General Safety Tips

Hey folks, Luis from Kookio here! I'm a big fan of grilling - there's nothing quite like that smoky flavor, the sizzle of meat on the grill, and the smell of burgers and hot dogs cooking to perfection. However, grilling can be a bit dangerous, especially if you're just starting out. That’s why I’ve put together some grill safety tips to keep you safe while you grill like a boss.

1. Always grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Never grill indoors or in an enclosed space, as this can be a fire hazard and can release carbon monoxide gas. Keep your grill at a safe distance from anything that can catch fire, like trees, shrubs, and your house. 
2. Never leave your grill unattended - keep an eye on the grill and the food that you’re cooking at all times!
3. Keep children and pets away from the grill while it’s in use. 
4. Make sure your grill is level, so that the grease doesn’t run onto the flame and cause a flare-up. Speaking of flare-ups, these can be a common occurrence. You’re just trying to cook up some delicious meat and the next thing you know, you’ve got flames shooting up all over the place. Not only can it mess up your food, but it can be downright dangerous. To prevent flare-ups, make sure to keep your grill clean, a dirty grill can lead to debris buildup and that’s just asking for more flare-ups!
5. Make sure the grill is clean before cooking. This Wooden Grill Scraper is a great grill tool to keep the grates clean without having to worry about damaging your grill grates or metal bristles getting on your food.
6. Always use long-handled utensils to keep your hands and arms away from the heat. The Ultimate Grill Tongs from Toadfish are awesome. It's a great grilling tool because it's multi-functional, it has a pronged top edge that will grab and flip anything, and a built-in spoon rest with a great design.
7. Protect your hands! I love using these Outset Grill Leather Gloves they’re great quality and protect my hands from the heat, flames and sparks.
8. Have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water handy in case of emergencies.
9. When you're finished grilling, put the lid and close the vents, and let the charcoal and grill cool down completely before moving it or cleaning it. I love using FOGO Charcoal, and many times after I’ve cleaned out the ash, I notice there are large chunks of unburned charcoal left, I usually save these and mix it with new charcoal for the next cook!
10. Invest in a meat thermometer, so you can make sure your food is fully cooked and safe to eat. This is especially important for meats like chicken and pork, which can harbor harmful bacteria if not cooked properly. The Meater + Wireless Thermometer is such a great choice so you can know the temperature of what you’re cooking (I don’t have to worry about under cooking!)  and the temperature inside your grill.

Grilling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, cook up some tasty food, and spend time with friends and family. Just remember to follow these safety grilling tips to prevent accidents. One more thing before I go - why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!

Happy grilling!