China Markings
The rule of thumb for reading the marks on the underside of china is simple. If there is no mark, the piece was made before 1891, when the United States government began requiring imported china to indicate its country of origin. Pieces labeled only by country probably were made from 1891 to 1914. Thereafter, all imported china was marked “Made in…,” specifying the country of origin.
© Victoria Hart Glavin
Cleaning Your Grill Grates
Now that you know all about grill safety it’s time to clean your grates. Those grates may have been sitting with grime on them for months. I don’t want to hear any of that “it’s extra seasoning.” Go clean those grates!
Clean grill grates thoroughly before AND after each use. Spick and span grates help prevent food from sticking and ensure that each meal is done to perfection.
Burned on bits of food will come off most easily when they are hot, so it’s best to clean the rack right after grilling while the grill is still warm.
Scrub steel racks with an iron bristle brush and enameled grates with a brass bristle brush. If you don’t have a brush, grip a ball of aluminum foil with tongs and scrub.
Scrape away large bits of burned foods with a sturdy metal spatula.
For more thorough cleaning, wash the grill rack using mild soap and a steel wool pad.
© Victoria Hart Glavin
