If you are not ready to put your outdoor grill in storage yet, do not fret. This is a summer activity that can continue on, even into the fall! This pastime is a fast, easy, and healthy way to make a meal for your family.
The summer season may have formally ended, but barbeque season has not! There are ways to continue BBQ’ing, even as it gets colder. To stay safe, wear appropriate clothing, prepare your food in advance, and try not to stay outside for too long.
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Let’s take a look at these tips together.
Wear Tight-Fitting Clothing
It is important to wear warm clothing when you grill at night and the temperatures drop quickly. Wearing layers is a good way to keep warm in a safe way. The priority here is to keep your eye on the steaks, not wondering if you should run inside to grab a sweater.
Tight-fitting layers are necessary to stay protected from any potential sparks landing on your clothes and causing burns. Zip-up puffer vests, beanie hats, and long sleeves that can be rolled up and secured – like a cotton tee – are best. Avoid hats with accents like strings or pom poms, gloves, mittens, scarves, and shirts that have loose sleeves.
It is important to bundle up but do so within reason. Wearing too many layers is still a risk because you won’t feel it if you are touching something hot. Following these guidelines keeps you safe and able to prepare a delicious meal (or attempt to if the kitchen isn’t your strong point)!
Prepare Foods Ahead of Time
Dress and marinate all foods in advance so you don’t need to do it when you are outside in the cold. For example, marinate meats the day before and let them sit in the fridge overnight. Pro tip: doing this makes the meat juicier and tastier.
Wrap veggies with foil or put them on a skewer. Plate them so they are easy to carry outside. Don’t forget to check you have enough ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, and any of your other favorite condiments.
Light the grill and let it fully heat up before bringing your materials outside. Have tongs, a food thermometer, and a few spatulas within reach. Keep tools used for meat away from other foods. This is important to avoid food-related illnesses… which are literally the worst to get with holidays coming up.
Bring several clean serving plates and glass containers outside with you. These are for fully-cooked food items. For the same reasons as above to avoid cross-contamination, keep cooked foods away from raw meat.
Minimize Time Outside
There are a few ways to cut down on time spent outside and keep foods warm as you grill. For example, set the table first. This way, you can go straight into the meal once it is ready. Put all of your favorite condiments, sauces, and premade sides out, too.
To expedite the grilling process, put meats on first. Starting with them is important because they take the longest to cook. Add veggies after a few minutes so they finish around the same time. Throw buns on last because they get crisp quickly. As each item is finished, wrap it with aluminum foil and put it on one of your clean plates or glass containers.
Fall Barbeque Tips
Grilling season continues well beyond Labor Day. Stay safe by wearing tight-fitting layers, prepping the food in advance, and going outside only for as long as you need to when it is cold. These tips will make you the BBQ master that you always dreamed of being when binge-watching cooking shows!