Here’s How to Winterize Your Outdoor Cooking Appliances

Winter grilling is becoming increasingly popular, especially with the advent of outdoor kitchens and heated outdoor living spaces. You’ll need to protect the surfaces and working parts of your grill, smoker, and other outdoor cooking appliances whether you plan on using it all season, or packing it up until spring. Here’s what you need to know about outdoor cooking appliances before the first snowfall.

How to Winterize Your BBQ

The winterizing process begins after you’ve done the final cleaning of the season to remove remnants of all those great summer meals. After that, it’s essential to treat all surfaces, inside and out, to prevent corrosion and block nesting insects. Pay close attention to the tube and hose connections on propane grills and natural gas grills, and the hopper on pellet grills.

Lightly coat the grates with oil to block out moisture and prevent corrosion (use peanut, canola, or other high-smoke point vegetable oil that won’t burn when you fire up the grill again in spring).
Remove and wrap gas grill and propane grill burners in plastic sheeting to keep out insects and small rodents (store burners inside the grill).
Wrap the gas line regulator after disconnecting it from the gas source.
If you have a rotisserie, remove it (including the motor) and store indoors.
If your BBQ has electronic ignition remove the battery and store it indoors.
Apply a degreaser on all surfaces to remove fat and grime buildup*.
Apply a layer of polish or rust & corrosion protector to the metal exterior of your grill*.
Use a good-quality barbecue cover designed for your unit and secure it tightly.
If you don’t have a garage or shed, move your appliance under an outdoor structure (awning, gazebo, car port, etc.) for added protection from wind, rain and snow.
Store your propane tanks away from the house in a well-ventilated area.

*Always read your warranty and manufacturer’s directions before applying any substance to your BBQ or outdoor kitchen.

Winter Grilling Tips

Keep it covered: You don’t want to have to clear mountains of snow off your BBQ while holding a plate of steaks. Put the grill cover on after every cookout. It will also help protect your BBQ, and reduce your preheat time because snow and ice are not touching the metal. If you have a shed or garage you can also wheel it inside when not in use.
Never grill inside: Grilling in your garage can be tempting in sub-zero temperatures, but don’t do it. You always want a well ventilated area at least two feet away from any combustible materials.
Position your grill for winter: Take note of the prevailing winter winds in your yard and position your grill perpendicular to them. This will reduce the wind/grill contact area and help control the temperature inside
Clear a path: When shovelling your paths and walkways remember to clear a path to your grill as well. Use a proper snow shovel and make sure to clear space around the grill too so you can move about freely.
Keep the lid on: Sneaking a peak is a good way to check progress and doneness, but the more you open the lid in freezing temperatures the longer your food will take to cook.
Allow for longer cook times: Even if you heed all the winter grilling tips it will still take a bit longer to get the job done. This is especially important if you’re cooking some sides indoors. Plan on adding 5-10 minutes to the normal time it takes to preheat and cook on your grill in warmer months.

Use Smart Technology: A smart grill or Smart meat thermometer with built-in smart technology will allow you to spend more warm time indoors and less time freezing, checking, and flipping your meat. You’ll receive progress notifications and readiness countdowns directly to an app on your mobile device.
Keep extra fuel on hand: Longer preheat times mean higher fuel consumption. Be sure to have an extra propane tank or bag of charcoal briquets ready when needed.
Prepare for flareups: Keep a bottle of warm water or fire extinguisher on hand in case of a grease fire. Remember, you can’t pull the hose out like you would in summer.
Stay warm: Running in and out of freezing temps in a tee-shirt is a good way to catch a winter cold. Be sure to bundle up, wear heat-resistant gloves, and remember to avoid any scarfs, tassels or other items that could come in contact with the hot grill.
Put your tools away: A misplaced fork or flipper that winds up in the deep snow may not be found until spring. Be sure to put your tools away in the BBQ cabinet or shed after each grilling session

How to Winterize Your Pellet Grill

Pellet BBQs are distinguished from gas and propane grills by their sensitive on-board electronics and wood pellet fuel source. Perform the same basic cleaning routine as you would for any BBQ while addressing these distinct features before final storage:

Disconnect the grill from the power source
Empty the pellet hopper
Wrap or cover any ports that provide entry points for insects or small rodents
Neutralize any bugs that could attempt to nest by sprinkling diatomaceous earth* in and around the pellet hopper
Store your wood pellets in an airtight container, not in the original packaging
Review your warranty and manufacturer’s directions for specific off-season maintenance tips

*Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic product that kills most small insects. Food grade diatomaceous earth is not harmful to humans but may irritate passages if breathed or ingested. Closely follow package safety directions when using.

Winter Pellet Grilling Tips

In addition to the general winter grilling tips, here’s a few that apply specifically to pellet grills.

