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Winter barbecues: Tips and recipes

Marie Staat |

Wintergrillen: Tipps und Rezepte

Winter barbecues are all the rage and are a lot of fun, especially for social gatherings. The fresh scent of winter in the air, a cozy get-together and delicious food straight from the grill - what could be better? However, winter barbecues also come with a few challenges, such as cold temperatures and shorter days. However, with the right preparation and suitable recipe ideas, barbecuing in winter can be a real highlight! In this article, you'll find everything you need to know for a successful winter barbecue experience, from choosing a barbecue and important tips to delicious recipes and a practical checklist.

Table of contents

Winter barbecuing: Which barbecue is the right one?
Tips for barbecuing in winter
The right side dishes for barbecuing in winter
Winter barbecue recipes: Our 5 recommendations
Checklist for barbecuing in winter
Petromax favorite winter recipes

Winter barbecuing: Which barbecue is the right one?

Gas-powered barbecue
Gas barbecues are easy to use and allow even temperature control, which is particularly important in winter. They are ready to use quickly and cool down less quickly than other types of barbecue.

Fire bowls
Fire bowls not only offer the option of preparing barbecue food directly over them, but also provide a pleasant source of heat. They create a cozy atmosphere and provide space for larger groups.

Fire baskets
Similar to fire bowls, fire baskets provide a cozy warmth and are ideal for use as a central fireplace for winter barbecues.

Tips for barbecuing in winter

Winter barbecues come with special requirements. With these tips, you are optimally prepared:

Prefer a barbecue with a lid
A barbecue with a lid helps to retain the heat better and cook the food evenly. This is particularly helpful in winter to avoid temperature fluctuations.

Briquettes are better than charcoal
Briquettes hold the heat for longer and are therefore better than conventional charcoal for grilling in cold temperatures.

Choose smaller barbecue food
Small pieces of meat such as fillets, skewers or sausages cook faster and reduce the time you have to spend outside in the cold.

Pre-cook side dishes such as baked potatoes, beet and corn on the cob
Pre-cooking these side dishes reduces the grilling time and means they are ready to serve quickly.

Wrap fish in aluminum foil
Fish fillets can be cooked wonderfully in aluminum foil. This keeps the fish juicy and heats it evenly.

Dress well
Winter jacket, hat and scarf are a must. High-quality loden clothing, such as that offered by Petromax, keeps you particularly warm.

Find a sheltered spot
Wind and extreme cold can make barbecuing difficult. A sheltered place ensures that the heat is retained better and barbecuing is more pleasant.

Remember to have enough light
With the early onset of darkness, additional light sources are essential. The Petromax HK500 kerosene lamp provides sufficient lighting and creates a cozy atmosphere.

The right side dishes for barbecuing in winter

Ideally, side dishes should be warm and hearty in winter.

Inappropriate: Cold potato salad or pasta salad - cold dishes are not suitable for a winter barbecue.

Suitable: Warm side dishes such as baked potatoes, warm salad or seasonal vegetables that can be prepared directly on the barbecue or in a Dutch oven are ideal.

Winter barbecue recipes: Our 5 recommendations

Here are five delicious winter barbecue recipes that are easy to prepare and perfect for the cold season.

Marinated spare ribs
Tender, spicy spare ribs are a classic. The marinade is easy to prepare and the ribs taste delicious even in winter.

Ingredients: spare ribs, marinade (of your choice), spices
Preparation: Place the ribs in the marinade, then place on the grill and cook slowly over a medium heat.

Grilled potatoes
Grilled potatoes are easy to prepare and go perfectly with any dish.

Ingredients: Potatoes, olive oil, spices
Preparation: Pre-cook the potatoes, then wrap in aluminum foil and place on the grill until crispy.

Fillet skewers with bacon
These skewers are a real treat and can be grilled quickly.

Ingredients: Fillet, bacon, spices
Preparation: Wrap fillet pieces in bacon, thread onto skewers and grill over a medium heat.

Cabanossi soup
Ideal for preparing in a Dutch oven - this soup warms from the inside and tastes wonderfully spicy.

Ingredients: Cabanossi, potatoes, vegetables, stock
Preparation: Place all the ingredients in the Dutch Oven and cook over a low heat until everything is nice and soft.

Chicken thighs with berry marinade
This sweet and fruity marinade brings a new flavor to the barbecue and goes perfectly with chicken thighs.

Ingredients: Chicken thighs, berries, marinade ingredients
Preparation: marinate the chicken thighs, roast on the barbecue until crispy and enjoy.

Checklist for barbecuing in winter

To make your winter barbecue a complete success, here is a practical checklist:

  • Recipes
  • Warm clothing, sturdy shoes
  • Radiant heater or fire bowl
  • Rain protection (e.g. parasol)
  • Seating and thermal boxes
  • Blankets and hot drinks
  • Cutlery and sufficient fuel
  • The right equipment for barbecuing in winter


The right products make winter barbecuing even easier. Petromax offers some practical outdoor utensils:

Fire bowls
For a warming fire and perfect grilling possibilities: Petromax fire bowls.

Percolator Perkomax
For delicious coffee or tea directly at the barbecue: Petromax Percolator.

Outdoor tableware
Robust tableware that is reliable even at low temperatures: Petromax outdoor tableware.

Petromax favorite winter recipes

Petromax favorite winter recipes
Red Wine Shallots - Red Wine Shallots - Petromax
Christmas Cookie from the Pan - Christmas Cookie from the Pan - Petromax
Christmas Frittata - Christmas Frittata - Petromax
Roasted Wild Boar Fillet - Roasted Wild Boar Fillet - Petromax
Kaiserschmarrn from the Dutch Oven-Lid - Kaiserschmarrn from the Dutch Oven Lid - Petromax
Easy to prepare mulled wine in the Dutch Oven - Easy to prepare mulled wine in the Dutch Oven - Petromax