The public grill is a staple at public parks, beaches and forest preserves. They're not usually much to look at, but they're sturdy and simple, albeit sometimes a little rusty. We've always shied away from public grills, preferring instead to bring our own, but maybe our reluctance is unfounded.
The fire itself should kill any lingering bacteria, maybe with the help of a grill brush beforehand. Then again, our little travel grill is so handy, and cute.
I think they're a great opportunity for people who won't/can't buy a whole grilling set-up to get in on the fun. In NYC, though, you have to get to the park before 6AM to stake claim on one.
Whenever I use any grilling surface that stays outside uncovered, including my own I cover with aluminum foil or a grill cage. Sanitary, and easy clean up.
view amt230's profile
I didn't like the grate on my weber kettle grill (I want thicker grill marks), so went and bought the heaviest replacement grate I could find (it turned out to be a square one for a gas grill).
I place it ontop of my existing weber grate, and it works grate! (ahem).
The same technique would work fine on public grills, if you're squeamish about the rusty, public, one. And a grate is alot easier to bring along than a whole grill.
view johan's profile
I have to say, I'm a bit wary of using public grills like this. You don't know what drunken person has wandered past and done goodness knows what to it.
The best thing to cook without cleaning or covering with foil are things with shells. We bought a kilo bag of mussels with us to the beach plus some oil, lemons and beer (for drinking). Gathered some wood and started a fire. Cook the mussels for a while add some beer to steam them open and serve with olive oil and lemon. It was HEAVEN! No worries about the surface being dirty because the mussels were in shells.
view buda's profile
In college once, we were hit by a hurricane and lost power for 2 days. I cooked all kinds of stuff on the public grills, and it was great!
view mandarinmarie's profile
You could skip the grill cleaning part by using a grill pan -- it'll stow away easily when you're not using it and keeps your food safe from any icky business on the grill!
view Lorena in SD's profile
It's a grill in a public park, so in my mind, I've already bought it. A few of the more popular grilling parks in our city make you call ahead and reserve a space.
If you're still a little skeeved out by it, may I suggest a random act of kindness project? Gather a group together, pick a park and rehab the grills in it. A win-win for everyone.
Or, you can pressure the parks system to pay more attention to them or whatever.
view swandiver's profile
I think it also depends on where you live.
I would recommend NEVER to use any public grills in Berkeley...man, the things I've seen homeless or drunken frat boys do would give you nightmares.
view bluenude's profile