Jump to:
Lighting the charcoal or turning on the gas on your BBQ is one thing; keeping it lit on a windy day is another. What do you do when Mother Nature decides to send sudden gusts your way? While it can be challenging, it’s nothing that can’t be overcome with a little preparation.
Use this guide to learn handy techniques for keeping your grill fired up, even on the windiest of days!
Stay Prepared and Expect the Unexpected
The arrival of summer and the rush of warm air in the UK calls for a barbecue. It’s all fun and games until the weather becomes a rollercoaster of surprises. One moment, you’re enjoying a sunny Saturday, and the next, it turns into a windy day. Keeping the grill lit can feel like trying to keep a candle burning in a hurricane. Even if the wind doesn’t extinguish your BBQ, it can push a trail of smoke across your garden which can be unpleasant.
Don’t let such conditions keep you from tossing some juicy meats on your BBQ for a delicious cookout. Be prepared for anything when grilling outdoors. The methods you use will depend on the type of grill you have, but our tips below cater to both charcoal and gas BBQs.
Place a barrier to shield your grill
(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Use a barrier to protect your cooking area and grill from the wind. This can be a purchased folding windbreak or a DIY tarpaulin cover attached to nearby trees using bungee cords. Either way, position it between your grill and the direction from which the wind is coming.
Take advantage of your garden building
A solid object or structure also makes an effective windbreaker. Position your BBQ next to a garden shed, log cabin, or other garden structure like a gazebo (at least 10 feet away) to help block the wind and keep your grill lit. This method works best if the building is placed to shield your grill from the prevailing wind direction.
Use the lid and face vents away
(BillyOh Oregon 2 Burner Gas BBQ)
Your BBQ lid (if it has one) and vents are valuable features for controlling smoke and maintaining the grill’s flame. How it works is easy: just open the lid of your kettle BBQ or 2 burner gas BBQ slowly and carefully to prevent the wind from blowing ashes onto the food. Also, make sure any vents are positioned away from the wind. This reduces the risk of wind extinguishing the flame or affecting the temperature inside.
Check the match-light hole
Using the match-light hole is an alternative to lifting the lid to check if your grill maintains steady heat. Simply look through the hole to see if the flames are steady and not going out. You can do so without opening the lid, thus helping keep the BBQ going.
In charcoal grills, a match-light hole or lighting hole is usually located near the bottom or side of the grill, often close to the charcoal grate. In gas BBQs, you can find it near the burner area, close to the control knobs or at the burner’s base.
Tips: Wind can cause charcoal to burn faster, so consider keeping extra bags on hand. You may need to add a few pieces to each side of the grill while cooking. If you notice the gas burners have gone out, turn them off and open the lid to let the air circulate for about five minutes. Then, relight them.
Refer to our guides below for more information on how to turn on your grill:
With these tips, may your BBQ keep its flame burning despite any wind that comes your way. Make the most out of your backyard bash with these BBQ Party Games Ideas for All Ages!
What do you think ?