| Statistics reveal that many of us who live in the lands | | | | cocoons for the winter and their homes will prevent |
| of ice and snow now use our grills year-round. I | | | | fuel from flowing freely to the burners. |
| wouldn't be surprised if part of this interest in winter | | | | 3. Avoid wearing scarves or wide-sleeved jackets |
| grilling is that low-fat foods taste great when they're | | | | that may dangle into the flames and catch fire. |
| cooked over a flame. | | | | Instead, opt for snugly fitted sleeves and a |
| Although the basic principles of grilling apply in every | | | | turtleneck sweater or a fleecy neck warmer. |
| season, there are a few safety considerations that | | | | 4. Although the garage may seem like a |
| are unique to winter grilling that are important to | | | | wind-sheltered, inviting spot to grill, the comfort is not |
| keep in mind. | | | | worth the safety risk. Instead, set up the grill at least |
| At our test kitchen we're always working out of | | | | 10 feet away from the house to avoid the risk of a |
| season. That means that we develop turkey recipes | | | | fire or an explosion that can result when grill flames |
| all summer for winter publications and then grill all | | | | and stray vapours from the gas furnace, water |
| through February for summer magazine articles. (In | | | | heater or the lawn mower's fuel tank meet one |
| the picture above that's recipe tester Rob | | | | another in an enclosed space. |
| Heidenreich and test kitchen manager Sabrina Falone's | | | | 5. If necessary, brush off all snow on the grill to |
| arm cooking up summer recipes last week). | | | | speed preheating and shovel the surrounding area to |
| After years of shovelling snow off the patio to | | | | prevent a dangerously slippery skating rink from |
| spend the day grilling, we've become savvy and safe | | | | forming under and around your grill. |
| cold-weather grillers. Here are our tips for | | | | 6. Position your grill out of the wind to conserve heat. |
| cold-weather grilling success: | | | | 7. Many metals and almost all plastics get brittle in |
| 1. Gas grills with higher BUT ratings heat up quickly | | | | very cold weather so handle the knobs on the grill |
| even when it's very cold so if you're purchasing a gas | | | | gently to avoid snapping them off. |
| grill and know that you want to use it in cold | | | | 8. To ensure that foods cook evenly and that |
| weather, opt for a unit with a BTU rating per square | | | | cooking times aren't unreasonably lengthened in cold |
| inch that is higher than 125. | | | | weather, make sure the lid of the barbecue is closed |
| 2. If you haven't used the grill recently, check all gas | | | | during cooking. Peeking too often will allow heat to |
| lines, burners and jets for possible blockages. Insects | | | | escape and extends cooking time. |
| such as spiders may pick these places to build | | | | |