Is using tongs for cooking sanitary?!
Hi, I am relatively new to cooking and have a question about sanitation!. Last night I grilled chicken drumsticks!. I placed them on the hot grill by hand then washed my hands!. Afterward I used tongs to turn the meat periodically!. I understand the flame would kill bacteria on the side that is down, but wouldn't the top of the meat still be raw!? When I touch the tongs to the top of the uncooked meat, am I infecting them!? Should I clean the tongs once I have charred all sides!? I'm probably being paranoid!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
What I do, is set the tongs on the heat for a bit until they get hot enough to kill any bacteria, or run back into the house and wash them!. also, make sure you don't rest the tongs in the marinade bowl, or on anything that's had raw meat in it, while you're not using it!.
You should be ok!. The meat it hot enough that if there is any residual bacteria transferred from the tongs to meat while you're cooking, it should be killed!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You should be ok!. The meat it hot enough that if there is any residual bacteria transferred from the tongs to meat while you're cooking, it should be killed!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You can clean the tongs after the chicken is fully cooked!.
( clean the tongs before you remove the chicken from the grill however even though they should be hot enough to kill any bacteria on the tongs)!. Just for a precaution!.
The important thing is where you put the tongs while your cooking the chicken!.
That's what has to be disinfected!.
Let's say you lay the tongs ( after touching raw chicken) on a cutting board, that cutting board has to be sanitized or you will cross contaminate anything you put on that board( or wherever else)!.
Good question!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
( clean the tongs before you remove the chicken from the grill however even though they should be hot enough to kill any bacteria on the tongs)!. Just for a precaution!.
The important thing is where you put the tongs while your cooking the chicken!.
That's what has to be disinfected!.
Let's say you lay the tongs ( after touching raw chicken) on a cutting board, that cutting board has to be sanitized or you will cross contaminate anything you put on that board( or wherever else)!.
Good question!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I understand your concern!. I tend to rinse the tongs after the first turn, just to be on the safe side!. I used to work in a kitchen that cooked a lot of chicken, we had to extra careful - so that is why I got in the habit!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
When I BBQ I always have a tall pitcher with hot water setting close to my pan!.When I finish turning the meat,I put the tongs into the water!.I usually have trouble with flies where I live,this cuts them out also!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Why not put the tongs in the flame for a few seconds if you have doubts!. I have been using tongs for grilling meat for as long as I can remember!. I do not recall ever getting salmonella from tongs!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
You're more likely to catch something answering your own phone than by your cooking utensils!.Www@FoodAQ@Com