Updated: July 2025

Planning to fire up your outdoor griddle when temperatures drop? Winter griddling can be incredibly rewarding, offering sizzling hot meals while snowflakes dance around you. However, cold weather presents unique challenges that can affect your griddle’s performance, safety, and your cooking results if you’re not properly prepared.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about using your Blackstone griddle (or any outdoor griddle) during cold weather months in 2025. From preventing costly equipment damage to maximizing cooking performance, we’ll explore proven strategies that ensure your winter griddling sessions are both successful and enjoyable.

Defining “cold weather” for griddle cooking: Winter temperatures vary dramatically across regions—from sub-zero conditions in northern states to 50°F in southern areas. For this guide, we consider “cold weather griddling” as any temperature below 40°F (4°C), though many of these principles apply to milder conditions as well.

Year-Round Griddle Cooking: Why Winter Sessions Are Worth It

Absolutely! I’ve been griddling year-round for years, including countless snow days here in Colorado. There’s something magical about cooking hot, delicious food outdoors while snowflakes fall around you. The contrast between the cold environment and the sizzling hot griddle creates an unforgettable cooking experience.

Winter griddling isn’t just possible—it’s genuinely enjoyable when you understand the proper techniques. The crisp air enhances flavors, the warmth from the griddle provides comfort, and mastering challenging conditions brings tremendous satisfaction. Plus, you’ll have outdoor cooking skills that work in any season.

What Blackstone Says About Cold Weather Griddling

Blackstone provides basic cold weather guidance in their Griddling 101 guide, including tips like “stay warm” and “use your house as a windbreak.” While these suggestions are helpful starting points, they only scratch the surface of the technical considerations that significantly impact cooking performance and equipment longevity.

Based on extensive field experience and research, here are the critical factors that actually determine your griddle’s performance and food quality during cold weather cooking sessions.

Extended Heat-Up Times: Plan for Patience

Cold weather dramatically increases the time needed to properly heat your griddle. The entire griddle assembly—steel frame, cooking surface, and all components—starts at ambient temperature and requires significantly more energy to reach optimal cooking temperatures.

Expected heat-up time adjustments:

• Above 40°F: Add 5-10 minutes to normal heat-up time
• 20-40°F: Add 10-15 minutes to heat-up time
• Below 20°F: Add 15-25 minutes or more
• Below 0°F: Add 25-35 minutes for proper heating

When planning winter cooking sessions with your outdoor griddle, start your preheat process much earlier than usual. This ensures your cooking surface reaches proper temperature for even heat distribution and prevents the frustration of undercooked food or hot spots.

Preventing Griddle Surface Warping: The Critical Factor

Griddle warping represents one of the most expensive and frustrating problems you can encounter, often requiring complete cooking surface replacement. The primary cause? Rapid temperature changes that create uneven thermal expansion and contraction in the steel cooking surface. Cold weather dramatically amplifies this risk.

As detailed in our comprehensive griddle warping guide, extreme temperature differentials can permanently damage your cooking surface, creating an uneven cooking area that affects food quality and may void your warranty.

Safe cold weather startup procedure:

1. Start on LOW heat setting for 10-15 minutes minimum
2. Gradually increase to MEDIUM for 5-10 minutes
3. Finally move to MEDIUM-HIGH or HIGH if needed
4. Never start on HIGH when the griddle is cold (below 60°F)
5. Allow the entire surface to heat evenly before cooking

Proper cool-down sequence:

1. After cooking, reduce heat to MEDIUM
2. After 5 minutes, reduce to LOW
3. After another 5-10 minutes, turn OFF
4. Allow gradual cooling—resist the urge to rush the process
5. Never pour cold water on a hot griddle surface

Increased Propane Consumption: Budget for Extra Fuel

Cold weather significantly increases propane consumption—often by 25-50% or more in extreme conditions. Your griddle works much harder to maintain cooking temperatures against cold ambient air, similar to how your home heating system runs more frequently during winter months.

Factors driving increased propane usage:

• Cold air density: Denser cold air pulls more heat away from the griddle surface
• Wind chill effects: Moving air accelerates heat loss exponentially
• Extended cooking times: Longer sessions require proportionally more fuel
• Cold propane tanks: Reduced pressure delivery affects burner efficiency
• Longer heat-up periods: Extended preheating consumes additional fuel

According to propane industry experts at Propane 101, you can expect 25-50% higher fuel consumption during cold weather cooking, with extreme conditions potentially doubling usage. Always keep backup propane tanks on hand, especially for longer cooking sessions or when entertaining guests.

Wind Guards: Essential Cold Weather Accessories

Standard Blackstone griddles feature gaps between the cooking surface and frame that allow heat to escape—a design element that becomes problematic in cold, windy conditions. Wind guards address this heat loss effectively and represent one of the best investments for cold weather cooking.

Measurable benefits of wind guards:

• Improved heat retention: Maintains consistent cooking zone temperatures
• Reduced propane consumption: 10-20% less fuel needed to maintain heat
• Wind protection: Prevents cold air from cooling the cooking surface
• Safety enhancement: Prevents nearby utensils and accessories from melting
• Faster cooking times: More consistent heat means better cooking efficiency

Wind guards aren’t just for winter—they improve performance year-round and typically pay for themselves through reduced propane usage within the first season of regular use.

Griddle Hoods: Your Cold Weather Cooking Game-Changer

While not absolutely essential, a griddle hood transforms cold weather cooking from challenging to comfortable and efficient. Hoods create a controlled microenvironment that retains heat, protects food from the elements, and significantly improves cooking consistency.

Cold weather advantages of griddle hoods:

• Temperature regulation: Traps heat around food for more even, faster cooking
• Weather protection: Shields food from snow, rain, sleet, and wind
• Moisture control: Prevents precipitation from affecting food texture and flavor
• Heat efficiency: Reduces cooking times by 15-25% and propane usage
• Melting and steaming capability: Allows for techniques difficult in open air

If your griddle didn’t come with a hood, aftermarket options like the GriddleGuard diamond plate hoods offer excellent functionality and aesthetic appeal, available in both chrome and black finishes to match your setup.

Advanced Cold Weather Griddling Strategies

Food preparation considerations:

• Bring ingredients closer to room temperature 15-30 minutes before cooking
• Use slightly more oil than usual as cold surfaces increase sticking risk
• Allow 25-50% extra cooking time for frozen or very cold ingredients
• Keep serving plates warm inside your house or in a low oven
• Prepare sauces and sides indoors to minimize outdoor prep time

Equipment and setup optimization:

• Position griddle near a windbreak: Use your house, fence, or temporary barriers
• Keep propane tanks warm: Store in a slightly warmer area when possible
• Have backup lighting: Winter darkness comes early
• Use a thermometer: Cold weather affects heat perception

Personal comfort and safety:

• Wear appropriate clothing: Avoid loose sleeves and synthetic materials near the griddle
• Keep pathways clear: Remove snow and ice from cooking and traffic areas
• Have indoor backup plans: Weather conditions can change rapidly
• Stay hydrated: Cold air can be surprisingly dehydrating
• Use proper gloves: Heat-resistant gloves are essential for safe tool handling

Common Cold Weather Griddling Mistakes to Avoid

Equipment-damaging errors:

• Starting on high heat: This is the fastest way to warp your cooking surface
• Rapid cooling: Turning off heat immediately after cooking
• Water shock: Cleaning with cold water while surface is still hot
• Ignoring wind direction: Positioning that allows wind to blow directly on the cooking surface