Winter BBQ advice
Winter BBQ Advice
Hang on a minute; you want to grill in the winter? Are you mad?!
The answer is no; you are perfectly sane. There is nothing out of the ordinary about enjoying a party regardless of the season. Sure, the weather is a problem because a quick shower can turn a BBQ into a damp squib. But, the last thing you are going to do is leave the grill out in the open. As it happens, the elements are a pretty straightforward problem to solve as long as you know the tricks of the trade.
For those that don’t, they are underneath.
Set The Scene
Guests don’t want to get wet through while they sit and eat their dinner. So, it’s vital to provide adequate protection. Do you have a garden area with an extended roof? Those that do can position everything underneath the shelter and stay warm and dry. A space heater will help you fight a chill when the sun and the mercury drop. Dealing with how to maintain your garden furniture in the winter is another potential hurdle. Rusty tables and chairs are uncomfortable and unappetising, which is why sheets and cushions are savvy additions. Finally, make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
Fill Up With Gas
BBQs use nearly 50% more gas in the cold weather than in the warm according to Crown Verity. A cold grill is a disaster, especially as it’s almost impossible to get it going again. With that in mind, there should be plenty of canisters lying around ready to use. Just to keep the grill at a moderate temperature uses tonnes of gas, so the more the better. It’s best to head to the nearest supplier and buy twice as many as you would normally. Even if that seems like overkill, it means the light will never go out.
Choose Ceramics
Once the food is cooked, you don’t want it to go cold. The freezing temperatures outside will thaw it in minutes which is why you need to keep it warm. Tin foil is always an excellent choice as the shiny surface reflects heat rays. Cling film is another tool BBQ hosts like to use, yet it isn’t as effective. One resource everyone should have to hand is ceramic cookware. The heavy material insulates food, plus it’s in a ready-to-use container and guests can eat it out of the bowl.
Check Your Food
You really want to make sure your food is properly cooked,. Regular BBQ grillers will see this as an obvious tip, and it is in many ways. But, it’s worth pointing out that the temp of the grill might be lower than normal. You don’t want to make anyone poorly.
A winter BBQ is an excellent way to enjoy great food and beat the Blue Mondays. Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
winter BBQ advice is a feature post
