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This story was originally published in November 2020.

Barbecuing is an activity usually associated with summer fun. However, with a few simple modifications, you can start grilling in winter, even in cold and snowy places like Maine.

"Cold weather grilling is something special," said Spencer Brantley, owner of Portland's Wilson County Grill. "It has an adventurous feel, plus a naughty similar to eating breakfast for dinner."

Here are some tips to help you set up a barbecue area in winter and have a successful, delicious experience.

When preparing for a barbecue in the winter, the first thing you might want to do is to move the grill closer to your home.

David Nivus, owner of Bethel’s Good Food Store and Smokin’Good BBQ, said: “Able to open the door of the porch and stand there with a pair of tongs instead of having to stay in cold weather. It's great outside."

However, you need to keep fire safety in mind when relocating the grill.

"The grill should always be at least 18 [feet] away from any combustible structure," said Larry Pierce, owner of Scarborough Pierce Furniture and Pierce Outdoors. "If you have vinyl siding, make it further away so you don't melt the siding."

Nivus adds that if you have a gas grill near your home, make sure to turn it off after use.

"If you leave the gas on [and] the gas enters the house, that may not be a good thing," Nivus said. "I don't know if the propane in a household tank is enough to cause harm to anyone, but why take the risk?"

No matter how close your grill is to your house, you will have to spend some time in the cold. Make sure you are properly wrapped in warm clothing. Avoid tassels, loose sleeves, and certain flammable or meltable materials.

"Avoid wearing nylon or most materials made into raincoats because they will melt," Brantley said.

In addition to warm clothes, there are some tools that can make barbecues in winter easier.

Nivus says that if your grill has a built-in thermometer, the temperature reading may be off in winter. Instantly reading the meat thermometer will help ensure that your food reaches the correct temperature.

In addition, Pierce recommends wearing rubber insulation gloves when handling meat, such as "pull turkey from the grill."

"My suggestion is that everyone roasts the turkey on the grill," he added. "You will never go back to cooking turkey in the oven again."

If you don’t have a grill, you can choose a grill that performs best in winter.

Pierce said that pellet grills are particularly difficult to reach higher temperatures, and may even need to be covered with insulation blankets, "so they don't have to work so hard."

Brantley said that it is always better to season with wood or charcoal, but sometimes, especially in very cold conditions, the immediate heat of the gas has an advantage.

"If you just want to grill some shrimps or burn some onions, you can consider using gas, but if you want to smoke sirloin or pork shoulder, use wood," he explained.

Nivus says that the type of grill you choose may affect how long you have to open the door.

"You can light a gas grill and come back in 10 minutes," Nivus said. "[For] charcoal or wood grills, if your charcoal is cold, it may take longer for things to burn."

In any case, fuel should be stored properly. If you use wood and store it outside, make sure to cover it. Charcoal and pellets also need to be kept dry.

However, on the scale of most home barbecues, natural gas can usually be stored outdoors.

"In commercial kitchens, we must prevent snow from accumulating around the propane tanks because they will insulate the tanks and cause problems with gas pressure," Nivus said. "I have never encountered a problem with a small tank."

In terms of your food flavor and equipment function, a clean, well-maintained grill is always the ideal choice. For winter barbecues, regular maintenance is particularly important.

Pierce said that before autumn, a thorough cleaning should always be done.

"Check all hoses and connections and check the burner to make sure everything is in order," he added.

Also, make sure you have a grill cover. Brantley says that the best lid will come from a manufacturer, made specifically for your grill, but if you don't have that option and choose one from a large store, Nivus says that the thicker the better.

When it comes to snow removal, Brantley said that most grills are made of stainless steel or coated with heat-resistant paint to prevent rust. However, Nivus says that over time, snow can cause this paint to peel off. In addition, the snow will melt and freeze, making it more difficult for you to use the grill.

Generally speaking, if you don't clear the snow on the grill and the path between the house and the grill, your chances of using the grill throughout the winter will be greatly reduced. Keeping the work space tidy is also a safety issue.

Using your grill regularly will also help maintain it-this is another good reason to grill in the winter.

Brantley said: "If you don't use it for eight months, you may damage the interior, especially the rack." "If you need to put your grill into a dormant state, be sure to spray a neutral high smoke point inside. Oil-I like vegetable oil-to prevent rust."

In most cases, grilling in winter is no different from grilling in summer, but you may need to adjust your technique slightly to get the same quality results. Resist the urge to constantly check food to save fuel and make your meals cook faster.

"[When] the lid is opened in winter, there is a greater difference in ambient temperature between the inside of the grill and the outside of the grill,” Nivus explained. "Compared with summer, [more heat] from the inside will be emitted."

Some foods are also easier to cook than others. Brantley said he prefers slow-cooking in winter, such as hunting or large pieces of meat, such as sirloin, pork butt and turkey leg.

However, Pierce said, the most important thing is to cook what you like to eat.

"Anything you make in summer can be made in winter," Pierce said. "The most important thing is to grill all year round. If you miss the barbecue time in winter, then you miss one of the best times to enjoy a meal."