Top 5 Tips for Hassle-Free Winter Grilling
Most people would pack their grill when the cold weather starts. Contrary to popular belief, grilling is not just for the summer, it can be enjoyed all year round. Some would even say that winter is a great time for a barbecue because nothing will warm you up better than a piece of grilled steak!
Here are 5 helpful winter grilling tips to try a nice cold weather barbecue:
Find a good place to grill
When you grill during the winter, you need not only fight the cold, but also the winds. On the day you grill, identify the direction the wind blows most often and find a good spot to protect you while you cook, ideally close to your home or structure. Another good place would be near where your supplies are (like your kitchen) to decrease the number of steps you have to take from there to the grill.
Have extra fuel
It is important to remember that you will be consuming more gas or propane in cold weather, so make sure you have some more – you don’t want to run out of fuel in the middle of the grill!
Adjust cooking and heating times
It’s always good to heat up the grill before cooking, but during the winter, give it a little more time to do so. Some of the parts may be frozen, so heat them ahead of time. When it comes to cooking, adjusting your time is also ideal. What would normally cook quickly in hot weather will take longer to cool down. Experts say a good rule of thumb would be to have an additional 20 minutes of cook time for every pound below 45F.
Choose what to grill wisely
Unless you want to grill cold for a significant period of time, choose foods that generally have a faster cook time. Smaller or thinner cuts of meat, such as chicken breasts, pork loins, thin steaks, and skewers. To keep cooked food warm while you finish grilling the rest, store cooked food in a cast iron skillet; just remove them from the grill a few minutes early as they would continue to cook a bit longer inside the pan.
Protect yourself
While your grill is ready to go, you should be too! Protect yourself from the aggressive elements by wearing the right clothing – a comfortable coat, scarf, hat, and boots would suffice. Consider investing in fingerless gloves or mitts to maintain dexterity while grilling.
You’ll be ready to grill like a pro in cold weather by following these 5 winter grilling tips!