Old Man Winter might have had millions of Americans hunkered down indoors in the last couple of weeks, but many intrepid souls who live in the Snow Belt don't let nasty weather deter them from grilling year-round.
In a 2008 survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, 32 percent of respondents said they grill in temperatures below freezing, and 26 percent indicated they use their outdoor cooker while it was snowing, sleeting, or hailing.
Of course grill manufacturers welcome this trend and even stoke the fires of cold-weather grilling. Weber has come out with a holiday grilling guide, which covers things like finding the correct brine and cooking times for turkey, beef tenderloin, ham, and festive-feast favorites.
And on its Sizzle on the Grill blog, Char-Broil offers a wide range of recipes—the smoke-roasted prime sirloin and BBQ sweet potatoes looked tasty, though we're a little unsure about a dish featuring cougar meat—along with some useful planning advice.
If you're preparing beef for the holidays, watch our video (above) on how to grill the perfect steak, and avoid these grilling blunders, including not using a meat thermometer.
You might be able to get a deal on a grill at this time of year. As I saw recently at a local home center, the highly rated Weber Genesis E320 was selling for well below list price. Our free buyer's guide to grills and ratings (available to subscribers) will get you started on the road to year-round searing excellence.
And remember, if you need to dig a path through the snow to reach your grill, be sure to use a plastic-bladed shovel to avoid damaging your deck.
—Gian Trotta
Essential information: Make sure your grill is in safe working condition and be careful if you're planning to deep-fry a turkey.
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