You just got to know that it’s going to rain on the day you decided to have that big BBQ party. Now, what do you do? You can reschedule it or you can brave the weather and go with the original plan. How will you manage to grill all that scrumptious food in the rain? That’s where we come in. We’ve come up with this guide that will save you in such situations.
Can my grill get rained on?
Yes, your grill can get rained on however a little rain would not ruin it as long as you make sure to wipe off the grill or cover it up. It’s up to personal preference as none of the choices will leave you with a ruined grill. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll only end up with a little rust.
Is heavy monsoon ruining your BBQ plans? Or is it that “surprise I’m here” kind of rain that ruined your big BBQ party? Don’t fret for we’ve got your back!
Most people let their grills get rained on whereas some people prefer to cover their grills at any sign of dark clouds.
It’s all up to your choice but other factors do play a role here; the most important of which is your grill quality. Read on as we’ll explain to you how your grill quality affects your decision to cover it or not.
Should you cover your grill or not?
It is better to have a cover for your grill but you do not have to use it all the time. Just make sure to keep the grill clean, and cover when required, such as maybe during rainy weather. The quality of your grill also has a huge impact on your decision to cover it or not.
It is usually better to keep your grill covered in order to keep it rain-free. If you’re worried about the material your grill is made of, such that it would rust under rain, then keep it covered. Also, keep humidity in mind as covering the grill in humid weather can cause mold formation and eventually, rust.
Factors to consider regarding covering the grill or not
We’ve discussed the possible factors that play an essential part in your decision to cover or not cover your grill. Keep in mind that there may be other added factors that can influence this decision of yours. Check out the pointers below!
1. High-quality grills
These grills are strong enough to withstand harsh weather as they are made up of better materials and may have an enhanced design that effectively deals with the weather. On the other hand, these grills are also more expensive so you will probably want to keep them safe.
2. Low-quality grills
Low-quality grills are usually made up of cheaper materials and may not have an enhanced design to withstand the weather. You would want to safeguard your grill from more damage and decide to cover it. Losing an inexpensive grill may be less of a big deal but still, it is better to be safe than sorry.
3. Humid climates
When I say a humid climate, it does not necessarily mean a place with tropical, and in essence, hot weather. The humidity here can refer to any environment that is damp such as a foggy day in London.
It is not a good idea to cover your grill in such weather. The excess moisture in the air gets trapped under your cover on the grill, which may lead to the formation of mold and it may make the grill rust rapidly.
4. Coastal climates
Living by the ocean in a scenic and relaxing environment may be everyone’s dream but your grill will not enjoy it. It is always a good idea to cover your grill if you live in coastal areas. The salty air may form a salty residue on a grill that is left uncovered. In order to mitigate the risk of residue buildup, I recommend you use a damp cloth to wipe down the grill every week.
5. Dry climates
If you live in a place with a very dry climate, covering your grill is all up to your personal preference. This is because the weather poses no threat of mold formation, rapid rusting, or residue buildup. However, make sure to clean your grill regularly to avoid any coatings, debris, or dust.
What to do if it rains during your BBQ?
If you have an electric grill, unplug it. Place your grill under a sheltered area. Build a hot fire and use more charcoal for it. Plan for any kind of shelter from the wind and rain while grilling, and keep the lid closed for as much time as possible. Make sure to dry the grill after use!
Imagine you are standing under the dark grey sky, happily flipping scrumptious food on the grill and it suddenly starts pouring. What do you do? Do you abandon your grill and food and run for cover? Or do you continue with your grilling?
Tips for grilling in rainy weather
The following tricks and tips will help your BBQ party go smoothly no matter how bad the weather is. However, the secret trick here is to multitask so you save time standing in the rain.
Here are some ways you can ensure a successful grilling session even on a rainy day:
1. Start your fire early
If it seems like it’ll rain on your BBQ day or the forecast says so, plan to start your fire early. Also, keep extra charcoal nearby as you’ll need more of it than usual.
If it starts raining during your BBQ, then quickly take the grill to a sheltered area and start a very hot fire using more charcoal than usual.
2. Take shelter against the rain and wind
Your biggest enemy while grilling would be the wind from the side and rain from above so it is recommended that you arrange for some kind of shelter, be it a canopy, a grill umbrella, or anything stable you can come up with.
3. Keep the grill closed
While you are grilling, try to keep the lid closed as much as you can as this will retain the heat and protect your food from getting soggy with rainwater.
4. Use a remote wireless thermometer
If you want to reduce the time you spend standing in the rain, we recommend using a remote wireless thermometer. Using this, you can stay dry and easy while monitoring your grill and food at the same time.
5. Keep an eye on the gas burners
The combination of wind and rain is especially disastrous for the gas burners so keep an eye out and prevent them from suddenly blowing out.
6. Pre-cook the meat using the reverse searing method
Using the reverse searing method to pre-cook the meat will do you wonders in the rain. This method can be used for burger patties and steaks.
Just place the meat in a low oven till the temperature reaches 120°F. Then, take the meat out and sear it on the grill later. This will reduce your cooking time over the grill and give the meat that delicious grill flavor too!
7. Use foil for the veggies
To reduce your time out in the rain, grill your veggies after wrapping them up in foil. This will ensure that the moisture and heat are retained while grilling, even if you open the grill cover during the process.
Things to avoid when grilling in the rain
There are some things that you need to avoid and be careful of while grilling in the rain. Pay attention to the following to safeguard yourself from any hazards.
1. Never grill inside the garage
Do not grill inside your garage under any circumstances as there is a risk of the smoke leaking into the house. Also, if you have a lawnmower or an extra gas tank somewhere in your garage, one spark from coal could be life-threatening.
2. Avoid direct contact of rain with food or coals
Try to avoid rain from falling directly onto your food or the coals as this will make the ash fall all over your food. It will also cool off the coals and make your food wet and soggy.
Wrapping it up!
Finally, don’t worry about grilling in the rain. The rain would not do much damage to your grill. However, it is still important that you invest in a good cover depending on your geographical location and the quality of the grill you use. Also, make sure to avoid grilling in the garage, and don’t let the rain fall directly into your food and the coal.