Is Your BBQ A Healthy Way To Cook Outside ? Is There A Healthier Way To Barbecue ?

It’s that time of year. Buds are appearing on trees and bushes, the sun is showing its face more and more. People in the U.K. are delving into their tool sheds, brushing off their tools and dragging the lawnmower from its winter hiding place. The U.K. garden lovers are looking forward to spending time outdoors, taking in the fresh air and restarting the traditional British summer pastime – the barbecue. But wait – have you thought about the hazzards of your barbecue ? Is it healthy to barbecue your food ?

Charcoal is the old traditional favourite, still used by many die-hards, who swear that the true flavour of barbecued food comes from using charcoal only. But did you know that some charcoals contain chemicals to make it burn better ? Breathing in any chemicals is not a good idea. And burning charcoal releases large amounts of carbon monoxide. In Japan, the favoured method of suicide in recent years is by charcoal. Strange but true ! It is burned in a small room with no ventilation and the person dies of carbon monoxide poisoning. Apart from death, carbon monoxide can cause severe illness and is especially dangerous to pregnant women, ( for the unborn baby ). Worth thinking about when you are stooped over your barbecue, flipping your burgers and sausages ! How much carbon monoxide are you breathing in ? How much are your family and friends breathing in ?

And where does your charcoal come from ? Most people wont give a second thought about where their little ( or not so little ) bags of fuel come from, when buying their supply from the supermarket or local garage. Those that do wonder about its origin, will probably imagine it comes from some ecologically friendly forest in Sussex, produced by some eco-warrior type fellow who is carrying on traditional methods of charcoal making, while lovingly maintaining the forest and planting new saplings to replace the trees that have been used. And the forestry comission and other regulatory bodies will ensure that everything is done in an eco-friendly way – right ? Well, actually, some charcoal may well be produced this way. But the truth is, ninety percent of charcoal used in the U.K. comes from around 12,000 miles away. No, that is not a mis-print. 12,000 miles away ! Most charcoal is produced in south east Asia or south America. When people are being encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint, how does it make sense to transport barbecue fuel this far ? And it is not produced in an eco-friendly way. Tropical forests are being depleted at an alarming rate and not being replaced.

Many of you will be feeling quite smug and saying, ”I’m O.K., I use a gas barbecue !” But is gas safe ? Is it healthy ? Well, actually gas IS considered to be quite safe for household cooking, ( apart from the odd fire or explosion ), but what about the barbecue ? Well, there is a problem …. Some studies have concluded that cooking over a naked flame and eating charred food can increase the risk of cancer. The problem comes from the combination of meat with intense heat. In red meat , poultry and seafood, substances in the muscle proteins of these foods react under high heat to form carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines ( HCAs ). HCAs can damage the DNA of our genes, starting the process of cancer development. One study found that people who eat the most barbecued red meat, ( beef, pork and lamb ), almost doubled their risk of colon polyps, compared to those who did not eat these foods. Colon polyps can develop into colon cancer.

Is there an alternative ?

A new business has introduced a new product for the U.K. Gardenstoves.com , based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, are about to revolutionise outdoor cooking in this country ! The new product is an outdoor wood burning stove. These stoves are similar to the solid fuel ranges used in many houses throughout the U.K. They are a similar concept to the Rayburn and Aga, but the garden stoves are a much cheaper version. Whereas the indoor range cookers are made mostly from cast iron, the garden stoves are made from sheet metal, with just the top being cast iron. They retail for a similar price to a decent gas barbecue. Providing three hot plates and an oven, the food is not cooked over an open flame and no smoke comes into contact with the food. Pans are used for the top and oven dishes, trays, etc. are used in the oven – just like a conventional wood burning cooker used indoors. The stoves come with a chimney, so smoke is diverted away from the cook and guests.

Trevor Mangham, the creator of Gardenstoves.com, says, ” These stoves are extensively used in other European countries. People in villages use them in their houses, then when the winter is over, they take them outside and use them in their gardens or summer kitchens. When I first saw them, I immediately realised how much better they are than a traditional barbecue like we use in the U.K. They are much easier and cleaner to use. And scrap wood or tree prunings can be used as fuel – no need to buy gas or charcoal ! I honestly believe that these stoves will make the large expensive gas barbecues obsolete – why pay more for something that doesn’t cook as good ? These stoves look pretty cool too – they look great on a patio or on decking. They are the next ‘must have’ garden accessory.”

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