Wind and cold weather: why the grill struggles outside

Why does my grill swing more on a cold or windy day?

The sources link weather to swings. A pellet seller says that in cold months "the temperature might swing low, especially in the presence of high winds"¹. Another retailer says plainly that "Cold weather can affect the ability to maintain internal temperatures"².

Cold weather also shows up in a maker's list of common causes of swings, along with frequent lid opening and poor airflow³.

What is the grill doing about it?

The same retailer says the control unit answers bad weather by adding more pellets, to bring the temperature back up to your setting².

Is wind worse than cold?

The sources don't rank them, so I won't either. Both appear together. A retailer recommends "keeping it out of the wind as much as possible"².

What can I do?

Pick a spot out of the wind. A maker's guide says to place the grill, if possible, where it's protected from harsh winds⁴. Another source suggests you "shield your grill from intense winds"¹.

An insulation blanket is another option some makers mention. One says a blanket for its own grill line is meant to "keep the heat in and reduce pellet consumption"⁴. Use one only if your manual allows it for your model.

Where should the grill never go?

Not into a garage, shed, tent or any closed space. A maker's winter guide says to "never attempt to use your pellet grill inside a garage"⁴. It adds that the grill shouldn't sit too close to a wall or overhang, which can be a fire hazard⁴.

Burning fuel can make carbon monoxide. The EPA describes it as "colorless, practically odorless, and tasteless"⁵, and it can kill. Wind and cold are never a reason to bring a grill indoors or under cover that traps air. Keep it outside in open air, at the clearances your manual gives.

Check local fire rules too. Burning bans and open-flame rules come from your local fire authority, and they vary by place.

Should I expect it to just take longer?

Probably. A maker says even a clean grill may take a bit longer to heat up in the cold. But "it will get there eventually"⁴. That's one maker's view of its own grills, and yours may differ.

Give the grill extra time to warm up, keep the lid closed once it's up to heat, and don't keep changing the set number. For the lid side of this, read opening the lid. For how the grill decides to add pellets, see the auger, fan and fire pot page.