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July 25, 2011 in Features
Do Your Part: Consider environment before firing up grill
Summer is here and the grillin’ is easy – and energy-efficient.
Whether you’re an expert grill master or just beginning to barbecue, here are five ways you can do your part to green up your grilling routine.
Pick a greener grill: When it comes to the environment, there’s a clear winner between gas grills and charcoal ones.
Natural gas or propane-powered grills use less energy and are the better choice when it’s time to buy a new grill.
They also produce fewer pollutants than burning charcoal. Gas grills heat up faster and don’t produce any soot – plus there aren’t any ashes to dispose of after grilling.
Choose better charcoal: That said, if you already have a charcoal grill that’s working well, keep it. Why send it to the dump if you don’t have to?
And there are ways to make it greener. It all starts with shopping for the right kind of charcoal. Avoid self-starting formulas and look for additive-free or all-natural lump charcoal. It won’t release the toxic additives that regular charcoal does.
Lose the lighter fluid: Lighter fluid can also release toxins. A better choice is using a chimney starter. You can find one for less than $10 at most home improvement stores and it will get your coals hot in just a matter of minutes with no toxic fumes.
Focus on the food: Along with all the attention to the type of grill you have, don’t forget about the food.
When shopping for beef or chicken, organic choices are healthiest. You can spot them because of the USDA Organic label. This label verifies that the animals were given only organic feed and were not injected with growth hormones or antibiotics.
Another eco-friendly option is local meats, which keeps money in your community and cuts down on the miles your food travels to get to your table.
For seafood lovers, there are sustainable seafood guides that tell you which seafood is best to buy and which to avoid.
And if fresh vegetables are on the menu, visit farmer’s markets for local crops and avoid the so-called “dirty dozen” fruits and veggies by buying organic options.
(You can find more information on sustainable seafood guides and pesticide-free produce resources at DoYourPart.com/Columns.)
Clean without toxic chemicals: After you’re done cooking, a baking soda and water paste is an all-natural alternative that works just as well without any potentially dangerous chemicals.
During these warm summer months, do your part when you fire up the grill. It’s a tasty option that gives your energy hog of an oven the night off, and you won’t be left to eat your meal in a hot house.
Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorologist, syndicated columnist and host of DoYourPart.com, where you can find everyday green living ideas that are better for you and the planet.
Horoscope 
force_vector on July 25 at 6:24 a.m.
Please tell me this is a joke.
dataxman on July 25 at 6:28 a.m.
the ‘green’ movement has jumped the shark…
woamike on July 25 at 7:11 a.m.
It is certainly not a joke.
The greenies want to influence, regulate, control, tax or dictate nearly every aspect of your life. There is nothing too big or too small they wish to micro-manage.
The city’s new water pricing scheme is the latest move to control how people live their lives.
Johnny on July 25 at 9:01 a.m.
Help the environment! Microwave your steak instead!
MrBloggy on July 25 at 9:15 a.m.
wow, how to suck the life right out of summer and its grilling adventures. using extra lighter fluid on kingsford briquets as I char my non-organic hamburgers tonight .. mmmm
Dazzeetrader11 on July 25 at 10:20 a.m.
Fire Verner, Rush, Waldref and Snyder.
detroitdude on July 25 at 10:37 a.m.
@ above ^^^^ WTF? LOL….Anywho, in my humble opinion grilling seems to taste better when done with charcoal. Why you gotta write articles that take the fun out of grilling? And that nonsense about getting a propane grill because it’s “greener”….ever go camping and cook something over a fire? Using some sort of weird rationale that buying a gas grill is “saving the environment” is laughable, as is this article.
cheddar on July 25 at 2:43 p.m.
Wow. Just wow. This actually made the paper? No wonder it’s down to the size of a kleenex.
Squid on July 25 at 7:35 p.m.
I grind up the bones from kittens and baby seals for my charcoal briquets. I then add asbestos and treated lumber chunks. Has a great smoky and sweet flavor and lasts much longer than ordinary charcoal. Diesel mixed with any aeorsol hairspray is great for starter fluid. Use these products for awesome campfires and bonfires. Nothing better than veal over the BBQ.