When you have a summer barbeque on your mind, nothing should get into your way. You can’t just let all the fun die because of a little rain.
Where summers are usually synonymous with clear skies and sunny days, in some parts of the country, the summers end in heavy rain, if you also get a lot of rain in your area, your 4th of July barbeque plans could get interrupted.
Though I’m sure any grilling enthusiast will be willing to soak in the rain to grill a perfect steak, it doesn’t have to be challenging. That’s right! Grilling in the rain might be easier than you think, provided of course that you follow the tips mentioned below.
So, keep reading to learn more.
Get some shelter:
First off, the small umbrella you have your friend holding over your head does not qualify as a shelter. Some people go a little further, with an umbrella in one hand and the spatula.
To such people, I would like to say, I do admire your determination to a good old BBQ, but even I know that there are better ways to protect yourself from the rain. Instead of holding a small umbrella, look for a larger one that can stick into the ground, you could also look for a full-size BBQ canopy.
Now, if you are using a soft-top canopy or umbrella, you need to make sure of a few things. Firstly, make sure that the smoke is emitted outside the canopy; otherwise, the charcoal in the smoke can get deposited on the cloth, which can be very hard to clean. Secondly, it should be waterproof and heat resistant.
Get a new grill:
Grilling in the rain will be a little challenging, and an old and beaten up the grill is not going to cut it. To grill in the rain, you need to have a modern grill with a lid, so that the rain doesn’t fall directly on the coal and your food.
A light and straightforward grill can also topple over if the wind is too strong; therefore, you will need a hefty and full-size grill.
In my opinion, A pallet grill is much better for the rainy season as compared to a charcoal grill. Where coal does bring a distinct flavor to your meat, its flame can also be put out more quickly because of the rain. On the other hand, a pellet grill doesn’t get as hot as a charcoal grill, but the heat is steadier and more resilient towards the rain.
Therefore, if you have a pellet grill, you will be able to keep the barbeque roaring even if a couple of drops of rain sneak into the flame now and then. So, check out some online reviews for the best pellet grills.
Do as much prep indoors as possible:
When you are grilling some burgers, steaks, or any other food on the grill, and it is raining, you want to spend as little time in the rain as possible. Therefore, you should try to do as much work indoors as possible; this means that the food prep, such as making the burgers, assembling them, or gutting the vegetables for grilling should be done indoors.
Fire up the grill and close the lid to get up to temperature while you do some prep on the patio or in the kitchen. This will allow you to step in the rain only when it is necessary.
Consider pre-cooking in the oven:
The main reason most of us love grilled steaks more is the fantastic sear the grill makes on their exterior, and of course, no one is complaining about the smoky flavor either. However, if it is raining quite heavily outside, and you are in the mood for a grilled steak. It would be best if you learned about the reverse searing method.
Using the reverse searing method, you will be able to minimize your time at the grill and make a steak that is indistinguishable from one prepared entirely on the grill.
All you have to do is season the steak like you usually would for the grill, and then throw it in the oven for a while. Since the time may be different for different sized steaks, you should aim for an internal temp of 115 degrees F, then transfer the steak to the grill on piping heat and sear the outside to your liking,
The steak will be medium rare and juicy on the inside, with a perfect sear and smoky flavor, but you won’t have to get your feet wet in the rain for too long.
The wind is not your friend:
You might be thinking that the wind will help your coal burn quicker and hotter; however, it will also bring rain on to the grill. Though a light breeze isn’t problematic, if the wind is roaring and fast, you might want to build a windbreak near the grill.
This will allow your grill to stay hotter, and keep the rain out of your food.
Grilling in the rain isn’t that bad:
Though it isn’t easy to grill in the rain, like anything else, it does have a silver lining. That’s right! Grilling in the rain can have some advantages. Firstly, when it is raining the environment is more humid, which means that less moisture is evaporated from your food, making it a tad bit juicier.
Secondly, since you will be cooking with the lid closed most of the time, you can get some additional smoky flavor. Therefore, consider adding some damp pieces of apricot, or applewood on the coals for some extra smoky flavor on your meat.
Final thoughts:
Just because it has started raining doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your long-awaited barbeque party. Grilling in the rain may be a little challenging, but if you follow the tips mentioned above, it will get easier, and you will be able to keep both your guests and your grill fired up, with some delicious and juicy steaks and burgers.
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