Barbecuing in winter? 5 tips (plus a bonus tip) for winter grilling fun

Who said barbecuing is just for summer? We need only look to the Nordic populations for inspiration: from Sweden to Iceland, barbecuing has no seasonal limits. In fact, the colder it gets, the more captivating the crackling sound of embers becomes. And if it snows, even better!

If you, too, feel like winter can't tear you away from the thrill of sizzling meat on red-hot grills, you've come to the right place! Here are 5 tips (plus a bonus tip) for successful winter barbecuing!

Barbecuing in cold weather: 5 practical tips (plus a bonus tip) for getting started

1) Fuel up

Low temperatures turn your barbecue into a real fuel guzzler, with fuel consumption estimated to be as much as 40–50% higher than in summer. On top of this, it will take a few more minutes for your barbecue to heat up and reach the desired temperatures.

So before you fire up your grill, make sure you have a good supply of wood, charcoal briquettes, pellets, or gas.

2) Pick a sheltered spot

While cold temperatures can be remedied, wind presents an even bigger pitfall for winter grilling. Gusts of wind pose a risk of not only contaminating your dishes with flying ash but also causing dangerous glowing embers to come into contact with dry leaves or even wooden gazebos and canopies, igniting dangerous flames.

3) Use the lid, but be mindful of how often you open it!

Another tip for effective winter barbecuing is to use the lid. We also recommend choosing cooking methods that don't require the lid to be opened frequently, such as ribs or special cuts such as pork shoulder, which is used to make pulled pork. Foods that cook quickly, such as burgers, fish, and vegetables are also excellent options.

Keeping the lid closed will help keep the heat and smoke inside the barbecue, ensuring that it cooks more evenly and preventing the food from drying out or burning on the outside while remaining raw on the inside, while also providing a delicious smoked flavor.

To check cooking temperatures without needing to open the lid frequently, you can use thermometers with external probes, readily available on the market.

4) Dress appropriately

If you decide to grill in cold weather, it’s important that you dress appropriately and are sufficiently bundled up. However, remember to avoid loose-fitting clothes or scarves: all it takes is a little carelessness for them to come into contact with the embers!

For the issue of how to keep your hands warm, fingerless gloves are an excellent solution, allowing you to grip and handle tools with ease.

5) Keep yourself company with some beer!

While your dishes are cooking, what better way to warm your soul and body than a good mug of beer? Even better if it's shared with good company!

Bonus tip: Use a cutting board that keeps food at the perfect temperature

One of the biggest challenges when barbecuing is that of keeping the food at the perfect temperature. How many times have you experienced the frustration of juggling tongs, plates, and finishing those last pieces on the grill, only for your dishes to arrive cold at the table?

This critical issue can be easily solved with the Paperstone® cutting board by Primecook, the ultimate grilling accessory that keeps food temperatures up to 180°C without overcooking, all while being completely non-toxic and safe. A real gem for the contemporary kitchen, it can be used as both a cutting board surface and an elegant serving tray.

All that's left to do is wish you happy winter barbecuing!