Breaking Those Time-Worn Household Habits

It's true, not everything Mom and Grandma taught in the kitchen holds up over time. Here are 3 age old household habits in the kitchen you should break, according to Consumer Reports via Yahoo.

1. Lining the oven with foil

Mom did it to keep the bottom of the oven clean from boiled over dishes, however, "placing aluminum foil directly on the bottom of your oven can trap heat and throw off oven performance, and might even void the manufacturer’s warranty."

Good Habit: Use heavy duty foil on the rack below the one you’re using. It will catch the drips and allow the heat to circulate.

2. Relying on pop-up thermometers

Because pop-up thermometers are calibrated to pop at 180° F, (which is past the ideal cooking temperature for a turkey) this is not a 100% reliable device.

Good Habit:To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer. "For a turkey, insert it into the innermost part of the thigh and wing, and into the thickest part of the breast. Remember that food continues to cook for a few minutes after it has been removed from the oven."

3. Leaving mats in the sink

You may use it for cushioning when washing your delicate glasses and plates, but leaving it in a stainless-steel sink can trap water underneath which can result in rust and pitting.

Good Habit: Remove mat after every use and allow the sink to dry.

For more information on kitchen habits that should be broken, check out yahoo.com.

Are you still doing any of these time-worn habits?