The most important things at a glance:
- Store coal and briquettes in a dry place
- Warm clothing for the barbecue but please fireproof and without bobbles
- Always keep an eye on the wind
- Warm dishes are not only good for warm hands
- Use alternative meats in winter
- Always clean up immediately and quickly to avoid later trouble
Who thinks about barbecuing in January?
Very easy: A full 60% of Americans . Because, as our friends across the pond know, even cold weather doesn't put a damper on the fun of grilling. Quite the opposite – with With its great meats that you would never think of in the summer or that would be hard to come by, winter grilling can open up completely new doors for the enthusiast. And in the evenings, when it gets dark early, an open fire immediately creates a cozy, warm atmosphere. And who doesn't feel a rush of joy at the thought of a piece of smoky meat? even on cold winter days Is your mouth watering?
So this year we try to do the same as our American barbecue buddies and fire up in snow and wind Instead of sun and heat, we light our fire.
And to ensure that grilling fun and good taste remain the focus even in the cold season, here are our tips for stress-free winter grilling:
Store coal in a dry place
No fire, no barbecue – therefore it is important to have coal, briquettes etc. in winter weatherproof and especially Store in a dry place . If you have a garage or a weatherproof shed, you're in luck. Otherwise, you should keep a small stash of coal left over from the summer in a secluded corner where it won't get in anyone's way.
If you prefer to use coal & co. with gas If you are planning to grill, then you should pay attention to which gas you are using. Propane gas is very stable and only liquefies at a temperature of -42 degrees , far from our lowest temperatures in this country. However, other commonly used gases, such as butane, can already around freezing point start to liquefy and put a damper on your barbecue fun.
If you do not want to use the gas grill typical smoky taste If you want to avoid burning charcoal, we recommend that you use the Liquid Smoke by Rufus Teague with the delicious blend of Hickory flavor , molasses, brown sugar and soy sauce.
Warm and fireproof clothing
Of course, the right clothing is absolutely essential for winter barbecues, after all, not only the meat stay comfortably warm . However, it is important to keep in mind that with open fire work and in winter it is often a stiffer breeze Clothes that tend to blow strongly in the wind, such as scarves or ponchos, should therefore not be your first choice. Pompoms and cords , no matter how stylish they may be in winter, are best kept away from the grill.
And even if Wool and felt naturally keep you cozy and warm, so they are also very highly flammable and a few sparks could literally burn a hole in more than just your barbecue mood.
We therefore recommend avoiding tight-fitting jackets, preferably with a hood. And if you want to be on the safe side, you should fireproof or at least not easily flammable Prefer materials to classic fabrics.
For cold fingers you can of course simply use firm Grill gloves or, for extra warmth, put on a pair of mittens and then pull the grill gloves over them. For this purpose, the robust Outset leather grill gloves – Available as mittens or finger gloves, depending on your preference.
Pay attention to the wind
As already mentioned, as a professional winter griller, you should keep an eye on the wind. Not only Fire and sparks can quickly fly towards you without warning, but a stiff gust of wind can also quickly a handful of ashes from the embers and spread over your deliciously sizzling grilled meat. Therefore, it is important even before lighting Check which direction the wind is blowing and position yourself and the grill so that smoke and fumes don't spoil your view and your fun.
You should also make sure that the smoke blown away by the wind does not potentially make its way directly into your home. Windows and doors Keeping it closed even for short trips to the barbecue also helps here.
If the wind is not so strong, we can also use a Wind protection We should just remember that potentially flammable material should be placed far enough away from the grill and well anchored so that it does not suddenly fly towards the open fire in strong winds. good ventilation should be provided so that smoke and fumes can dissipate quickly and safely.
If you have a Grill with lid If you have one, then you're in the clear. Just close your mouth and the issue is largely resolved for you.
Preheat dishes
Once all the preparations around the grill itself have been made, you might think it’s time to get started, but we should still take the time another step to plan:
Because what could be worse than your beautifully seared steak on the way from the grill to the dining table cools down and you are only rewarded for all your efforts with a lukewarm piece of meat?
The roasted meat can cool down quickly, but this time the culprit isn't primarily the wind. The heat dissipates the fastest. through physical contact lost and if you want to enjoy your freshly grilled steak on a cold plate it literally sucks the heat out of the meat.
However, if you preheat your plates and thus reduce the temperature difference between them and the food, then meat and other items will retain their temperature for longer.
It is therefore best to leave the plates for a while until shortly before serving. in the oven and let them absorb a certain basic warmth. And since you are probably already too mittens & Co., we can keep these here and use them as a replacement for oven gloves use when we go to pick up our portion.
Our tip for even more warmth: We simply take a second preheated plate and put it like a lid over the meat. This way, the heat is retained even better in the shielded food until it reaches the dinner table.
If that is not enough heat for you, we personally recommend serving delicious spicy sauces by Rufus Teague, Bone Doctors, Stonewall Kitchen & Co or a spicy delicious aioli for dipping and enjoying:
Alternative meats for winter
And now that everything is prepared, our grill is lit and the plates are in the oven to preheat, it is finally time to talk about the most important thing about grilling: our Menu .
Of course, the Summer classics such as pork and beef as sausages, steaks, ribs & Co. also look good in winter, but the grill professional knows that you should also use the season to try out meats that you rarely or not at all found in summer , or with which you can often save more than just a few cents in winter compared to summer.
Our creamy Roasted Garlic Aioli from Stonewall Kitchen is the perfect spread for true garlic lovers. The uniquely delicious aroma of this classic French mayonnaise is particularly characterized by the garlic cloves slowly roasted over a fire. A dash of white vinegar and a touch of mustard further round out the thoroughly refined flavor of this aioli. Try this flavor-rich mayonnaise as a dip for French fries and fresh vegetable sticks , or use it to make your own potato salad.
The winter months also offer great alternatives for seafood lovers. Instead of scampi skewers, why not try a piece of scampi wrapped in aluminum foil? Salmon on the grill and enjoy the taste of delicious seafood with a tangy hint of lemon :
Also vegetarian are guaranteed not to be neglected when barbecuing in winter. Eggplant, sweet potato & Co. taste twice as good when cooked slowly over an open fire, especially in cold weather. We particularly recommend the aromatic spices from Urban Accents:
And even if that is typical cold beer in winter is perhaps not the right thing for most grill masters, there is a solution here too. How about, for example, a delicious Mulled Cider so that even when turning in the wind, the barbecue mood remains untouched. Especially with lamb, the more adventurous can also enjoy a cup of hot chocolate – a surprisingly harmonious combination of flavors that we are only too happy to recommend. Or how about a delicious Pumpkin-Spiced Latte , quick and easy to make yourself. Simply add a good shot of Pumpkin Spice Syrup Add Blackberry Patch and the warm and spicy winter drink is ready:
Clean up now, relax later
Finally, of course, we have to talk about tidying up. Our simple tip: Immediately after grilling Dismantle and store everything. Put the remaining coal and the grill back in a weatherproof place before a snowstorm gets there. Then everything is ready and immediately the next round Winter grilling.
So now take a leaf out of our American friends' book and make winter 2022 your barbecue season. We wish you bon appetite.
