Your kitchen is a great place to entertain, spend time together, and have fun creating new recipes, but it's also dangerous if you're not careful. Kitchen injuries are not uncommon, but there are ways to help prevent them. Using caution while cooking is top priority. You can't enjoy, or even finish preparing, a delicious meal if you've injured yourself in the process. Here are 3 common cooking disasters, and tips to avoid them.
Burning yourself is a real danger in the kitchen. Most of the items you prepare require heat, whether it's on a stove-top or in an oven. There are easy ways to help you avoid causing yourself unwanted pain.
- Use oven mitts (not folded up cloth, or napkins) when touching hot pots or pans.
- Remember that burners are still hot after you turn them off.
- Always stand at a distance when cooking with hot grease and boiling liquids. You're at a higher risk of burns from liquids that splatter, so don't stand too close. Wear an apron for added protection.
- Be careful when removing lids, and draining hot pasta. Boiling water, and steam both put you at risk for burns.
- Don't leave your pan's handles facing out. Doing so will increase the risk that they'll be bumped off the stove, spilling hot liquid on anyone nearby.
- Don't wear clothing with loose sleeves. Loose sleeves can fall into hot liquid or on a hot surface.
You're not the only one at risk for burns in the kitchen. People often accidentally burn their pots and pans during the cooking process. To avoid potentially ruining your cookware you should consider the following tips.
- Use high quality pans. They heat evenly, reducing the risk of burns.
- Clean residue off your stove-top. If you've spilled during a previous cooking adventure, the residue left behind will burn the bottom of your pot when you turn the heat on.
- Pre-heat oil in your pan. Add the food in after the oil is hot to prevent food from sticking to, and burning your pan.
- Always use a burner that fits your pots and pans. Never use one that's too big. It's better to use one too small, if you don't have a perfect fit.
- Always stir frequently. Without proper stirring, food will stick to your pan and leave burnt residue behind.
Another common injuring that occurs, is cutting yourself. Be careful during food preparation to avoid slicing your skin. Using these helpful tips will reduce your risk of painful cuts, and help you enjoy cooking without fear of potential pain.
- Never cut towards your body. Even if you think you have a good hold on the knife, accidents happen. It's better for the knife to slip away from you, than to towards you.
- Cut round food in half before slicing. It'll create a less wobbly item, which will be more secure.
- Curl your fingers on the hand that's not holding the knife.
- Never try to catch a falling knife, because you'll probably wind up grabbing the blade.
- Use scissors to open packages, not knives.
- Use sharp knives. Dull knives actually increase your chance of cuts, because they require more work and force.
Always be mindful of your surroundings, and be cautious while cooking. You'll have far more fun when you reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others. For more fun, and safety, in the kitchen shop online at Tilit NYC.