Wanting to open a can of worm, are you? The question is, is charcoal grilling/smoking hazardous to your health?
The short answer is yes… but then again, most things are done in excess harm to our health, including drinking too much water. It should not pose any long-lasting effects if done occasionally as a treat. Just like eating dessert, done in moderation, your body should be able to deal with it.
What are the dangers of eating BBQ food?
- High temperatures of meat cooking have been linked to cancer in some cases (not just charcoal cooking).
- Overeating meat (red meat in particular) has been linked to cancer and other diseases.
- Smoke from charcoal can be carcinogenic if overeaten of it.
- Eating processed meat in particular (hot dogs, sausages) is linked to cancer.
Do you see a pattern here?
- Too much of anything is not good for you.
- If you are worried about cancer or have cancer, you should limit your intake of meat and charcoal grilling.
How can you reduce the health risks associated with grilling?
- Cut back on grilling red meat and processed meat.
- Grill more vegetables.
- Grill at lower temperatures and don’t char meat.
- Marinate meat for at least 30 minutes (it reduces the formation of hydrocarbons).
- Cut the fat off your meat.
If you think of grilling and smoking a bit like dessert, it will typically be a treat you enjoy from time to time. But not necessarily with every meal.
Ajax, ONTopfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc. 487 Westney Rd. S Ajax, ON L1S 6W8 |  | Visit Store Page |
Aurora, ONTopfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc. 15483 Yonge St., Unit 1C Aurora, ON L4G 1P3 |  | Visit Store Page |
Belleville, ONFriendly Fires 69, Dundas East Belleville, ON K8N 1B9 |  | Visit Store Page |
Burlington, ONBarbecues Galore 3100 Harvester Road Burlington, ON L7N 3W8 |  | Visit Store Page |
Cambridge, ONBast Home Comfort Inc. 471 Hespeler Rd. Cambridge, ON N1R 6J2 |  | Visit Store Page |
Carleton Place, ONFriendly Fires 11384 Highway 7 Carleton Place, ON K7C 3P1 |  | Visit Store Page |
Cobourg, ONFriendly Fires 70 King Street East Cobourg, ON K9A 1K9 |  | Visit Store Page |
Collingwood, ONChantico Fireplace Gallery Inc 209784 Hwy 26 Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0L8 |  | Visit Store Page |
Concord, ONThe Fireplace Specialist 19-391 Edgeley Blvd. Concord, ON L4K 4A7 | | |
Etobicoke, ONBarbecues Galore 1470 The Queensway Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1T5 |  | Visit Store Page |
Goderich, ONHuron Fireplaces 308 Huron Rd Goderich, ON N7A 3A2 | | |
Hamilton, ONChadwicks & Hacks 682 Fennell Avenue East Hamilton, ON L8V 1V4 |  | Visit Store Page |
Huntsville, ONThe Fireplace King inc. 14 Howland Drive, Unit 1 Huntsville, ON P1H1M3 | | |
Kincardine, ONChantico Fireplace Gallery Inc 6 Ashfield-Huron Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3 |  | Visit Store Page |
Kingston, ONFriendly Fires 271 Dalton Ave. Kingston, ON K7K 6Z1 |  | Visit Store Page |
London, ONPorky's BBQ & Leisure 1075 Sarnia Road London, ON N6H 5J9 |  | Visit Store Page |
Markham, ONKastle Fireplace LTD 8294 York Durham Line Markham, ON L0H 1J0 |  | Visit Store Page |
Meaford, ONChantico Fireplace Gallery Inc 158185 7th Line Meaford, ON N4L 1W5 |  | Visit Store Page |
Mississauga, ONOntario Hearth Fireplaces 3425 Laird Road Unit #2 Mississauga, ON L5L 5R8 |  | Visit Store Page |
Niagara Falls, ONThe One Stop Fireplace Shop LTD 4332 Drummond Road Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6C3 |  | Visit Store Page |
North York, ONThe Fireplace Company 2854 Dufferin St. North York, ON M6B 3S3 | | |
Oakville, ONBarbecues Galore 490 Speers Road Oakville, ON L6K 2G3 |  | Visit Store Page |
Orangeville, ONIts in the Shed 7 Little York Street Orangeville, ON L9W 1L8 | | |
Ottawa, ONCapital BBQ 12 Grenfell Crescent Ottawa, ON K2G 0G2 |  | Visit Store Page |
Pembroke, ONPerformance Woodburning & Gas 204 Boundary Road East Pembroke, ON K8A 6W4 | | |
Penetanguishene, ONHome & Cottage Centre 4 Centennial Drive Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G8 |  | Visit Store Page |
Peterborough, ONFriendly Fires 971 Highway 7 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sarnia, ONA Village Fireplace Shop Ltd. 623 Broadway St Wyoming, ON N0N1T0 |  | Visit Store Page |
Stratford, ONTri-County Brick 320 Home st. Stratford, ON N5A 7C9 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sudbury, ONNordic Energy Systems LTD 2324 Long Lake Road Sudbury, ON P3E 5H4 |  | Visit Store Page |
Thunder Bay, ONBob's Woodburners & Fireplaces 803 Memorial Avenue Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3Z7 |  | Visit Store Page |
Toronto, ONMarsh's Stoves & Fireplaces 3322 Dundas Street W Toronto, ON M6P 2A4 |  | Visit Store Page |
Waterloo, ONBast Home Comfort Inc. 12-620 Davenport Road Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2 |  | Visit Store Page |
Windsor, ONScott's Fireplace Select, Inc. 2 North Talbot Road Maidstone, ON N0R 1K0 |  | Visit Store Page |