DATES TO REMEMBER:
July 4 Courthouse Closed
July 8 4-H Council Meeting, Courthouse Meeting Room, 8:00 p.m.
July 9-12 Fremont 4-H Fair
SUMMER GRILLING . . . TIPS FOR CLEANING THE OUTDOOR GRILL
Outdoor grilling is one of summertime’s delights. Even basic foods seem to taste better when cooked outdoors. Whether the grill of choice is charcoal or gas. I have some tips for
peak performance all summer long. Begin by checking the grill manufacturer’s instructions for specific cleaning requirements.
Rust is the major enemy of charcoal grills – and the major cause of rust is failing to clean out the ashes regularly. To do this turn off the grill, make sure it’s completely cool. Then, remove the grates from inside the grill. If there’s no ash catcher underneath the bowl, use a garden trowel to scoop out the ashes.
If the grill has an ash catcher, be sure to clean it, too, once the ashes are removed. Carefully discard ashes in a plastic trash bag. Otherwise they will fly all over, covering everything (including yourself) with soot.
Clean the grate and the inside of the grill with a spray-on oven cleaner. Check the label to make sure the cleaning product is safe for both these surfaces, and follow the grill manufacturer’s use instructions. Let the cleaner sit long enough to soften the accumulated grease and grime. Then, wipe the cleaner off with paper towels. Follow by washing with a hand dishwashing detergent and water. Clean the outside of the grill, too, using a warm detergent and water solution and a non-abrasive cloth. Rinse and wipe dry.
Gas grills should be checked to make sure there are no leaks or blockages. Made sure the grill is turned off and completely cool. Then inspect the burner and gas supply tubes for spider webs, grease build-up, rusted areas – anything that would slow down the gas flow. Clean these areas following the grill manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
Clean a gas grill after every use by turning the grill on “high” and letting it “cook” for 10 to 15 minutes with lid closed. Turn off the grill and let if cool slightly. Then, loosen the residue with a brass bristle brush. Once the grill is completely cool, wipe the inside and outside surfaces with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Rinse and wipe dry.
RINSE IT 101!
Rinsing fresh produce can reduce the presence of harmful bacterial that could cause foodborne illness.
• Rinse all whole fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten.
• Rub firm-skin produce under running tap water or scrub with a clean vegetable brush while rinsing with running tap water.
• Packaged produce, including bagged salad labeled “ready to eat”, “washed” or “triple washed” need NOT be washed again.
• Always start with clean hands whenever handling fresh fruits and vegetables.
ARE YOU READY FOR SUN’S RAYS?
Are you looking forward to those lazy, hazy days of summer? You know those days, where the sun radiates 90 degree temperatures all day in cloudless sky. You can enjoy those days more if you remember to practice sun safety.
Here are some facts to give you to stop and think before running out the door in the summer sun. Skin cancer is increasing faster than any other form of cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that children receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. Evidence of long-term sun exposure may appear on the skin 20 or 30 years later. This may be premature skin ageing, cataracts and other eye damage and skin cancer. Your skin remembers every sunburn you have ever had which means the damage builds up over the years. There is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. A tan means you have damaged your skin.
Follow these guidelines for a fun, safe summer in the sun:
Check the ultraviolet (UV) radiation index in your area. Since 1994, the National Weather Service has implemented the UV index, 0-2 minimal to 10-plus high. This rating is the burning potential of daily UV exposure. Read your local newspaper for the rating.
Stay out of the direct sun from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the hottest part of the day. Seek shade to protect yourself.
Wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim for sun protection. A baseball cap only protects the eyes and not the back of the neck or the ears.
Wear sunglasses that provide 95 percent or better protection from ultraviolet radiation.
Protect skin by applying sun screen with an SPF rating of 15 or more. Apply it 20 to 30 minutes BEFORE heading outdoors so the lotion has time to bind with the skin. Use sun-screen even if the day is cloudy. As much as 80 percent of the UV rays pass through those clouds.
Wear loose fitting clothes, preferably with long sleeves, long pant legs and tighter weave if out in the direct sun for longer periods of time.
Practice the shadow rule when your shadow is shorter than you are tall, look for shade.
Keep in mind three simple words . . . Slip, slop, slap. Before going out doors, slip on a shirt, slop on some sun screen and slap on a hat.
