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Today we are sharing some food safety tips for summer. Now is the time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors. Today we are sharing some food safety tips for summer to help you make the most of your time outdoors. Be sure to check out our tips for fabulous weekend barbecue recipes  and outdoor picnic recipes. This post contains affiliate links. 

Food Safety Tips For Outdoor Entertaining

 When entertaining and serving food outdoors during warm weather you want to make sure that you’re taking appropriate precautions to handle and store the food properly. Here are a few tips to keep in mind this summer when dining outdoors.

Keep Hot Foods Hot

• Use food warmers to keep items hot. Serving pans above sterno fuel can be purchased or rented to help keep foods warm. Make sure to use lids on the pans to ensure the food is kept at the proper temperature. If you have access to a plug, this mini portable oven works great too. 
• Another option is to use a cooler with heated bricks that are wrapped in tin foil that have been heated in a 350 degree oven for about an hour. Add thick cardboard to the bottom of the cooler and then carefully place the bricks on the cardboard using oven mitts. Cover the bricks with another piece of cardboard before placing the dishes of hot food on top.
• You can also use two grills: one for actual grilling and one as the holding or warming grill.

Keep Cold Foods Cold

 Use several large coolers with plenty of ice. Try to position the coolers in the shade or under a covered porch or tent so the ice doesn’t melt too quickly.

• You can also purchase an inflatable ice serving buffet bar to set on a table. Again, try to position the serving table in the shade.

• Try using smaller serving dishes for the cold food and refill as needed. Keep the unused food inside in the fridge, if possible, and only refill when necessary.

• Keep beverages and ice for beverages in a separate cooler. Use a small insulated tabletop cooler or a larger one and know that the one with drinks will be opened many more times than one with food. This will help foods stay cold longer.
• You can never have too much ice on hand. Even if someone has to make an ice run during your event, it is well worth it to maintain the safety of the food and your guests health.

A great rule to remember is that if you do not have a way to keep certain foods hot or cold, simply choose different dishes to serve. You want your guests to remain healthy and it’s better to serve something else that to take a chances with food safety issues.