Cooking Games and Heat

Heat is a major consideration when you are planning on playing cooking games in your kitchen. The heat sources in a kitchen can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are not certain of the best ways to handle heat and the sources that create it. Learning to cook safely with heat is a critical part of playing cooking games safely.

Never Cook With Heat Alone

While it is never a good idea to play cooking games while you are alone in your home, it is a terrible idea to work with heat if you are not around someone else while you are doing it. More injuries come from burns than just about anything else in the kitchen. Most fires also are started in the kitchen when the stove or another heat source is used. For these reasons, be sure that there is a responsible adult or teen with you while you play. You will also want to be sure that you have permission to use heat sources while you play cooking games.

Handle Hot Pans and Pots Correctly

Potholders are your new best friend when it comes to pots and pans. Grab a glove potholder to keep your hands protected on all sides when you reach into grab a hot pot or a tricky cookie sheet. Even with a potholder, however, the heat can come through in a very short amount of time. Before you pick up something hot, know where you are going with it and get there directly. If your potholder is wet, you can count on it being little or not protection against heat as the water will allow the heat to reach your hands almost instantly. When you put the pot or pan down, you will want to be sure that the area you select is clear of debris, especially plastic that can melt.

Clear the Area for Cooking Games

When you are opening the oven or moving pots on the stove, you should be sure the area is clear. Never lift a pot of boiling noodles over your little brother’s head as there is always the chance an accident will happen. Move everyone well out of the general vicinity before doing any moving or opening. Remember that steam can be a danger as well, so do not let anyone – including yourself – lean in when you are taking the lid off that hot casserole dish.

Watch Flammables in Cooking Games

Anytime you plan on using the stove or oven, you should be sure that there are not flammable items in the vicinity. A scrap of paper, the dishtowel you threw down, the piece of food that is lodged to the burner can all smolder and start a fire in far less time than you would think. Clear the work area completely before starting any cooking projects to be sure that you have room to work without worrying about knocking things onto hot burners. Also get in the habit of keeping the range or cook top bare at all times, even when it is not in use.