05 Feb Your Winter Grilling Guide
If there’s one thing we love here at Gas Plus, it’s a hot meal fresh off the barbecue, no matter the weather! While you may see barbecuing as a summertime activity, the truth is that you can grill year-round with a few simple adjustments. Our experts have compiled a list of the most useful tips to keep you grilling all winter, so you never have to say ‘so long’ to your favourite foods!
1) Keep It Covered & Protected
First and foremost, a properly sized barbecue cover is the perfect way to keep your grill protected. It’s a small investment that will mean near-comprehensive protection from the weather and a considerably longer life for your barbecue. Just be sure to let your grill completely cool down after use before covering it back up, or you could run the risk of a fire. It’s also important to know that some small animals choose to shelter inside barbecue covers during the cold winter months, so it’s wise to check for any visitors before you fire up the grill again.
You should also try to set up your grill out of the direct path of the wind, but not in an enclosed space. Many barbecue owners make the mistake of grilling inside their garage or on their covered porch during the winter, which is actually quite dangerous. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly without proper ventilation, which means a much higher risk of poisoning or a fire. We know it can be uncomfortable to grill in the snow, but that discomfort is a lot better than risking your health. Thankfully, Gas Plus has the perfect way to keep you comfortable outdoors!
2) Stay Warm with an Outdoor Heater
If you’re not a fan of cold Canadian winters, the thought of standing outside to cook your supper may be unbearable. That’s why we recommend infrared outdoor heaters! Unlike regular electric heaters that warm up the air, infrared heaters deliver safe, energy-efficient warmth directly to surfaces. With a few infrared heaters set up on your patio, you’ll be feeling warm and toasty, no matter what the weather looks like!
As an alternative for a traditional barbecue setup, you may also want to look at our incredible Le Bol grill. The Le Bol is one of the most unique grills on the market, but it’s technically an outdoor fireplace with a large metal plate as its cooking surface. The Le Bol radiates an incredible amount of warmth, which is why it’s meant to be set up year-round. It’s the perfect way to keep grilling and stay warm at the same time!
3) Lighten Up
The other biggest obstacle facing would-be winter grillers is the small amount of natural light during the day. Grilling in the dark can be scary and unsafe, but a little extra light can make a big difference! Consider setting up a few motion-activated outdoor lights leading from the door to your grill, and you’ll have the illumination you need to grill anytime, day or night.
4) Give your Grill some Extra Time
Most machines move a little slower in the cold, and the same is true for your barbecue. Cold temperatures mean cold metals, so you should be prepared for your grill to take a little more time to get going AND a bit more time to cook your meal than it would in the summer. If you budget a bit of extra time to cook, there’s no reason you can’t have all the barbecue foods that you love.
5) Keep the Lid Closed When You Can
When you’re barbecuing, it’s tempting to lift the lid and check on your food frequently to see how it’s coming along. While peeking won’t create much of a problem in the summer, it could mean a massive release of heat in the winter. That means it will take longer for your grill to regain its heat, along with the risk of uneven cooking and a much longer wait for supper. Do your best to only check on your food at critical moments, and keep it brief if you can.
If you like to keep an eye on your food at all times, we have a great option for you at Gas Plus! Our selection of wood-fired pellet grills by Green Mountain Grills are built with observation windows, so you can keep an eye on your food without having to open the lid unnecessarily. Best of all, Green Mountain Grills are built with a temperature-controlling computer system to give you the perfect even cook. Just set your Green Mountain Grill to your desired temperature, and the onboard computer will monitor any fluctuations in heat to ensure your food is cooked exactly the way you like it.
Those are just a few ways that you can keep your grill going all winter, so you never have to stop enjoying the food you love! Don’t forget, spring is on its way, and with it comes a fresh lineup of grills at Gas Plus. If you’d like to upgrade your grill this year, give us a call today! Our barbecues move fast once the weather turns warm, so place your order today to make sure your grill arrives right on time. For the best in barbecues, grills and accessories, it’s Gotta Be Gas Plus!