Grill Tips and Safety Tips

As the weather gets warmer in Tennessee, more people are gearing for outdoor grilling, a tradition that has been kept alive for ages in the US. Bursting out the grill on a hot day means a moment of fun for friends and family. However, if you fail to take the appropriate care and exercise caution during this period, grilling can turn into a hazardous expedition. An outdoor grilling session can go wrong in different ways, from oil-flair up, gas explosions, undercooked meats, and heat injuries.
If you think that grills are not as dangerous as we are insinuating, check out the following figures. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) report indicates that every year, an average of 1900 patients end up in the emergency room due to grill-related injuries. Additionally, they approximate that there are at least 4200 house fires and 5600 external fires caused by charcoal and gas grills annually.
Therefore, before you head out for a fun-filled outdoor grilling experience in your gated community, you must learn a few grilling tips and safety tips.
Some Insightful Grilling tips and Safety Tips

Make Sure that Your Grill is Clean Before Use

If you live in a gated community in Tennessee, there’s a high chance that there are several public grills positioned in various locations around your neighborhood. However, whether you saw someone use the grill earlier that day or you’re the first one there, you must clean it before use. Make sure you get rid of the grease or fat buildup from the grill and the tray below. These can cause flair-ups, which are not only a nuisance but are potentially lethal.
Use a grill brush to dust off the debris from the grill. But if you feel that the grill is not clean enough even after scraping it, you can use a balled-up piece of aluminum foil to wrap food and cook it over the grill. The same case should apply to your grill. A clean and well-maintained grill, whether charcoal or gas, is safer.

Make Sure that the Grill is Away From Physical Structures

According to the NFPA, more than 27% of home fires are started by outdoor grills in the terrace, patio, or courtyard, and 29% on the open porch or exterior balcony. While public grills are often spaced out, you should check whether they are at least 10 feet away from any structures. These include the houses and other attachments such as porches, garages, and carports. This should apply to both gas and charcoal grills.

Use Gas Grills Safely

If you are using a propane grill outside your rented Tennessee apartment, be sure to do the following:

Check for any gas leaks before you light the grill. You can apply a light soap and water solution onto the hose and turn the gas on. If the gas is leaking, the solution will form some bubbles.
Don’t turn on the gas while the grill lid is closed. Gas can accumulate inside and explode once you open the lid and light it up the grill.
Make sure that the valve is tightly closed once you complete your cooking.

Adorn the Right Gear

It is vitally essential that you check what you wear when grilling. Sagging clothes and loose hair can easily catch fire. Protective gloves and long-sleeved clothes can protect your hands and arms from the heat and hot grease. However, make sure that you don’t wear loose clothing that keeps hanging when you’re grilling. Long hair should be tightly knotted behind the head.

Don't Use Outdoor Grills Indoors

Whether you own a grill or you use the private grill within the community, never use it inside the house. Grills shouldn't be used indoors as they can start a fire, cause smoke damage, or even carbon monoxide poisoning. The grill should be used in an outdoor area away from eaves, deck railings, and low-hanging tree branches.

Make Sure that Children and Pets Maintain a Safe Distance

Kids are always curious, especially when they see adults doing something fun. When grilling, make sure that kids keep a safe distance, and they are monitored at all times. You should also ensure that grilling paraphernalia such as tongs, metal grill spatulas, charcoal, and starter fluids are kept away from the kids. Pets should also stay far away from the grilling area.

Adhere to Food Safety Practices

You should make sure that any food on the grill is thoroughly cooked. When preparing meat, make sure that you use the recommended temperature to ensure that you kill harmful bacteria. However, don't rely on your naked eyes to determine whether the steak is thoroughly cooked; buy yourself a meat thermometer.
However, experts warn that cooking meat at extreme temperatures can activate cancer-causing substances. As such, you should do the following to minimize the risk:

Avoid overcooking your food.
Ensure that the grill temperatures are not extreme (maintain the temp under 600 degrees Celsius)
Make use of marinades
When grilling meats, make thinner or smaller cuts

Remember to clean surfaces and utensils that hold raw meat since they can transfer bacteria to cooked food is served on them without being cleaned.

Be Ready to Put Out a Fire

When dealing with fire, be ready for anything. It would help if you planned for flare-ups or an explosion. Some people say that baking soda is an excellent item to put out grease, but fire experts recommend that you have a fire extinguisher close by. If you can’t manage to put out the fire by yourself, make sure you immediately call 911.

Dont Leave the Grill Unattended

Once you’ve eaten a few ribs, you may be tempted to go back into the house and leave the grill unattended. What you don’t know is that this is a recipe for disaster. Besides ending up with burned hamburgers, small children may use this moment to explore this space and burn themselves. If you feel the urge to leave your position on the grill, make sure someone else takes your place.
Additionally, don’t leave the grill with all the grease and oil after the cooking session. Whether you are using your state-of-the-art grill or the public grill in your community, you must leave it clean at all times.