5 Proven Grilling Tips for Windy Days
You can’t put off a backyard barbecue just because it’s a little breezy outside. Sure, it’s going to be more of a challenge, but with the right preparation and a few tweaks, it’s something you can definitely overcome.
Here are some tried and tested tips for successful grilling on windy days:
Position your grill correctly
When preparing to cook on a windy day, you need to anticipate the wind and find out its direction. If you’re using a charcoal grill, it’s ideal for moving the vents away from the wind. If you are cooking with a gas grill, angle it away from the wind, perpendicular to the flow of gas from the burner tubes.
Place your grill at least 10 feet away from any structure (your house, trees, etc.) or any flammable object.
coal stock
Depending on how strong the breeze is, you’ll use a lot more charcoal than you would need to cook in good weather. Compared to other types of fuel, charcoal burns faster when exposed to the wind.
So stock up on charcoal and keep a close eye on what’s cooking on the grates – you may need to repeatedly add charcoal to keep the fire going and ensure your food is cooked through!
Open the lid at your own risk.
A sudden gust of wind can cause the ashes inside the kettle to spin around and get on the food. So don’t open the lid when you absolutely have to, and when you do, open it slowly and carefully to take a look.
Monitor your grill closely
This is true for both charcoal and gas grills. If you use the gas variety, check the burners from time to time as they have a high chance of blowing out due to the breeze. If they go out, immediately close gas valves, open gas cap, and allow air to circulate for 5 to 8 minutes or until gas odor has dissipated before relighting grill.
Prioritize security
Although it is possible to grill in a light to moderate breeze, you will be able to tell for yourself if the wind is too strong to light your grill. A grill (especially the charcoal variety) covered by high winds can be damaging and dangerous.
If you decide to go ahead, you can choose to purchase a windshield for your grill (most gas grills already come with this feature) or make your own.
Follow these 5 grilling tips for windy days for a hassle-free backyard barbecue!