It might be winter, but that doesn’t mean grilling season is over. While most decks and patios are designed to take full advantage of summertime, with a little ingenuity and planning you can extend the time you’re able to make use of the outdoor living space you invested so much time and money in creating. So grab your bluey, put these tips into action, and create delicious, flavorful food on the barbie all winter long!
Don’t Let Ice Break Up the Party
Step one: winterize your patio or deck. Give it a good shovel and sprinkle some salt down. No worries if you don’t have any industrial salt – kosher salt will work as well. Don’t have a lot of salt? Just make sure there’s a path to the and from the barbie with plenty of room in front of it for cooking safely. Even if you don’t see ice, there may be a thin coating of moisture and the salt will not only eliminate that but give your uggies some purchase.
Step two: Clear off your grill. A bit silly to mention, we know. After all, you have to pull the lid off or back to get into it so the snow’s going to come off. But you’d be surprised… If you don’t have it covered already, investing in a sleek, affordable grill cover when not in use will not only speed up the set up time but will keep it protected year-round.
Keep Warm: Firepits, Heaters, and Chimineas
Firepits, heaters, and chimineas can create a special kind of cozy ambiance. You may even opt to build an outdoor fireplace in your patio area. Who knows? Any of these provide a great spot for gathering with friends and loved ones even when it’s chilly. Even in winter months they may be able to provide enough warmth, but if not, they still create a great place to warm yourself in between burger flips.
The good news is that there are a lot of options that, depending on your outdoor setup, can fit your needs. You can have a built-in firepit, a movable and lightweight metal frame fire pit, or build a basic but beautiful one yourself out of bricks or stones. Be sure to keep your firepit properly protected from the winter weather with a fire pit cover when not in use. There’s also the option of adding in an outdoor heater. These work best in spaces that are covered and you can close off such as an enclosed patio or a canopy with outdoor curtains to help hold in heat. Just be sure to follow all manufacturer settings for safety, especially when using the heater in enclosed areas.
Note: It’s important to note that your grill or smoker itself should never be used in an enclosed space, under a canopy, or in a garage. These cookers are designed for outdoor use only. Instead, grill nearby a cozy place to warm up in between checking on your food.
Take Your Temperature
In the winter, both warming up the grill and cooking will take longer due to the external temperatures. Check your grill manufacturer’s user guide to see if it’s safe to put an insulation cover on top. This will save you time both waiting in the cold for it to preheat AND quicken your cooking time as well. Just be sure not to cover up any vents!
Strike While the Iron is Hot & Keep it Covered
Once the grill is up to a prime cooking temperature and the grate is nice and hot, open up the lid, place your food quickly and carefully, then close the lid again. You don’t have a lot of time to leave it open like you would in the summer. When you open the lid the temperature inside the barbie will drop much faster in winter than in summer, so time is of the essence. Move quickly when it’s time to flip your food as well, which means fewer flips but that’s fine. It’ll all still work out. Once the food is done and you’re transporting it back into the house, the trip from the grill to the house in the cold winter air can cool your food down far too quickly as well. There’s nothing worse than expecting a warm juicy steak and instead getting a lukewarm hunk of beef. Use a container that holds heat in such as a cast iron skillet or pot or just about anything insulated that is heat approved (i.e. no plastic).
If you’re eating outside, consider using warming pans or placing items onto the top tier tray of your grill when you turn it off, just be sure that it’s not anything that can overcook!
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