Don't Stop Grilling: Pat LaFrieda, Jr. Says There's Great Barbecue Beyond Labor Day

By: Sarah De Heer
beef and pork ribs

Pieces of beef and pork ribs with sauce, spices and a knife placed on a wooden cutting board

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Tara Donne, Food Network

We firmly believe that grilling season doesn't have an expiration date, yet so many of us cover our barbecues and smokers once a chill hits the air. We're not alone in feeling this way. The "Magician of Meat," Pat LaFrieda, Jr., also agrees with us. We caught up with him and asked him about grilling beyond Labor Day and if there are any differences you need to be aware of.

Just like wearing white after Labor Day is a no-no, are there similar rules with barbecue?

If you pack up your grill for the winter after Labor Day, you are no longer a member of the LaFrieda family. Grill all winter — the colder it is, the more you will appreciate the food coming off the grill.

Is it true that food takes longer to barbecue in cooler weather? Why?

It's not completely true. If you heat up the grill a few minutes earlier than usual you'll be good to go.

pat lafrieda, jr.

What's your best tip for the home cook on grilling indoors?

Unless you have great ventilation, don't do it — you can continue to grill outside into the colder months.

What are some safety tips for grilling outdoors in fall/winter?

Using a light that can attach to the grill is a must, as it gets darker a lot quicker in the fall and winter months. This tip usually gets overlooked, but having a pair of warm boots for the winter months is also a must for me.

Make it the year of barbecue for your family with these recipes.

Next Up

Chefs' Top BBQ Dishes to Make Before Summer's End

Check Food Network chefs' smoky, top-rated barbecue recipes off your to-do list before summer's end.

5 Cuts of Meat You Should Be Grilling for Labor Day Weekend

We rounded up our top picks for grilling to celebrate the unofficial end of summer.

The One Grilled Chicken Mistake You Don't Want to Make

It leads to dry chicken — and no one wants that!

18 Must-Have Barbecue and Grilling Tools

Make sure you're ready with all the essentials this grilling season!

Liquid Gold: Regional BBQ Sauces

Upgrade your barbecue sauce with help from six legendary pit masters in South Carolina, Memphis, North Carolina, Texas, Kansas City and Kentucky.

Barbecue Essentials — Weekend Cookout

Let the Neelys' Pulled Pork Sandwiches from Food Network Magazine shine in your weekend cookout spread, and serve them with down-home side dishes.

Bobby Flay's 10 Commandments of Grilling

Get Food Network's Bobby Flay's ultimate guide to grilling, including how to make juicy burgers and smoky barbecue sauce.

Bobby's Going Back to Basics on All-New Barbecue Series

Get the first look at Food Network's Bobby Flay's all-new series, Back to Basics on All-New Barbecue Series, premiering on Sunday, June 22 at 11a|10c.

On TV

Outchef'd

8am | 7c

Outchef'd

8:30am | 7:30c

Chopped

11am | 10c

Chopped

12pm | 11c

Beat Bobby Flay

1:30pm | 12:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

2:30pm | 1:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

3:30pm | 2:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

4:30pm | 3:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

5:30pm | 4:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

6:30pm | 5:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

7:30pm | 6:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

8:30pm | 7:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

9:30pm | 8:30c
On Tonight
On Tonight

Beat Bobby Flay

10pm | 9c

Beat Bobby Flay

10:30pm | 9:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

11:30pm | 10:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

12:30am | 11:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

1:30am | 12:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

2:30am | 1:30c

Beat Bobby Flay

3:30am | 2:30c

What's New