Just as you are prepping and lighting your grill, you’re dismayed when a sudden rainstorm strikes.
If it starts to rain, you will definitely not be able to have a barbecue. After all, grilling needs a hot fire, and water can put the fire out.
It’s hard to grill in heavy rain, but a light shower shouldn’t stop you from grilling. With a few basic precautions, you can easily grill even in a light shower.
Here are some tips for starting a hot fire in the rain.
- Don’t use Electric grills in the rain
- Keep charcoal and cooking wood dry, in order to burn easily
- Use a Remote thermometer, Using a normal thermometer can damage the meter.
- If you want to use the grill again, it is necessary to dry your grill dry
1- Don't use electric grills
First, don’t use electric grills when it’s raining outside. If your grill requires a wired connection to an outlet, do not use it outdoors.
It can be used indoors, but common sense says that electricity and rain do not mix.
Use a charcoal or propane grill instead of an electric grill in wet weather.
Propane grills are usually easy to light, but most grill masters agree that charcoal grills offer the best flavor.
Whether you use charcoal, briquettes, cooking wood, or a combination of these, it produces a fragrant smoke that adds delicious new flavors to your cooking.
Of course, you need to keep your charcoal grill in place and dry.
Otherwise, the rain will cool it down, or at least lower the cooking temperature. Placing the Charcoal Grill in an open area of your patio or outdoor living space that is directly exposed to the rain is never a good idea.
A high quality charcoal grill can withstand a small amount of moisture
On the other hand, too much moisture can cause them to rust.
Therefore, the grill should be placed under a covered area that is not directly exposed to rain.
Placing the grill under the roof also increases the grill temperature.
When rain falls on the grill, the temperature of the grill drops. It doesn’t necessarily extinguish the fire, especially when the lid is closed, but it certainly reduces the temperature inside the grill.
Also, if the cooking temperature is too low, you won’t be able to make delicious food with a crispy surface.
So when it rains, where can you put your BBQ? That said, the roof or canopy height must be at least 9 feet.
Anything lower than that and it can scorch or burn from the heat of the grill.
You can also put your barbecue under a big tree to protect it from the rain. Trees with large, dense leaves naturally block rain.
A little rain can get on the grill, but not enough to adversely affect the performance of the grill.
2- Keep charcoal or cooking wood dry
Wet charcoal or cooking wood will make it difficult to light the grill. Some pitmasters store charcoal or cooking wood outdoors, especially if they plan to grill in the near future. This is generally not a problem, but when it rains, the charcoal and cooking logs get wet, making it nearly impossible to light wet charcoal or cooking logs.
Regardless of the type of fuel source used, it should be stored in a dry place. Do not leave charcoal or cooking wood on the patio. Moisture (humidity) in the air saturates it even if the patio is covered. Instead, store charcoal or cooking wood in your home or garage and take it out only when you are ready to light the grill. I need to make a fire. The hotter the fire, the more protected it is from the cold of the rain. It is not uncommon for grill temperatures to exceed 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the grilled meat will brown on the surface that traps the juices. Unfortunately, rain can lower the internal temperature of your grill. As moisture settles on the grill, the internal temperature drops.
Here are some tips for starting a hot fire in the rain.
- If using charcoal, choose lump charcoal instead of briquettes.
- When using cooking wood, use kiln-dried wood instead of fresh or air-dried wood.
- Adds a large amount of charcoal or cooking wood.
- If the grill is wet, let it dry before adding charcoal or cooking wood.
- Light with charcoal or cooking wood bottom center tinder and kindling
Open the flaps to allow air to flow more freely through the grill. - Add more charcoal or grill wood when the grill begins to cool,
- Close the Lid, When grilling in the rain, close the lid to protect the burning charcoal and cooking wood from moisture. Every time you open the lid, rain, or at least water vapor in the air, can seep inside the grill and put out the fire.
3- Use a Remote Thermometer
Does your grill have a remote thermometer? If not, you should consider investing. As the name suggests, a remote thermometer lets you check the internal temperature of your grill without opening it. They usually consist of a probe that is placed either on the grill or on the food and an electronic display that shows the temperature of the probe. The probe is connected by a long cable to an electronic display so you can read the grill temperature without opening the grill. Remote thermometers can be purchased for around $20 to $30, making them a smart investment for the serious pit master.
Check Best Thermometer for grilling
4- dRY YOUR GRILL AFTER USING IT
Don’t forget to dry your grill after using it in the rain. If not dried, any remaining moisture will cause a chemical reaction known as oxidation with the metals that make up the grill. Going back to basic chemistry, oxidation is a catalyst for corrosion because it causes rust and corrosion to form on metal objects and surfaces.
Do not dry your grill immediately after using it in the rain. The grill can retain heat for a long time
Trying to dry the grill for minutes or hours after use can cause injury. So play safe and wait at least 24 hours. After the day has passed, wipe the grill inside and out with a washcloth or paper towel to dry any remaining moisture. It only takes a few minutes to dry your grill, but doing so will help extend the life of your grill by protecting it from rust and corrosion.
Whether you live on the East Coast, the West Coast, or anywhere in between, sooner or later you will encounter bad weather. The good news is that you can grill delicious food even when it’s raining outside.Don’t forget to follow the tips given here.