Charcoal, Gimme A Break Already!

[1965kid]

So I went on a trip last week. Made it 7 days away from home. I did have my camper, and ate my own food "most" of the time. I ate three salads at local bar. Ha, the waitress felt so sorry for me she didnt charge me for the salad. I did buy a lot of Jack and Cokes though! LOL!

Anyway. I have been home now for 2 days and have real bad D. The only thing I can think of is the steak I had that was cooked over Charcoal, on a campsite grill. They cleaned off the grill real good with a steel brush, and saved a place on the grill for my "non-marinated" steak.

I am not sure if I am glutened or not. I have been 6 months gluten-free, and dont think I have ever been glutened, but I dont know. I dont think Im very sensitive.

Anyway. Do any of you worry about charcoal. I know there is gluten in it. But an ash would have to fly up and get on the meat wouldnt it?

Any big grillers out there?

Do you turn away a steak at a campout because of charcoal??

[cyberprof]

Hi Kid,

Last year when I was diagnosed, I found that main brands of charcoal (i.e. Kingsford) had gluten. So last year I used cowboy charcoal, which is gluten-free and real wood. (Other charcoals have additives.)

This year, I read on this board that Kingsford is gluten-free and I checked the website and called and it appears to be. They use corn as a binder instead of wheat, if I remember correctly. So perhaps the charcoal used at your cookout was a generic brand or last year's batch.

Or it could be that the grill was dirty. There are other discussions on here that heat does not get rid of gluten from the grill, so the only way to be really safe is to get a new grill (the part that touches the food) or use aluminum or a screen (sold at Fred Meyer and hardware stores).

HTH.

~Laura

[Ken70]

Wouldn't Jack Daniels be a problem?

[ravenwoodglass]

Wouldn't Jack Daniels be a problem?

My first thought also.

And also was the coke from a 'speed bar' or a bottle? Formulations are different for each and risk of CC is high with a speed bar/

[Lisa]

"Last year when I was diagnosed, I found that main brands of charcoal (i.e. Kingsford) had gluten. So last year I used cowboy charcoal, which is gluten-free and real wood. "

Hi Laura,

Last year, after alot of fuss over charcoal, I contacted Kingsford. I posted their repy and they indicated that Kingsford charcoal does not contain gluten.

Open Original Shared Link

*Note: I recall being very specific in products when inquiring with Kingsford.

In a rush now, but will try to find that post later.

We do use Cowboy Natural Wood Charcoal, just because it taste better.

[happygirl]

Was there any chance of contamination at the bar, and did they use a different set of utensils when touching your steak/the marinated steaks?

When using a "common" grill, it may be easier to put foil down; then no worries about charcoal or what was on the grill before.

[1965kid]

Wouldn't Jack Daniels be a problem?

No, Jack Daniels even states on their website that there is no Gluten. And I have never had a problem with it. The Gluten is lost in the distillation process and none is added afterwards. Jack is safe. Its the only Whiskey I trust.

I have contacted lots of Whiskey/Bourbon companys.

I have called Jack Daniels, toured their facility, and researched their website. All three sources assure me Jack Black is Gluten Free.

Im happy to hear about the Kingsford. That will make life much eaiser.

When on a camping trip I cant just run to any store and get "natural" charcoal. And if Im with someone, I can offer to buy the charcoal if they dont have Kingsford.

[Nancym]

Pure charcoal should be fine, it's the manufactured stuff they put additives in that you have to worry about.

I'd be more suspicious you got cross contaminated when you ate the salads. Or possibly off the grill top too.