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7 errors to avoid when using a BBQ grill outdoors

Outdoor barbecues are a cherished tradition, offering an opportunity to gather with loved ones and savor delicious grilled dishes. But at times, even seasoned grill masters can make mistakes. Before firing up the grill, it’s important to know the mistakes that can hinder one’s outdoor grilling success. Accordingly, here are some common errors one needs to avoid. Being mindful of these can elevate the experience and ensure every barbecued meal is a culinary delight.

Having an incorrect grill temperature
Maintaining the proper grill temperature is crucial for successful grilling. Too high a temperature can char the exterior while leaving the inside undercooked, whereas too low a temperature may result in unappealing and dry food. One can invest in a good grill thermometer to accurately monitor the temperature and remember that different foods require different cooking temperatures.

Constantly opening the grill lid
While it may be tempting to continuously check on the food’s progress, opening the grill lid frequently can disrupt the cooking process. Each time the lid is lifted, heat escapes, and it takes time for the grill to regain the lost temperature. This can significantly extend the cooking time and result in unevenly cooked food. Instead, one can use a timer or a grill thermometer to monitor the progress without frequently opening the lid.

Using the wrong fuel
Using the wrong type of fuel can ruin one’s grilling experience. Different grills require specific types of fuel, such as charcoal, propane, or natural gas. One needs to read the manufacturer’s instructions and use the recommended fuel when the equipment is in use. Plus, ensure there is an adequate supply of fuel before starting the grilling process to avoid running out of fuel midway.

Overusing or ignoring marinades
Marinades can enhance the flavor and tenderness of grilled meats and vegetables. However, it’s important to strike a balance when using marinades. Over-marinating can overpower the natural flavors of the food, while under-marinating may result in bland dishes. One should follow the recommended marinating times and guidelines to achieve the desired flavors. Additionally, avoid adding sugar marinades early in the cooking process as they can burn and create excessive smoke. These can be added near the end of the grilling or broiling process.

Having an insufficient resting time
After the food is removed from the grill, it’s crucial to allow it to rest before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat. On average, one can rest the larger meat pieces for up to 20 minutes, while smaller pieces can rest for about 10 minutes.

Grilling the wrong foods
Grilling works with the majority of food items, but some foods are not suitable for this process. This includes flaky fish, which can fall apart on the grill, tough cuts of meat that may require longer cooking times, and fibrous vegetables like celery or okra. Choose grill-suitable foods and understand their cooking requirements before beginning.

Over-greasing the grill
Excessive grease can drip into the flames, causing sudden bursts of fire and potentially charring one’s food. Usually, a thin layer of oil or the use of non-stick cooking spray is sufficient to create a non-stick surface.

A word on grilling indoors
This mistake can lead to fire hazards, triggering smoke alarms, or increasing indoor air pollution. Grease splatters, flare-ups, or accidental contact with flammable materials in the kitchen can lead to a fire or release of harmful carbon monoxide. Indoor grilling requires proper safety measures, ventilation, and adequate space to mitigate the many risks and should not be attempted on a whim.

5 easy home improvement hacks to try today

Home improvement projects are exhausting but can be extremely fun if they are thought through and well-researched. If you want to do some renovation or add a new touch to your home, we recommend starting with something small and seeing how far your DIY skills and ambition take you. Of course, the skyâs the limit but letâs start with your door for now. Here are some easy home improvement hacks that you can try. Statement doors This is the first thing anyone notices about your home, so wouldnât it make sense to work your DIY magic here? Statement doors are a rage right now, and the beauty of it is that while itâs in style, you donât have to follow any particular style or design. Just go with what resonates with your home decor style. Color it bright, add an expensive door knob, make it look vintage - endless choices to make a statement in your home. Lighting This is very important. Make sure you invest time, money, and energy into adding warmth and ambiance to your home with just the right lighting. The lamps are great; hanging lights are super, too - ensure you can create a comforting and homely vibe. Wouldnât it be lovely if your guests felt right at home when they visited? Paint color and texture This doesnât have to be too much. Unless, of course, you are looking to follow any particular theme, a well-painted home does combine everything. If youâre not a fan of any textured walls, pick a pastel, calming color that you can add to your wall. Accessorize the wall with the right paintings, wall hangings, and shelves, and you have an elegant setup. Flooring Youâd be surprised at how much character this adds to your home. You can choose several options like wooden, marble, or tiles and decide what theme you would like to go for. Of course, you also must consider factors like budget, cleanliness, accessibility, and such. The marble looks great but costs a fortune! Wood adds a beautiful rustic feel, but it can be prone to termites, or if you live in a humid region, it may spoil the wood. So, pick wisely. Window treatments This is a great idea to add some pop of color to otherwise plain wall paint. You can try out just using bright, bold colors or even look at painting the windows with some design.Â

8 things one should never clean with paper towels

Wiping surfaces and other items with paper towels is an easy way to clean them quickly. Once the towel has served its purpose, the individual can throw it away and use another. However, some surfaces and products should never be cleaned with paper towels. While one might get that region dry and sparkly clean, it could damage it in the long run. On that note, one should avoid cleaning these eight things with a paper towel. Electronics Several people use paper towels to clean electronics like televisions, laptops, and smartphones, especially the screens. But while it might not look like it, paper towels are abrasive in nature. So when an individual uses the towel, it could scratch the body of the device and even the screen. Instead, one should use a microfiber cloth dedicated to cleaning these surfaces. Cutting boards It's easy to want to wipe a cutting board with a paper towel to soak meat juices because it's convenient and quick. But one should know that the towel might not absorb the liquid as well as it should, causing one to use more, which results in a lot of wastage. A clean, damp cloth that is washable and reusable is better suited to clean cutting boards with such residue. Dusty moldings Cleaning the molding of a ceiling or top of the walls with a paper towel is not the best idea. Such disposable towels are usually brittle and may wither away when it brushes across the surface. One should use a wet microfiber cloth to clean moldings as these are sturdier and suitable for scrubbing tough dirt. Textured surfaces Textured surfaces like brick and grout are often difficult to clean because of their deeper grooves. So, if one cleans the surface with a paper towel, they are likely to get pieces of the disposable towel lodged in the textured region. An ideal alternative would be to use an old toothbrush to brush out stains. Rugs Trying to clean household rugs with a paper towel is a mistake that many people regret immediately. Residue from the paper towel might get lodged in the fibers of the rugs and make it much more tedious to remove. The ideal cleaning option is to use a dedicated cleaning solution, brush, or vacuum cleaner based on the mess that needs cleaning. Glass windows People sometimes use disposable towels to clean their glass windows at home. While this might look like it's working, there are often specks of lint that get left behind, which is a little more difficult to clean. One of the best cleaning essentials for windows are microfiber cloths, coffee filters, or an old t-shirt. Eyewear Eyewear, like reading glasses, usually have a protective film to keep them safe and offer clearer vision. Since paper towels are abrasive, using them to lean such eyewear may result in scratches, consequently deteriorating clarity. One should stick to a dedicated liquid solution or microfiber cloth to clean eyewear. Dishes Paper towels are usually made with chlorine and formaldehyde, which are chemical byproducts that get left behind when rubbed on dishes and silverware. Using it to dry washed dishes like glasses and plates could leave residue on them that could be harmful to the body if ingested with food. Air-drying dishes are a much safer alternative to paper towels.