Last Updated: Oct 25, 2021
Homeowners are starting to switch out natural gas-powered appliances and going all-electric (see our profile of Bruce Nilles' experience). Why? The main reason for this switch is to support our transformation to a clean energy economy. Electricity can be clean if it comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. In contrast, natural gas will forever be a fossil fuel and will always impact our indoor air quality. The four appliances typically gas-powered and targeted for replacement are stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and dryers. But what about our outdoor grills? Is it time to give up backyard barbecuing as we know it? Should we replace gas and charcoal for the (usually) less carbon-intensive and low-emitting outdoor electric BBQ grill?
In one word: pollution. One hour of using a natural gas grill can release 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide; that figure rises to 11 pounds for charcoal. According to the US EPA's greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator, that's a quarter to a half a tank of gasoline, respectively. A Mother Jones article calculated that if everyone grilled for an hour on the fourth of July, it would add up to "roughly as many emissions as burning 2,145 railcars of coal, or running one coal-fired power plant for a month."
On top of that, natural gas emits and leaks methane, a much more potent greenhouse gas, poisonous carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, precursors to smog. There are other hazards of charcoal grills, notably their release of volatile organic compounds and the potential toxicity of briquettes soaked in lighter fluid.
An electric BBQ grill is an outdoor grill that cooks like a charcoal or gas grill but uses electricity. They can provide the same great BBQ taste your accustom too but and, much like traditional grills, allow you to burn hickory, apple, cherry or mesquite wood chips for additional flavor.
According to folks at Delishably, while flavor quality is not the same as charcoal or gas, "the best electric BBQ grills can produce juicy, caramelized, and seared-to-perfection meals." (The reviews on this are mixed, though; it's a subjective topic.)
We are fans of electric grills. First, electric grills have improved greatly and can cook your food the way you want it, and cast iron cooking grates can give you those all-important sear marks. If you need the smoky flavor, there are many ways to add it. Second, electricity can be powered by sources other than fossil fuels—and the electric grid is getting cleaner every year. Xcel Energy is already at almost 30% renewables and has committed to providing 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. And if your home is powered with electricity from solar panels or other green energy sources, you are already there.
The Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro 260 is available for $179; it is nicely sized with 320 square inches of cooking space (enough room for 8-12 burgers. It has 1750 watts of cooking power, porcelain-covered cooking grates, and infrared heat for even cooking sleek design and a temperature gauge for accurate grilling temperatures. Best Consumer Reviews gives a high recommendation to the Char-Broil TRU Infrared Electric Patio Bistro 260. Amazon reviews warn of complicated assembly and long heat-up times. Several reviewers warn against opening the lid unnecessarily as it leads to heat loss but says meat remains juicy.
A highly rated tabletop model, the Weber Q1400, is available for $269. With 189 square inches of cooking surface, it has good temperature control, easy clean-up, a rolling cart option, and a five-year warranty. Assembly is relatively easy. Reports are that chicken comes out juicy.
This less expensive model mentioned on The Spruce Eats (but not Best Consumer Reviews) is for sale at Walmart for $75. It has 240 square inches of cooking surface and comes on a pedestal that can be a bit tippy. Char marks are said to be a bit hit or miss.
If you cannot give up on gas or charcoal grilling, consider some other possibilities for having a more sustainable backyard gathering:
There's a lot we can do to have a more sustainable outdoor party, especially when we barbecue. And, choosing an electric grill is a great first step, especially if your electricity is from renewable sources. If you want to go off-grid or aim to cut your carbon footprint down to zero, solar barbecue grills might be right for you.
Maybe that open flame and smoke of a standard gas or charcoal grill are things you can live (and breathe) without!
At Rise, we strive to make sustainable home improvement easy and accessible for everyone. Whether you're building or renovating, our thoroughly vetted building products will help you reduce your carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and create a more sustainable living or working environment.