Is it okay to use a propane grill in low temperatures?
December 24, 2020 4:54 PM Subscribe
I'm thinking of grilling some of Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, it will be about 20 degrees F outside when I do (no snow, at least). My grill uses propane from a tank. The tank is already connected, and I know it's safe to keep outside for much colder temperatures than 20 degrees. But is it safe to actually use the grill in tomorrow's weather?
I use my grill year round. I have used it in a blizzard. You'll be fine.
If it's windy, make sure it doesn't go out within the first few minutes after you light it but once it heats up there shouldn't be any problems.
Naturally, expect it to take a bit longer to pre-heat and if you have the lid open it might not get as hot as it usually gets.
Enjoy your grilling!
posted by bondcliff at 5:06 PM on December 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
If it's windy, make sure it doesn't go out within the first few minutes after you light it but once it heats up there shouldn't be any problems.
Naturally, expect it to take a bit longer to pre-heat and if you have the lid open it might not get as hot as it usually gets.
Enjoy your grilling!
posted by bondcliff at 5:06 PM on December 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
It has never occurred to me that it might not be safe to grill in the winter.
posted by kevinbelt at 5:09 PM on December 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:09 PM on December 24, 2020 [4 favorites]
From Canada: Sure, eh?
posted by warriorqueen at 5:19 PM on December 24, 2020 [16 favorites]
posted by warriorqueen at 5:19 PM on December 24, 2020 [16 favorites]
Mr. DrGail makes ribs, low and slow, all winter. Or least whenever the grill isn't buried under several inches of snow. We're talking 250 degrees for three+ hours. You'll be fine.
posted by DrGail at 5:20 PM on December 24, 2020
posted by DrGail at 5:20 PM on December 24, 2020
We always grill our pork roast / porchetta for Christmas, because we use the indoors oven for a goose. Except this year. Which is ironic, because normally, the weather is horrible, there'll be a blizzard or something, and minding the roast is a challenge to overcome. This year it is extremely cold, but clear and beautiful, and I'm alone here while the rest of the family are in separate small bubbles elsewhere with no grill.
Anyway, it is safe and sound. Just wear warm clothes.
posted by mumimor at 5:23 PM on December 24, 2020
Anyway, it is safe and sound. Just wear warm clothes.
posted by mumimor at 5:23 PM on December 24, 2020
I'm so happy to know that Mrs. Ivan and I aren't the only weirdos grilling in the snow.
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 5:28 PM on December 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 5:28 PM on December 24, 2020 [3 favorites]
Totally.
My biggest issue is (visual) lighting, if I start later in the day. Weigh your propane tank and make sure you have plenty.
If you're super paranoid, start up the grill but don't set it to full blast to warm up - light it then adjust it to low and let it warm up with the lid down for a few minutes, then crank it up to reach temp.
posted by porpoise at 5:44 PM on December 24, 2020
My biggest issue is (visual) lighting, if I start later in the day. Weigh your propane tank and make sure you have plenty.
If you're super paranoid, start up the grill but don't set it to full blast to warm up - light it then adjust it to low and let it warm up with the lid down for a few minutes, then crank it up to reach temp.
posted by porpoise at 5:44 PM on December 24, 2020
It's totally safe, we BBQ all winter, and propane will work down to -37C. Colder than that and there isn't enough vapour pressure in the tank to power the burners.
Depending on the BTUs of your grill and the humidity you may see frost or even ice forming on the outside of your tank. This is nothing to be concerned about as long as your burners are still working.
posted by Mitheral at 7:01 PM on December 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
Depending on the BTUs of your grill and the humidity you may see frost or even ice forming on the outside of your tank. This is nothing to be concerned about as long as your burners are still working.
posted by Mitheral at 7:01 PM on December 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
I had a cabin in the Adirondacks and have grilled with a propane grill at -12F. Add in some wind chill and it is darn cold. Steaks, burgers and chicken still taste great. Your beer stays cold too.
posted by AugustWest at 7:31 PM on December 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by AugustWest at 7:31 PM on December 24, 2020 [2 favorites]
The only problem you might have is insufficient gas flow to get it as hot as you want, but it's gotta be pretty damn cold to slow down the evaporation of the liquid in the tank enough to be an issue for a burner on a normal grill.
posted by wierdo at 9:57 PM on December 24, 2020
posted by wierdo at 9:57 PM on December 24, 2020
Propane is fine down to fairly extreme temps, butane-isobutane is the one with a problem. Your specific stove could have eg a valve that sticks in the cold, but I don’t know why that would happen.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2020
posted by a robot made out of meat at 6:56 AM on December 25, 2020
Another Canadian voice:
In Canada we would call this "springtime grilling" and it's absolutely fine.
It will take a bit longer for your grill to warm up and if you are open grilling, add some time to the cook too, although this is barely something to think about until you hit about 5f (-15c to the rest of the world).
posted by Kinski's Ghost at 8:30 AM on December 25, 2020
In Canada we would call this "springtime grilling" and it's absolutely fine.
It will take a bit longer for your grill to warm up and if you are open grilling, add some time to the cook too, although this is barely something to think about until you hit about 5f (-15c to the rest of the world).
posted by Kinski's Ghost at 8:30 AM on December 25, 2020
Native Clevelander here. We grill all winter long. BBQ chicken in January, anyone?
posted by kathrynm at 11:48 AM on December 25, 2020
posted by kathrynm at 11:48 AM on December 25, 2020
If you have a battery igniter (like many webers), you may want to have a backup method handy for lighting the grill; batteries can be pretty weak when cold enough. If you have the piezo kind, it should be fine.
posted by jenkinsEar at 6:50 PM on December 25, 2020
posted by jenkinsEar at 6:50 PM on December 25, 2020
yup, when it hits below minus 40 around here ( which is the same in Celsius & Fahrenheit), the propane gels & doesn't do much. but warmer than that its good! Some people cover the tanks in snow/ make little shelters to help things. Today, at -30c, mine worked just fine.
posted by cabin fever at 9:06 PM on December 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by cabin fever at 9:06 PM on December 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jferg at 5:03 PM on December 24, 2020 [7 favorites]