How to Design an Eco-Friendly Backyard Kitchen

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Are you looking to create an amazing backyard kitchen but worrying about the environmental impacts? Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about the carbon footprint created by an outdoor garden. For example, this article compares a family BBQ to a 90-mile car journey!

In our post, we’re looking at a backyard kitchen, and how you can make one that is both fun and eco-friendly.

Collect Water

You can’t use rainwater for everything in your outdoor kitchen, but it is environmentally friendly to collect water and use it where possible.

For instance, if you’ve chosen an outdoor pavilion as the setting for your backyard kitchen, you could use the rainwater to wash this down or clean the floor if it gets muddy.

This water shouldn’t be used for cooking. However, you can also use it to help with the next tip.

Use Your Garden to Produce

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You can produce fruit and vegetables from your garden. This has lots of benefits, one of which is the fact that it is more eco-friendly. You can ensure that pesticides aren’t used on your produce.

Also, you can avoid the environmental impacts of food having to be shipped from other places. If you buy food from the supermarket, it could even come from abroad. The shipping impact can be huge. Many companies aren’t worried about the environmental impact, they just worry about the bottom line and if they are making a profit.

If you can grow the same produce at home you can do your bit in protest to the shipping, which can be Co2 heavy. Sadly, relying on the supermarkets and their providers to be eco-friendly is not an option.

Also, you will then have the opportunity to share. This is another way to be environmentally friendly. Why don’t you and your friends all grow something different and share with one another? This way you have variety and you’re staying eco-friendly.

Another great thing about creating products in your garden is the chance to experiment. You can find out what grows in your local area and then grow fruit, veg, and herbs which can be a part of your cooking experiments. The fact that the veggies or herbs can be right next to your cooking space in your backyard kitchen can make using this product even more convenient.

Natural Gas Grills and Solar Cooking

You may have heard that a charcoal BBQ or smoker, or even an electric grill is pretty bad for the environment. This is 100% correct. This study shows that both propane and charcoal BBQs emit CO2 comparable to car journeys.

Of course, some people argue that you can’t beat the flavor of smoked or grilled food, and you shouldn’t always deprive yourself. However, there are some great alternatives out there.

For example, a natural gas grill is the most environmentally friendly way to have a traditional BBQ.

However, you can go for a method even more eco-friendly.

Many people are turning to solar cooking. This technology embraces the sun’s rays to cook your food in an outdoor space, often over a long period of time. A parabolic cooker can get all the way up to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C) so you can bake or “fry” food.

Solar Power Wherever Possible

As well as solar cooking, you can embrace solar power for the other aspects of your backyard kitchen. Why not install some solar lights around it? This can be a great way to avoid using electricity which can be bad for your carbon footprint.

There are more solar lights available than ever before and you can get string lights among other designs. You shouldn’t be stuck for choice when looking for solar lighting.

In addition, you can install solar generators that can be used to power appliances. You may have thought blenders and food processors were for indoor kitchens, but with a generator providing power outside you could even make a smoothie in your backyard using just solar power to run your blender.

Make Compost from Your Kitchen

You can complete the eco-friendly circle by making your own compost. Your backyard kitchen can incorporate a compost bin and any leftovers and waste which is suitable for composting can be put into the bin.

Include a compost starter and over time you will end up with compost that you can use for your plants, flowers, or vegetable patch. Obviously, you should keep this away from food prep areas as it can be smelly and a little unpleasant.

Repurpose Materials

When building your outdoor kitchen you should be aware of the environmental impact of this, too. If the actual building of the kitchen is not eco-friendly then the benefits of your outdoor kitchen may have been outweighed.

A surprising amount of materials can be salvaged. Chairs can be upcycled, wood can be taken from salvage yards to create tables. There are many ways you can build your outdoor kitchen without having to use materials that are a drain on the environment. Steer clear of plastics, especially single-use plastics.

Repurposing can be a fun project as well as being good for the environment.

Conclusion

Have you enjoyed our guide to creating an eco-friendly backyard garden? Are you inspired to do your own outdoor cooking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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    I’M KAREN NIGHTINGALE!

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