Outdoor Cooking Mistakes to Avoid


We all make mistakes some more frequent than others. It is human nature to do so, and cannot be prevented each and every time. But we would all like to reduce the number of mistakes we make. But when we are talking about BBQ the rules are no different. Then sadly some mistakes we don’t see until we bite into em. Below is a list of some mistakes that you should try our best to avoid or something potentially dangerous could happen.

No matter the severity of the mistake, you should do your best to try to avoid them whenever possible.

Cooking Mistakes

  • 1. Before cooking, you must properly prepare the meat you are cooking. Do not attempt to cook frozen meat on the grill, not even semi-frozen. Make sure that you thaw your meat before you plan on cooking it, or thaw it in a microwave.
  • 2. Never use the plate you had raw meat on for the cooked. Once raw meat can have a lot of different bacteria that can make you sick and spread of many unwanted illnesses.
  • 3. Think twice when trying to light your charcoal with lighter fluid. You have to remember that the taste of the lighter fluid will also get into your meat.  It is difficult but not impossible to light the charcoal without lighter fluid.
  • 4. Don’t poke you meat when it is cooking. Poking holes in meat will cause the juice inside to leak out into the bottom of the grill. Not only will this make your food dry and unappealing in the end, but it also could potentially ruin your barbeque grill. At the very least, it will cause a buildup of unwanted grease and juices on your grill, which will make cleanup harder.
  • 5. Once the meat is on the grill, try not to open the lid to many times. Each time you open the lid, you change the temperature in the grill. The constant change in temperature and the airflow will cause your meat to dry up quickly.
  • 6. Remember that the higher the heat is not always the better. While it is ok to quickly cook food, turning the heat up will just cause the meat to dry up and potentially burn.
  • 7. Remember that when you use tin foil you will get more of a fried taste to your meat, and not the great grilled taste that you seek grilling.

Dangerous Mistakes

Never, under any circumstance, should you leave a grill alone when it is in use. Grilling does have fire involved, and accidents can happen. Fire spreads quickly, so being aware of your grill could mean the difference between a small fire that is quickly extinguished, and a visit from the fire department.

Never place a hot grill against a wall, even if the fire is already completely out. A hot grill can heat up an exterior wall to the point of combustion. Also, do not put the grill cover back on until you are sure that the grill is completely cool.

You grill should be cleaned after each and every use, no exceptions. While no one likes cleaning the grill, it is essential for the life and safety of your grill. If you allow your grill to sit dirty, not only are you causing a potential fire and health hazard, but you are ultimately making it harder on yourself when it does come time to clean your grill.

Make sure that your grill is completely cold before cleaning it. Spraying oil and cleaning agents on a hot surface could cause it to ignite. Be careful, because the grill may seem cool, but may still be hot in certain areas. You do not want to sustain a burn.

Does Cooking Bacon Outdoors Lead to Common Outdoor Cooking Mistakes?

When it comes to cooking bacon outdoors, it’s important to avoid common outdoor cooking mistakes. However, it doesn’t hurt to add some humor to the mix with a funny bacon jokes list to keep things light while grilling up some delicious strips of bacon.

Safety Tips for Barbecuing

When it comes to barbecuing, what could be more fun than whipping up sumptuous food on the grill in the company of family and friends? The thing, of course, is finding the right place for grilling and barbecuing. One favorite spot among true barbecue aficionados would be their very own backyard or outdoor kitchen with their own brick barbecue pit. Actually, any outdoor area is a potential spot for a barbecue but truth be known, the best places for a barbecue are the safest ones.

Choose a location for your BBQ grill that is away from trees, leaves, brush and overhanging limbs. Do not setup your gill in a high traffic area where someone may accidentally brush up against the hot grill.

When barbecuing in your backyard, be sure that you’re 5 to 10 feet away from your house or any material that can potentially catch fire. Also, be sure the grill is stable and is away from children or pets that may bump into it. It would also be a good idea to have a water supply nearby like a garden hose.

If you live in an apartment building with a balcony or rooftop or any other outdoor space, be sure to consult with your building administrator (or in some instances, your local fire department) regarding specific restrictions. Generally, using charcoal and gas grills indoors or anywhere above the first story is prohibited so you may want to consider electric grills instead for your barbecuing efforts.

Another great place to barbecue is in a campsite. Camping is such an exciting way to experience the great outdoors and barbecuing food over a campfire is definitely one of those practical yet cozy things you can do. Just be sure that you are at least 15 feet away from your tent and other camping gears.

Protect yourself by using the correct BBQ utensils such as oven mitts, thongs, and a good spatula. Avoid wearing loose clothing while near the grill.

Always leave the lid to a gas grill open when lighting the fire so the gas does not build up under the cover. If the fire does not initially start, turn off the gas, leave the lid open and wait for at least five minutes before trying again.

It is always a good idea to give your grill a checkup before using for the first time of the season and always store your tanks outside in an upright position where the temperature will never go over 125 degrees.

Of course, it’s not just the atmosphere of being outdoors that can make barbecue fun and special. It’s also in the delicious barbecue dishes that you share with your loved ones. To make it all the more special, try a variety of BBQ rubs, marinades, salsas, and BBQ sauce to capture the true taste of great outdoor barbecuing.

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