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Although it is mostly known as a summer pastime, BBQ is something that can be enjoyed all year round. As such, if you get a craving for barbecue this winter season, you don’t necessarily need to post a raincheck for next year. By following our Winter BBQ Guide, you too can be grilling over a BBQ on a cold wintry day!
Check out these precautions and prerequisites to get your grilling game on this snowy season! This guide is mostly for snow-bound BBQers and not for those who live in milder areas.
1. Find a Good Location for Your Grill/Smoker
In some ways, barbecuing in the winter isn’t that much different from doing it in the summertime. All of the safety rules remain the same, but there are the added complications of doing the same thing in winter conditions.
With our first tip, you’ll need to keep both summer and winter seasons in mind regarding the location of your grill. That means finding a spot that maintains a safe distance from your home and objects like fences, but also remains close to your home. This way, you can decrease the risk of a fire hazard as well as provide a hasty retreat from the cold should the elements get too much. You might find your interest in winter BBQ will decrease if you’re forced to trudge a fair distance each time you want to check on your grill.
If you’re very serious about winter BBQ, you may want to consider making a permanent open-air shelter for your grill. This will facilitate BBQ use throughout the year as well as provide storage and counter space. What’s more, this structure can also help protect your grill against the harsh elements.
2. Keep Clear of Snow and Ice
There’s a lot more of this white stuff during the winter months, and you’ll want to free your BBQ area from it as best as you can.
Use a cover to keep snow and ice from accumulating on top of your grill, and as an easy way to quickly clear it. Shovel around your grill/smoker to give it and yourself room. Snow can hinder not only your ability to work but also the grill/smoker’s ability to operate. If surrounded by snow, your BBQ may not heat or be able to vent properly.
Aside from a safety issue, uncleared snow and ice can also affect your cooking as well. Lower temperatures mean longer cooking times, leading to overcooking that results in dry, uninspired food. Winter BBQ is meant to be a celebration of food, not a facsimile of what it is supposed to be. To get top results, make sure to clear off snow and ice.
3. Dress for Success
Winter will always be cold, so you need to dress accordingly. Bundle up with a coat and hat and expect to stay outside longer than you expected. Don’t compromise your clothing so you can give your food the proper attention it needs. Avoid long scarves that may get in the way and pose a safety hazard.
Importantly, you’ll need a good pair of gloves that can handle extreme temperatures in both directions. To protect yourself against freezing chills and burning flames, consider investing in a good pair of heat-proof gloves. These are made from fire-resistant material such as silicone and enable you to handle your tools safely.
4. Winter Factor
The winter cold poses many challenges for BBQ which boils down to more time and more fuel. When grilling in sub-zero temperatures, your grill/smoker is not as effective as it is during the summer months.
As such, your BBQ will require a longer time to pre-heat. Additionally, you’ll need more fuel to cook at the same temperatures, an amount that could reach up to 150% of your normal supply. As well, the winter cold means every last bit of heat needs to be maximized. This means that you need to keep your grill/smoker lid shut as much as possible. Superfluous peeking is just going to set back your cooking time.
READ: 9 Tips for Grilling in the Winter
Another key point to keep in mind is that it is especially important to keep your grill/smoker clean during the winter months. Even though it is a downright chore to have to go back outside to clean the grill, this is essential to your BBQ’s performance. A dirty grill with an accumulation of grease and old food will hinder the passage of convectional air and make it less effective. Regretably, this leads to longer cooking times and less juicy meat.
5. Get a Wireless Meat Thermometer
A wireless meat thermometer is important to use throughout the year for its ability to tell you when your food is properly cooked. And yet, during the winter, it becomes exponentially more useful. That’s because after you put it in and activate it, you’ll be able to monitor your cooking away from your grill/smoker. With a glance, you’ll be able to see the internal cooking temperature of your food without the need to go outside in the cold.
For a reliable meat thermometer that provides wireless operation, try the ThermoPro TempSpike Plus. This upgraded, 100% wire-free product features an improved Bluetooth range that reaches up to 600′, allowing you to monitor your cooking from throughout your property on a phone app. Featuring an IP67 waterproof rating, the TempSpike Plus is ready to be washed under running water for fast cleanup. And with its smaller, more compact probe, it’s easier than ever to use and insert into ingredients.
Final Thoughts
