Beer Can Chicken In A Smoker

[AnnieRowe]

Hi all! I have recently been diagnosed and I'm still learning. Last night my husband made a beer can chicken in our smoker but made me a chicken breast of my own. After we ate I got really ill. I'm assuming its from the beer being in the smoker. Has anyone else had a problem like this?

[psawyer]

I'm not sure I understand just what happened. If your serving of chicken was prepared separately from the smoked chicken, I would not expect there to be anything to worry about.

[AnnieRowe]

The can of beer sat inside a chicken boiling beer into the chicken body. My chicken sat next to it in the smoker. Would the beer steam have contaminated my chicken?

[kareng]

Steam wouldn't have large molecules in it. It's a gas. I think some of the beer could have splattered on your chicken. What else have you smoked on those grates? Things marinated In a soy sauce based marinade? Did he slop beer on his tongs and then use them on your chicken? So many ways this could be an issue.

[Lisa]

I would think that as the beer-butt-chicken would cook, it would spatter around the grill....up the butt or not. Your chicken woudl be subjected to be cross contamination as well.  But(t), I bet is was good though.   Hope you feel better soon.

[AnnieRowe]

I'm not sure what goes on when he is out there smoking the meat. It could have been any of those things. What would you suggest we do to make sure the smoker is clear?

[Lisa]

The can of beer sat inside a chicken boiling beer into the chicken body. My chicken sat next to it in the smoker. Would the beer steam have contaminated my chicken?

Nope, not beer steam.  I would have to be tangible particles splashed onto the chicken, possible in this case.

[kareng]

I'm not sure what goes on when he is out there smoking the meat. It could have been any of those things. What would you suggest we do to make sure the smoker is clear?

Then i wouldn't eat anything he made until he is ready to take your illness seriously.

If he is interested in smoking safe food for you - you can put the grill/ grates in a self clean oven and run the clean cycle. Then scrape any soot off and wash well. Or replace the grates. Or cook food on foil or a foil grill pan. The easiest thing we have found is to just not use anything with gluten on the grill. It's too hard to remember to use this utensil and not that one. Don't pick that up and carry it across the gluten-free item, etc.