Use only 100% hardwood pellets: The absence of fillers allows them to burn at a more stable rate and help keep your pellet grill at a more stable temperature. This is helpful during in winter when outdoor winds and temperatures can fluctuate quickly and drastically.
Insulate your grill: An insulated thermal cover will also help to regulate the internal temperature of your grill. Look for a cover that is compatible with your particular model.
Twin-wall construction: Look for a pellet grill that features semi or full twin-wall construction around the cooking chamber. This will help reduce heat loss, improve cooking performance, and lower your pellet consumption.

Winter Smoker Tip: Try cold smoking. Winter actually allows the freezing air to work in your favour. You’ll still get the smoke, but it will be much easier to keep the temperature inside the grill colder. Try cold smoking cheeses and vegetables for starters—you’ll be amazed at the smoky flavour! For vegetables, simply coat them with your favourite oil and herbs and put them in a grill basket. Here’s a few tips for smoking cheeses:

Choose a hard variety that won’t easily melt
Keep the temperature below 32°C
Placing the cheese in a small pan situated inside a larger pan to help keep the temperature down
Apple, cherry, or other fruit wood chips work best, especially for mild cheeses
Turn the cheese every 30 mins for consistent smoke penetration
Harder cheeses will require more smoke time (you can experiment to get your desired smokiness, but 2 hours is usually the max)
Once complete wrap the cheese in parchment paper and store it in the fridge for a day to let it breathe
Then transfer to an airtight container for 1-2 weeks to allow the smoky flavours to mellow and balance out

How to Winterize Your Outdoor Pizza Oven

Great homemade pie is more accessible than ever thanks to specialized outdoor pizza ovens. Their purpose-built design, blazing heat and multi-fuel versatility puts them at the centre of many backyard parties even where space is limited. Some are designed for year-round use even in the coldest weather. If you’re using it infrequently or not at all during the winter, clean and degrease your oven according to the manufacturer’s directions, and follow these simple steps:

Disconnect the unit from the power source (if gas or electric)
Remove pellets or charcoal from the fuel hopper/chamber (if applicable)
Use a custom breathable cover for protection and ventilation
Store in a sheltered location, if possible, to limit exposure to rain and snow
Move a portable model indoors if it won’t be used during winter

Winter Pie-Making Tip

Cover the chimney: Themoisture frommelting snowwill release too much steam and can damage the oven.
Wear a headlamp: If you’re having pizza for dinner, remember that it gets dark sooner in winter so a headlamp will allow you to work hands-free at your oven.

How to Winterize Your Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen, as the name implies, includes multiple appliances in one setting. If you’re packing it up for winter, pay close attention to the water supply, refrigeration, and any potential sources of moisture. Undetected leaks or standing water could cause freezing damage or corrosion without the necessary precautions. Outdoor kitchens are built to withstand the elements, but treat each component separately when winterizing.

Fridges, Freezers & Ice Makers

Turn off the power to your refrigerator, freezerand ice maker, and make sure all storage bins are clean, dry and empty before the unit is covered for the season. All liquids should be removed from the refrigerator.

Outdoor Sink & Water Lines

Lines should be completely drained before the arrival of cold weather. Turn off the valve that supplies refrigerators, ice makers, dishwashersand sinks, and open any faucets so all remaining water is emptied.

Range Hood

Disconnect the power to disable the fan and lighting fixture. Give any exposed metal parts a thorough degreasing and a coat of metal polish. If the range hood has no overhead protection (from a deck or gazebo roof, etc.), consider wrapping it in plastic or covering it according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Outdoor Countertops

Granite, marble and soapstone countertops require regular maintenance to maintain their appearance and resilience. The ending of the outdoor cooking season is the ideal time to clean, seal, and recoat surfaces before they are covered for winter. See your owner’s manual for details.

Outdoor Cabinets & Storage

Remove all food items from cabinets and drawers to avoid attracting wildlife and insects. Bring liquids indoors to prevent freezing. Apply a coat of polish to stainless steel cabinets if they are being left uncovered.

Outdoor Kitchen Winter Cooking Tip

You can still use your grill, counters and cabinets, though you’ll need to keep them clear of snow and ice. However, even if you’re using your outdoor kitchen frequently throughout the winter, you’ll need to shut down the plumbing, along with your fridge, freezer and ice maker. Temperatures can plunge overnight causing pipes to burst and appliance water lines to rupture.

BBQing through the winter will keep your family in fresh grilled food, but it’s not for everyone. Consider the pros and cons, just don’t wait too long. Winterizing your outdoor cooking appliances will help them last longer and perform better, but you need to do it before the snow comes.

Here’s How to Winterize Your Outdoor Cooking Appliances

Winter Grilling Tips

Winter Pie-Making Tip

How to Winterize Your Outdoor Kitchen

Fridges, Freezers & Ice Makers

Outdoor Sink & Water Lines

Range Hood

Outdoor Countertops

Outdoor Cabinets & Storage

Outdoor Kitchen Winter Cooking Tip

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