Summer BBQ Tips from PCHcoupons

Last Updated: July 6, 2011

PCHCoupons wants you to have a happy, healthy, money-saving summer! Since summer’s here, you know what that means… BBQs! Lots of ‘em. And since it’s the season for firing up the grill, I thought this would be a good time for some Summer BBQ Tips. Yum! Let’s eat!

Wait! Not so fast, my friends. There’s much more to barbequing than enjoying food and having a good time. Yes, I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Staying safe is extremely important. No one wants to blow up their backyard, or unknowingly sicken their guests with tainted food. But, it could happen. To help you avoid unnecessary barbeque mishaps, I’ve compiled a list of barbeque Safety Tips:

  1. When in doubt, throw it out! Excellent “Mom” advice that applies to all types of food and beverages. If you think the meat’s been out too long, or your cheese is just about to sprout, get rid of it!
  2. If you need to thaw meat, put it in the refrigerator overnight. “What’s the difference,” you ask?  If you leave meat out too long, bacteria will grow. Yuck!
  3. Do you like your meat rare? If so, keep this in mind: There are a lot of bacteria in ground beef, which means you should really cook your burger well done – no pink in the middle.
  4. Seasoning salts taste great on burgers, but try not to salt any of your food while barbequing. You should wait until it is fully cooked, because the salt will pull moisture from the food and dry it out. Shoe leather on a bun is no fun to eat!
  5. Read your grill instructions! “What grill instructions,” you ask? Remember that little booklet that came inside the grill box? Well, remove it from under the couch, or wherever you have it stored, and READ IT! Never assume anything about a grill, because designs change all the time. Instructions nowhere to be found? You can always try checking the manufacturer’s website.
  6. Say it with me:  Never place the grill next to the house, people or children! Repeat 10 times! Remember that manual you couldn’t find?  It will tell you the safest amount of space that should be kept around the grill. Anything could happen, anytime, so play it safe – leave more room. I always do, and I’ve never charred anything other than a steak… except maybe my barbeque mitt! See what I mean?
  7. It also never hurts to have a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and the phone number to your local fire department nearby.
  8. Visit www.pchcoupons.com for money-saving coupons for everything you need for a great BBQ! There’s even a recipe section that includes barbeque dishes. Hey, maybe you’ll find something new to grill!

Make sure to visit PCHCoupons all year long to help you save, save, save! And, if you have any of your own Summer BBQ Tips you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments section below. And don’t forget to stop by our Fan page on Facebook, too, and say, “Hello!”

Okay, let’s eat!

Leslie Jaye

PCH Creative