Who says we can't smoke?


 
C

Chris Coward

New member
First post here so be gentle, been lurking for quite some time though! :cool:

I get a kick out of reading all the "can't wait for summer" and "check out my smoking down south" threads around here. Who says us "northerners" have to wait for fair weather?

Being born at the end of November I was saddened a bit when my wife gave me a new WSM for my birthday this year. I thought I would have to wait SIX MONTHS for the chance to break in the new toy! I knew my old DIY gas smoker could power through the cold winters of Minneapolis but I figured the charcoal couldn't keep up. I was wrong. Granted, I've burned through a little over 80lbs of charcoal since the first week of December but I've found things are working quite well! I've even had a few successful 12 hour smokes this year when the temperature was nine degrees BELOW zero or greater.

Anyway, I give you my latest test. I had never done the bacon-weave before so I tested it out this past week on a pork loin.
Outdoor temp: ~15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smoker temp: 225
Doors: 2 closed, 1 open 100%
Wood: 2 Apple Wood Cunks (approx 6 oz)

The weave:
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The loin:
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Ready to go on:
xCK9sztl.jpg


The finished product:
EhT9LAHl.jpg
 
Nice! I smoke year round here in Kansas. Since I don't have an overhead on my smoker, then if it's raining, I can't get the charcoal lit. Rain may be the onlything that stops me.
 
Rain is the only thing that stops me too but not often. Living in the seattle area would mean i would seldom bbq. Only when it is super windy and coming sideways do i opt for another day
 
DennisM said:
Rain is the only thing that stops me too but not often. Living in the seattle area would mean i would seldom bbq. Only when it is super windy and coming sideways do i opt for another day
Click to expand...

I make a little hillbilly rain cover with two stepladders, tarp, bungee cords... Not pretty but keeps the WSM pretty darn dry!
 
Kurt said:
I make a little hillbilly rain cover with two stepladders, tarp, bungee cords... Not pretty but keeps the WSM pretty darn dry!
Click to expand...

Can I ask the reason behind this? Is it just to stabilize your temps? I've used mine so far this winter when it's been snowing like crazy (less than 30 ft visibility) and never had too much trouble keeping the temp up. Curious now if I should have done more to keep the snow off the WSM.
 
MMMMM... bacon weave :D Great job! And hats off to you for not wimping out like I do. I've lived up here since '95, you'd think I'd be used to it by now :rolleyes: But as a SoCal native.... I'M NOT :o
 
Bacon weave looks awesome. I just got my wsm for Christmas and have yet to experience a warm weather cook. Hasn't slowed me down yet as I've used it most weeks.
 
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