Want to grill in the rain? We people belong to a community that loves barbequing a lot. We spend most of our weekends having barbeque parties with friends and family members. Sometimes, mother nature has different plans and humans cannot resist them. It is very common to have a rain shower while grilling outside. The good thing is that we can overcome this problem and create a perfect solution for it.
Yes! You can successfully grill in the rain. You just need to take some precautions and have a great plan ready for your next grilling session. In this article, we have discussed great working tips for successfully grilling in the rain. You just need to invest your next ten minutes and by the end, you will be never afraid of grilling in the rain. So, let’s get started…
Table of Contents
Top 5 Ideas to Protect Your Grill from the Rain
Below, we have discussed the top five ideas to protect your grill from the rain. In case, if you are planning to use your backyard shed then you are wrong. Because most of them have a low ceiling and they are small. You will become quite vulnerable to dangerous smoke. Don’t worry! The below equipment will let your grill in the rain easily.
1. Barbeque Canopy
You can use a barbeque canopy to protect your grill from the rain. Actually, it is a material canopy draped over a metal frame. You can say that using a barbeque canopy is the same as using a gazebo or shelter. Keep in mind that it is not large enough for seating or dining area. But, it can protect your grill from light rain.
2. A Tarp Tent
It is a widely used and best idea to protect your grill from the rain. It is one of the oldest solutions to grill while it is raining. You can also regard it as a Boy Scout solution. You just need to look for a flame retardant or resistant tarp. Two things are very important to consider here the distance between the roof of the tarp and the grill must be at least six feet. The second is to make sure to never use a sheet of plastic. The plastic will melt and the heat along with flare-ups will easily cause a fire.
3. Patio Umbrella
Another great way to protect your grill from the rain is by using a patio umbrella. You just need to look for the biggest umbrella you can find. Also, it will be very important to tie or weigh it down against the high winds. You can also use a five-gallon bucket of wet sand. The good thing is that it will be going to one of the cheapest options here.
4. A Retractable Awning
Another popular equipment to make your grill rainproof is using a retractable awning. These are also considered among the best options for grilling in the rain. It will not only prevent you and your grill from the snow and rain but also provide plenty of shade in the hot summer season.
5. A Permanently Covered Grilling Station
If you love to grill a lot and can also spend money on getting a great grilling asset then a permanently covered grilling station will be a good option for you. A covered grilling station will let you freely cook outside. For the best results, you can also consult a professional designer and installer. They will design and build a great permanently covered grilling station for you.
Tips to Build A Hot Fire in the Rain
A hot fire is inevitable to successfully grill in the rain. Mostly, grills get an internal temperature of over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Grilled meat at this temperature develops a seared exterior that traps their juices. In the rainy conditions, the moisture settles on your grill. Resulting, the internal temperature gets low and inappropriate for perfectly grilling. Don’t worry at all. You just need to keep some important tips in mind to generate a hot fire in the rain.
In case, if your grill is already wet due to rainwater then start by drying it thoroughly. Make sure your grill is completely dry. While selecting the fuel, prefer charcoal briquettes over the lump charcoal. Or, you can prefer kiln-dried firewood over airdried or fresh firewood. Your selection of fuel will ultimately help you in igniting and generating a perfect hot fire.
Now, light using tinder and kindle in the bottom center of your charcoal or cooking wood. Make sure your grill has proper airflow because oxygen is mandatory for fire. Also, add a large pile of charcoal or cooking wood. You can also add more cooking wood or charcoal if the grill’s temperature is dropping due to the cooling effects of the rain.
Also Read:- How Long to Soak Wood Chips Before Grilling
Don’t Use an Electric Grill
It is obvious to not use an electric grill in the rain. Don’t use your electric grill that requires a corded connection to a wall outlet in the outdoor. Most of the electric grills available in the market are smokeless. However, you will never get that smoky rich flavor in your grilled food. Instead, you can use a propane gas grill or a charcoal grill. Gas grills are easier to light and use. But, those who love the classic smoky grilled flavor always go for the charcoal grills. It’s your choice as you can use charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, or cooking wood. At last and obviously! You will need to place your propane or charcoal grill in the right area so that it doesn’t get in contact with the rain.
Pre-cooking Your Meal
Here, we have a smart solution for enjoying your time while grilling in the rain. You can pre-cook your food in the oven before placing them in the grill. As we all know that rain will, directly and indirectly, affect your grilling moments. Rain will not only extinguish the fire but it will also low the temperature. Even, if you are also facing windy conditions then all these factors will very slow down the grilling time.
So, how will you manage if you are hungry? The best solution is to precook your meal in the oven then finish them on the grill to get that smoky barbecue.
