As the weather gets colder, more people will experiment with grilling indoors. An indoor countertop grill is a great tool for people who love grilling but cannot grill outside year-round. It allows users to bring the fun and joy of grilling indoors.
If you’re trying a countertop grill for the first time, you’ll want to make sure you’re using it safely. Below are 5 tips for using your countertop grill safely.
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Do not leave the grill unattended.
As with any grill, there is a risk that things could catch on fire. Because using a countertop grill brings grilling indoors, it’s of utmost importance that you do not leave the grill unattended. While it may be tempting to pop out of the room for a minute, accidents can happen in a matter of second. You’ll want to be there to put out the fire, should one break out.
Even though watching the grill is a safety measure, it can also help you ensure that your food comes out correctly. It’s easy to lose track of time, allowing your food to burn. Watching your food as it cooks can help you prevent any cooking mishaps.
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Let the grill completely cool before washing, moving, or storing.
After you’ve eaten, it can be tempting to immediately get your grill cleaned up and put away. However, if your countertop grill is still warm, you should wait to complete this task. Because you’ll likely need to move the grill to get it to the sink, using cold water the cool the grill is not a good option. It is safer to wait for it to cool on its own.
If you haven’t allowed it to cool completely, it’s easy to burn yourself while moving, washing, or storing your countertop grill. To test if your grill is cool and ready for cleaning, put your hand an inch or two away from the grill. If it is still radiating heat, you should wait a bit longer to clean it.
Related: Best Indoor Electric Grills & Griddles For Your Kitchen Countertop
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Don’t submerge the grill’s cord in water.
On the topic of cleaning, remember not to submerge the grill’s power cord in water. To clean the cord, use a damp sponge or cloth. By running the sponge or cloth along the length of the cord, you can ensure that it is clean without damaging the countertop grill.
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Keep the grill and its cord out of the reach of children.
As with all kitchen appliances, use caution when children are around the countertop grill and its cord. Children can easily become injured if they touch the hot grill or mess around with the grill’s power cord.
If you keep your eye on the grill while it is in use, crisis can be averted when little ones are around. Be extra cautious as the grill cools, as children can still become injured by a cooling countertop grill. While it may be safe to leave the cooling countertop grill unattended, be sure that children cannot get to it.
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Only use the indoor grill for cooking food.
Only use your indoor grill for cooking food. There may be times where it is tempting to use the grill to melt other objects, but doing so could start a fire or damage your grill. To keep your countertop grill in good condition, only use food on it.
With these five safety tips in mind, you’re ready to use your countertop grill to cook meat, vegetables, and more. Happy grilling!
