These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
I have a similar model. To ease cleaning, I line it with heavy-duty aluminum foil before adding charcoal. It simplifies disposal and cleanup.
@Sonny
I’m not sure about safety, but I’ve seen people use disposable tin pans. Seems like a good idea.
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
I was concerned about cleaning as well, but I haven’t really used it yet. I’m planning to take it fishing and cook directly in tin foil.
@Avery
Try soaking it in drain cleaner if it’s steel and not aluminum. Works wonders.
Delaney said:
@Avery
Try soaking it in drain cleaner if it’s steel and not aluminum. Works wonders.
Do not ever use drain cleaner on something you care about, especially for cooking!
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
Why bother cleaning? That’s where all the flavor comes from!
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
Why bother cleaning? That’s where all the flavor comes from!
I thought the same. I only ever burn off residues before using my grill again, never really ‘clean’ it.
@Bay
The original poster mentioned leaving this item in their car in another discussion. Be careful—my outdoor smoker, even after a thorough burn-off, tends to develop mold, which might be a bigger issue in a confined space like a car.
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
The real issue with these devices is the hinges—they tend to get clogged with ash and grease, which can stop them from working properly.
Thorne said:
These look great at first, but they’re surprisingly hard to keep clean.
There are definitely better options out there. I own several high-quality cooking devices and would never use this model for cooking something like a steak.
Please let us know how it performs after a few uses. I have a similar product and it’s okay, but I’m still experimenting with different types of fuel. The design looks more promising than mine, though. Also, kudos to your grandma for such a thoughtful gift! Merry Christmas!
@Paris
I usually start a fire, then use the coals in my old charcoal grill. I’ll definitely share my experiences after trying it out, possibly during my next fly fishing trip.
Avery said:
@Paris
I usually start a fire, then use the coals in my old charcoal grill. I’ll definitely share my experiences after trying it out, possibly during my next fly fishing trip.
I’ll consider trying that approach. Where I’m from in the western US, we mostly have pine, which isn’t great for cooking. Maybe I’ll bring some apple wood next time.
@Paris
Yeah, it’s a fun way to cook outdoors.
That’s really sweet, great job Grandma!
Jude said:
That’s really sweet, great job Grandma!
She picked it up on vacation and was thrilled to give it to me for Christmas.
Go, Grandma! That looks perfect for a fish & camp overnight. Super cool gift. Enjoy!
Kip said:
Go, Grandma! That looks perfect for a fish & camp overnight. Super cool gift. Enjoy!
That’s exactly my plan. I spend all summer fly fishing in the mountains, and this will make cooking the catch by the fireside so convenient!