Backyard barbecues can pollute the environment and cause the climate to change. However, you can choose to grill greener to help protect the earth and the air that you breathe. Gas grills produce fewer air pollutants than the charcoal grills do. Because charcoal grills release higher levels of carbon monoxide and other components into the air, the environment will experience more smog, which can harm your health and the environment.

Scientists conducted a study to discover which type of grill was the most eco-friendly. It was discovered that a charcoal grill could emit up to 2,200 pounds of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. This is three times the amount that a natural gas grill emits. Therefore, propane and natural gas grills are the most eco-friendly grills. The reason for the large difference in the carbon emissions was because the gas proved to be a more efficient way to cook. In addition, it takes more energy to produce the charcoal than it does the gas.

Chemically treated charcoal is discarded in the trash, which can add to the environments pollution problem. However, with propane and natural gas, you do not have waste to discard. The empty tanks can be refilled to use again. However, some people do not want to stop using their charcoal and lighter fluid because they enjoy that smoky flavor that the charcoal grills produce. However, if we want to protect the planet, we should try changing the way we grill by using a greener method.

Charcoal briquettes come from waste wood, but they are treated with harmful chemicals. Lump charcoal are created from trees, which means some forests may be depleted for this type of charcoal. If you desire to use charcoal, you should use lump charcoal that is made from environmentally and certified harvested wood. These forests will be managed properly to prevent depleting the forest of the trees. In addition, to grill green, you can buy wood chips that are a certified sustainable product to flavor your food when you use a gas grill. The chips will allow you to get that smoky flavor with less harm to the environment.

Even though gas grills are better for the environment than the charcoal grills are, they are not perfect. The process used to get the natural gas from the shale deposit and the production of the natural gas will take a toll on the environment over the years. For less environmental impact, we should go green with our grilling to produce less air pollutants, chemicals and deforestation. To go green, an ideal way is to use a solar oven.

The solar oven will convert the natural rays of the sun into heat energy. It allows you to bake, steam or boil a meal. You can use your solar oven to cook anything. It works like a conventional gas or electric oven. Cooking time can be similar to a regular oven. In addition, it can be used similar to a crock-pot for slower cooking. You can buy a solar oven or make one yourself from ordinary items such as foil, cardboard, thermometer, black spray paint and glass.

Besides the method used for grilling, you should consider the items that you are grilling. For instance, beef has a larger carbon footprint than vegetables and poultry do. Therefore, grilling beef will impact the environment more than grilling other foods. The planet's future depends on preserving the air we breathe and the environment.