When it comes to fast cooking foods like steaks and hamburgers, you have to babysit your food and cook them wisely so that they don’t burn. Resulting, you will be going to miss all other social and interesting outdoor activities. The best way to eliminate this solution is the reverse searing method.
This method works irreplaceable for steaks and burgers. You just need to place them in a low oven until the internal temperature reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit and then finish searing them on the grill.
In case, if you already know that it will rain then you can change the menu to meat. You get the best results with low and slow cooking brisket, whole chicken, or pork butt. Simply, precook the meaty items in the oven then achieve the classic smoky barbeque flavor by finishing them on the grill. This way you will be going to the same test as on the medium heat on the grill. You can also check HERE our detailed guide on what is medium heat on a grill?
Instead, if you are dealing with veggies then simply wrap them in foil with all the ingredients. Now, you can leave them to cook low and slow on the grill. Actually, the foil will keep the heat and flavor inside, even if you open the lid frequently while grilling.
Remote Thermometer is Necessary
Having a remote thermometer is necessary for grilling. Whether you are grilling in the rain, summers, winters, or during any weather conditions, it is very important to supervise the internal temperature of your grill. Raining makes the environment cool and it also affects the temperature of your grilling. The grilling temperature gets lover in the rain and it takes more time to cook food.
In order to monitor everything that goes well, you will always need a remote thermometer to check the internal temperature of your grill. You don’t need to open the lid at all. Actually, it consists of a probe that’s placed inside the grill. It also includes an electronic display that reads the probe’s temperature. The probe is connected to the electronic display by a long cord. It allows you to read the temperature of your grill without opening the lid.
Achieving and maintaining the right temperature for dedicated food is necessary. Monitoring is inevitable for maintaining the correct temperature. You can invest in a reliable thermometer by spending around $20 to $30. Even, a remote thermometer gives you the best advantage in monitoring the temperature for low and slow cooking.
The Best Advantage of Grilling in the Rain
Despite all the challenges that come into the way while grilling in the rain, there is a great advantage as well. Coming direct to the point, a rainy day means the air will be humid. Now, humidity reduces the rate of evaporation. Hence, your food will be moist and juicy longer than usual. Apart from that, you will also cover your grill in order to prevent it from the wind and rain. Now, you can take advantage of extra smoke and add a more classic smoky flavor to your food.
Therefore, there is a great advantage of grilling in the rain as well. You just need to be quite conscious about the ways to successfully grill your favorite food in the rain. As always, there are some safety hazards as well. Let’s discuss don’t dos while grilling in the rain.
Don’t Do These While Grilling in the Rain
There are some important points to consider while grilling in the rain. Some things must never be done when grilling and it is raining outside. Never place your grill inside the garage. Soon, your garage will be filled with smoke and it can also leak into your house. Moreover, this smoke is very hazardous to health because it is carbon monoxide and also contains many hazardous components.
Some people also keep an extra gas tank in the garage. The gas tank may have some gas and one spark from popping coal can make a big fire. Bring a wise person, you must never grill inside the garage.
Always avoid your grill in getting direct contact with the rain. The rain will cool off all the coals and will make your food completely wet. If it is heavy winds going on then you have to be extra careful because wind can project the ash all over your food.
Dry Your Grill After Using it in the Rain
Using the grill in the rain is not only the inevitable work but it is also very important to completely dry the lingering moisture of your grill. Please note that never dry your grill immediately, few minutes, or a few hours after the grilling session ends. Grills usually hold the heat for a long time and drying the grill suddenly can make damages to your grill. It is important to wait at least 24 hours after the grilling session.
But, Why is it important to dry your grill after using it in the rain? To answer this question, we have to get into some chemistry terms. Actually, the lingering temperature generates a chemical reaction known as oxidation. The oxidation is the catalyst for corrosion, as it causes metal objects and surfaces to develop rust or corrosion. Hence, if you don’t completely dry your grill after the grilling in the rain, you are declining the life of your grill.
So, how to dry your grill completely after the grilling session ends? As we already said, first you have to wait for at least 24 hours. Now, wipe the interior and exterior of your grill with a washcloth or some paper towels to dry up any lingering moisture. This drying procedure will only take a few minutes from your daily busy schedule.
Conclusion
Above, we have a detailed discussion on how to successfully grill in the rain. Make sure to fire earlier. Keep the lid closed as much as possible. Use more charcoal or cooking wood if the grill temperature is falling. Select any type of shelter from the above-discussed ones and also place a shelter from the side for protection from the wind. Always use a remote thermometer to increase efficiency and reduce grilling time. You can also share your valuable thoughts in the comments section below. Stay tuned.
