Do you have to bring your BBQ inside for the winter?
No. Weber says its grills don't need to be brought inside for the winter, though doing so won't hurt. What matters is that the grill is clean and covered. Most gas BBQs we see in Vaughan and across the GTA spend the winter right where they sit on the deck or patio, and that's fine.
If you have room in a garage or shed and want to move the grill in, go ahead. Just disconnect the propane tank first and leave the tank outside. More on that below, because it's the one part of winterizing that isn't optional.
Step 1: Clean it before you put it away
This is the step most people skip, and it's the one that matters most for how your grill looks next spring. Grease and food left inside a BBQ over the winter attract mice and other animals, and they hold moisture against the metal. Weber's own advice is to remove as much grease and food residue as possible before storage, because that residue attracts wildlife, feeds mould and traps moisture that leads to corrosion.
Before you start, run the grill for a few minutes to loosen stuck-on bits, then turn it off and let it cool completely. Then work from the top down:
- Grates: brush them clean on both sides.
- Flavorizer bars or heat plates: scrape off the crusted grease and carbon.
- Firebox: scrape the inside walls and push the loose debris down into the grease tray.
- Burners: brush along the burner tubes so the ports aren't caked over.
- Grease tray and drip pan: empty them and wipe them out. A full grease tray is a mouse buffet all winter.
If the inside of your grill is black and flaky and the grates are rusting, a quick brush won't get it back. That's when a full take-apart BBQ deep clean makes sense.
Step 2: Deal with the propane tank safely
Close the valve on top of the tank. If you're moving the grill into a garage or shed, disconnect the tank and leave it outside.
Ontario's fuel safety regulator, the TSSA, is clear about this: never store propane cylinders indoors or in a garage. Ottawa Fire Services, quoting the TSSA, adds that propane cylinders are not to be stored inside any structure, so a shed doesn't count either. Store the tank outdoors in a well-ventilated spot, standing upright, with the valve closed.
Cold weather isn't a problem for the tank itself. Napoleon says propane can be safely stored outdoors in temperatures down to -45°C all winter. It also suggests keeping the tank off the ground, on a pallet or a paving stone, and covered or sheltered until you need it.
Step 3: Check the hoses and connections
While you're down there, look at the hose and regulator. Napoleon recommends checking hoses and connections for wear, splits, and a proper fit as part of regular maintenance. A cracked hose is much easier to deal with in the fall than on the first warm weekend in May.
Any time you reconnect the tank, do a leak test. Ottawa Fire Services and the TSSA recommend testing all gas connections with a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap. Do this outdoors, away from any flame. With every burner knob off, open the tank valve, then brush the solution onto the hose, regulator and fittings. Bubbles that grow mean a leak. Never use a match or lighter to check for leaks.
If you find a leak or smell gas, close the tank valve and don't use the grill until it's fixed. Worn or leaking hoses, regulators and valves are part of our BBQ repair service, and we run a leak test as part of our safety checks after the repair.
Step 4: Cover it once it's cool and dry
A good cover keeps snow, leaves and grime off the outside of the grill. Weber notes that a grill cover can help keep the exterior surfaces clean for a grill that stays outside.
Put the cover on only after the grill has cooled down completely and the outside is dry, so you're not trapping moisture underneath. If a heavy, wet snow piles up on it, brush it off when you can.
Planning to grill all winter instead?
Plenty of people around the GTA keep grilling right through January. If that's you, skip the full shutdown but keep the grill clean, because grease builds up just as fast in winter. Napoleon's winter grilling tips are practical:
- Give it extra time to preheat. Cold air means a longer warm-up.
- Expect to use more propane than in summer, so check the level before you start and keep a spare tank on hand for long cooks.
- Add some lighting. It gets dark early, and you want to see what you're cooking.
- Keep the tank off the ground and sheltered between cooks.
Keep the grill a safe distance from the house, too. Ottawa Fire Services, citing TSSA requirements, says barbecues must be kept clear of combustible materials by the distance on the grill's rating plate or instructions, or at least one metre if none is listed. That doesn't change just because there's snow on the deck.
In spring: wake it up the right way
When the weather turns, don't just open the lid and hit the igniter. Ottawa Fire Services recommends that you inspect the burner for obstructions, rust or debris and replace damaged parts. Look closely at the burner tubes for webs or nests and clear them out.
Reconnect the tank, do the soapy-water leak test again, then light the grill and let it run hot for a while to burn off anything left over before you cook. If you find a nest or mould inside, Weber suggests clearing it out, then running the grill on high for at least 15 minutes before you cook.
Spring is the classic time for a yearly deep clean. Our rule of thumb is once a year for most homes, ideally in spring, plus a mid-summer clean if you grill several times a week. If you'd rather hand the whole job off, text us a photo of your grill and we'll send you a quote. We come to you across Vaughan, York Region and the GTA.