Barbecuing Better
- Meera Naveen
- Jul 5, 2024
- 4 min read
In some ways, barbecuing is not exactly known to be "environmentally-friendly."
However, it's understandable to have that summer craving once in a while.
Regardless, there are ways to reduce the negative pollution impacts of a barbecue, which, I tell you, definitely helps in reducing the guilt of using a grill. And especially if your house isn't renewably powered, it doesn't make way too much of a difference especially if you follow these steps, since, according to The Spruce Eats, it reduces your electricity usage and thus the power plant pollution.
First of all, if you simply want the experience of a barbecue, why not just attend one? Attending a barbecue is always more sustainable than owning a grill because you wouldn't be using a grill as often.
Choose the right grill. To reduce air pollution and help maintain good air quality in your community and coexisting ecosystems, it's very much beneficial to use grills that don't pollute as much as, say, charcoal grills. Examples are natural gas and electrically powered grills, especially if you have a renewable energy source. Also, it's necessary to buy a durable grill that can last you years; something that you wouldn't have to worry about replacing anytime soon. This way, even though a quality grill might cost a lot at first, it's not going to need many repairs too soon, a guaranteed investment for the environment and your future.
When hosting or helping at a barbecue, consider/suggest cooking extra food, enough for leftovers especially if you like the flavor the grill gives to the burgers, kebabs, vegetables, etc that you cook. This way, you could enjoy more food from the grill without having to use it as often. One barbecue that takes a little longer is definitely better than three that have a shorter time frame. However, please note to plan ahead for leftovers so you have zero waste - tell guests ahead of time and plan for yourself/your family as well.
Clean and cook with nature in mind. For example, keep your preheating times at a minimum and manage your grilling times so you can finish as soon as possible. Keep the lid closed at all times except when you need to open it, such as to flip the patties. This can reduce the amount of pollutants that get released into the air. Finally, cleaning the grill right after you cook and often can help the barbecue stay efficient and as eco-friendly as possible.
Food: Don't hesitate to try a vegetarian or vegan barbecue because it's totally possible. I can't even begin to describe the crunchy, thick texture of grilled veggie patties and the mouthwatering skewers with grilled bell peppers, onions, zucchini, squash and more. You can even grill fruits! If you want to, try researching and buying locally grown veggies/fruits according to where you are to minimize transportation pollution. In fact, almost any fruit or vegetable can be grilled. However, if meat is a must, try to buy locally-sourced meats (not beef), healthier with less transportation emissions than their international counterparts. Also,make sure that they're lean; cut off fats if necessary to decrease safety hazards and chemical pollution. If you want to go a step further, try making your own veggie/meat patties, kebabs, hot dogs, etc to reduce both transportation and packaging emissions. As I said before, if using meat, try using lean meats (not beef) and buy irregular cuts that avoid wasting too much meat from other sections of the animal. You can also make your own buns if you're up to the task, but it's mainly the veggie and meat that I would recommend to focus on.
And try to balance your grilling with the sides. And no, I don't mean the ketchup and mayonnaise. There are so many dishes people eat other than the burgers and hot dogs, including homemade cornbread, pasta/potato/veggie salads, bean stews, pickles, vegan coleslaw, buttermilk biscuits and recommended air-fryer snacks. Even your homemade lemonade with mint freshly plucked from the garden or your local farmer's market would be a game-changer. Try focusing on making no-cook/no-bake recipes since they're easier and don't emit fuel. Overall homemade sides are healthier, will reduce packaging emissions (since they're alternatives to your regular bag of chips) and how much you grill. Your guests will also appreciate it.
6. Now, the items, from the furniture to the card games to your plates. First, try using the things you already have, including your own dishes and utensils instead of the use-and-throw plastic cups from the store. If you don't have enough items, don't hesitate to reach out to your guests to help by giving a couple of chairs, a few forks or a board game of Parcheesi. You can also ask them to bring their own reusable containers to pack leftovers, or just opt for biodegradable bags/containers. The same goes for plates, cups and silverware. Having a compost at home and encouraging others to do the same is always a plus.
Further, if it's a really important event and you think that your guests would appreciate it if you decorated the place, there's no stopping you there! Search up DIY videos to make cute decorations with the things you have, from streamers to paper flowers to lanterns. I would recommend not using balloons due to their material and in case they fly away. If you want to know more about why not, click here: https://thecleanthinker.wixsite.com/ecoinspire/post/why-you-should-never-release-balloons.
Now that we've gone over the key ingredients to a sustainable grill, try it out next time you attend or host one! Even using two or three of these tips would make your grill cleaner and more guilt-free when considering the planet and different types of species than before.
Works Cited:
Image created by Wix AI
Research:
Bing AI
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