What is everybody using to insulate thier WSM's?


 
I wrapped my barrel and cover in Kao-wool about 15 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did! It's a 5/8 ceramic insulation blanket from the heating industry that gives me long steady cooks on very small amounts of charcoal
 
timothy said:
I'm not saying you don't need one just I never felt the need to use one. I'm sure that alot of members use something similar and love the benefits of extra fuel economy on the big boy wsm.

Tim
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:cheers: I may need one this weekend, chance of rain on Sunday but I need to smoke something already dammit! :D

Steven Paul said:
I wrapped my barrel and cover in Kao-wool about 15 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did! It's a 5/8 ceramic insulation blanket from the heating industry that gives me long steady cooks on very small amounts of charcoal
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Just looked one up and they are pricey for a blanket!
 
Mac LA said:
:cheers: I may need one this weekend, chance of rain on Sunday but I need to smoke something already dammit! :D




Just looked one up and they are pricey for a blanket!
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It can be but you will get what you pay for, and will make your money back fast on your savings on charcoal.

And for high heat cooks forget about it! It has virtually 100% heat retention
 
Steven Paul said:
It can be but you will get what you pay for, and will make your money back fast on your savings on charcoal.

And for high heat cooks forget about it! It has virtually 100% heat retention
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I'll check it out; thanks!

I wish my damn cajun bandit door was getting here when it initially said it would. Bad weather delayed the shipment and now set to arrive Monday.
 
Rusty James said:
What about a metal barrel with a modified lid to allow for airflow?
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Before I put wheels on my 18.5" WSM I used to set the base in a 17 gal metal washtub. It was tall enough to shield the bottom vents (12") from the wind.
I mainly used it when cooking on my deck just to contain any hot ash or coals that might have been blown out.
Rotate the lid so the top vent is downwind and all is good.:wsm:

Tim
 
Bob Correll said:
I guess I'm not getting all this blanket talk stuff.
Warning, small rant coming.
IMO the WSM is just fine as is, period.
No ATC needed, no insulation needed (unless maybe you live in Siberia) no shelter needed, etc.
Just fire that son of a gun up and cook some meat!
Add fuel if needed, adjust vents if needed, drink more beer if need be.

Again, IMO, get a ceramic smoker if the WSM is too much trouble to deal with.

Apologies if I've offended anyone.
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I agree completely. I just fire it up and let it do it's thing.
 
Steven Paul said:
I wrapped my barrel and cover in Kao-wool about 15 years ago and it's the best thing I ever did! It's a 5/8 ceramic insulation blanket from the heating industry that gives me long steady cooks on very small amounts of charcoal
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Is this a fiberglass-based product? Sounds intriguing, but I am concerned with airborne fiber particles getting in the food.

I suppose this product is tied in place around the WSM?
 
No Rusty it's a 100% ceramic product and it's also used in the food industry as this link will show

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B015GD0QCW/tvwb-20

I use 2/3 to 3/4 less charcoal with it. Kaowool's extreme heat retention gives me long steady almost unattended cooks every time.

I've seen it with shipping for around $45, I save that in charcoal in just a few cooks. It's also available as a 'wet' blanket that will dry to form itself to the shape of the barrel or cover.

Kaowool is kind of like turning your WSM into a big ceramic cooker but with all the benefits of the WSM design.
 
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Steven Paul said:
No Rusty it's a 100% ceramic product and it's also used in the food industry as this link will show

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B015GD0QCW/tvwb-20

I use 2/3 to 3/4 less charcoal with it. Kaowool's extreme heat retention gives me long steady almost unattended cooks every time.

I've seen it with shipping for around $45, I save that in charcoal in just a few cooks. It's also available as a 'wet' blanket that will dry to form itself to the shape of the barrel or cover.

Kaowool is kind of like turning your WSM into a big ceramic cooker but with all the benefits of the WSM design.
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I don't know how ceramic fibers compare to fiberglass fibers, but I think the concern is still worth consideration. I looked this up on Amazon and in the product description it said that a special knife for cutting the material was included and the following statement:

"CM-Ceramics recommends at a minimum, a N(95) mask."

If you need that level of mask to cut it, then I would advise caution in using around food. Maybe if you never cut it, there is no concern of sheading fibers but like all thing use for a purpose other than intended, use at your own risk.
 
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Your comparing fiberglass to ceramic fibers is akin to comparing apples to oranges.

As I mentioned above the link shows it is often used in the food industry.


Besides the fact that its used in all kinds of cooking applications (like pizza ovens etc.) many/most of us already have Kaowool in our homes as our heating systems combustion chamber.


Edit: I suspect Jerry is reading some reviews from others who are also unfamiliar with the product because I read a few similar reviews also.
 
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The instruction I provided is in the product description - not in a review. I know nothing about the product and the link may not be to the product of which you speak, but I copied the recommendation to use a mask directly from the product description as written. My guess is that it may not shed fibers unless you cut it, but I suspect that it does shed fibers or the description would not instruct you to wear a mask. My only observation is that users of products for things other than what they were intended, should proceed with caution.
 
Many things in the heavily regulated heating industry are unavailable to the general public, but Kaowool is not one of them, and doesn't have any MSDS health warnings, "special knife" or any type of other caveats I'm aware of.

Anything negative I can find is related to long-term inhalation (silicosis), and it talks about people who work with kaowool or other ceramic fibers for an 8 hour workday / ppm in the workplace etc.

Anyone considering using a ceramic fiber blanket in an enclosed area all day every day in a manner that would cause it to shed fibers should wear appropriate protection. I would also recommend that anyone with concerns/fears not use this product.

Jerry is fundamentally correct. I wouldn't want to breathe it (or anything) all day, everyday either. But I don't see how that's relevant here?

For those looking to insulate (op) there is no finer thermal blanket.

When I put it on initially I experimented a bit, I could easily get my pit over 700 degrees and I still get 4-5 hour cooks on half a small chimney. Personally if I could only make one modification this would be it, it's the best thing I ever did for my WSM
 
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Just to clarify Jerry's comment, in the listing for this product on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B015GD0QCW/tvwb-20) the seller, CM-Ceramics, states:

"Each roll comes with a free CM-Ceramics Utility KnifeTM and safety instructions. CM-Ceramics recommends at a minimum, a N(95) mask."

I don't think the utility knife is anything special, but it does appear the seller is recommending a mask be used when cutting the material. Is that overly cautious? Who knows.
 
Interesting read for sure.

I'm just looking for something to extended my times. Right now with an almost (not overflowing) filled charcoal ring, I'm only able to eek 6-7 hours before the heat really starts to drop off (under 250*f).

I must say the 22 hums right along though; always stating 255-275 (mostly 260s). I need to learn to stop fiddling with the vents so much to though. :o
 
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