Eco-Friendly Barbecue Gear

By Reena Jana
September 6, 2010

Ah, Labor Day. Beyond marking the last chance this year to wear white—if you follow such sartorial traditions—this end-of-summer holiday also can mark the last hurrah for weekend barbecues. One great challenge that Labor Day entertaining poses is how to grill and share a meal with friends and family in a green way. Traditional charcoal briquettes contain harmful chemicals, and gas grills use fossil fuels. So what are the alternatives out there for throwing an earth-conscious Labor Day holiday celebration, without sacrificing the ambience of a backyard barbecue?

Thankfully, there are increasing numbers of products out there geared to the eco-chic host or hostess, from so-called hybrid grills to solar cookers to re-usable cutlery that eventually can be tossed in the compost bin. An eBay insider tip: listings of all “eco-friendly” items (the bulk of which are in the Home and Garden category) tend to peak on Thursdays; daily, they tend to peak at 10 AM Pacific Time-- meaning you might find a larger selection of options at these times.

Roll over items for details

NEW Barbeques Galore Hybrid Grill

This contraption has three cooking surfaces, stacked upon one another. (Each grilling area swings out for to separate layers of food). The design allows you to grill, steam, and smoke meats and veggies all at once, yet use only the charcoal that would otherwise be needed for one grill and not three—so you can cut down on charcoal usage and waste when cooking for a large crowd.

(buy it now price, $225)

NEW Wicked Good Lump Charcoal

If you are grilling with charcoal, try a brand that makes "lump" products made from wood that are chemical free and, ideally, made from trees certified by (or is at least seeking certification by) the Forest Stewardship Council. Many of Wicked Good’s natural charcoals fit this bill.

(buy it now price, $11.50)

NEW Vegware Cutlery, 30 pack

For lightweight tableware that is biodegradable and compostable, try this pack of forks, spoons, and knives made from corn and potato starches. These utensils are also durable enough to be washed and re-used, too—at your next green barbecue.

(buy it now price, $8.95)

NEW Tulsi Hybrid Solar Cooking Oven

If you want to go truly green this Labor Day, check out this slick red solar oven. You can imagine James Bond using this gadget; on the outside, it look like a suitcase. Open it up, and you can cook four separate dishes at temperatures as high as 400 degrees using only the sun. Like a suitcase, it’s easy to transport, so you can bring it to the beach or a picnic area. Or, of course, your own backyard.

(buy it now price, $249.99)

Glasses From Recycled Wine Bottles

These eye-catching, truly green glasses—pun intended--are made from the bases of old wine bottles. Serving drinks in these will certainly spark conversation among guests about re-using resources and reducing waste.

(buy it now price, $19.50)

NEW Norpro Bamboo Kitchen Utensils

Forget plastic spatulas and spoons for food prep. Mix up your barbecue sauces and salad dressings and ladle them onto locally grown vegetables with this handy set of kitchen tools, made from bamboo, a tree that doesn’t require pesticides to grow. These are pretty enough for serving, too.

(buy it now price, $17.90)

Recycled Glass Plates

It’s more eco-friendly to use non-disposable plates than throwaway ones, because re-usable plates not going to end up in landfill any time soon. But why not be even more “green” and serve on dishes made from recycled glass, too?

(buy it now price, $6.95)

Organic Cotton Napkins

Cloth napkins are generally a more earth-friendly choice than paper napkins that are tossed in the trash after a single use. These organic-cotton napkins, embroidered with a pretty melon-hued border, make a sophisticated addition to an outdoor party.

(buy it now price, $39.99)

NEW Eco-friendly Tablecloth

Dress up an outdoor picnic table with an elegant white tablecloth with subtle patterns and textures, made from a spill-resistant fabric that’s derived entirely from recycled water bottles.

(buy it now price, $19.95)

NEW Sun Jar

Planning on partying beyond sunset? This fun LED lamp, fueled by solar power, recalls the glow provided by fireflies collected in mason jars. And it’s a clever, contemporary design classic by the late, hip designer Tobias Wong.

(buy it now price, $27.25)