How to Grill on a Windy Day
Updated December 2025
Do you have a family BBQ planned, and fear that on the day of, you’ll look out the window to grey skies and gusts of wind? Are you worried that your plans will be ruined when a gust of wind blows out your flame? Grilling in the wind gets easier with the right tricks up your sleeve.
Although risky weather conditions are not optimal for grilling, windy conditions do not have to deter you from some serious cooking.
How Winds Impact Grilling
Wind messes with grilling because it:
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Steals heat. Your grill works hard to get up to temperature, and then the wind just messes things up and impacts temperature control. Very rude!
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Fans the flames. Sometimes wins can cause grill flare-ups to get…flare-up-ier.
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Blows ash everywhere. Nothing says “bon appétit” like a dusting of charred regrets on your ribeye.
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Becomes a safety hazard. Grilling in the wind can be a fire risk — especially if it’s dry outside. Don’t be a dumb ash about it.
Wind-Proofing Your Grill
If it’s a bit windy outside, here’s how you can set yourself up for some delicious grilling success.
Block the Breeze
Position your grill near a natural windbreak, like a fence, wall, or hedge to help minimize impact. Just be sure to keep the airflow safe and never fully enclose your grill. Oxygen is good, but carbon monoxide is bad.
Turn Your Grill Into a Heat Fortress
We're big fans of both metal and ceramic grills — and both can be used in windy conditions.
If you’re using a ceramic grill, those babies are heat-retention beasts, which comes in handy when grilling in the wind.
For both metal and ceramic grills, try:
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Kick Ash Baskets & Cans. These will work together to help keep your food and ash in place when the wind rears up, stabilize airflow, and minimize the wind making a mess during clean up.
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A good thermometer. Wind impacts temperature so it’s important you have a good thermometer to keep an eye on temperature fluctuations and ensure proper cooking.
Rotate Your Grill, Not the Food
Point your grill so the wind hits the back, not the vents or lid seams. This helps keep the airflow predictable so you stay in control rather than Mother Nature taking over.
Grilling in the Wind: How to keep your grill lit on windy days:
- Use a gas grill
- Check the match-light hole
- Add charcoal
To keep your grill lit in windy conditions, it is best to avoid using a charcoal grill. Wind affects gas-and-charcoal grills more than anything else, and can be the primary deterrent from having your ideal BBQ or get-together.
However, if you own a gas or electric grill, managing the wind will be easier compared to the effort required to maintain a fire on a charcoal grill in windy conditions.
Gas Grilling in Windy Conditions
Wind can blow out your burners, even on expensive grills. Here’s how to master grilling on a gas grill in windy conditions.
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Light your grill with the lid closed to protect the flame.
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If a burner goes out, turn off the gas, wait a sec, then relight.
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Be sure to aim the grill so the wind hits the back.
When using a gas grill, it’s helpful to angle the grill so the wind does not disrupt the flow of gas through the burners. Angle it away from the wind, perpendicular to the burner tubes.
Also, check the match light hole before you start, and avoid lifting the lid too often; this helps keep the flames from going out. If the burners go out during prep or cooking, turn off all gas valves immediately to prevent unlit gas from building up.
Another thing is that a gas grill will usually already have a windscreen, so you should just have to angle the flame away from the wind, and you will be free to enjoy your BBQ!
Charcoal Grilling in Windy Conditions
If you plan to use a charcoal grill on a windy day, it can be more challenging than using a gas grill. Charcoal grills require a bit more maneuvering and patience to prevent the fire from going out.
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Close the lower vents slightly so your coals don’t go nuclear.
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Use a drip pan to tame flare-ups.
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Add charcoal/fuel more often (the wind burns it faster).
When grilling with charcoal in windy conditions, you will need to add more charcoal often to maintain a steady temperature.
Especially in windy conditions, charcoal grills require more fuel. Smoke escapes more than with other fuel options, and so adding more charcoal will be a repeated process. Adding more charcoal will ensure that the wind does not extinguish the flame of the grill and that the food being grilled cooks evenly at a consistent temperature.
The more the flame fluctuates, the greater the cooking time, and the more unpredictable the grilling process and final food product might become. When the weather is windy, there is a greater chance for an unpredictable cooking process, but by adding more charcoal and keeping a patient and steady eye on the flame, one can overcome the elements.
