Do summer feasts seem like a distant memory? Add a hint of summer to your meals by cooking lunch or dinner on the grill! From preheating to cooking time, necessary tools, and useful tips, here’s everything you need to know for making healthy dishes, pizzas, hot dogs, and other delicious smoked food on the grill, for a successful winter barbecue... without freezing your fingers off!

Before firing up the grill

Check your tank

Did you know that, because of the cold, your BBQ consumes more energy in winter? That’s why you should check how much propane is in your tank before you get started. It would be such a shame to have to stop halfway to replace the tank or, even worse, to go fill it up!

Clear the snow off the lid

If you don’t have a BBQ cover, make sure to remove any snow or ice from the lid, as it may prevent your grill from preheating adequately. Also, take a peek inside your BBQ—small animals sometimes go in there to keep warm. 

Do all your prep indoors beforehand

To avoid spending too much time outside and limit your trips in and out of the house, prep, cut, skewer, and season your food inside beforehand. Place the utensils, spices, sauces, and marinades you need for cooking (salt and pepper are obviously a must) on a serving tray. Also remember to bring a damp cloth (use warm water to prevent it from quickly freezing up) or paper towels to clean up inevitable spills.

Don’t get winded

A sworn enemy to all enthusiastic grill masters, strong winds (especially winter ones) have an impact on cooking. If moving your grill to another, more protected area isn’t an option, position it so as to ensure that one of its sides is facing the wind—not the front or back. This helps preserve the heat better.

Mind your accoutrement!

People might say you’re on fire, braving the cold for a delicious meal! But that should not be a literal statement! So never mind the long, dangling scarf and massive coat sleeves that get dangerously close to the flames. If rolling up your sleeves seems like an unlikely option, consider wearing BBQ gloves or mitts (not oven mitts, which aren’t fireproof). These will keep your hands safely protected from both the cold and the flames.

Pstt! Those who are more sensitive to the cold could barbecue from the patio door in order to stay inside the house at all times. However, this comes with a draft and a slightly higher heating bill. It goes without saying that you should never use a BBQ (gas or charcoal) indoors, in the garage, or any other enclosed area.

A few useful tips for barbecuing in winter

As you may know, it could take longer to preheat your grill on cold, windy days. This step is key, however, to properly sear and mark your meat, fish, or veggies, otherwise your food will start bubbling on the grill instead. You might also need to keep the temperature of your grill a little higher than you would in summer in order to maintain the desired heat.

During cooking, avoid opening the lid as much as possible, as the heat could drop in just a few seconds, and it takes much longer to creep back up than it would in summer. A thermometer could be a great tool to have on hand, especially for larger cuts of meat. Some even have built-in Bluetooth technology, so you can know when your meat is ready without ever having to set foot outside—the internal temperature will be displayed on your cellphone in real time.

What about charcoal BBQs?

Those who love cooking with charcoal will be happy to learn that, regardless of the season, the time needed for charcoal to reach the desired temperature is the same. It’s also possible to reach the same maximum temperature during a cold snap and a heat wave. The only downside? It may be more difficult to set the starting temperature with a Kamado-type grill than with a gas model, because of the cool air that penetrates inside.

Smoke barbecues and spherical grills, such as Kettles, which are made of thinner steal, require more charcoal when the mercury drops.

The best winter BBQ recipes

Picture spending the afternoon on the back patio, braising a cut of beef or a whole chicken while sipping on a cocktail, the hot July sun on your face . . . Heaven! Now picture doing this in February, when it’s -20°C outside. Sounds like a nightmare! In winter, it’s best to opt for dishes that cook in just a few minutes, without the need for a whole lot of intervention on your part. Here are a few recipe ideas where you won’t need to go in and out a dozen times (or have to slip on boots and gear over and over again).

Vegetarian pizza with BBQ sauce

Grilled chicken and pepperoni calzones

Grilled beef sirloin medallions and zucchini, with a Mexican twist

Beef souvlakis

Classic and newfangled hot dogs (perfect for your Super Bowl party or hockey night celebrations)

Beef burgers with parsley and walnuts

Barbecue chicken thighs

BBQ capicollo and Parmigiano-stuffed pork tenderloins

Barbecued trout with mint pesto and green vegetables

Barbecued Asian-style tofu.