![]() Electric grills can be an excellent option – if your energy comes from green sources, such as wind, solar, or even hydro. Omnivores may lament the loss of that smoky charcoal taste when cooking meat with gas, but I personally don’t notice much of a flavor difference.īefore you go running off to buy a gas-fired cooker, Christine, let me mention a few other alternatives in the world of backyard cuisine. Propane and natural gas are nonrenewable petro-products, true, but they keep the air cleaner – and the climate cooler – than charcoal. About 90 percent of propane makes it out of the production process as useable fuel, whereas only 20 to 35 percent of the source wood ends up as a charcoal briquette (the rest burns off into the air). And production efficiency? Gas wins again. Gas grills also beat charcoal grills when it comes to carbon emissions: A widely cited Oak Ridge National Laboratory study calculated that a gas burner emits about 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, compared to 11 pounds per hour for cooking over the coals. (And here we thought ants were the worst uninvited guests at a picnic.) What’s more: Charcoal also emits ground-level ozone, the main contributor to smog. Burning conventional charcoal releases nasty volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter into the air around your grill, where they can potentially waft into the noses of anyone standing nearby and cause all kinds of problems. If we’re talking just localized air pollution, gas barbies (whether they’re fueled by natural gas or propane) come out way ahead of their briquette-burning brethren. You asked if gas and charcoal grills differ in how much they pollute – and yes indeed, they do. But you could be doing even better when grilling your greens. And you’re already ahead of the game, planet-wise, by choosing only vegetarian meals, which beat steaks and burgers in terms of carbon and water footprints. Naturally, you want your piece of the grilled pizza pie, Christine. Mini Cinnamon Churros (on every $15+ purchase).To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider disabling your ad-blocker to allow ads on Grist. Bonus Offers: Free Epic Burrito (every 3 months), Free 2pc. Additional Rewards: All the previous level rewards and more. Birthday Reward earns a Regular-Sized Shake. Free hot coffee (every day before 11am with purchase). Epic level (Now Only 250 points! Previously 3,000 points) earns 12 points per $.Bonus Offers: Free Regular-Sized Chips and Guac or Queso (every 2 months). Additional Rewards: Epic Burrito Meal (1,500 points). ![]()
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