If you love barbecuing in your backyard, chances are you’ve experienced grilling in the rain. Unless it’s very heavy (too heavy to stop), there are several things you can do to continue cooking what’s on your grill. Better yet, you can come prepared, especially if you’re anticipating rain but still need to fire up your grill anyway!
Here are some tips on how you can grill like a pro on a rainy day:
find refuge
The best thing you can do is create a permanently covered grilling station so you can keep cooking, whatever the weather. But if this is not possible, there are workarounds you can try. Investing in a barbecue awning or retractable awning for your porch or patio is a great way to go.
But if you need a quick fix, a large umbrella or tarp should do the trick. A 5 gallon bucket filled with either water or sand make good anchors.
precook your food
If you’ve planned a barbecue session on a day when you expect some rain, it’s a good idea to pre-cook your meal in your kitchen. For example, you can use the reverse grill method if you plan on grilling some burgers or steaks, simply brown them over low heat in an oven and finish cooking on the grill. This means less time in the rain for you!
wrap your vegetables
If you are about to roast different types of vegetables, wrap them all together in foil and create a bundle. Grill them together instead of separately to reduce time in the rain.
Create a windbreaker
When you’re grilling in the rain, the biggest enemy you’ll have is the wind. Your umbrella, tarp or hood won’t do you any good, so you’ll have to improvise a windbreaker. Install a sheet of plywood or something similar to create a “wall”.
Make sure it’s steady and won’t fall on anyone or your grill!
Control the temperature of your grill
The rain will lower the temperature of your grill so you must take control so that it does not affect the food. If you are using a charcoal grill, you may need to add more to keep the heat. If you’re using a gas grill, expect the burners to pop. If this happens, turn off the gas, open the lid to let the gas escape for a few minutes before turning it back on.
Follow these 5 effective tips for grilling in the rain!
