Cookout Tips from the Health Department

Barbecues and cooking out are a huge part of the summer experience here in Wisconsin – but it’s important to know what you’re doing when preparing to master the grill. Some people enjoy their steaks rare, or their burgers a little pink on the inside, and Joyce Mann from the Fond du Lac County Health Department says that is fine, as long as you cook it the right way. 

She tells us “what we emphasize with cooking meats is you want it hot enough to kill the harmful germs that could be present, use a meat thermometer. Relying on color or texture isn’t really scientific. The good news is that now most meat thermometers are programmable and tell you if it’s chicken to have it at this or that temperature or have a little guide with them.”

It’s recommended to cook most meats – especially things like chicken – all the way through to kill all of the germs.