healthy barbeque

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We’ve been looking at earth friendly barbecue ideas – yes it is almost spring. In case you need to catch up read…

Now, what about how to choose the best green grill? Grills overall are actually more earth-friendly than cooking in your kitchen. Many grills cook fast and beyond that have less of an impact than other stuff we do (think leaving the tv on, driving, etc.). However, you can be extra mindful and choose the greenest grill option possible.

There are various options when it comes to grills – gas grills (propane or natural gas), charcoal grills, wood fire grills (or just cooking over an open fire basically), solar grills, and electric grills. Solar is your hands down most eco-friendly choice, and currently, there are many options for solar cookers. They may not all grill as perfectly or as grillish as your typical barbecue, but they get the job done and have a low footprint.

Natural gas is your second best option (for the planet). Natural gas obviously has its own issues (um, offshore drilling) but in a purely eco-sense, it’s more friendly than say, electric.

Charcoal and wood are the least earth-friendly of all your grill choices, although, lately some charcoal and grill briquette options have emerged that are noted for being more eco-friendly than the typical charcoal. Keep in mind though, by eco-friendly, I mean only slightly more so – overall, all charcoal and briquette options release soot and toxins into the air which is not healthy for you or the planet.

Solar grill options and ideas:

Solar-powered barbecue

Build A Solar Cooker

Solar oven

Extra gear – Solar-Powered Barbecue Light

What sort of outdoor barbecue have you been using?

Last week we started looking at green grilling in, How Earth Friendly is Your Backyard Barbecue?

Today we’ll look at some green barbecue accessory options.

Solar Grill Read the rest of this entry »

With spring coming up fast, you may be thinking about grilling and backyard barbecue fun. But, how green is a barbecue? If you have one are you single handily killing the planet?

Eco-issues of barbecues – how to green your cookout:

According to CNN, “The carbon footprint of backyard grilling is not that significant compared to what people do in their everyday lives. Lights, TVs, cars, these are much more significant than grilling.” Which is good news. If you love barbecues, make sure you stay green in other areas to offset the issue.

You can green your grilling experience by grilling with gas or charcoalĀ  – both better than gas or electric. Later we’ll look at some greener grill option.

Buy organic – organic meats for sure (there are tons o’ pesticides in conventional meats), get organic brew to drink, in season seafood, and organic veggies to grill too. Also think local. Locally bought food supports the economy and offsets long transport energy issues.

Use real plates, silverware, cups, and cloth napkins. Disposables are icky for the earth and frankly, don’t hold food as well. IF you must use disposables, use items made from easy to compost and biodegradable materials (corn starch and potato starch or 100% recycled for example.)

Don’t use toxins to fight bugs at your cookouts. DEET, the main component in most bug repellents is bad for your health and the earth. Use natural options.

Next up some other green barbecue tips to get you prepped for spring – from grills to organic recipes and more.