Affect of low temperatures on flame of gas grills

Factual Questions
1

I had a late dinner at a friend’s last night, with the temperature on his patio hovering around 23 F. He had difficulty getting the grill really hot and I speculated that the freezing temperature might have reduced the pressure within the propane tank, thus lowering the intensity of the flame.

Fortunately, I speculated to myself, not knowing what the devil I was talking about. That said., the flames were indeed less than desirable and I’ve experienced the same at my house.

Can anyone shed light on this cold-weather phenomenon, or was I imagining?

2

I don’t think it’s a problem with the flame, just that you’ve got very hot flame underneath, and a very cold grill above it. The air can pull the heat away from the flame very quickly, so the grill itself probably can’t build up heat like it can in warmer temperatures.

3

Interesting.

Do low temperatures (in the 20s F) cause a reduction of pressure within a propane tank? And does a grill have a regulator device that provides a steady flow of gas?

4 

Propane
°F 	PSI
–30°	6.8
–20°	11.5
–10°	17.5
0°	24.5
10°	34
20°	42
30°	53
40°	65
50°	78
60°	93
70°	110
80°	128
90°	150
100°	177
110°	204

Maximum continuous draw in BTU/hr at various temperatures in degrees F.

Some regulators have automatic temperature compensators, but they do not function perfectly.

5

In cold weather camping, propane camp stoves aren’t very useful. You need to somehow warm the tank of propane before they work very well.

6

Don’t high-altitude mountain climbers cook with propane–or is it alcohol?

7

When you start with a fire box that is 23 degrees, and the air around it is also that temp, it will take longer to reach the heat you want. When you open it up to turn the meat, you’ve let out all that very hot air and dumped in very cold air, so you have to start over. If there’s also a 15mph wind, the windward side of the grill will be cooler.

It just takes longer to grill in the cold, just at the time when it’s less pleasant to stand around in the back yard.

It helps to have a digital thermometer with a probe on a long cord.

8

I think this heat loss is a huge part of the problem, but the flames seem smaller, perhaps due to reduced pressurization in the gas cylinder.

9

Alcohol or a form of unleaded gasoline. Propane is almost useless in cold temps.

For the BBQ, just take a container of hot water and pour it over the propane tank, instant full flames.