Seasonal
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Seasonal

8 people are doing this

38 out of 50 people think it's worth doing

Cooking with gas

Suggested by Greenpwr

Barbecuing has benefits besides great taste. One, you're cooking with propane (or charcoal), not electricity, so you're easing the strain on the grid. And two, you're not heating up the kitchen (which may well be plenty hot enough already).

Task Details Help

Task Details

  • Time:
    Half an Hour
  • Materials:
    Outdoor cooking equipment
  • Difficulty:
    Basic
  • Savings:
    $$$
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Task Details Legend

  • How long this tip/project should take you.

  • What you’ll need to get this done.

  • basic - you're familiar with the many uses for duct tape
    intermediate - you can use power tools without losing limbs
    expert - you're qualified to rewire the house if necessary

  • $$$$ - $0 - $20/yr
    $$$$ - $20 - $50/yr
    $$$$ - $50 - $100/yr
    $$$$ - $100+/yr

 
 

people doing this are also

comments

  • Do it all year

    I do use it more in the summer but there are times in the warmer winter days I use it as well

    April 17, 2008, 10:43 a.m.

  • Does this really save?

    I have made hamburgers on an indoor electric grill in about 5-10 minutes, where it takes about 10-20 on my propane barbecue (factoring in the time for the grill to heat up).

    Even if they took the same amount of time ~ does electricity cost, financially and environmentally, more, less or the same as the gas in that tank? (That's a qestion I will have to research.) One should also consider the car ride to fill that tank. Electricity is already locally available in my house.

    July 16, 2008, 10:40 p.m.

  • Does it save?

    Grills are pretty direct heat, with a barbecue you end up heating a big enclosure. For a few items, I don't think it's worth it.
    Personally I'd rather use grid electricity - but then I have Bullfrog's green electricity.

    September 8, 2008, 8:13 a.m.

  • Delicious but not green

    I agree with the previous 2 comments. I can't find any research data but my oven is insulated, my range top allows me to heat only the area under the food and both heat up a lot faster than my BBQ. It would help ease the pressure on the grid if it is approaching brown out levels but does not reduce my CO2 footprint.

    January 25, 2009, 8:31 p.m.

  • emissions benefit?

    I agree. If we're talking about protecting the power grid, this works, but as far as emissions are concerned, surely the point source pollution of a charcoal grill is worse than using electricity from the grid.

    February 15, 2009, 11:21 a.m.

  • Oi!

    I can't do this, I don't have a BBQer at home. :(

    March 26, 2009, 4:43 p.m.