When using a charcoal grill in windy conditions, keep the vents open to allow smoke to escape and prevent buildup. Open the lid carefully and to the side to avoid ashes blowing onto your food. And most importantly, if the wind picks up to strong or gusty levels, it’s best to skip the charcoal grill altogether for safety’s sake.
Grilling Safety in Windy Conditions
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Always be conscious of your surroundings and practice fire safety whenever grilling.
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Be aware of super-dry weather and wind occurring at the same time, which can create dangerous conditions, as a dry environment can catch on fire. Dry weather conditions can be very dangerous, and a grilling accident could ignite a disaster, so make sure to be super careful if grilling in the wind.
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A gas or electric grill is your best option for windy conditions. The best gas grill is one that is both durable and freestanding, allowing it to safely and securely withstand any conditions. If you do want to take the charcoal route, the best charcoal grill options are going to be ones that are easily manageable and maneuverable in size and design.
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Of course, an electric grill is really handy because you can also take it inside and enjoy grilling regardless of extreme weather conditions.
Best Grilling Tools for Windy Conditions
If you are thoroughly committed to grilling and have invested in a grill that you need to leave outside, but want to keep it protected from the elements, you should also invest in these handy tools to keep your grill and grilling experience safe.
Blocks
Put blocks around your grill’s wheels to prevent it from moving. You can find items from your garage, such as bricks or heavy objects, that can act as blocks to hold the grill in place.
Grill Cover
A grill cover is a necessary purchase in order to ensure that your grill will be covered and protected from the elements. You can fasten the grill cover by tying it down to the deck or anything stable. By ensuring that the grill cover is fastened over your grill, you can be sure to leave your grill outside in any weather.
Bungee Cords
If you need to keep the grill anchored while grilling, you can make use of bungee cords in order to tie the entire grill to something that is stationary. The blocks or bricks can also be used here to wedge the grill in place while grilling some tasty cuts of meat or delicious vegetables in the wind.
Securing the grill to the deck with bungee cords and using blocks to deter the wheels from sliding is helpful in securing the grill structure in the face of inclement weather.
Windscreen
Windscreens are essential for grilling in the wind and ensuring that your BBQ will be ruined neither by the elements blowing out your grill’s fire nor by any safety disasters.
Windscreens can help you supervise the grilling process and not have to worry about the wind when flipping burgers or steaks. A windscreen is also what stops the wind from making your flames go out, which will make grilling an easy and smooth process, regardless of the weather.
Windy Grilling FAQs
Can I grill when it’s windy?
Yes. Wind is annoying, not a deal-breaker. Just set up smart, keep that lid closed, and be safe.
Which way should my grill face in the wind?
Be sure to point the back of your grill toward the wind. This keeps the breeze out of your vents and prevents the flames from getting out of control.
Is it dangerous to grill in strong wind?
If the wind is strong enough to knock over your patio furniture or remove shingles from your roof, maybe skip grilling and do your cooking inside. Otherwise, just take some
simple precautions and you’re good.
Why does my temperature keep dropping?
Because wind is a thief and steals the heat straight out of your grill. You can fight back by preheating longer, keeping your grill lid closed, and using gear that improves airflow and stabilizes temps (like our grill baskets and cans).
Why is my food cooking unevenly?
Unfortunately, wind gusts can cause uneven airflow, which leads to hot spots and cold spots. Use two-zone cooking (our grill dividers are a must-have for this) and do your best to block the wind.
Can the wind blow ash onto my food?”
Yes, and it is definitely gross. To minimize ash blowback, don’t open the lid more than necessary and make sure your charcoal isn’t overly exposed to the breeze.
Mastering Grilling in Any Terrain
Igniting fires and cooking food on them despite the elements is one of humankind’s longest and favorite pastimes, and can even be healthy if done right. Today we have the technology and tools to ensure that we can brave the elements, keep our flames lit in our technologically-advanced grills, and never have a day without the delight of fresh barbecue.
Grilling is an activity that is fundamental to us as human beings, and a little wind will not stop that. Just be sure to check out some of the best grilling recipes before you take on the wind and get those meats over the flame!