NPR just made its newest case for being defunded. 👇
No joke: The low-T workers at NPR really thought this would be a good headline for Memorial Day weekend.
From the story:
'We used to have a gas grill, and we used to go buy propane. Not only is it getting more expensive, but it's just a pain to lug [tanks] around,' Nghiem says. 'I was sold when I learned that we could just plug it in and grill whenever we wanted to and not have to buy anything extra.'
Let's keep track of the author's argument as we go.
The first reason that "climate correspondent" Jeff Brady says we should use electric grills is because propane is heavy and requires muscles.
The second is that we'll save the planet:
Switching from a fossil fuel-burning device to an electric one — called electrification — is a key climate solution, especially as they are powered by electricity generated from an increasingly cleaner grid that uses renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2023, only 21% of national electric production came from "renewables."
It's most likely that you're just switching from propane to natural gas.
Next: Electric is convenient.
Penner says electric grills are popular with younger consumers and people who live in apartments that may not allow gas grills.
'You have a lot of empty nesters that also find it more convenient to simply plug into their outlet,' Penner says, 'and 15 minutes later have a grill that's hot enough to cook on.'
He had me up until "15 minutes later" 😂
Both Kenyon and Current Backyard say their grills can withstand some exposure to water, such as a light rain.
Meanwhile, the 15-year-old propane grill in my backyard:
Jeff goes on to admit that you can't get flame-broiled or wood-smoked goodness with electric grills, but balances that missing feature with the positive that they're easier to clean.
But why buy a giant outdoor grill instead of using an indoor griddle or an air fryer?
Enjoy your "climate-friendly" electric grill powered off West Virginia coal, Jeff!
P.S. Now check out our latest video 👇
