Picture this: your yard is covered in a fresh blanket of clean white snow and the thermometer is reading sub-zero, but the sun is shining and suddenly you’re transported back to the peak of summer grilling season. The unmistakable scent of smoke and delectable odors emanating from your trusty charcoal grill waft into your mind and you wonder…is it possible to fire up a charcoal grill in cold weather?
If you’re pondering a wintertime cookout, here’s some good news: charcoal grilling in cold weather is absolutely doable, and just like using a propane grill in the winter, it only requires a few adjustments to your regular grilling routine.
Propane can shrink in low temperatures—and even freeze if the mercury drops really low. When this happens, it can be difficult to get a gas grill started and up to the right temperature. Charcoal, on the other hand, doesn’t shrink or freeze, which means charcoal grillers don’t have to worry about cold temps putting a stop to their wintertime grilling plans.
That said, there are a few adjustments we recommend for charcoal grilling in the winter to make sure your cold weather grilling experience leads to delicious results. Keep reading to discover 6 things you need to know about charcoal grilling in cold weather before you fire up your grill, including:
- It may be harder to start the charcoal
- You’ll use more fuel
- Food will take longer to cook
- The position of your grill matters more
- Faster recipes are ideal
- Proper attire and preparation is key
Let’s get cooking.
1. It may be harder to start the charcoal
Cold temperatures can make it tougher to light charcoal. To make things easier, you may want to use a chimney starter or electric charcoal starter to get the flame going so that you aren’t fiddling around in the cold trying to light your coals.
2. You’ll use more fuel
Similar to propane and gas grilling, you’ll need more fuel to get your charcoal grill up to the right temperature—and keep it there—in colder temperatures.
Charcoal supply may be low if stores stop carrying it in the winter months, especially if you live in a more northern location. If you plan to do any charcoal grilling in winter, stock up on charcoal before the snow flies and store it in a dry area like the garage. You can also supplement charcoal with wood chips or chunks—they’ll help the coals stay hotter, and they’ll also add some of that classic smoky flavor.
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3. Food will take longer to cook
Food can take 30-100% longer to cook in cold weather. To keep your grill cooking at the right temperature, avoid lifting the lid as much as possible and only open it when you absolutely have to. If you plan to do charcoal grilling in cold weather, it’s worth investing in a digital probe thermometer or smart grilling hub to monitor the temperature of whatever you’re cooking without having to open the lid.
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4. The position of your grill matters more
In the winter, it’s important to position your grill in an area that is at least partially sheltered from the wind. You may have already arranged your grill this way in the summer, but biting winter winds may pose more of a challenge than warm summer breezes. Your usual grill position may not work as well with these added weather variables, so don’t be afraid to relocate your grill if necessary. If it’s an especially windy winter day, you may want to skip grilling altogether.
5. Faster recipes are ideal
Some experts suggest opting for longer recipes that cook at lower temps because it’s easier to maintain lower grill temperatures in colder weather. We recommend the opposite—stick with faster-cooking recipes like burgers, steak, or shrimp, and save ribs and smoked brisket for summertime when babysitting your grill isn’t a frigid chore.
6. Proper attire and preparation is key
Shovel and salt around your grilling station, and do all your food prep indoors. If you’re feeling extra conscientious, you could also warm up whatever dishes you plan to use to carry your cooked food indoors so that it stays warm on the journey from the grill to the table.
Dress warmly, but don’t wear loose fitting or easily flammable fabrics, and definitely skip the scarf. We also recommend wearing heat resistant grilling gloves that offer grip and dexterity instead of your usual wool mittens—they’ll keep your hands warm while making it easier to flip your food, check under the lid (as few times as you can manage), and carry your food indoors.
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Wrapping Up
If visions of summertime cookouts are dancing through your head, don’t fret—charcoal grilling in winter is easy enough with just a few minor adjustments to your usual routine. If you plan to do any charcoal grilling in cold weather, keep these tips in mind:
- It may be harder to start the charcoal
- You’ll use more fuel
- Food will take longer to cook
- The position of your grill matters more
- Faster recipes are ideal
- Proper attire and preparation is key
