Memorial Day Grilling Tips

Just when you think you have everything covered for your long weekend celebration, you run out of gas for the grill! Be sure to follow basic Memorial Day grilling tips to make sure the party goes off without a hitch.

• Propane and Charcoal: One of the most important Memorial Day grilling tips is to be sure that you have enough propane in the grill gas tank. Imagine having a crowd of guests in your home, food on the grill, and then discovering that you have an empty propane tank, and can't cook the meal! Scout out your local refill station ahead of time just in case. If you're using a charcoal grill, stock up on extra charcoal bricks and matches.

• Grilling Tools: When cooking your Memorial Day grilling recipes, be sure to have the appropriate grilling tools. Purchase skewers for kabobs and for cooking gooey marshmallows for smores. Other key tools include a spatula, fork, tongs and basting brush. If you plan to serve corn, have corn holders available for guests. Cleaning tools, such as brass or steel brushes, are perfect for scraping charred food off of the grill.

• Raw vs. Cooked Foods: When cooking food on the grill, be sure to keep raw and cooked foods away from each other. It is also important to use different grilling tools when handling both. Raw foods, such as chicken, have the potential for carrying salmonella, which can cause salmonella poisoning. Uncooked hot dogs can carry listeria, which is extremely harmful to pregnant women. Be smart and either use completely different utensils for raw and cooked foods, or wash the utensils thoroughly that were used to place the raw food on the grill.

• Cleaning the Grill: There are some key steps to follow after the party is over and all the guests have gone home. Make sure to use the proper tools, such as brass or steel brushes to clean the grill. Baking soda mixed with water acts as a great degreaser for the cleaning tools. Once the grease is gone, use warm soapy water. Clean stainless steel tools in the dishwasher.