Are You Grilling Green?

Most people don't think about a grill as something that could be potentially harmful to them or the environment. Believe it or not however, the type of grill you have could be causing toxic chemicals to be released into the air and even into your food!

Out of all the different styles of grills available, the cast iron grill is by far one of the best. Not only is it strong and durable, but it is also a metal that remains non-toxic at any cooking temperature. The down side to cast iron is that if left out in the elements, it can rust very easily. While this rust itself is not toxic, it can change the flavor of your food. If you choose to have a cast iron grill, it is best to make sure that it stays protected from rain and snow.

Stainless steel or porcelain-enameled cast iron grills are other options available to you that are durable grills, but are also better for the environment. These grills are more expensive than a standard cast iron grill, however a stainless steel or porcelain-enameled grill will not rust if left in the elements. (Though it is always best to protect these items from extreme weather.) It also will not release toxins at high temperatures.

The chrome-plated aluminum grill, one of the most common grills on the market, should be avoided at all costs. With prolonged exposure to heat from cooking, the chrome plating can start to chip off. This leaves bare aluminum exposed, and bare aluminum is in fact toxic once it starts to rust. This will release toxins into the air and also into your food.

The Fuel

There are three types of fuel for grills. These are electricity, gas and solid carbon fuel, such as charcoal or wood. Unfortunately, unless your grill is solar powered electric, none of these fuels are good for the environment. Electricity seems like it would be the cleanest, however there is a great environmental impact from the production of the electricity. If you buy a solar powered electric grill however, you can grill with a clean form of fuel that does not harm the environment.

There are two different types of gases used for grilling. Both natural gas and propane do burn extremely efficiently, however both are also petroleum based products. This means that they are manufactured with non-renewable resources which is of course, extremely bad for the environment.

Charcoal and wood are popular fuels for grilling because of the unique flavor that they can add to your food. However, charcoal and wood are the worst polluters and the production of these fuels contributes to deforestation. Most conventional charcoal briquettes also contain numerous toxins including coal dust, sodium nitrate and borax, which can be harmful when inhaled, not to mention absorbed into your food.

Undoubtedly, it seems as though a solar powered electric grill, made from cast iron, stainless steel or porcelain-enameled cast iron, is by far the best type of grill that you can use, not only for your own health, but the environment as well. While the initial cost of these grills might seem extreme, when you take into consideration that these grills are durable and will last for years and will also be safer for your family and the environment, you realize that the cost is definitely worth it!