form more readily when grilling meat, poultry and seafood because of the higher protein content found in meats.  Fruits and vegetables that are grilled seem to be at a lower risk of developing these compounds because they have lower protein content.  

 

According to the USDA, eating moderate amounts of grilled meats like fish, meat and poultry cooked - without charring – to a safe temperature does not pose a problem based upon present research findings.

 

Here are a few tips to use to lower your risk so you can enjoy grilled foods that are flavorful and safe to eat.

 

Marinate your food.  Marinating helps to reduce the formation of the cancer-causing compounds.  Marinades may help in two ways: 1) The marinade may create a barrier between the protein and the heat of the grill and  2) Antioxidants in the marinade may combat the carcinogens head on.  Food should be marinated in the refrigerator, not on the counter. Keep your grill clean.  Reducing any buildup of baked on and charred remains help to keep away any carcinogens that are left on the grill after each use. Flip food frequently to reduce the charring that occurs during grilling.  A bit of charring will naturally occur and is usually wanted in order to get the grill taste but you want to keep that to a minimum as the more something is charred the more carcinogens it will likely contain. Trim excess fat from the edge of meats, poultry and seafood to reduce the amount of fat that may drip into the fire and cause flames and flare-ups. Smaller sizes will cook quicker and reducing the cooking time will lower the risk of developing the compounds.  Pre-cooking food partially is also a great way to reduce cooking time. The faster foods are cooked, the less likely they will develop dangerous charring.  Use a meat thermometer to make sure meat is thoroughly cooked but not overcooked.

BBQ Grill Safety: Tips for Gas and Charcoal Barbecue Grills | Zing ...

Summertime and backyard barbecues go hand in hand. Unfortunately, property damage, injury and even death, occurs as a result of home fires involving grills and barbecues every year.  These statistics could be prevented simply with safety knowledge and awareness.  Here are some tips to ensure you, your family and your property are protected when firing up the grill for a delicious feast.

Gas Barbecue Safety Tips:

The National Fire Protection Association reports that flammable gas or liquid is the first item ignited in half of outdoor grill fires at home.

Whether you have a portable propane tank or a natural gas line, check the connections for leaks before using your gas grill. Put soapy water on all joints and connections. If tiny bubbles form, a leak needs to be fixed before you light it.  While it may be as simple as tightening the joint, just be sure not to over tighten! Check for rusted burners. You’ll probably have to buy BBQ burner replacements frequently but you can find them in many hardware stores or buy them from your barbecue’s manufacturer. Clean venturi tubes regularly. These are the tubes that extend from the burner to the control valves. Spiders and small insects like to build nests in there, causing blockages making grills difficult to ignite.  It can interfere with gas flow making the flame uneven and dangerous. Always light your gas barbecue with the lid open. If it doesn’t start, turn off the gas and wait a few minutes for the gas to disperse before attempting again. Liquid propane gas is pressurized and requires special handling and storage . Make sure that the cylinder is not overfilled. When the liquid propane cylinder is connected, the grill must be kept outside in a well-vented space because carbon monoxide can cause serious injury or death. Never store extra cylinders indoors and if you need to change them, do so in an open outdoor space. Never use cylinders that are past their expiration date. Consider using ceramic briquettes instead of lava rocks that can catch fire. When finished, turn off the burners and the propane cylinder and check for grease build-up while cleaning. Charcoal Grill Safety Tips:

It’s not just gas barbecues that have safety measures.  It’s important to always use charcoal grills in a well-ventilated area to avoid fires.

Only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue about two inches deep.

Safety tips for outdoor #charcoal :

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New Post - 5 top tips for how to use a charcoal grill. -

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