Why is Grilling with Gas Instead of charcoal worth a big spicy impactful 30 points on Practically Green?
Grilled
food tastes fantastic—and what’s more fun than a cook out? But grilling
is far from an eco-friendly experience. If you’re using charcoal, it
can have a negative impact on both personal health and the environment.
Charcoal burns dirty, releasing soot and other greenhouse gas pollutants
into the air. Because it is made from trees, it also promotes
deforestation. And lighter fluid is far from safe.
Weber Portable Gas Grill: looks small but boasts 12,000 BTUs & 280 sq inch cook top. Enough to serve up a mean bbq.
The eco-friendlier alternative to charcoal is gas. Natural
gas, propane, and even electric grills burn cleaner and are more
efficient than charcoal. Grilling meat—on any kind of grill—can further
pollute the air with smog from released fatty acids.
PG Grill Guru reminds that almost ANYTHING can be grilled to perfection! Check EatingWell for an abundance of recipes
Environmental impact is only half of the story here; cooking over an open flame can be a health hazard. According
to the American Cancer Society, carcinogenic compounds (polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs and heterocyclic amines or HCAs) can form
directly on your meat as it chars. When burning fat drips on charcoal it
creates smoke, which then deposits these compounds back onto your
food—so says the Texas Commission on Environmental Air Quality. And
Texans know a thing or two about grilling.
Extreme
Grillers will love this PG recommendation: It seems only natural to
cook up yr organic grass-fed burgers with a Verde grill set made of
bamboo & recycled stainless.
Grill less, and less meat. When grilling, gas grills are easy to use—even for beginners. Choose one that works for your needs.
Source meats, veggies, and seafood well. Look for local and organic when possible.
If having a cook out, opt for reusable plates and utensils.
Clean charred material on your grill—before and after use—with a natural cleaner.
