smoking in low temps


 
S

Sean RW

TVWBB Member
Its my first few months with the smoker and my first few cooks went well. They were in summer and fall, Now that its winter I was looking for some advice on the challenges of using the smoker in below freezing temps.

How much more fuel do you need say for a 10hr cook?

Does a hot water heater insulator work well on the smoker?

Im using the wsm 22.5 and was thinking about a smoke tomorrow. Prob wont happen till Sunday now but temps are looking like neg 5 with the wind chill here in NJ.

Thanks for any tips
 
Good question. I'm about to do a smoke tomorrow and the high is in the upper 20's. Interested in seeing the replies.
 
I have cooked in fairly cold weather....down to like 15...I just use more charcoal.....not sure how much more..but more! Also, the wind plays more in that regard in my experience as well. I am going to do a 14.7 lb snake river farms brisket tomorrow, and I believe it will be like 25DEG when I wake up.....just gonna load it up with charcoal!
 
You could use a water heater blanket it works really well. I due have to warn though I haven't cooked in cold weather in awhile but when I did it worked great.
 
I'm not cooking this weekend...supposed to be around -30 below zero windchill and 6"-8" of fresh snow.
 
keep your WSM out of the wind, fill your chamber with your favourite charcoal and you'll be fine.
adjust your bottom vents about 3 quarters closed (depending on your desired temps) or barely open...
the cold does minimum "damage" to your cooks, but the wind is a killer.
I've cooked in minus temps many times with no fear and amazing results :o
again, keep it (your WSM) out of the wind
Good Luck!
 
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