For many fans, the tailgate is more of a game day experience than watching the game. Inverter generators are a big part of that, supplying power to everything from slow cookers to kegerators to electronic devices. With tailgaters wanting all the conveniences of their home kitchen, inverter generators have become a necessary tool.
However, you choose to party on game day, you need to be sure your familiar with safe food handling. Follow these tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that your food stays safe.
- Carry cold perishable food like raw hamburger patties, sausages, and chicken in an insulated cooler packed with several inches of ice, frozen gel packs, or containers of ice.
- Place an appliance thermometer in the cooler so you can check to be sure the food stays at 40°F or below.
- When packing the cooler for an outing, be sure raw meat and poultry are wrapped securely to prevent their juices from cross-contaminating ready-to-eat food.
- Perishable cooked food such as luncheon meat, cooked meat, chicken, and potato or pasta salads must be kept refrigerator cold, too.
- In addition to a grill and fuel for cooking food, pack a food thermometer so you can check and make sure the meat and poultry reach a high enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria that may be present.
- Include lots of clean utensils for preparing and serving the safely cooked food.
- Bring water for cleaning if none will be available at the site. Pack clean, wet, disposable cloths or moist towelettes and paper towels for cleaning hands and surfaces.