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Grilling Green

March 6, 2015

Grilling food is a global phenomenon. As part of that global community we also have a responsibility to respect our environment and by looking to cook outdoors in more environmentally friendly ways we can grill green.

Planning ahead for your outdoor grill event not only makes it simpler for you, its better for the world around you. In making a list you won’t tend to overbuy or create copious amounts of leftovers that will get thrown out. Technology allows you to call, email or text invitations for events which saves paper.

Perhaps eliminating plastic cutlery and paper plates and instead using reusable utensils and plates will reduce waste. Look for outdoor plates and utensils made from recycled material, there are many brightly coloured, designer ones out to chose from.

If your family grill or event is at a park separate your recyclable containers, your glass, plastic, and metal and recycle them at home. Bring leftovers home and add to your compost. Charcoal is also compostable so back it up and recycle it as well!

Green up Your Groceries

BBQ season is the first reason to buy local produce. There are so many locally grown vegetables and fruits that taste better than packaged ones and that also means fewer chemicals in your food that were used to preserve the foods in getting them to you. You save time and energy buying locally because the fruits and vegetables don’t have to transported great distance. And nothing tastes better than kabobs made with fresh vegetables.

If you buy in bulk you have less packaging and waste and fewer trips to the grocery store (gas emission!) Purchase your sauces and other foods and freeze them for future bbqs or better yet, make your own! Don’t forget to bring your own reusable shopping bags.

You can even use your grill for dessert. Time for Dessert. Grill up fresh fruit or reheat pies once the barbecue has been turned off , put in the pie, close the lid and when you’re ready for desert the pie will be nicely warmed up.

BBQing will always be about the food. But more and more people are making healthier choices when it comes to meat. That does not mean eliminating meat. Just smarter choices on the quantity of meat and where it comes from can have an impact on the environment.

Grass fed, organic meat is typically leaner than traditional meat. Remember, making the sustainable choice may also mean a little extra effort to ensure the meant maintains its moisture when grilling. A simple marinade before grilling and basting while on the grill can resolve this. For organically grown meat turned into hamburgers caramelized onions and cooking at a lower temperature or slightly less time will help to retain the meats moisture.

We are all connected. The water required to produce one pound of beef can be upwards of 1500 gallons. The cattle raised for that beef produce enormous amounts of methane gas which is harmful to the environment. Trim excess fat from the meat before you grill. This will not only help to make your grilling healthier, trimming the fat will help reduce flareups. Calculate the meat required for the event and be sure to include plenty of vegetables on the grill as well so there are choices for everyone.

The Grill Itself

Start by choosing the right grill. Cheaper grills do not last as long and end up as landfill. Quality stainless steel grills last for years. You spend less money in the long run and also reduce the waste of packaging, reduce recycling and also reduce pollution from manufacturing.

Your grill will affect the flavour of your cooking as well as the eco-footprint you leave. Gas grills win out from a carbon standpoint because natural gas and propane will burn cleaner and leave behind less waste than their counterpart charcoal grills.

So if you’re in the market for a new grill, you can make many choices that also have an impact on the environment. If you already have a grill, other factors can also influence the environment.

How you light your grill also impacts your world. Using a natural gas grill is the most energy efficient method of grilling. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel option and burns cleaner than propane grills. but if you do use charcoal, be sure to use superior, natural charcoals which is made from furniture scraps and waste wood. They typically have no binders and additives so they make a cleaner fire and reduce pollution output.

Reduce preheat times on your grill when you are able. Gas grills are typically ready to cook in 5-10 minutes while charcoal grills take almost twice as long. Cook when your grill is ready and turn it off when you are done so you are not wasting fuel.

Cleaning your grill while it is still hot by using a mixture of water and baking soda to clean off the cooking grates will ensure you don’t get a build up of grease and good particles. That means less smoke emitting from the grill. Take the time to clean the grease drip trays under the grill too keeping safety in mind and less smoke emissions.

Clean out your grill regularly. Build up of grease and food particles in your grill will produce unnecessary smoke. Also take this time to clean out grease drip trays under your grill.

Just a few simple changes in the methods and products we choose to grill with can have a positive, lasting impact on our environment. So get your grill out, clean it up, make your grocery list and plan your next event to celebrate the warmer weather!