When it’s time to fire up the grill, freshness and flavor are top priority. But don’t let your backyard bash go up in flames by using products that can harm the environment or pose potential health risks. Get cooking with these eco-options.
Wrap food in cedar paper.
Sealing seafood, meats, and veggies in cedar paper lends a smoky flavor while locking in moisture and protecting from char-based carcinogens. Choose products that meet the Sustainable Forestry Initiative standard to ensure materials came from responsibly managed forests.
Try: Fire & Flavor cedar papers
Cook with ceramic.
Nontoxic, nonreactive ceramic skillets and spatulas can stand temperatures higher than steel, don't leach trace metal or chemicals, and never scratch.
Try: Xtrema ceramic cookware
Use biodegradable plates and cutlery.
Branch out with plates, knives, and forks made from alternative eco-materials like bamboo, leaves, corn, and bagasse (a sugarcane byproduct). They’re biodegradable, compostable, and durable enough to stand up to seconds.
Try: VerTerra dinnerware
Clean, naturally.
Who wants caustic and potentially toxic ingredients from conventional cleaners on the grill, where they can end up in food and the environment? Scrub grit and grime from the grate with a natural, plant-based all-purpose or grill-specific cleaner. Look for biodegradable, antibacterial ingredients including parsley and orange, and choose a grill brush made from sustainable materials like bamboo.
Try: Earth Friendly Orange Plus