Allergic to George Foreman grill?

20carrots

I don't know where to post this and I'm looking for serious help. I'm a vegetarian. I have never cooked meat in my life. When my husband cooks on the GF grill it gets smoky in the house and I start coughing and wheezing uncontrollably.

My extremely serious question--is he doing something wrong (like not cleaning it between uses, leaving stuff on too long) or am I having an asthmatic reaction to the smoke? I am extremely sensitive to cigarette smoke too, but I don't remember this happening when I lived at home with meat eaters.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

luvinlaurakate

Mine smokes too, I have to open the door when I use it or it will set off the smoke alarms. Since you are sensitive to cigarette smoke as well, I wouldn't be too concerned about it being an actual allergy to the grill. You are probably just sensitive to smoke of all types.

brneydgrlie

We use our Foreman grill all the time, and never have problems with smoke. A few things may be happening when your husband uses yours...

1) It is possible that he is not cleaning it completely between uses.

2) Have you had the grill for a long time? If so, check it thoroughly for cracks and chips in the Teflon finish. If you see any, then stop using it immediately, because a broken Teflon surface can be toxic.

3) Is he marinating the meat before he cooks it? If he is using anything that has a sugar/starch content, the sugar is probably caramelizing and burning as the meat cooks.

20carrots

Thanks everyone! I think it is a combo of him not bothering to clean it after use and using marinades/oils.

Last night I just cleaned it myself, since it bothers me I figure I can be the one to try to do something about it.

yarwell

different oils have different "smoke points" so the wrong oil can be very smoky if it runs hot.

brneydgrlie

different oils have different "smoke points" so the wrong oil can be very smoky if it runs hot.

This is also a good point!