Grilling is a relatively old concept which has recently caught a lot of attention from the public due to the high rise in fast food joints. People prefer to grill at almost every occasion as grilling the meat is one of the healthiest ways to consume meat. It is also a large occasion and considered a fun time for others to be grilling with family or friends.
One of the best experiences of grilling is grilling in the snow, during the holiday season. Not only does the heat warm your body, but the delicious meals you prepare on the grills also make it even better. There are several concerns about grilling in the snow; this article aims to answer those concerns exactly.
When is it too cold to grill outside?
In simplest words: never. It is never too cold to grill outside. Whether it is mild temperature outside or cold to the point where your teeth start to chatter, it is never too cold to grill. However, we should warn you that if it is too cold outside, you should probably take some precautions. Here are some of the safety tips we have compiled for you:
- Firstly, make sure that you are wearing proper heat resistant gloves and not the regular mitts you have lying around.
- Make sure that your grill is covered with an ample cover if it is snowing heavily.
- Remember to be patient at all times. Remember that it is very cold outside and it may take some time for your grill to reach the kind of temperatures you want.
- Clear a path to your grill by clearing up all the snow. This makes it easier for the grill to get all fired up as the snow will not be present to turn the grill cold.
Can propane gas tanks be left outside in the winter?
Propane gas tanks are extremely important for grilling as they are the main source of heat in the grills. During the winter season, if you want to use the grill very often, it is advisable to keep the propane gas tank covered and connected to the main grill.
Make sure that the connection is made but is not active. You can do this by connecting the pipe of the grill with the gas tank but remember to turn off the valve of the tank. Doing this allows the gas to remain inside the tank and not leak. However, ultimately, we would advise you to keep this gas tank at far proximity from the house.
Should I cover my grill in the winter season?
The winter season is usually filled with cold rain or hail and sometimes even snow. Remember that hail is extremely dangerous as it can seriously hamper your grill and maybe even break it. It is usually a good idea to cover the grill with a clean cloth and a hard wooden lid. Try to avoid using a metallic lid as it can freeze; making it harder for you to take it out later.
Covering the grill prevents any kind of leakage and it also prevents snow and water from accumulating inside the grill. Even if you are using the grill, try to keep the lid on for as long as possible. This is because, in the winter season, the temperatures are low which can cause problems with heat retention and temperature maintenance. Covering the lid while grilling can assure you that your grilled meals will always be properly made.
How can I grill with charcoal in the snow?
Charcoal is a very popular heat source used in grills. Charcoal is popular because of the fact that it is readily available and is not very affected by the cold. We would highly recommend you to purchase a charcoal grill for the winter season or if you live in a cold place.
The reason is that charcoal will never really run out in the market and you won’t face problems like you would with the propane gas tanks. Gas contracts and becomes compact on cooling; this is seventh-grade science. So during the winter season, it becomes very problematic to grill with the gas tank as the flame from the gas becomes weaker; making it difficult to get the right kind of heat that is necessary for your meal.
Make sure that you store charcoal in a cool dry place away from any kind of snow or water. If the charcoal gets wet, then it may become almost impossible to start the flames to get grilling. The charcoal needs to be constantly dry otherwise your meal may turn out raw or undercooked and we definitely do not want that to happen.
How desirable is it to grill with propane in the winter?
Propane is perhaps the cheaper and popular way to grill meals in several places. While we do not really recommend propane gas tanks as heat sources, we cannot shy away from their incredible advantage.
With the propane gas tanks, you have much more control over the flame and heat, which makes it easier to grill difficult dishes and proteins. This is not the case with charcoal-fueled grills as their flame is almost never in control.
The major problem with these kinds of grills is the fact that you will have to be very tolerant of the cold. The cold temperature usually makes the gas very compact making it difficult to get ample flame from the tank.
This can be agitating and it can cause the protein to either not cook evenly or properly. While grilling with propane, make sure to have some extra filling of propane available with you, because you would not want the gas to run out while you are grilling.
Propane tanks should be covered at all times and should be kept in a place where there is no chance of the tank coming in contact with an electrical wire or any other source which can potentially cause the tank to blow up.
How to store a gas grill in the winter?
Keeping the grill in a proper way during the winter time is important. It is crucial if you do not want to fire up your grill to some unwanted surprises. It is not just enough to keep the grill covered at all times. There are also other important factors. You can take these measures to keep your grilling experience top-notch and problem-free.
The first thing you should do is to keep your valve closed off from the main grill. It prevents any accidents from happening. If you keep the grill outside then make sure to keep it properly covered with a soft clean cloth and a wooden lid. Also, make sure that the gas tank is connected but the valve is shut off.
You should remember to never keep the gas grill inside the house, even in a garage. This is a huge risk as even the smallest of leaks can cause a huge explosion. You do not want that happening inside your house at any cost.
Conclusion:
Grilling is the favorite pastime and leisure for many people around the world. For people living in cold areas or areas where it is winter time, it is difficult to grill. We wrote this article in the hope that this will help you store your grills. Moreover, you will be able to use them properly in a controlled manner.