Cooking at home is a healthy and fun way to prepare meals, but there are some safety tips to keep in mind. Accidentally undercooking chicken or eating something dangerous can ruin a rushed dinner. However, with the help of helpful websites, apps, and smart gadgets, preparing food in a safe way becomes natural.
1. Use a smart thermometer
Many foods need to reach a minimum internal temperature during cooking before they can be eaten without getting sick. Egg dishes such as quiche should reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit. (It helps to cook almost any dish at the correct temperature.)
To check doneness, a basic food thermometer will help you make sure your chicken and other meats are cooked to the correct temperature. Meanwhile, a smart meat thermometer with Bluetooth allows you to relax and unwind while your food reaches the right temperature. Whatever kind you choose, a food thermometer is the perfect tool for home cooking.
2. Monitor fires and check smoke detectors
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking-related fires are the leading cause of home fires and cause many injuries. Cooking is also a common cause of accidental house fires in many parts of Europe, according to the European Fire Safety Alliance.
To avoid this risk, it’s important to keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking. Do not leave the kitchen area while cooking. If you must leave, turn off the burners first.
Many home cooks are keen to monitor the food they are cooking. However, distractions can definitely arise, so paying attention to potential fires is the next best step. According to FireRescue1, small grease fires can be extinguished using baking soda instead of water.
With this in mind, make sure your kitchen smoke detector is in good working order and has fresh batteries. If you buy new, also consider a smart smoke alarm with a carbon monoxide detector. You and your home will be safer against it.
3. Try sous vide
If you want another way to ensure your food reaches the right temperature, and want to create an incredibly delicious meal in the process, consider investing in a sous vide cooker.
Because it cooks food at a very specific temperature, sous vide cookers are great for safely cooking just about anything. there is little risk of becoming The best sous vide cookers help you cook all kinds of meats, vegetables, and more with the push of a button.
4. Use a slow cooker or warming tray for parties
If you’re having a party or picnic, don’t leave hot or cold food outside for more than an hour or two. More than that, you might be inviting nasty bacteria to his dinner party.
To make sure it’s safe to eat, keep hot foods above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), according to the Mayo Clinic. To make it easier, use a chafing plate or a smart kitchen gadget like an Instant Pot.Keep a cooler with ice on hand for chilly dishes.
5. Use fresh food early
Have you ever pulled something out of your fridge that you no longer recognize? It happens to almost everyone from time to time. In most cases, it is recommended that fresh foods be consumed immediately after purchase. For extra safety, check out the massive USDA FoodKeeper app. This will tell you how long most foods are safe to eat.
Scroll through the app to see the best times to consume just about anything. For example, fresh chicken is best consumed about a day or two after purchase, while dried beans he can keep for a year or two. This app is a particularly useful companion when cleaning your pantry or refrigerator.
download: USDA FoodKeeper for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Avoid food allergens
If someone in your family has sensitivities to shellfish, nuts, or other ingredients, there are many great mobile apps to help you deal with food allergies. These help decipher complex food labels and identify potential allergens in long ingredient lists.
7. Don’t touch your phone or tablet, or be sure to sanitize it
This is a common setting. Go back and forth between recipes on your phone or tablet screen and vegetables you’re chopping for dinner. The proliferation of healthy cooking and recipe apps has made smartphones the de facto kitchen gadget, but there’s another health aspect to consider. I mean, when was the last time you sanitized your phone?
According to the Travel Medicine and Infectious Diseases magazine, mobile phone surfaces regularly contain microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Even if you take great care in maintaining a neat and hygienic kitchen, swiping your phone while cooking may not be the healthiest option. You also don’t want to think about the possibility of contaminating your phone after touching it.
To avoid this potential problem, you can either thoroughly clean your iPhone and all of its components before you start meal prepping, or invest in a UV disinfection box. Remember to wash your hands frequently while cooking.
Or take a note from YouTuber Chop Happy to wrap your phone in plastic wrap before you start eating. This is a super easy way to keep using your phone or tablet while cooking without getting it contaminated.
8. Thaw frozen food safely
After all, there are some safety measures to keep in mind when handling frozen foods. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, frozen foods are best thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water.
Bacteria can start growing when you use hot water or leave food on the counter for hours. You can unzip it safely.
Keep your kitchen safe and healthy with these tips
Being careful and vigilant in the kitchen can go a long way in cooking your favorite foods safely. By practicing safe food handling skills and using technology like smart food thermometers, home-cooked meals can be delicious and healthy.
