BBQ, Good For The Soul,Not So Much For The Environment

The first thing we did when we bought our house was buy a BBQ, well and a lawn mower, but that’s not the point.

The point is Todd was super excited to BBQ on a real grill as opposed to the hibachi we had been using. If you’ve ever cooked on one you know it’s not fun unless you’re camping and even then it’s questionable.

The one that we bought was the cheapest gas one we could find. Why gas? No other reason than that’s what his dad used so it was what he knew.

My dad used a charcoal grill that constantly shot flames up. It was my brothers’ job to shoot the flames down with a water gun, and he took his job seriously. Good times.



Our gas grill died about a year ago and this time we decided to go with a charcoal one. Why, because we could get a new one plus accessories for $100. That and Todd had gotten a book on how to grill shortly after buying the first one and nearly all the recipes were for a charcoal grill so he really wanted to try one out.

Personally I think the reason was because when the igniter switch broke on the gas grill he had to light it by hand and one of the last times he used it it shot up a fire ball and singed his hair and eyebrows, but that’s just me.

So where am I going with this very long story? Well it turns out that charcoal grills are the least environmentally friendly.


The thing on the grill is a chimney starter, it helps get the coals going when you don't use lighter fluid.

It turns out that when you use regular charcoal it can release toxic bi-products when burned which not only go into the air but also into your food. Yum.


When buying charcoal you want to avoid brands that use coal dust, sodium nitrate, limestone, starch and petroleum and instead look for ones with no fillers or fossil fuels. Did you ever think you’d be checking the ingredients of charcoal? Me either. You can find cleaner charcoal at just about any grocery or hardware store.

However, the smoke from both charcoal and wood can irritate asthma and release carcinogenic compounds like benzene.

So if you’re in the market for a new grill here are 3 other options; electric, propane or natural gas-fired.

We never did get rid of the gas one because Todd didn't want to take it to the dump and pay the fee, plus he thought he might figure out how to fix it.

Now I'm glad he kept it and even more glad that he's willing to switch back. Yes, I do realize how lucky I am that he's willing to give up his charcoal grill for the environment.

Now we know what his next project will be, well, right after he finishes mowing.