Winter in Edmonton is long… really long. So that’s why the cold and snow won’t stop us from enjoying our favourite outdoor activities like barbequing during the winter. Year round winter grilling is easy with the right preparation.
Here are 10 tips on how to barbeque in winter:
1) Before getting started, determine the ideal placement of your BBQ that is protected from harsh winter winds but far enough away from the side of the home or roof overhangs.
2) Clear the snow to and around the BBQ using salt to prevent ice build-up and avoid slips or trips.
3) Check the connections on the BBQ to ensure that gas lines or tanks are properly connected.
4) Keep extra propane or gas on hand as gas acts differently in frigid temperatures and cooking times may be longer leading to more gas being used than in summer.
5) Dress appropriately for barbequing in the winter. Set a pair of warm boots or shoes by the door that you can easily slip on and off when going in and out of the house. Avoid wearing scarves or anything that can get too close to the flames and wear gloves that have grips or that are fingerless so that BBQ tools don’t slip out of hand.
6) When barbequing in the winter, heat up the BBQ slowly and steadily giving the grill extra time to get hot.
7) Count on leaving meat on the grill longer than in the summer to ensure meat is cooked properly. Use a meat thermometer to be sure your favorite cuts of meat are safe to eat.
8) Refrain from lifting the lid too often to keep heat in when grilling.
9) Use a ceramic dish with a cover to transfer food from the BBQ to the house to keep your meat or veggies piping hot.
10) Clean the grill as you normally would taking care to turn off all gas lines.
And just because you’re barbequing in the winter doesn’t mean you can’t have a cold one or have your friends over for a winter fire pit afterwards! If you’re an avid grill master and are planning ahead for next summer, you may want to add a stone BBQ feature in your backyard pictured below.
For questions regarding your landscape plans or about Edmonton landscaping supplies, please visit us in St. Albert or join our community of gardeners, DIYers and expert landscapers on Facebook.
