How Green is Your Barbecue?:
The moment a thin, weak sliver of sunshine appears through thick cloud cover is, for many, the time to drag out the barbecue. Throw on the coals, slap on the meat and away you go. Though a barbecue isn't the least green method of cooking around it does still have a considerable impact.
It's easy to turn your gathering into a more eco-friendly event with just a few simple adjustments, and none of them will take away from the fun. The Energy Saving Trust have published some very interesting suggestions on making your Barbie green and most are really easy so you can enjoy your barbecue with a clear conscience.
It's easy to turn your gathering into a more eco-friendly event with just a few simple adjustments, and none of them will take away from the fun. The Energy Saving Trust have published some very interesting suggestions on making your Barbie green and most are really easy so you can enjoy your barbecue with a clear conscience.
Tip 1 - Crockery and Cutlery:
Use your standard plates and cutlery, not the throw-away paper and plastic; environmentally this is probably the best thing you can do at your barbecue. Yes, it does mean washing up, sorry, and while on the subject of washing up, don’t rinse under a running tap, use a washing up bowl instead.
To feel completely smug about doing your bit, check out these compostable, disposable crockery and cutlery, wonderful!
VegWare
To feel completely smug about doing your bit, check out these compostable, disposable crockery and cutlery, wonderful!
VegWare
Tip 2 - Cooking Methods:
Charcoal is still one of the greenest ways to cook but that doesn’t mean it is a totally green way. There are environmental concerns with the cutting and the transportation of the wood and charcoal and burning charcoal does give off soot, a problem in urban areas. Try to choose charcoal from sustainable sources and avoid briquettes as they contain chemical additives. Douse the hot coals with water as soon as you have finished cooking and save any leftover charcoal for next time.
You could always use the world's first Fairtrade Charcoal
You could always use the world's first Fairtrade Charcoal
Tip 3 - The Food:
Where possible buy the food for your barbecue locally and seasonal, to cut down on the food miles. Everyone loves to throw lots of meat onto the grill but don’t forget vegetables. Bulk out your barbecue with grilled vegetables, and salads. Growing veg has less impact on the environment than meat production.
Tip 4 - Avoid Waste:
Don’t cook too much food and if your guests are bringing food, make sure everyone brings something different, again to avoid too many leftovers and waste food.
Keep foods in the refrigerator until needed. Storing food safely will help alleviate wasting food because it may have become unsafe. If you have too much food, as quickly as possible get it wrapped and into the fridge, or better still into the freezer (as long as it wasn’t previously frozen) to use later.
Keep foods in the refrigerator until needed. Storing food safely will help alleviate wasting food because it may have become unsafe. If you have too much food, as quickly as possible get it wrapped and into the fridge, or better still into the freezer (as long as it wasn’t previously frozen) to use later.
Tip 5 - Keep Warm:
If it gets chilly, as it inevitably does, then don’t light the gas guzzling patio heater, put a sweater or jacket on and if it gets too cold, then go inside.
