Strategies that result in higher use of grills and smokers in winter

I know a lot of this depends on the characteristics of your house, deck, kitchen location, etc, but just wondering what people do to make it easier and more welcoming to keep up the grilling and smoking during winter. I am considering rolling everything into the garage before next winter so I can wheel them out to the driveway and use them. As they are now on the deck, it’s not inviting dealing with all of the snow and cold trying to use them. I figure in the garage in the winter, they will be dry and I can hide in the protection of the garage while monitoring the cooks. And when heading into the house during the cooks, no tracking in of snow.

Any other tips?

I have mine on my deck. Just shovel the snow off after each snow and no issue.

I keep all mine in the garage year round and I still don’t use them much in the winter. Just not the same standing out there drinking beer and watching the cook when it’s below zero for me haha. Can’t wait for summer!

CaptainMusky wrote:

I have mine on my deck. Just shovel the snow off after each snow and no issue.

Same. I don’t use mine when its bitterly cold out. But when we get a 40 degree day or so, then I will. I have a Weber Spirit series propane grill and I keep an weather proof cover on it.

Like Coletrain, I also keep mine in the garage year round. I’ve got some good money invested in both my grill and smoker, so I don’t see the point in letting it sit out in the elements year round. Takes about 10 seconds for me to roll them out of the garage.

gim wrote:

Same. I don’t use mine when its bitterly cold out. But when we get a 40 degree day or so, then I will.

Ive used mine when it was -20 and it performed fantastic. Obviously Im not sitting out there with a beer in my hand. This was when I was smoking something. Using to grill Id probably not do it when that cold.

We grill probably 3 or 4 days a week in the winter. Don’t like to grill when it’s super cold or windy, wind is worse. Just keep the deck shoveled snow-blowed and a cover on the grill.

Know people that move the grill so it’s right outside the deck sliding door. Just close enough to grill outside while standing inside.

queenswake wrote:

I am considering rolling everything into the garage before next winter so I can wheel them out to the driveway and use them.

This is what I do.

Mine are all in the garage, I don’t grill with my garcoal on my composite deck. I roll them right on to my garage apron and grill away. I use my grill from 0 degrees and up. It’s used all winter long. My smokers are the same. But I find myself smoking way less in the winter just because I enjoy hanging out by in on a nice summer day.
Again the charcoal grill is used 3 to 4 times a week all winter

Mine ( Weber charcoal, gas and Blackstone) are on the deck and I grill 1-2 per weeks all winter.
JUST got a smoker for Christmas but with all the electronics on it I keep it in the garage and wheel it out in the driveway to use it.
Snow is NOT a problem.

I move it to the garage so I can just roll it over to the open door.

I keep my smoker and my weber grill on the deck. Shovel the deck every time it snows. At least enough to access them. We use them 2-3 times a week all winter. Plan this summer is to put in a 14X14 Concrete pad next to the Detached garage and add a Gazebo w/metal roof. Plan to Heat it with a patio heater.

I got me one of those pop up sheds from Hobo Freight, keep grill & smoker in that. Unzip the door and oh man the delicious smell.

I bring my smoker into the garage when I am not using it and wheel it out when I need to. My garage is heated and it takes less time to reach temp when it is -5 out. My gas grill is outside on my deck that has a gazebo. I move the grill to the middle of the gazebo in the winter. I have a cover for the grill that gets put on when I am not using it. I grill and smoke all year long.

Rodwork wrote:

I bring my smoker into the garage when I am not using it and wheel it out when I need to. My garage is heated and it takes less time to reach temp when it is -5 out. My gas grill is outside on my deck that has a gazebo. I move the grill to the middle of the gazebo in the winter. I have a cover for the grill that gets put on when I am not using it. I grill and smoke all year long.

Gas grill wtf

My GAS grill is underneath my 3-season porch right outside the walkout door. Use it anytime I want year round. Cover it most of the time it’s not in use, especially if it’s going to storm.

Same. Sits next to the garage door. Wheel out. Wheel in.

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Good ideas everyone. I just need to do something different next year so I can continue grilling/smoking through the winter. I realize how much I do it the rest of the year when I struggle to get meal variety during winter. I just have a hard time getting motivated in the cold and dark. Temperature is another benefit I hadn’t thought of with keeping the ceramic smoker in the garage (have a kamado joe). Would take less time to heat up and also less change of cracking because of the temp change.

Gotta figure something out.

We have a treager smoker under our carport and use it all winter. I did buy a Thermo Blanket for it this winter and has made a big difference in the way it cooks. It performs a lot better.

Yeah I just keep things in the heated garage as long as there is space. The 4 burner griddle gets used in the garage and you get the heat benefit along with it. I prep and put things on the pellet smokers and then just roll it out the garage door and turn it on and monitor from inside. Go out the side access door to flip and get stuff when it’s done. Let things cool off and open the big door b4 bed and wheel them back in. I’m going to eventually pour a slab and large overhang along the side door opening for all the cookers.

Playa gonna play. Grill 3-4 times a week. Couple nights of leftovers, pizza a night or two.

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