Living in Southwestern Ontario, we’ve become very accustomed to getting a dumping of snow every winter. While this may be an indicator for some to pack their grills away, for our passionate grillers, it means throwing on a few extra layers to keep warm around the grill. Read on to learn about our top winter …
Tips and Tricks | Broil King’s Winter Grilling Tips Read More »
Living in Southwestern Ontario, we’ve become very accustomed to getting a dumping of snow every winter. While this may be an indicator for some to pack their grills away, for our passionate grillers, it means throwing on a few extra layers to keep warm around the grill. Read on to learn about our top winter grilling tips to keep the flavour going all season long.
You know that liquid propane evaporation creates the pressure and vapour necessary to supply your grill with fuel. What you may not know is that once the temperature plunges below -45°F (-43°C), propane doesn’t vaporize at all. The closer you get to this temperature, the less propane will boil and evaporate.
On extremely cold days, you may notice hindered performance. Your grill will light, but the flame will lose intensity. There is nothing wrong with your grill, but unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do other than wait for the weather to warm up.
Alternatively, you can keep your gas grill covered on these days and take the opportunity to fire up your Broil King Keg. Its insulated double-walled steel body is 2.5 times more thermally efficient, making it virtually immune to cold weather!
Your Broil King pellet grill is also a great option. It will take longer to heat up in the extreme cold and will burn more pellets, but combustion won’t be affected. You also have the added bonus of using the iQue App on your smartphone to monitor and adjust temperatures for fewer trips outside.
If you’re fortunate enough to have your grill connected to your natural gas line, the cold should not impede performance.
Be patient. When it’s cold, and especially if it’s windy, it will take your grill longer to heat up. And once it’s hot, it will work harder to maintain its heat. But that doesn’t have to stop you from grilling. Be patient, plan for longer cooking times, and ensure you have plenty of fuel.
Grill with the lid closed. Our friends over at AmazingRibs.com have debunked the myth that ‘if you’re lookin’, you ain’t cookin’, but they make it clear that leaving the lid open for over a minute in cold weather will sap the heat from inside of your grill.
Keep a grill light nearby. The winter days are short, and it’s usually dark well before dinner is ready. Invest in a grill light, and attach it to your grill before you start cooking. When you’re done, store the batteries indoors; the LED light can handle the cold, but its batteries can’t.
Invest in grill gloves. We think of grill mitts protecting our hands from heat (which is definitely important), but they’re also helpful for protecting against extreme cold. If you’ve ever grabbed a lid handle or tongs you’ve left outside, you know the pain of touching cold metal with your bare skin. Our Leather Grilling Gloves are heavily insulated to protect your hands against all temperatures. They’re even useful for shovelling a path between your grill and the door.
Use a grill cover. Keep your grill protected with a properly-fitting cover. It’s a great way to remove all the snow and get things fired up quickly. Otherwise, you have to wait for the ice and snow to melt off – and exposure to the elements can lead to rust and shorten your grill’s lifespan!
Grill indoors or in your garage. Bottom line: gas and open flames indoors are dangerous. Grills produce exhaust that is dangerous in enclosed spaces. You always need proper ventilation when grilling, no matter the fuel source.
Leave your grill uncovered all winter. Not only can rain and snow cause rust, but your control knobs can fill with water and freeze solid. If they can’t move, you can’t turn the gas on, and you may have to replace the knobs in the spring as the ice expands and cracks them.
Miss out on using snow to clean your cooking grids. Take advantage of the pure cleaning power of Mother Nature! If you don’t have our Broil King Ice Brush, you can fill the head of your current grill brush with snow and give your grids a scrub. Just be sure to properly season your grates afterwards to prevent rust from developing on your cast iron.
Under-dress. Standing outside shivering is not a good time. You may only be stepping out for a few minutes at a time, but that cold sets in quickly. Keep a warm jacket and boots by the door so you can quickly throw them on before heading out to flip your food.
Don’t let the cold deter you. With the right tools and preparation, you can keep grilling all year long! Check out our other blog for some warming winter recipes to try on the grill!
