How To Have An Eco Friendly Barbecue

Summer is here at last! And with it comes the inevitable warmth, sunshine and desire for barbecues. However as with anything else, there is an eco friendly way to have a BBQ and an uneco-friendly way.

As many regular readers will know, I believe that being eco friendly should be fun and easy. We shouldn’t have to go and live in a cave without electricity. We needn’t become dull killjoys who our friends try to avoid.

Instead it is still possible to enjoy a pleasant, fun lifestyle while helping the planet wherever possible and a summer barbecue is a perfect example of this. What better occasion to enjoy the weather, spend some quality time with friends and take the time to revel in the wonders of nature?

So how can you be as eco friendly as possible and still enjoy a tasty barbecue? Here are just a few examples of steps you can take to create a “green barbecue event”…

Use Renewable Charcoal

Charcoal is of course wood that has been heated to a high temperature and like most other products made from wood there are renewable and non-renewable sources.

So do your research and aim to find charcoal made from sustainably managed forests so that you are helping to preserve our wild areas.

Eat Locally-Sourced Meat

A meat-free barbecue might be a bit much to invite people too – though grilled peppers, couscous and so on might make a tasty plate of food. However let’s be honest; for most people a barbecue is really all about the meat.

Whatever meat you decide to cook at your eco friendly barbecue try to ensure that it is reared organically, locally and in a free range environment. Checking out your local farmers market or specialist butcher can be a great way to buy top quality, locally-sourced meat for your event.

Create Your Own Salads, Dips And Marinades

Rather than buying armfuls of food from the supermarket instead try to create as much of the food you will be offering yourself which reduces food miles and packaging. Grow your own salad (or buy it locally), create dips from fresh tomatoes, peppers and so on and marinades out of fruit for a delicious but environmentally-friendly menu.

Use Reusable Cutlery And Crockery

For ease many people opt to use paper plates and plastic cutlery at a barbeque so there is as little washing up at the end as possible. However using reusable cutlery and crockery – or at worst ensuring the disposable items you buy are biodegradable – may increase your workload a little bit but ensures far less rubbish is sent to landfill at the end of your event.

Cook On Coals Not Flames

Flames burn food. Coals gently and evenly cook it so typically the best-tasting barbecue food is food that has been cooked over coals once the initial flames have gone out and the charcoal is burning white hot.

There is another reason besides the flavour of the food though and that is the large amount of research that suggests charred and burned foods help to encourage cancer where properly-cooked foods don’t. So think of your health.

Make Use Of Your Wood Ash

When the barbecue is finished and the coals have burned out you’ll be left with a fine wood ash that people people simply put in the bin. However this ash can contain a lot of nutrients which, when scattered on the garden, can help to keep your fruit and vegetables healthy.

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