Winter operating temps

[PB1]

Just picked up a Flatrock, and we are now going into Winter months, so I wanted to get a sense of when it's too cold to use the Flatrock to prevent damaging it due to warpage or lack of performance due to propane not vaporizing.

I'm in Ontario Canada, and the months will be:

Month	Avg High (°F)	Avg Low (°F)

November

41 °F

28 °F

December

27 °F

12 °F

January

23 °F

5 °F

February

25 °F

9 °F

March

36 °F

21 °F

Any thoughts on what temps to NOT use the Flatrock?

 

[RayClem]

The biggest issue with a propane- fueled griddle is not the temperature, but the wind. Because the griddle has a flat surface and low sides, a cold wind will quickly lower the temperature of the griddle surface, making cooking impossible.

If you do plan to use your griddle in winter months, locate it in a sheltered area, but one with sufficient ventilation to exhaust fumes. Do not attempt to use it inside a garage, especially if the door is closed. If your home does not provide a natural shelter from prevailing winds, you can always create a temporary shelter using plywood, rigid insulation panels, a tarp, wool or fiberglass blanket. Just make sure that any flammable material cannot come in contact with the hot griddle.

 

[PB1]

Yes, no problem that way. We have a covered, and ventilated shelter where it will be used over the winter.

My main concern is whether or not there is a risk of warping or other damage, in truly cold Northern temps like 5F and applying a 600F+ flame on start up to a large flat metal surface. I use my BBQ all winter with no issue, so I don't expect the burners etc to be an issue, but the flattop itself has the potential to be damaged.

5F is pretty freaking cold for pancakes, but I'd like to know that I'm not damaging anything regardless.

 

[RayClem]

Yes, no problem that way. We have a covered, and ventilated shelter where it will be used over the winter.

My main concern is whether or not there is a risk of warping or other damage, in truly cold Northern temps like 5F and applying a 600F+ flame on start up to a large flat metal surface. I use my BBQ all winter with no issue, so I don't expect the burners etc to be an issue, but the flattop itself has the potential to be damaged.

5F is pretty freaking cold for pancakes, but I'd like to know that I'm not damaging anything regardless.

It is good you have a shelter to block the wind. If you are concerned about warping, be sure all the burners are ignited on and then turn them back to medium for a while before turning them up to max. This will heat the steel plate uniformly and reduce any warping tendency. If you turn only one burner on to max at the start, you might get warping.

 

[PB1]

Yeah just did the seasoning and I can see how you need to creep up on the heat a little bit after ignition. Otherwise the metal seems pretty robust. Very happy so far.