Bacteria & BBQ Grills
When you are grilling, one of the concerns that you are going to have is what is the cause of bacteria on BBQ grills? When you are eating out at a restaurant that does not use charcoal, the chances of you picking up an infection are much higher. Charcoal is the original grill seasoning and it is still used today but many restaurants and chefs are switching to using a different type of seasoning to promote a healthier product. This leads to the question "Do we need to worry about bacteria being on BBQ grills?" The answer is yes and no. Here is why.
You might be wondering what kind of bacteria actually lives on the grill. Just using the grill as it is normally used can cause a problem and this is something that many people don't know. When you are grilling your food on the BBQ grills, there is a lot of heat that is generated and the juices from the meat are also being spread around. This is a situation where bacteria can find a way to thrive.
You will hear stories from people about their chickens dying from poisoning from the grill and other livestock. While it is possible that the bacteria did not survive the heat and the moisture, you still have to take precautions when using the grill. When you are using the grills outdoors, you should make sure that you are cooking the food in an area that is dry. You also need to watch for the wind so you aren't cooking the food over open flames. These are all good precautions for using the grill safely and they are ones that you should follow even if you have never cooked on a BBQ grill before.
Bacteria is one concern that is commonly associated with outdoor grilling but you have to understand that there are other sources of germs. When you are using the grill, you are sharing the same environment as these animals and there is always going to be some bacteria that you are going to encounter. The grill does not sanitize the meat very well and the grease that collects on the exterior can collect onto the grill and help germs to grow. If you are worried about germs, you should get a smoker to use instead. A smoker is going to kill the bacteria off of the outside of the meat before it gets placed inside of your meal. This is a much better option than using a BBQ grill for the types of food that you are preparing.
You should only use BBQ grills indoors for meats or to prepare and cook fish and other seafood. Meat that is left on the grill too long will become dry and you run the risk of the meat becoming contaminated. Fish that has been cooked on the BBQ grill for a long time will also get dry. There are many types of smokers that you can get which makes it easier to prepare your food. You can also choose to go with charcoal grills if you are interested in trying to get that nice flavor that charcoal provides.
These are just some of the precautions that you are going to want to be aware of. If you take all of the necessary precautions, you should be able to avoid most risks that occur with BBQ grills. They can be a great way to get your food prepared quickly and easily. Just make sure that you are taking all of the proper safety measures so that you can get the best experience from them.