Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rentals: July is National Grilling Month

Did you know that July is National Grilling Month? Due to the warmer weather, the summer months are perfect for preparing and enjoying food outdoors. In honor of this month-long celebration, your favorite Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company wanted to share with you some tips for grilling. Use them when you barbeque at the Lake of the Ozarks this summer!

Grilling Tips

Don't let improperly prepared food ruin your summer. Use these tips to ensure food safety and quality meals when grilling this summer.

Wash your hands before preparing any food.
Keep the food cold until you're ready to put it on the grill. Letting the food sit out allows bacteria to start growing.
Preheat your grill 15-25 minutes before you start cooking to ensure that it reaches the right temperature and to kill any bacteria that might have been left on the grill. A properly heated grill will sear food on contact, keeping the insides moist and helping to prevent sticking.

It's easier to remove debris when a grill is hot. Therefore, after preheating is the best time to use a long-handled wire grill brush to clean the rack of charred debris from prior meals. Scrape it again immediately after use while it's still warm.
Maintaining a clean grill will reduce the chances of flare-ups and incessant smoke, which can burn the outside of food and cause a bad taste.
Even on a clean grill, lean foods may stick when placed directly on the rack. You can reduce that likelihood by oiling your hot grill rack with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel. Just hold it with tongs and rub it across the rack.
Don't mix raw and cooked foods. Keep them in separate containers and use separate utensils or wash them with soap and water in between use. Bacteria from the raw food, particularly meat, will contaminate the freshly cooked meal.
The best way to know if your protein is fully cooked is to check it's internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer.
Keep hot food warm to at least 140°F until ready to be placed in a cooler with ice or the refrigerator. Keep cold foods and salads chilled on ice until ready to serve, and then return them to the cooler after serving. Temperature control is key to avoid bacteria growth that can cause sickness.
Successful grilling means paying attention to your grill. Stepping inside to check the score of the game or to mix up a side dish for just a moment is enough time for your grill to get out of control and burn your food. Be sure to watch your grill the entire time that food is on it.
Have plenty of fuel available for your gas grill. You don't want to run out of propane in the middle of a barbeque with hungry people. Keep an extra fuel tank on hand. (When you stay with us, we provide an extra fuel tank at each property with a gas grill.)

The majority of our vacation rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks either have a personal grill on the deck or a public barbeque area for you to enjoy a nice meal outdoors. We hope these tips come in handy, and that you enjoy many a meals outdoors this summer season. If you haven't already booked your summer reservations with us, give us a call at 573-365-3367.