Winter grilling?

Anyone grill in the winter?

Last week was pretty mild here in Chicago and it got me thinking it might be possible to grill. Particularly, I have a specific idea: I have a large gas grill, but maybe I can use a small Weber Smokey Joe for a quick cook. Start the coals with a chimney starter and sear some steak over the chimney, then dump the coals into the grill and roast some sides. Hopefully this should be pretty quick cooking. I don't want to hang out at the grill for an entire afternoon like I do in the summer. Even if it's cold, the steak should sear over the chimney in a couple minutes, then I can go inside, while the remaining items cook.

Find more posts tagged with

What About Tools?

Comments

JackL

Looks like we had similar ideas tonight

I've grilled in the winter (even standing in the middle of snow). There's mostly no difference a couple inches away from the heat source (especially if you're doing a grate directly over a chimney!). Trying to get any sort of convection cooking to happen however is not worth it—it takes ages to heat up and as soon as you open the lid of the grill all of the hot air will immediately escape.

Caveat: I have never attempted to put charcoal in a gas grill.

fisher23

Yep, I grill and use my smoker all year round. I have 18 inches of snow on the ground and it was 22'F when I finished off some steaks last night. It really doesn't take much more time.

FrankM_3301

I'm just outside of Philly. My BGE sees action year round.

wolfiegirl

I'm in Texas.....what is this "winter" you speak of?!?

fisher23

You know when the temperature hits in the 60's for a day or two. Not like here with 18" of frozen white rain and below freezing, lol.

pd3ski_278514

Yup.. anytime is grill/que time!! Thunderbirds are go🔥

tshewman

Winter is my fav time to grill. I also use a small wood pit which I prefer bc of the flavors it imparts but grilling is great in the winter.....course I am originally from canada :-)

JasonWirth_68226

Anything you do differently as far as technique goes?

Also, how do you deal with the cold? E.g. Normally I'd wear gloves but maybe they are impractical.

JasonWirth_68226

Were you grilling? What did you cook?

Tim_Sutherland_52834

I grill year round, inside. Pleasant in winter and slightly hotter than the sun during a Texas summer.

JackL

Ive done anything that didn't need a long cook time. Vegetables, a side of salmon, some lamb skewers.

josh_patt_1045662

Hi, Jason!

We don't have any harsh winters in here (and I'm sooo glad my winters are no where near as cold as yours!), still I have a piece of advice if you-re going to BBQ outside.

I use a welding blanket (I believe that is the correct term) to insulate my Traeger during the winters. Generally I try to keep the smoker out of the cold wind, which we do get where I live, when it's not in use. Since the pellet grills are mechanical and are going to react to cold just like any other mechanical device. Same goes for my Weber, I have the same one as you do. Blankets, temp control and maybe some extra fuel is a way to go.