Green and healthy Outdoor Entertaining

Except for doing it outdoors, we don't usually associate barbequing with Earth Day or environmental consciousness.  But Afire, Inc. is changing that, replacing health concerns and carbon emissions with high-performance yet eco-friendly grilling products. Afire has recast the entire outdoor cooking experience -- from environmentally friendly charcoal to sustainably harvested grilling planks to the grill itself --- in a socially conscious (and socially fulfilling) light. Said Marlena Chang, Afire founder and CEO, "Most consumers buy grilling materials based on habit, taste, and convenience. Our goal is to get people to look at the health and environmental costs of gas grilling and traditional charcoal vs. our sustainable grilling alternatives -- so they can make healthier, safer decisions."

Afire's flagship product is KOKO charcoal. This super-efficient, hotter-burning charcoal is made from 100% carbonized coconut shells, a self-sustaining product that harms no trees in the manufacturing process. "Chemicals and impurities are non-issues with KOKO Charcoal. It's the "green" grilling alternative that burns red-hot, clean and long.  It's the epitome of what we mean by high-performance and all-natural," said Chang.

The company's gourmet grilling planks further support its eco-friendly mission. Unlike lumber board used in other planks, Afire planks are made from sustainability harvested, hand-selected wood from mature forests. The planks are then kiln-dried to meet regulation, but just enough to preserve the natural oils and aroma to deliver a light, smoky tang, while retaining food's natural moisture and vitamins. Afire's gourmet grilling plankscome in four 100% natural aromatic hardwood varieties: Sugar Maple, Northern Cedar, Black Cherry and Golden Alder. For grillers' convenience, Afire planks can be used with charcoal, gas and electric grills.

Perhaps the most exciting news is Afire's new outdoor cooking system, the tableQ, a table with a high-efficiency grill in the middle. "tableQ-ing" is truly a healthier way to grill. The tableQ's patent-pending design keeps fat from dripping directly onto the charcoal, eliminating flare-ups and smoke known to cause carcinogens.

Chang explains, "tableQ is the hot/cool/healthy new trend in outdoor entertaining. It's fun because everyone gets to share in the cooking from the comfort of their own seat. Sharing the experience brings out the natural born griller in everyone!

Scientific Background/Afire Product Benefits 
Afire products nullify these common health concerns associated with other grilling methods:  
Gas-based impurities. It is well known that if the source of gas flame is impure, it can leave toxic substances in the meat when combined with animal fatty acids. 
Carcinogens. The American Cancer Society has cited polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs), substances found in grilled meats, as hazardous and cancerous.  Coal dust, starch, sodium nitrate, limestone, borax, and other additives in processed charcoal are also known carcinogens. With traditional charcoal, grillers can inhale toxic smoke and ingest chemicals that permeate their grilled meats and vegetables. 
High Heat Efficiency. Excessive cooking of meat in close proximity to the flame can release HCAs. When a hamburger is grilled for 10 minutes versus six minutes, for example, the HCA levels in the hamburger may increase by 25-30%. When properly used, the high-burning heat of KOKO Charcoal and tableQ will cook and smoke meats more quickly. 
Carbon Emissions. Most charcoal is an amalgamation of sawdust, corn starch and lighter fluid. When burned, it can result in 105 times more carbon monoxide than burning propane, as well as harmful volatile organic compounds. Afire 100% natural KOKO charcoal has none of these poisonous additives. 
Remaining Ash: Continued exposure to large amounts of ash is another known cancer risk.

Charcoal made from coconut shells has very little impurity and therefore leaves only about 3.5% ash. This means less soot and particles that can enter the cardiovascular system.

Susan's Notes: Charcoal burning hot, clean, and long is the ideal, isn't it? Preventing flare ups, which are exciting to look at but which we know contain dangerous carcinogens makes sense. The tableQ looks like a healthy and fun solution and is the answer to flareups with its patent pending design. Healthy is good, can't argue with that!