10 useful tips for winter barbecuing
Summer only lasts a few months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fire up the grill when it gets cold! In fact, winter barbecuing is a favourite of many Canadians across the nation, who get to warm up while serving up those juicy T-bone steaks. Here are 10 tips for grilling food on the barbecue during cold (and sometimes snowy!) winter.
Build a shelter for your winter barbecuing
If you want to enjoy your barbecue without complaining about the weather, it’s best to protect it from the wind, rain and the snow. This a bit of a no brainer: you want to protect your prized possession as much as possible during extreme weather.
To do so, you can block the wind by building a shelter using wood or tarp. You can also protect your barbecue from the cold by wrapping it with heat-resistant thermal insulation. This way, the cold temperatures will no longer be a factor when you feel like grilling.
If you do not want to build a shelter, the easiest way to protect your barbecue is to bring it closer to your patio door. All you’ll have to do to check on your food is to open the door! The only downside to this technique is that your heating bill might increase, depending on how often you open the door.
Do not wear loose clothing when winter barbecuing
Avoid wearing clothes that are too long or loose, such as a scarf, while grilling. It could slip on the barbecue grills and might catch fire. Nylon or polyester clothing is also flammable. Stay alert and aware!
Clear the snow from your barbecue
A thick layer of snow waiting on your barbecue means the grill needs to work harder to get to the right temperature. Remove the snow before starting the grill.
Check the level of your tank
If you use a propane barbecue, it is essential to regularly check the level of your propane tank. Winter barbecuing requires a little more propane than during the summer. It would be a shame to have to refill the tank in the middle of the cooking process.
Check the inside of your barbecue
Your barbecue may be the perfect hiding place for small animals. Make sure there are no intruders in your barbecue. Look everywhere carefully, especially under the grills.
Be organized
Cooking during the winter requires perfect preparation. If you want to avoid walking back and forth from your barbecue to the kitchen, put all the ingredients required on a tray to bring outside. Make sure you don’t forget anything!
Preheat the barbecue
When it’s cold, plan at least five to 10 minutes to preheat your barbecue so it gets to the right temperature. The lower the temperature is outside and the stronger the wind is, the longer preheating will take.
Avoid opening the lid when winter barbecuing
When you’re winter barbecuing, avoid opening your barbecue lid as much as possible so that the cold does not affect the cooking temperature during your winter BBQ sessions. Keep this saying in mind: we don’t cook when we look! And especially in winter grilling, keep that lid closed!
Use barbecue mitts
Yes, we know, oven mitts are warm and comfy, but they can also be flammable. So, do not take a chance and buy mitts or gloves specifically designed for the BBQ.
Bluetooth thermometer
If you want to go out as little as possible during cooking sessions, get yourself a Bluetooth thermometer so you can check the temperature of your food from the comfort of your living room. A must for winter barbecue!
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