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I've only used the park ones once or twice, and it's certainly not like cooking at home.
I clean it off with a wire brush and I overdo it a little on the aluminum foil. Usually I put a layer on the bottom, once I get the coals going well I cover the front and top of the grill with a layer of foil, so it is somewhat closed in. I'll cook on top of the aluminum foil, and I use a big lasagna/turkey pan to cover whatever I'm cooking. When I put the meat on I usually poke some holes in the foil in between the grates to keep the fat from pooling on the surface.
I've seen people use them at night like fire pits, which is why sometimes you find sticks and wood in them.
I prefer to use my own grill when out and about. Whether at home or out and about, part of the preheat process for me is to hit the grates with a wire brush and a coating of vegetable oil on the grates. I usually dip some paper towels in oil and use tongs to coat the grates. It helps to create a nonstick surface. The wire bristles ensure a clean grate.
I use them when using my cast iron skillet or when we make "hobo" dinners. What we call a hobo dinner is when you wrap each persons portion of food in foil to cook. Example would be steak, potatoes, vegetables, seasoning, and a couple ice cubes in 2 layers of foil.
-Clean out the ashes and start with a light wire brushing of the grates, unless everything's sticky, then leave it be.
-Dump in charcoal and get 'er fired up.
-Right before you're ready to start cooking, go at it hard and heavy with the wire brush for a few seconds.
-Cook food, drink beer, eat food, drink more beer, give yourself a high five for a job well done!
Stop being so worried about dirt and germs. They're actually good for you to a certain extent.
Sometimes at the parks they have picnic areas. The authorities even set up the wooden tables for people to use. Also there exists the dirty, grimy grills/BBQ racks along side the table. I assume the local authorities want people to use them.
But they are disgusting. I see bird feces, insects, leaves, branches, but I also see some stones, and charcoal in there. So someone has been using it. Has anyone ever used the grills/BBQ racks set up by the locals authorities or the park authorities? How do you clean them?
I would never rely on them to be in good repair, let alone clean. Get a good propane or butane camp stove, and use that for cooking. Unless you're really good at cooking over a fire, you'll get a better meal anyway.
I've only used the park ones once or twice, and it's certainly not like cooking at home.
I clean it off with a wire brush and I overdo it a little on the aluminum foil. Usually I put a layer on the bottom, once I get the coals going well I cover the front and top of the grill with a layer of foil, so it is somewhat closed in. I'll cook on top of the aluminum foil, and I use a big lasagna/turkey pan to cover whatever I'm cooking. When I put the meat on I usually poke some holes in the foil in between the grates to keep the fat from pooling on the surface.
I've seen people use them at night like fire pits, which is why sometimes you find sticks and wood in them.
You could get the aluminum foil grill toppers. They have them in Walmart and even some grocery stores if they have an area for grill items like charcoal lighter fluid, utensils. You could then clean off the grill as best you can then fire it up and burn it off then place the grill topper on for your food.
Many of the campsites have a smallish grill that will fold down so it is over the fire in the camp fire pit. But those aren't for placing your steak directly on the grill. They are for your coffee pot or a frying pan.
But yes, I see the small grills that are obviously a barbecue next to the picnic tables at some parks. I don't use them myself, but it would be easy enough to use them without risking ptomaine.
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