A winter barbecue can be a great way to spend time with friends and family. However, it is important to keep in mind that the weather will be cold and wet, so you need to take some precautions before firing up the grill. Here are 10 tips for making your winter barbecue a success.
1. Make sure your grill is covered
Before you start grilling, make sure your grill is covered up. This will prevent any water or snow from getting on it and making the food soggy. It also helps protect the grill from rusting out in case you leave it outside over winter.
2. Wear warm clothes
Make sure everyone wears warm clothes before going out to barbecue. You don’t want to be standing around in the cold for hours while your food cooks.
3. Choose warm recipes
Choose recipes that are warm and hearty so you feel satisfied after eating them. A good example would be chili or soup, which are both easy to make on the grill (just put some water in a pot and add what you want).
4. Cook over indirect heat
Cook food such as chicken breasts over indirect heat instead of direct flame contact because this will prevent flare ups from spilling grease onto your grill and causing smoke.
5. Cook at a lower temperature
Cook your food at a lower temperature (around 250 degrees Fahrenheit) because this will help keep it warm without drying out the meat too quickly like what happens when using high heat settings on gas grills.
6. Watch your fuel
Make sure you have enough fuel to last the entire duration of your barbecue. Running out of gas in the middle of cooking is not a fun experience. Because fuel such as propane doesn’t burn as efficiently in chilly conditions, and food takes longer to cook, you’ll need to use more fuel than usual. Keep a spare charcoal or propane tank on hand just in case.
7. Keep the food warm
Once the food is cooked, make sure you keep it warm until everyone is ready to eat. This can be done by using a slow cooker or keeping it in a warming tray.
8. Use a tarp under the grill
If you are cooking in an area that is prone to wet weather, use a tarp under the grill. This will help protect your grill from getting wet and rusty.
9. Make sure your area is a non-slip zone
You don’t want anyone slipping, falling and getting hurt while enjoying themselves at your barbecue! Underfoot hazards are plenty, especially if you’re grilling at night, so make sure to properly remove snow in your barbecue area. For ice and snow melting solutions, check out our HeatTrack Snow Melting System. Call us at (587) 317-6933 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
10. Have fun!
The most important thing is to have fun while you’re cooking. Winter barbecues can be a lot of fun, so make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to get together with friends and family.