By Michelle Kaufmann, leading green architect and sustainable lifestyle expert

Barbequing may be one of our nation’s best loved summertime traditions, but the process of grilling alfresco isn’t necessarily as beneficial to Mother Earth as it is to our spirits. However, you can your have your steak and eat it too if you make your cookouts as green as possible.

The Green Grill
A greener grill isn’t just better for the environment – it’s better for you. As a general rule, the more eco-friendly the grill, the less lung-irritating soot and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) it releases. If you’re in the market for a new grill the best choice is an electric grill. These emit 99% less carbon monoxide and 91% less carbon dioxide than charcoal grills. I love the super efficient, super flexible Condo Cook Number Electric Grill, which works just as well indoors or on a small apartment balcony as it does in a big backyard.


Electric Grill

Runners-up for the Greenest Grill Award are propane and natural gas-fired grills, in that order. If you have a burning need to ignite something solid in your grill, then consider a hybrid. These combine electric or gas grilling with the ability to burn a small amount of charcoal to give food that authentic smoked flavor. Check out the great line of hybrid grills from Kalamazoo, the Priuses of the grilling world.

If you already have a perfectly good charcoal grill then there is no need to banish it to the dump in the name of greening (that would actually be the not-so-green thing to do). When charcoal is a must then opt for all-natural lump charcoal like Cowboy Charcoal. It may be a little harder to find, but sustainably produced all-natural charcoal is even better, such as Noram de Mexico's Sierra Madre oak charcoal, which comes from Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC) certified hardwood. Yes, even the wood used for charcoal can be sustainably harvested and FSC certified! Avoid conventional briquette charcoal, which is full of additives that make it toxic and far ashier than lump charcoal when burned. Lighter fluid also releases toxic substances when burned, so to heat things up, use an inexpensive chimney starter instead.

Table Etiquette
Minimize waste by setting the table with reusable plates and utensils, or even biodegradable ones that you can toss in your compost like the ones shown below from Branch. For beverage service, you can cut down on packaging by preparing pitchers of drinks or offering large containers of soda or other beverages.



Sustainable Dining
Be as conscious about your menu as you are about your grill. Grass-fed beef patties are better for the environment because corn feed for cows requires extreme amounts of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers to produce. They are also lower in fat and higher in healthy Omega 3 fatty acids, which means they’re better for your body

If considering seafood, try options that are not endangered or fished in an environmentally damaging way. You can find a complete list of options here.

Organic fruits and vegetables ensure no pesticides were used in their production. Buy them locally grown and you can dine assured that it didn’t require huge amounts of gas to transport them from the field to the table—and that they taste their best since they’re in-season.

Light Up the Night
When the sun sets and it's time to light up your yard or porch, rather than turning to electricity, consider burning clean and sustainable beeswax or soy candles, (Target has a great selection.) They are not only energy-efficient, but also very ambient. I also love LED light strings, which help set the mood with minimal environmental impact.




Michelle Kaufmann (AIA, LEED® AP) is a leading green architect as well as a tireless advocate and knowledgeable source for eco-conscious living. Growing up in Iowa, Michelle developed a deep understanding of the relationship between humankind and the environment, an awareness she strives to incorporate into everything she does. In 2002, she founded Michelle Kaufmann Designs and began her effort to make thoughtful, sustainable design accessible to all--from her factory-built modular home designs to projects designing custom homes and holistic, green communities. Now, with the introduction of mkStudios, a collection of lifestyle media properties, products, and events, Michelle is broadening the reach of her work and inspiring individuals, families, and communities to create and enjoy sustainable lifestyles. Michelle lives with her husband, Kevin, and their two dogs, Otis and Peekay, in their Gildehouse™ in Marin County, CA. Check out Michelle’s blog to keep up to date on the latest in green design and living.

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