Tips for Using Your Propane Grill in the Winter
The harsh Canadian winters force us to give up enough of our favourite hobbies, there is no reason you should have to add grilling to that list. With these winter propane grill tips, you can prepare your favourite barbecued meals all year long.
First things first, we often get asked if you can light a propane grill during the winter, and the answer is of course you can. There’s a misconception that the cold will keep the fuel from igniting, but your grill should light no problem, it just might take a little bit longer to heat up.
Preparation
Our number one tip for using a propane grill during the winter is to be prepared. You’ll want to make sure all of your meal prep is done inside before you’re ready to grill, that way you can get the food from your kitchen and onto the grill as quickly as possible.
Heat Loss
This is less of a winter propane grilling tip and more of a reminder. The frigid outdoor temperatures will draw a lot of heat away from your barbecue, which means it will burn more propane, and it will likely take longer to preheat.
Lights
During the winter, it gets dark much earlier, so it’s a good idea to purchase some lights to place around your grill so you can see what you’re doing and you don’t ruin your meal or worse, hurt yourself.
Propane
As we mentioned above, your propane grill uses much more fuel in the winter to maintain its temperature, so it’s a good idea to have some extra on hand. The last thing you want once you’ve got your grilling station set up and your food prepared is to run out of propane.
How to Check Your Propane Levels
- Remove the tank from your grill and pour warm tap water on the side of it. The tank will be noticeably cooler to the touch where the propane level begins, which will give you a rough idea of how full the cylinder is.
- The average propane tank weighs roughly 16-18 pounds and can hold around 20 pounds of liquid propane. If you weigh your tank and subtract the value from what it should have been at the start, you can get a rough estimate of how much propane you have left. These weights do differ, so be sure to check the handle of your tank for its specific weight and volume.
Looking to upgrade your propane grill this season?
Harding The Fireplace has the BBQ you’ve been searching for!
Harding The Fireplace has Ottawa’s grilling needs covered with over 4,500 square feet of retail showroom stocked with the brands you know and love. Our knowledgeable staff is here to work with you to find quality products that suit your lifestyle.
For more grilling tips and to be the first to hear about our latest promotions,
connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram