Plastic on grill: is my family safe?

I received an unwanted letter and, my county not allowing open-burning, I used my closed-top propane grill to burn it. After sticking it into the slots, I realized that this is imprudent, because of the plastic in the envelope (and possibly in the letter: I didn't open in, only rip it in half). The letter is now thoroughly burned, though the charred burnt paper is still in the bottom of the grill.

The only question now is how safe or unsafe is the grill? What should I do to clean the grill? Other than charred paper, there is no other visible residue.

I have read this question, but the linked question is about rust and concerns bacterial poisoning, not chemical.

Best Answer

Heat the grill, like good and hot (I have used the hottest setting). Once it is hot, just scrape it down with a brush or wooden scraper. After that, let it "cook" for a few minutes. Once all that is done, I would say you are good to go.

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Plastic on grill: is my family safe? - Mom and adorable little brother and sister in casual wear gathering in cozy living room during weekend and having fun together while playing with plastic railway

Plastic on grill: is my family safe? - Playful child in casual wear sitting on carpet in cozy living room and playing with plastic railway and train while having fun during weekend

Plastic on grill: is my family safe? - Little girl playing on playground with support of mother and father in casual clothes in summer day

Can you eat something cooked in plastic?

Back on the other side of the wrap, the American Plastics Council cites a former FDA supervisory chemist, Dr. Charles Breder: "If you were to accidentally eat food containing melted plastic, you wouldn't suffer any harmful effects to your health, but your food probably wouldn't taste too appetizing."

What temp kills bacteria on grill?

Preheat your grill 15 to 25 minutes before you start cooking to make sure it reaches the right temperature (and to kill any bacteria). Your grill should be 400-450\xb0F for high, 350-400\xb0F for medium-high, 300-350\xb0F for medium and 250-300\xb0F for low heat.

How do I know if my grill is safe?

Grill Safety: Check for Gas Leaks If you have stored your grill over a period of time (through the winter), you should do an inspection of the grill before use. The grill should be checked for any leaks or deterioration before use. Be sure that your gas is turned off before inspecting the grill.

How do I get melted plastic off my grill?

Place a bag of ice on the melted plastic. Allow time for the plastic to harden and then scrape it away with a razor blade scraper. Ovens with Continuous Cleaning Features: With the room well-vented, turn the oven to the lowest setting and heat for just a few minutes until the plastic is pliable enough to scrape away.

Food containers should not be plastic. Here's why.

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