{"id":109969,"date":"2026-01-23T16:59:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/109969\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T16:59:08","slug":"how-to-cook-during-a-snowstorm-and-when-not-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/109969\/","title":{"rendered":"How to cook during a snowstorm\u2014and when not to"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014 Well, judging by the response, you all loved my article on shopping for a snowstorm<\/a>\u2014so now I\u2019m back with how to cook during one. With a big one on the way<\/a>, it feels like the right moment to dust this topic off.<\/p>\n

When snow and frigid temperatures settle in, it can be tempting to fall for the romance of it all\u2014lingering outside by the grill with a beer or other appropriate beverage. I\u2019m thinking a can of appropriately named Polar seltzer from Worcester, Mass., or a beer in hand, safely tucked into a cozy. A reader once shared that his snowblower and grill sat side by side in the garage. In bad weather, he wrote, the first path he plows is the one from his back door to the barbecue.<\/p>\n

At our own home over the years, just after a snowfall, we\u2019ve fired up the propane grill\u2014not an easy feat, as propane struggles in sub-freezing temperatures. Coaxing the flames to stay lit takes patience and persistence. But within about an hour, the effort has paid off: charred burgers and ribs, seared vegetables, and even a smoky caponata made from an eggplant cooked on the upper rack. That is, when the wind cooperates and visibility isn\u2019t zero.<\/p>\n

Several years ago, when I shared my love for grilling during a snowstorm, one kind reader chimed in with a reality check. \u201cI\u2019ve actually tried to grill in this snowy weather, and it is too cold, believe it or not,\u201d the reader wrote, describing an attempt using a Weber kettle and a chimney full of lump charcoal.<\/p>\n

Still, where there\u2019s a will, there\u2019s often a way\u2014or at least some professional guidance.<\/p>\n

Michael Cappucci, the chef behind the upcoming catering operation at Kreischer Mansion, the historic Charleston complex now underway<\/a>, says winter storms are also a reminder to know when to stay inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we get as much snow as expected, you\u2019ll have to dig out the grill first,\u201d Cappucci said. \u201cAnd then I\u2019d stick with fast\u2011cooking items\u2014steaks, hot dogs. You don\u2019t want to run in and out all day unless you\u2019re truly committed\u2026 or smoking something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it\u2019s snowing, there\u2019s not much to do,\u201d he added, \u201cso for me it\u2019s the best time to cook indoors. I love making roast beef or pork loin. The smell alone adds to the mood.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those of us who insist on winter grilling\u2014or enlist a spouse for the heavy lifting\u2014experience has taught me that preparation is everything. Get the grill roaring hot. Block the wind. Contain the heat. Prep everything in advance so the lid stays closed. At that point, you\u2019re thinking more like roasting than traditional grilling.<\/p>\n

Cappucci recommends larger cuts such as pork loin or roast beef, which don\u2019t require constant flipping.<\/p>\n

Local chefs have offered similar advice. Mike Campbell of Tottenville advises that oiling grill grates before lighting helps prevent sticking, especially with saucy foods. He also cautions against loose scarves or clothing near open flames and notes that poultry and pork may need longer cooking times on windy days to reach safe temperatures.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re using charcoal, don\u2019t have the grill too close to the house,\u201d Campbell said. During harsh weather, he wheels his metal gas grill into the open doorway of a shed, keeping the fuel source outside.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers say winter grilling is possible\u2014with caution. Weber advises clearing snow and ice from the grill,<\/a> allowing extra preheat time, keeping additional fuel on hand and positioning the grill perpendicular to the wind. Keeping the lid closed becomes even more important in freezing temperatures. Heat-resistant grilling gloves\u2014not snow gloves\u2014are recommended.<\/p>\n

One rule does not change with the season, according to Weber: Never grill inside a garage or under an overhang, no matter how cold it gets.<\/p>\n

And of course, there are limits. A heavy cast-iron grill pan is a worthy stand-in. Get it really hot. Apply a dry rub. Sear, sear, sear\u2014then finish in the oven.<\/p>\n

So can you cook during a snowstorm? Of course you can! Just be prepared. Know when the romance gives way to reason, and when it\u2019s time to head back inside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014 Well, judging by the response, you all loved my article on shopping for a snowstorm\u2014so…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":109970,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-109969","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109969"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109969\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}