Winter Grilling Tips

Just because the weather outside is cold doesn’t mean the outdoor grilling has to come to a halt. With the right plan and preparation grilling can still be both fun and delicious. Take a look at these tips on how you can still enjoy grilling out this time of year.

PREP

A little planning goes a long way if you’re thinking about firing up the BBQ in the middle of winter. From brushes to tongs and everything in between, lay out all of the tools you need so you don’t waste time (and heat) searching for things you need.

TIMING

There’s nothing worse than keeping your guests – and yourself – waiting for delicious BBQ food. Remember, a gas grill can take twice as long to heat up during the winter than the summer, so plan for the extra time you’ll need to combat low temperatures. Using charcoal? Have an additional supply of lit and ready to use coals – you’ll use more while keeping your grill at ideal temperatures, and you don’t want to waste time re-heating.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Save your most complex dishes for warmer weather. You lose heat every time you open your Grill lid and recovery time can be doubled in freezing temperatures. Stick with single-flip items and save yourself time without sacrificing flavor.

BE BOLD

Just because you should cook with simple cuts of meats doesn’t mean you should skimp on flavor. Combat the winter blahs by generously seasoning your steaks, chicken and chops with big, bold flavors.

KEEP IT HOT

Bringing your food from grill to table can cool it down significantly in the winter. Try preheating a baking pan before heading out to the Grill and place your cooked items on the warmed tray once finished to keep food warm and delicious. Bonus: have a piece of foil handy to tent food immediately after removing it from the barbecue.

More than anything, using the grill is a great way to relax and enjoy a meal with family and friends. Whether it’s the dead of winter or the height of summer, get your grill on all year long!