Winter has a way of sharpening the senses. The crackle of the fire feels louder, the glow of the embers warmer, and cooking over real flames suddenly feels like an event, not just a meal. Most people retreat indoors at the first frost, but winter is actually one of the best times to BBQ — stripped back, elemental, and properly satisfying.
Cooler air suits slow cooking and smoking perfectly. Flavours come through stronger, fires feel steadier, and the whole process becomes less about rushing and more about doing things properly. With the right accessories to hand, winter becomes just another chance to enjoy live-fire cooking at its best
1. BBQ Gloves
Cooking over a real fire is part skill, part luck — warmth from the flames, cold winter air, and the occasional rogue ember reminding you who’s really in charge. Flamery’s heat-resistant BBQ gloves let you handle it all without pretending otherwise.
Soft cotton fleece inside, reinforced with aramid stitching outside, they protect against both intense heat and winter’s bite. Because let’s be honest — everyone knows your hands are either freezing or burning, and a brave face isn’t convincing them otherwise.
2. Natural Firelighters
Lighting a fire shouldn’t feel like a performance, but winter has a way of turning it into one. Natural firelighters remove that pressure, even when the air’s damp and everyone’s watching.
Made from wax-dipped wood shavings, they light quickly and burn cleanly. No chemical smell, no frantic blowing, no claiming you “prefer to let it catch slowly” while it very clearly isn’t catching at all.
In winter, a fire that lights first time sets the tone. You get on with cooking instead of hovering over lukewarm kindling, and the evening starts with a quiet confidence and a warm glow.
3. Firebox Kit
The Flamery Firebox Kit exists to stop you constantly interfering with your own fire. You know the routine — move a log, poke it, step back, decide that made things worse, then move it back again.
With a steady burn and a proper bed of embers, the fire just gets on with it. No endless adjustments, no standing there like a conductor trying to lead an orchestra that’s already ignored you, just add wood when it’s needed – it’s that simple.
4. Rotisserie Kit
A rotisserie is ideal for winter because it doesn’t demand constant supervision. Set it spinning and you’re free to focus on important tasks, like warming your hands and offering inappropriate opinions.
Integrated tempering racks bring meat up to temperature before cooking begins, which is especially helpful when it’s cold out. It’s a small detail that saves a lot of time later.
And with the lid open, the heat rolls outward. People linger longer, drinks mysteriously need refilling, and no one seems in any rush to go back inside. The food’s cooking itself, and the fire’s doing its job.
5. BBQ Cover/Carry Bag
UK winter weather is nothing if not unpredictable. Rain, frost, and damp air can all take their toll if your kit’s left exposed between cooks. An uncovered BBQ in the winter is the grilling equivalent to guys who wear shorts in February. Don’t be that guy.
A durable carry bag or BBQ cover helps shield your grill from the elements and everyday wear. Whether you’re transporting your Konro or leaving your Asado outdoor in the frost, a heavy-duty, weather-ready carry bag or BBQ cover is essential to stand up to the elements, keeping everything dry, secure, and ready for the next time the fire is lit.
Final Thoughts
Winter doesn’t need a new approach, just a sharper one. With the right kit, fires light faster, heat stays longer, and packing down at the end is simple and stress-free. The whole cook feels calmer, more deliberate, and (somehow) even more rewarding.
In short
- Keep control: heat-resistant gloves help you handle hot kit and shifting embers with confidence.
- Start strong: good firelighters make everything else easier, especially in cold or damp conditions.
- Keep warm: a Firebox Kit gives you steady embers to cook with — and heat to stand around.
- Cook longer, host more: a rotisserie gives you hands-free, even cooking and that bit of theatre.
- Finish properly: let everything cool, dry it off, then cover it — it’s the difference between simply storing your BBQ and properly protecting it.
FAQs
Is UK winter BBQing safe?
Yes — as long as you don’t do anything daft. Keep the BBQ stable, let it breathe, and wear proper gloves. Winter grilling isn’t any trickier than summer — if anything, the cold encourages a bit more patience. Think of it as forcing you to look competent while you’re standing by the fire.
Does cold weather affect cooking times?
A little. Food starts colder, so it’ll take a bit longer to hit the right temperature. That’s where steady fires, rotisseries, and tempering racks really earn their keep — easing ingredients into the cook instead of shocking them into submission. Bonus: the longer you’re manning the grill, the more time others have to fetch you drinks.
Should I leave my BBQ outside all winter?
You can — just don’t abandon it. Let everything cool fully, dry it off, and give it a proper cover. A well-fitted, weather-resistant cover is the difference between firing things up again next weekend and discovering a soggy surprise.
What fuels work best for winter BBQing?
Dry, high-quality charcoal or hardwood. Moisture is the enemy in winter — keep your fuel dry, and pair it with natural firelighters that actually work. Nothing kills a mood faster than soggy logs and smoke that refuses to catch.
Is winter a good time for slow cooking and smoking?
Absolutely. Winter is made for long, patient cooks where steady heat and glowing embers do the work. Flavours come through deeper, the fire looks better, and you get the satisfaction of doing things properly. Speed is overrated anyway.
Can I BBQ in the rain?
Basically, if it’s not raining sideways, it’s BBQ weather – as long as you do it safely.
- Only cook outdoors. Never BBQ in a garage, shed, tent, or any enclosed space.
- Use an open-sided shelter (good airflow) and keep the grill near the edge, not tucked inside.
- Keep fuel dry and expect a slightly longer preheat.
- Cook lid-down more often to hold heat and protect the fire.
If you’re building your winter setup, here’s our full accessories list.
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