Wednesday is Independence Day, a time when most Americans suddenly become passionate about the freedoms they take for granted the other 364 days of the year. Like most holidays, we get more excited about a day off from work than the actual meaning of the celebration, but I digress….
The best way to celebrate the 4th of July is to declare your independence from that hot kitchen. Tomorrow, many of us will get outside, fire up the grill, and enjoy some fun in the sun with those we love. Unfortunately, the average grilling session sends a lot of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, and depending on what you use for fuel, some of those pollutants could stay behind, tainting the taste of your food.
It’s time to mix a little green into your backyard red, white and blue BBQ. Here are four easy-to-implement tips that will help protect your lungs as well as your burgers:
1. Barbecue without lighter fluid: According to the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality, using a charcoal chimney and crumpled paper helps reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds released into the air. A charcoal chimney is a metal cylinder about seven inches across with a handle and a grate in the bottom that holds the charcoal. Ignited with simple newspaper, the chimney helps you start a fire with less coals, the coals get hot faster, and it eliminates the need for toxic lighter fluid.
2. Ditch the charcoal: Ready to unleash your inner Hank Hill? Think about trading that charcoal BBQ for a grill that uses propane, natural gas or even solar energy. Gas grills are much more energy efficient than charcoal grills and produce far less pollutants, and while it will probably be much slower, the benefits of a solar oven should go without saying.
3. Reuse and recycle: Just because you’re eating outside doesn’t mean you have to use disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Think about setting the picnic table with the same reuseable dishware you use at home. If you’re at a campsite or park where washing dishes is too difficult, think about purchasing biodegradable plates and compostable flatware instead.
4. Make your own grill cleaner: Once you’ve got to all this effort to green up your BBQ, it makes no sense to polish the grill with a toxic chemical cleaner. Using baking soda and distilled white vinegar you can make your own cleaner that will help keep that grill sparkling for next time.
Got a green grilling tip we didn’t think of here? Share it in a comment!
Photo credit: BarelyFitz/Flickr