Not to mention the bacteria lurking in every nook and cranny and the risk ofcross-contaminationin a non-regulated kitchen.
By knowing the risks, you’re able to take precautions to avoid any mishaps.
Knowledge is power, after all.
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Cutting Boards
Cutting boards are one of the top cross-contaminated items in the kitchen.
Countertops
Many people give their countertops a good wipe-down at the end of the night.
Be sure to clean the counters before food prep, too.
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Utensils
Carothers notes that utensils are another common item that is cross-contaminated in the kitchen.
Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!
Keep your knives sharpened, and learn proper cutting techniques.
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And be sure you’re avoiding any of theseways you just might be ruining your kitchen knives.
Check to see if your containers are free of these chemicals, and consider swapping to glass containers.
96 percent were not successful at both cleaning and sanitizing of the sink."
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This led to contamination of thesaladsthat were prepared, too.
It’s got to be one of the most dangerous home tools.
It will cut your hand in a heartbeat."
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Reaching over a vigorously steaming pot is incredibly dangerous.
Oven cleaners are particularly filled with toxins to remove built-up stains, but even dishwasher detergent can be harmful.
So open those windows and let some air in!
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But cooking acidic foods, liketomato sauceor citrus, in aluminum can be dangerous.
Cheese Grater
Grating cheese for a delicious,homemade casserole?
Also, start blending hot foods slowly to prevent burning splatters.
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Skewers
Skewers are sharp and pointy, so be careful as you put food on them.
Nothing makes us cringe more than the thought of spearing a hand on accident!
Secret Side Effects of Eating Grilled Food
Kitchen Towels
Don’t forget to wash those kitchen towels!
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A2015 studyfound that kitchen towels are a leading cause of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Another danger with kitchen towels?
Using them, when they are wet as makeshift pot holders will burn you almost instantly.
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But be sure to turn off the burners after cooking.
Keep kitchen towels away from the stovetop, and monitor regularly for gas leaks orcarbon monoxide.
Pressure Cooker
Your beloved pressure cookerespecially newer models like theInstant Potis built with many advanced safety features.
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But you should still follow your user manual to properly use the pressure cooker and prevent explosions or burns.
The lid should be put on correctly and locked in position when cooking to prevent pressure from building up.
Overfilling the cooker is also a risk.
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These changes in temperature can cause the glass to shatter.
The study also showed that even regularly sanitizing the same sponge only reduced bacteria by up to 60 percent.
Range Hood
Range hoods tend to collect grease.
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These knives are small and sturdy, specifically designed for opening up a pesky oyster shell.
Deep Fryers
You might remember a recent Thanksgiving when many people were trying todeep-fry their turkeys.
These stories were all over the news, because many times, the oil became hot enough to combust.
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But even countertop deep fryers can be dangerous.
The USDA says, “Deep frying in hot oil can be extremely dangerous.
Hot oil can burn people and start fires.
If food is not cooked to a safe temperature, it can cause a foodborne illness.”
Keep a fire hydrant handy in case of an emergency.
And to really stay on your A-game, check out thesesurprising kitchen safety dos & don’ts.
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