Say Goodbye to Propane: The Future of BBQ is Grilling with Water!

Say Goodbye to Propane: The Future of BBQ is Grilling with Water!

August 7, 2024 2 By Dan Holguin

Hydrogen BBQ Innovation Set to Revolutionize Outdoor Cooking

In a groundbreaking development for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, ION Fuel has unveiled its latest innovation—a hydrogen-powered BBQ system that promises to elevate both the taste of grilled food and environmental sustainability. The company’s pioneering technology is poised to disrupt the traditional fuel supply chain, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to conventional gas grills.

In a recent conversation, Ion Fuel’s CEO, William Green, shared insights with Hydrogen Fuel News into their groundbreaking new project.

Q: So is it true, does food taste better cooked with hydrogen?

William: It’s something I didn’t know until after the fact, but yes, this is true. I don’t cook with gas. I’ve never liked the taste that natural gas and propane leave behind in the food. However, when you cook with hydrogen, the byproduct is water vapor. Your food actually tastes like your food and not some fossil fuel chemical. As an added bonus, all the food you cook comes out nice and juicy too. You can cook a thick chicken breast, and it won’t dry out.

Q: What is the appearance of the flame?

Ion Fuel Hydrogen BBQ vision of finished product

Ion Fuel Hydrogen BBQ vision of finished product

William: Hydrogen flame color is a faint pale blue and can barely be seen in daylight. At night, the flames are visible. Using hydrogen on your BBQ grill offers up a lot of impurities in the air as well as on the cooking surface, which lends a nice assist to visibility. The first time you use the grill, you probably won’t see much. However, after you use it once, you’ve already introduced enough impurities that it no longer becomes much of an issue to see.

Q: When done, how do you envision what it’ll look like when market-ready?

William: It’s going to look similar to existing BBQ cabinets on the market today. Our system will fit in that space.

Q: What type of consumer (commercial or private) do you think this would be good for?

William: As it pertains to BBQ grills, our system will be affordable for everyday consumers at home. Our product can also scale up to meet the needs of larger commercial kitchens. In terms of what our patent is good for, the possibilities are numerous. Think of it as a decentralized hydrogen generator. The industry today is making hydrogen in bulk at power plants and distributing that hydrogen. They have to compress it at the factory, decompress and recompress it to move it into a storage vehicle, and then decompress and recompress it again to get it to its final location. The cost of transporting hydrogen and the energy it takes to compress it are the biggest reasons hydrogen is so expensive. Our system avoids all of that. We will be able to bring hydrogen up to pressure at the location where it’s being used AND we can do it with affordable equipment. Think methanol production, home heating, replacing home battery systems with hydrogen generators, mobile and off-grid power storage, home hydrogen fuel cell refueling. Our system offers the ultimate consumer benefit: energy independence.

Q: Is there something you can share on why your hydrogen production system is different from others?

William: Our generator system is the first of its kind that doesn’t use compressors or any additional energy costs to generate high levels of both hydrogen and oxygen pressure. It’s all done mechanically through our patent using existing affordable PEMs (Proton Exchange Membranes). All of this is outlined in our publicly available patent.

Demo to show prototype for general layout and mechanics

The Hydrogen BBQ System

Technical Innovations

ION Fuel’s hydrogen BBQ system is a marvel of engineering, boasting several unique features:

  • Modulating Membrane Technology: The system uses a modulating membrane to keep oxygen and hydrogen in balance at the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) level. This allows it to generate high-pressure hydrogen up to 850PSI, with ambitions to reach 10,000PSI.
  • Integrated PEM: Unlike traditional systems that rely on external compressors, this BBQ system incorporates the PEM inside the hydrogen storage tank. This design eliminates additional energy costs and enhances safety.
  • Consumer-Friendly Design: The hydrogen tank is designed to be comparable in size to a 20-pound propane tank, capped at 200PSI for safety. This makes it accessible and convenient for everyday consumers.
  • Flameless Cooking: The hydrogen BBQ operates with a faint pale blue flame that becomes more visible after initial use, reducing impurities in the air and on the cooking surface.
  • Superior Food Quality: Cooking with hydrogen produces water vapor, eliminating fossil fuel chemical residues and enhancing the natural flavors and juiciness of the food.

Environmental Impact

The environmental benefits of using a hydrogen BBQ system are substantial:

  • Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The system produces only water vapor and heat, without releasing CO2 or other harmful emissions.
  • Energy Efficiency: The hydrogen BBQ operates more efficiently than traditional grills, especially when powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels.
  • Sustainable Fuel Source: Hydrogen is a renewable energy carrier that can be produced through clean methods, making it an eco-friendly choice for outdoor cooking.
  • Promoting Green Technology: By making a consumer-friendly hydrogen BBQ system, ION Fuel supports the global shift towards clean energy solutions.

To put things into perspective, researchers in the United Kingdom report that a typical summer barbecue for four people releases more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than an 80-mile car journey. ION Fuel’s hydrogen BBQ system aims to mitigate such environmental impacts, making outdoor cooking a more sustainable activity.

ION Fuel’s hydrogen BBQ system represents a significant leap forward in outdoor cooking technology.

By leveraging advanced hydrogen production and storage techniques, the company is set to revolutionize the way we grill, offering a safer, tastier, and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gas grills. With its focus on sustainability and efficiency, ION Fuel is paving the way for a greener future in the culinary world.

For those interested in being part of this exciting innovation, ION Fuel is currently seeking partners to bring their hydrogen BBQ system to market-ready production. The company is also looking for financial backers to support the development and commercialization of their cutting-edge technology. Please contact them at: www.ion-fuel.com and for email [email protected]

About ION Fuel

hydrogen news ebookFounded with a mission to transform the contemporary fuel supply chain, ION Fuel is a leading force in the renewable energy sector. The company specializes in the generation of net-zero, green hydrogen production using patented technologies. These innovations significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen access and support the replacement of fossil fuels across various industries. ION Fuel’s solutions are scalable, empowering individuals and entire cities alike, firmly establishing the company as a leader in sustainable, clean energy solutions.

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