Summer’s here and the grill is calling!
But before you fire it up, hold on a second. Grilling in scorching heat is not so fun.
If the temperature is over 100 degrees fahrenheit – it might be too hot to grill outside.
In this post, I’ll explain when it is too hot to grill outside along with the other two factors that also have an impact. And I’ll also give you some tips for grilling in hot weather.
There’s no hard and fast rule on when it’s too hot to grill outside, but most people find grilling comfortable up to around 90°F (32°C).
Beyond that, it starts to get unpleasant, and you might want to consider if it’s worth it.
Standing over a hot grill when it’s already scorching is hard and even dangerous.
You’re more likely to get dehydrated or even suffer from heat exhaustion.
Plus, very high temperatures can affect how your grill operates. Maintaining consistent heat can be trickier, and flare-ups may be more frequent.
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And on top of that, the extreme heat can make it harder to maintain safe food temperatures, especially when handling raw meat.
So if the temperature is above 100 degrees, it’s best to grill another day.
While temperature is definitely important, you can’t forget about humidity when deciding whether to grill outside.
This is because high humidity can make it feel even hotter and sweatier by making cooking outside really uncomfortable and potentially risky for your health.
When it’s humid, your body has a harder time cooling down by sweating.
This raises the chance of heat-related issues like exhaustion or even heat stroke.
If it’s hot but not too humid, you might still be okay to grill outside.
But if both the temperature and humidity are high, it’s probably better to cook indoors or wait for a cooler day to fire up the grill.
When you’re grilling outside, don’t forget about the wind speed.
A light breeze can actually be nice when it’s super hot, but if it’s really windy, it means trouble.
Strong winds can mess with how the heat spreads on the grill. So your food might end up cooking unevenly – some parts may burn, while other parts may still be raw.
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On top of that, strong winds can blow embers or sparks from your grill, which can be dangerous, especially if it’s dry out and there’s a risk of wildfires.
Just imagine a little spark landing on some dry leaves or grass and starting a fire accidentally.
I am sure that this is definitely not something that you want.
If you’re set on grilling even when it’s super hot outside, you’ve got to watch out for signs.
If you’re sweating a lot, feeling dizzy, getting headaches, feeling sick to your stomach, or getting cramps, it’s time to call it quits.
These could be signs that you’re getting overheated, and you need to find some shade.
Here are my best tips for grilling in super hot days:
One of the smartest ways to handle grilling in really hot weather is to change up your cooking schedule.
Instead of grilling in the middle of the day when it’s blazing hot and the sun is beating down, try doing it early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler.
Cooking during these cooler times not only makes the whole experience more enjoyable, but it also helps you to cook more perfectly.
It’s a simple change that can make a big difference.
When you’re grilling in hot weather, it’s easy to mess up how well-done your food is, especially with meats.
The intense heat makes it hard to tell if your steak or chicken is cooked just right just by looking at it. That’s where a good meat thermometer comes in handy.
Using a meat thermometer means you don’t have to guess anymore.
You just stick the meat thermometer to the thickest part of the meat and it will tell you the internal temperature.
That way, you can make sure your steaks, burgers, chicken, or whatever else you’re grilling is cooked exactly how you like it, whether it’s rare, medium-rare, or well-done.
If it’s too hot outside, think about choosing things that you can cook much faster, like veggies, shrimp, or fish filets.
They don’t need as much time on the grill as big pieces of meat or a whole chicken.
Picking fast-cooking foods means you don’t have to stand over the hot grill for too long, which makes grilling way more comfy.
Spending less time in the heat can help you to avoid feeling super tired or dehydrated.
Plus, these are less likely to burn or overcook, which can easily happen when it’s really hot.
If the weather outside gets really extreme, like super hot and humid, it’s totally okay to switch to indoor grilling instead. You don’t need to deal with all that discomfort and potential health issues from grilling outside in crazy conditions.
Using a grill pan or an indoor grill gives you that same grilled flavor and vibe without having to deal with the intense outdoor heat.
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You can still enjoy the taste and smell of grilled food while chilling out in your air-conditioned home or kitchen.
Plus, indoor grilling lets you have more control over how your food cooks. You can easily keep an eye on the temperature and make sure everything cooks evenly without burning.
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