Most people would pack up their grill when the cold weather starts to set in. Contrary to popular belief, grilling is not only for the summer time - it can be enjoyed year round. Some would even say that winter is a great time for a barbecue because nothing will warm you up better than a sizzling piece of grilled steak!
Here are 5 useful winter grilling tips to try for some nice cold weather barbecue:
Find a good spot to grill
When you grill during winter, you not only need to fight the cold, but the winds, too. On the day you are grilling, identify the direction that the wind blows most often and find a good spot that would protect you from it while you're cooking, ideally near your house or a structure. Another good spot would be near where your supplies are (like your kitchen) to lessen the number of steps you have to take from there to your grill.
Have extra fuel
It's important to remember that you will use up more gas or propane when the weather is cold, so be sure to have some extra - you don't want to run out of fuel in the middle of grilling!
Adjust heating and cooking times
It's always a good thing to warm up your grill before cooking, but during winter, give your grill a little more time to do so. Some of the parts may be frozen so warm it up in advance. When it comes to cooking, adjusting your time is ideal as well. What would normally cook quickly in warm weather will take longer in the cold. Experts say that a good rule of thumb would be to have an additional 20 minutes cooking time for each pound below 45F.
Choose what to grill wisely
Unless you want to be out in the cold grilling for a significant amount of time, choose food that generally have a quicker cooking time. Smaller or thinner cuts of meat such as chicken breasts, pork loins, thin steaks and kebabs. To keep your cooked food warm while you finish grilling the rest, store cooked food in a cast iron pan - just take them off the grill a few minutes early as they would continue to cook a little more while inside the pan.
Protect yourself
While your grill is good to go, you should be, too! Protect yourself from the harsh elements by wearing the appropriate clothing - a comfy coat, scarf, hat and boots would do. Consider investing in fingerless gloves or mittens to maintain dexterity while grilling.
You'll be ready to grill like a pro in cold weather by following these 5 tips for winter grilling!
