Gluten Free Wood Chips

[painfulpains]

I was wondering if anyone had any information regarding whether wood chips used in grilling can cause gluten contamination?  I've researched this quite a bit, and am finding very, very little information.  I ate at a barbecue yesterday, and have the feeling of being glutened, as I'm very sick today.  This was one thing I noticed that was different, but didn't think much of it until today.

Thanks.

[kareng]

14 minutes ago, painfulpains said:

I was wondering if anyone had any information regarding whether wood chips used in grilling can cause gluten contamination?  I've researched this quite a bit, and am finding very, very little information.  I ate at a barbecue yesterday, and have the feeling of being glutened, as I'm very sick today.  This was one thing I noticed that was different, but didn't think much of it until today.

Thanks.

More likely than wood chips having gluten & getting it on the food would be the fact that the grill surface may have toasted buns or something like that and have crumbs on it.  What else did you eat?  Did they marinate the meat? Did they wash the strawberries in a colander they drain the pasta in?   So many other and more likely possibilities.  

[painfulpains]

Hi Kareng,

Thanks for your reply.  I should have provided a bit more detail.  It was my folks barbecue, so many precautions were taken as they know of my situation.  No marinade, no cross contamination issues.  This was the one new thing from the norm that was done, so it got me thinking.  I'm not as concerned about this one particular event as what's done is done--but for the future, I thought it would be great to know if this is even something that's possible or to be concerned about.  I'm going to try and do more research, but I am really struggling to find information on it.

[kareng]

5 minutes ago, painfulpains said:

Hi Kareng,

Thanks for your reply.  I should have provided a bit more detail.  It was my folks barbecue, so many precautions were taken as they know of my situation.  No marinade, no cross contamination issues.  This was the one new thing from the norm that was done, so it got me thinking.  I'm not as concerned about this one particular event as what's done is done--but for the future, I thought it would be great to know if this is even something that's possible or to be concerned about.  I'm going to try and do more research, but I am really struggling to find information on it.

How would the wood chips gluten your food?  I really can't see why they would have gluten in them.  Aren't they just wood?  You aren't laying the food on them?  

 

You are probably struggling to find info because it isn't a Celiac concern?

[painfulpains]

10 minutes ago, kareng said:

How would the wood chips gluten your food?  I really can't see why they would have gluten in them.  Aren't they just wood?  You aren't laying the food on them?  

No, they never come into contact with the food.  They are flavored wood.  They have multiple flavors like hickory, maple mesquite, etc.  Through the grilling process, the flavor is then absorbed into the meat.  It got me thinking that if flavor can be transferred, perhaps gluten could as well.  

I'm fully aware this may be an ignorant question.  I just don't have any knowledge about this type of thing.

Just saw your add regarding struggling to find info because it's not a celiac concern.  You very well may be right.  I always take the approach of researching and asking rather than assuming, if I don't know.  It's been quite the process learning how to eat gluten free, it seems to be hidden in many areas.  

[kareng]

Then your best bet is to call the company and get them to tell you ingredients. Tell them its about an "allegic reation".   They may not want to tell you but you can ask specifically if it contains - "wheat, rye, barley, malt" and they can check the list.  I am betting its just a bunch of chemicals added to the wood.  

 

[painfulpains]

I'll try that in the future.  Thanks.