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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 was curious about this myself many years ago. You don't clean them. I scoped this out at my local park. Apparently, people just load the grills with charcoal and fire it up, then cook their food on the grill with a big sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil over it. Not ideal, not like home, but better then trying to sanitize a communal grill that is open to all elements, wildlife, etc. I've never grilled in the park - I grill at home. When we would plan park outings, we would always bring food that was already prepared and ready to eat.
I was curious about this myself many years ago. You don't clean them. I scoped this out at my local park. Apparently, people just load the grills with charcoal and fire it up, then cook their food on the grill with a big sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil over it. Not ideal, not like home, but better then trying to sanitize a communal grill that is open to all elements, wildlife, etc. I've never grilled in the park - I grill at home. When we would plan park outings, we would always bring food that was already prepared and ready to eat.
But can you cook properly with foil blocking the flames?
You have to get all the old coals out. Then use a wire brush to brush down the racks, then use a paper towel with oil on it and use that to oil the racks well. Get your coals good and hot and burn off the oil to sterilize. Here is where I'd use a balled up piece of foil and tongs to re-clean the racks, and then re-oil the racks with a fresh paper towel to prevent sticking when you cook.
and remember, your stomach is full of acid not to help digest food but to kill pathogens, so that's a second line of defense.
I live near a park that has those public grills and they're used by plenty of people. As far as I know, no one has died or gotten sick from using them or else the city would've been sued. But even if the heat/flames kill all of the germs, it grosses me out, so personally I'd never use one.
But can you cook properly with foil blocking the flames?
The few times we've used them I cover with regular foil. Things still cook properly. It should be the flames cooking the food but the heat from the charcoal. You'll still get grill marks.
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