Save Money With a BBQ Grill
Nothing says summer more than the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs cooking on a BBQ grill. While you are enjoying cooking out back, are you taking advantage of all that your grill has to offer? Here are some tips that can make the most of your grill and maybe even save you some money, too.
Is Your Air Conditioner Doing Overtime?
It’s hot outside, and you’re inside with the air conditioner running. You’re dressed in shorts and a T-shirt – cooking on the stove top and using your oven. Did you know that your air conditioner is working hard to cool the house while you are heating it up? It’s also driving up your power bill. Using an electric skillet, crock pot, or a pressure cooker can help you keep the cool in your house and money in your pocket. If you you don’t have any of these gadgets or just want to cook something different, fire up the grill! Not only does it cook up some great foods, it is outside and keeps the heat out there with it.
Is Your Grill Ready to Fire Up?
Whether you have a gas grill or a charcoal grill, it needs to be clean before you start and when you finish. This includes cleaning the rack for the food. Once the rack is cleaned, it needs to be oiled so that your food won’t stick. (Some chefs say to brush your meats, or toss your veggies in a little bit of oil, rather than oiling the rack.)
What’s on Your Grill?
When cooking outdoors, you are keeping your house cooler. Whenever possible, cook most if not all, foods on the grill. Vegetables are great on the grill – asparagus, bell peppers, corn on the cob, eggplant, tomatoes and zucchini. Potatoes are great for the grill, too! A little butter, salt, and pepper and that’s all the seasoning you need. Even green beans can be cooked on the grill using a mesh basket or vegetable rack that lays on the grill rack. Grilled sliced onions can perk up that thick, juicy hamburger or hot dog.
Do You Have Enough Food to Cover the Rack?
When grilling, it is particularly important to know which foods take longer to cook so that you can change foods that cook quickly with another batch while the coals are hot.. Charcoal or lump coal can be costly, particularly if you use the self-lighting bags of coal such as Match Light to cook only a fraction of the food it can cook.
Keep in mind, leftovers can be warmed in the microwave which doesn’t heat your house. Also, by not using your stove top and/or oven, you will use less energy and save on your power bill.
Split the Cost, Share the Food
Buying in bulk or larger quantities can result in savings, for example you may save on buying a five pound package of ground beef rather than buying a single pound. Invite family, neighbors and or friends and have them bring a dish. Fire up the grill and serve up hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, or chicken. A side dish of baked beans can be cooked in a pan on the grill’s side burner if you have one. If not, put on the side so that it can cook with indirect heat. Want french fries on the side? Cooking in large batches is a great way (the Lazy-Girl way!) to save money with a BBQ grill!
Why not serve up potato wedges that can be cooked on the grill? Offer some ice cold watermelon, or bowls of berries for a refreshing dessert! Good food and good company make a great combination anytime!
For more cooking ideas, be sure to check out our meal planning ideas and recipes! Don’t burn your money up – save money with a BBQ Grill!