Cold Weather Grilling Tips

At recteq, we believe grilling is the best way to cook year-round, and weather shouldn’t stop you from getting the best wood-fired flavor from each and every recipe. Whether you’re facing snow, sleet, rain, low temps, or extreme summer heat, a wood pellet grill will give consistent, reliable performance you can count on.

The recteq Difference
The truth is, most grills can struggle to function in fluctuating temperatures and that’s why you need a grill that is built like a tank. Specifically engineered to hold steady temperatures, every recteq wood pellet grill is made to perform with reliable, steady temperatures no matter what’s happening weather-wise. With a recteq, you get reliable performance and rock-solid PID temperature control that is surprisingly steady (within 5ºF of the set point for most of our lineup). That’s heat you can really count on!

Be Savvy About Location
It’s helpful to choose the best possible location for your grill, especially when temperatures are low and winds are high. That means your best bet is to block the heavy gusts by setting up near a wall to use as a windbreak, or a sheltered area to stay out of the wind and chill. Remember, though, always keep the airflow and exhaust clear!

Choose Quality Fuel (and plenty of it!)
With more temperature and elemental stress on your grill, you can expect it will be working harder to keep temps steady. That means during the coldest months of the year, your recteq will need a little more fuel than it would on a balmy 70ºF afternoon cook. So go ahead and fill ‘er up and make sure those pellets are recteq quality every time. Made in the USA, no fillers, binders, or preservatives and the best 100% hardwood fuel for your recteq! While we’re on this topic, don’t forget to keep those pellets DRY using an airtight storage container. Damp pellets produce less heat and will bog down the grill as it compensates. If you want the most cold-friendly pellet option, we recommend one with a strong BTU output, like an oak/hickory blend, perfect for extra-low temps.

Shorter Days, Longer Preheats
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to preheating during cold weather. A little more time to reach temp is normal, so build flexibility into your cook plan. Another helpful tip is to avoid opening the lid of the grill. Trust your temp probes to keep you informed and avoid checking the status for yourself – because every time you let in cold air, you lower the ambient temp in the grill, which will stall your cook.

Don’t do THIS
We caution recteq owners to avoid after-market gimmicks like gaskets or blankets, since these can actually hinder the grill’s performance and temperature control. Another important reminder: don’t overshoot the temperature to try to warm it up faster. The more times you tweak the dials, the longer it will take to get where it needs to go. To put it simply, trust the PID; it’s going to keep things steady!

Keep it Clean
Maintaining your recteq is important, especially during colder months, but it’s also incredibly simple. Keep the firepot clean and leave a light layer of ash in the barrel. It can actually help insult the grill and make it even easier for the recteq to hold steady during winter cooks.

Lean-in to the Season's Best
When it's cold outside, it's a great time to pull out the Dutch Oven and build your menu around stews, soups, chilis and slow roasted family favorites. The options are endless and the results are home-cooked hits that will warm you up from the inside out.