Summer is so close… we can practically TASTE it! Bring on the season of sunshine and backyard barbecues! While the goal may be to spend as much time as possible outdoors, it’s equally important to keep all that open air FRESH. Unfortunately, charcoal and gas grills are far from eco-friendly. Gas grills employ propane, a non-renewable fossil fuel. Meanwhile, charcoal grills use charcoal briquettes often soaked in an accelerant that releases carbon and particulate matter into the air. What’s worse is that charcoal grilling is not only bad for the environment, but it could be bad for your health. Certain meats charred at high temperatures, and the smoke created from charcoal grilling can be carcinogenic. Fortunately, as a growing number of companies become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, new ways to enjoy a summer cookout have been invented. In the spirit of Barbecue month, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful is happy to lift the lid on four innovative and GREEN ways to grill…
- Are you Prime for a Pellet Grill? – If you’ve ever cooked over a campfire, you know it adds the unique flavor of the wood used to light it to your grilled meats and veggies. With a firepot and heating rod at their base, eco-friendly pellet grills feature a delivery system that feeds the fire with renewable biomass fuel – aka pellets. The pellets are made from recycled hardwood sawdust. You can choose which kind of hardwood pellet you’d like to use to add a specific slow-smoked flavor to whatever you’re grilling, like apple, hickory, or pecan. You can find pellet grills just about anywhere, made by such recognizable brands as Weber, Traeger, Pit Boss, and more.
- Trade Your Grill for a Green Griddle – Griddles are rapidly gaining favor among grill masters, but like grills, not all griddles are eco-friendly. A griddle is a large, flat cooking surface that’s ideal for cooking everything you can cook on a grill – like steaks, burgers, and chicken – but you can also cook things that you could NEVER cook on a grill, like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. While many griddles are fueled by propane tanks, a growing number of electric models are being released. Blackstone – a company most popular for its outdoor griddles – has debuted an e-series that features a selection of 17” and 22” tabletop griddles. They are portable for tailgating and feature 1200 watts of griddle heating technology. A digital display and control dials allow you to set and monitor your heat settings. Vevor, Current, and Le Griddle also make electric outdoor griddle models.
- Power Up Your Electric Grill – Grill manufacturers have taken a cue from electric griddle makers – or was it vice versa? Regardless of which came first, the good news for anyone who loves the look of grill lines on their food is that an ever-increasing number of grills are powered by electricity instead of propane or charcoal. Boasting upwards of 8000 watts, electric grills can feature more than one heating zone, with some boasting infrared technology. Some of the best-rated electric grills come from trusted manufacturers like Char-Broil, Weber, Ninja, Fire Magic, Monument Grills, and Electri-Chef.
- Could You Kamado? – Created in Japan over 3000 years ago, a Kamado grill is far from new technology. However, thanks to the popularity of the Big Green Egg, they have gained favor among pit masters in recent years. Based on the concept of a traditional clay oven, a kamado is a ceramic cooker with a heavy lid that is ideal for retaining heat while using less fuel. While some opt for charcoal in their kamado, for an eco-friendlier meal, you can use wood chips as both your heating element and to flavor your food.
New green grilling technology is constantly being released, including solar-powered grills, hydrogen-fueled grills, plant-based ethanol-fueled grills, and corn-powered grills, all of which are quickly gaining steam within the industry. So, stay tuned! For even more tips for hosting an eco-friendly backyard barbecue, read this Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful blog.
Happy Grilling, Gwinnett!
