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How To BBQ In Winter

Tips for the Cold Season

Winter in New Zealand can get pretty cold, especially if you're closer to the pole. However, this can be the best time of year for BBQ-ing with no biting flies, mozzies and a tonne of winter recipes that are worth firing up the smoker for. Check out some of our tips and suggestions on how to combat the cold.

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  • Charmate heat-resistant gloves

    Charmate heat-resistant gloves

  • Heatbeads Charcoal

    Heatbeads Charcoal

  • Cover your Smokers / BBQ's

    Cover your Smokers / BBQ's

DON'T LET THE COLD FIZZLE YOUR FLAME

Despite the frosty chill of winter, the cold season can be the best time of year to get out your BBQ or smoker. From Roast chicken to smoky stews, winter has arguably some of the heartiest dishes of all the seasons. Check out our tips below for cooking in the cold.

Extra Fuel

Stock up on extra fuel as barbecues work a lot harder in the cold. Be sure to have extra briquettes or lumpwood available to avoid an extra fuel trip mid-way through a cook – you'll thank us later!

Cover your BBQ / Smoker

Protect your BBQ from the elements and invest in a good quality cover. The colder and more exposed it is, the longer it will take to pre-heat.

Take time to Pre-heat

Give yourself ad extra 10-15 minutes to pre-heat your BBQ. Just like your car, it takes a little longer to heat up during the cold season.

Cook what you know

Choose familiar and easy cuts of meat to ensure you're not outside for any longer than you need to be. Pre-planning your cook and ensuring you have all the ingredients ready will make a big difference.

Tuck in your woollies

Make sure you tuck in and loose or over-hanging clothing into your jacket or Swandri to ensure it doesn't catch flame flares from the BBQ.

Don't lift the lid

Use a timer as much as possible to avoid unnecessary lifting of the lid which will result in significant heat loss.

Heat-resistant gloves

Trust us, those fingerless gloves won't work here and just because it’s cold doesn't mean you won't get caught out. Have a good pair of heat-resistant gloves handy for quick handling to ensure you're not outside for more time than you need to be.

Check for unwelcome visitors

Critters and other small animals seek shelter during Winter, sometimes this is your BBQ. Give it the once over before you start your cook.

Light your space up

Portable, clip-on or hat-LED lights are a good way to add light to your cook without awkwardly holding a torch in one hand and a tong in the other.

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