cooking on a grill at FW

[lidja]

Hello all...

We'll be spending six days in a cabin at Fort Wilderness in early August. I understand the cabin has an outdoor grill. Silly me---I've never used an outdoor grill. (I just use the broiler in my oven.) I've scoured the internet to find simple instructions on how to use these "public" grills, but everything I've found talks about up-scale cadillac-type grilling machines with gas fuel, etc.

I just need somebody to tell me how I would prepare one of these "generic" grills to cook (and whether it's worth the bother).

Anybody?

THANKS!

Lidja

 

[vettechick99]

yeah, its pretty simple! you may have to shovel out the old ashes. then get some of the matchlight briquettes that you just have to light, not get lighter fluid for. you make a nice little pile in the middle and light it. big flames, but it calms down over time.

after the flames go down we put the grill back over and as its heating up, the remnants of the last griller will burn off. you may want to use a grill scrapper to get stuff off. a few paper towels work well too.

and thats it! I think you want the coals to be glowing before you place the meat on. grilling is so fun b/c you can sit around and chat while the person flips the meat. and it tastes so yummy!

Happy Grilling!!!!

 

[cinamin27]

publix sells charcoal that you just light the bag (1 time use bag) & it will self light the charcoal inside. This was easiest for me cause I'm a charcoal lighting dummy , guess thast why this year I went out & bought a gas grill
after lighting, wait till the fire burns down & the charcoal starts to turn gray & has red embers.

also, instead of matches or small cigarette lighter , be sure you buy one of those flame lighters with a handle sold near the charcoal.

Yes its worth it, grilled hamburgers are the best hamburgers around! also, try throwing on some yellow squash or zucchini after grilling the meat for a totally new taste to these veggies.

 

[Ishy]

If the grill is extra nasty or rusty - run to walmart or homedepot and get grill cleaner = spray on, let sit, rinse off. Then get your first flame super*nova*I'mmapyromaniac*hot and let the fire finish the cleaning. The other alternative is tinfoil I love getting the coals in a good red hot glow, then I will take a small roast, or ham and season or glaze it - wrap in tin foil, take baking potatos, wrap them in tin foil and corn wrap in tin foil (all sep) and bury the meat and potatos in the coals - corn to the side on top.

1 hour later you have the juciest meat, just right taters, and roasted corn to feast upon And the nasty old grate is nice and clean for your next meal of burgers.

Happy Camping -> I will be BBQ Omaha steaks on the beach in St. Pete in 2 weeks. Cant wait!

 

[lidja]

I'm encouraged. It doesn't sound too tough. I'd probably better start with hot dogs or hamburgers to get the hang of it before I "graduate" to roasts, though, eh? Or, even better, get the DH and DS to tackle it while I watch from afar...

Thanks for your help everybody!

Lidja

 

[AnnaE4]

When we stayed in the cabins last November, we used the grill a couple of times. Somebody came around every morning to see if it needed to be cleaned or not. I don't know if the grill rack was scraped or cleaned but the ashes were cleaned out and taken away. The grill rack seemed fairly clean the first time we used it.

Denise

 

[lidja]

Thanks to your encouragement, I took the 2 DD and we tried the grill in our neighborhood park this evening. Had yummy corn-on-the-cob, hamburgers, and s'mores. Woohoo!

But, now I have a quick question---what is the proper etiquette for leaving the grill? Do I douse the coals, or just let them burn out on their own? (I'll run back to the park if you tell me I need to douse the coals and remove them ---where would I dump them? Can't be a good idea to toss them into the garbage can nearby...)

Thanks for putting up with me...

Lidja

 

[vettechick99]

Congrats! Wasn't it yummy???

I'm pretty sure you can just leave them (that's what we always do and other ppl in our apt complex). Dousing them will leave this muddy ash for the next person, although I'm sure rain does that too.

Either dousing or leaving them should be fine. Good thinking on not putting them in the trash. We don't want any WDW forest fires.

 

[ginna74]

If you are leaving and the grill is hot ALWAYS put the coals out. Left unatended it could start a fire. You never know would could blow on the grill an such. It might be a little messy but it will always be safe. And plus if houskeeping comes and cleans it well there ya go! Whenever we grill in a park and such we always have a couple gallons of water. My biggest pet peeve is when people leave hot coals just ot sit there. We have put out a few ourselves. Hubby is a Fireman so that might be the reason why I am so touchy. But again you should always make sure it is out before you leave.

now if you meant you are leaving and they are cool and you don't know what to do. I would still take the coals out and through them away.

 

[lidja]

Ginna, thanks for your post.

I mistakenly assumed that pouring water over the coals would make a big muddy mess, but I guess the water evaporates instantly. No soupy mess as long as there is steam coming off the coals...

From now on, I'll douse the fire when we're done cooking.


Lidja

 

[StephMK]

Don't the ashes need to go into a metal container? Old coffee cans work well.

 

[ginna74]

but I guess the water evaporates instantly.

it does get messy though.. well for us it does lol!

 

[momxx5]

Easy - go to Publix (where you will stock up on groceries) and buy a small (8lb.) bag of Matchlight Mesquite Charcoal. The 'charcoal lighter' is 'built in'. Raise grill to highest level, pile a stack of 40 briquettes, ligth with a couple of matches. Wait 15 minutes, spread coals around evenly with a spoon or something so you have an even layer, lower grill surface back down to just above the coals. Cook.

After dinner, coals will still be hot - roast marshmallows for dessert.

We did this last night, step-for-step, and had a great time and a delicious meal!

 

[sweet maxine]

The FW maintenance crew are very good about keeping these grills clean. Ours was cleaned the next morning after using it. Quite a few families make use of the grills. Once you pick up on the aroma of cooking ribs or burgers, you'll rush right out to buy your own charcoal and meats!