Do you smell that? It’s the mouthwatering smell of hamburgers and hotdogs flaming on the grill. And since it’s already July, this smell can signify only one thing—yep, it’s National Grilling Month!
Over the years the month of July has become known as “National Grilling Month.” It’s a fun moniker that reminds Americans to take joy in outdoor grilling while gathering with friends. In addition, cooking outdoors is a great way to give your indoor appliances a break and save on some energy, too.
With these things in mind, our Elite Air experts would like to share some tips for making National Grilling Month the safest one yet. Here are five tips for keeping your home healthy and safe so this year’s celebration is a huge success!
Schedule Preventative HVAC Service
With summer gatherings in full swing, you’ll want to be certain that your indoor HVAC is working at its best. A simple call to Elite Air for some annual HVAC service is the key to ensuring your guests can find relief in some cool indoor air when the sun gets too hot.
Grill Meat Safely
To avoid illness, it’s critical to grill your food to the proper temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends following these guidelines when grilling meats.
- Chicken – grill to 165 degrees F
- Hamburgers & beef – 165 degrees F
- Pork – 160 degrees F
Keep Those Energy Costs Low
OK, to reiterate, outdoor grilling is a great way to keep your energy costs low in the summertime. Using the oven and stovetop can create a great deal of heat in the kitchen which results in your air conditioning working continuously to cool the home. Take full advantage of your outdoor grill this season and you’ll help drive home energy costs down while keeping your kitchen cool.
Designate a Safe Grilling Area
Summer barbecues often include lots of children. To ensure that no little ones get injured, keep your grilling station to a specific area that is away from the high traffic of toddlers and pets. And always keep hot foods and grilling utensils out of reach of kids, too.
Wash Your Hands
If you’re the cook (and even if you’re not), practice good hand washing before and after handling grill food. While good hygiene is always recommended, in the era of COVID-19, it’s even more important to wash your hands on a regular basis.
Bonus Tips for Prepping Your Home for Barbecues
Summer cookouts and backyard parties are a popular U.S. tradition during the summer months. And as your local heating and air conditioning installation experts, the team at Elite Air wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t provide some extra tips in addition to the above grilling guidelines.
Always remember that during a barbecue your guests will be inside your house as well as outside. To keep them comfortable, be sure your air filters have been changed before any gathering. This will ensure that your indoor air quality is at its best. And if you are worried that your HVAC system might not be quite up to par, our team is always available for quick and efficient AC repair before that party even starts.
Need an appointment? Schedule online today!
