Ways to Heat up a Big Chief. HELP!

baresnake

Newbie

Original poster

Feb 17, 2015

6

10

Redwater, AB, Canada

• Feb 22, 2015

• #1

Hey guys,

I do all my smoking in the winter in pretty cold temperatures (-25C/-13F) and am looking for ways to get the temp up on my big chief.  What do you guys recommend? Looking for all the help i can get.

Thanks,

Jake

 

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 18, 2013

12,106

5,584

S.E. Idaho

• Feb 23, 2015

• #2

Maybe this will be of some help ! It's a different smoker, but the same idea could be used for your smoker I do believe ! Hope this helps ! If not, the search bar at the top is an awesome tool for bout anything !

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/156378/insulation-and-wind-break-for-mini-and-14-5-wsm

 

Last edited: Feb 23, 2015

cmayna

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 23, 2012

3,971

1,697

SF Bay Area, CA

• Feb 23, 2015

• #3

Jake,

What types of meats are you smoking in the Chief?   You might consider a flame proof insulating blanket,  replace the stock heating element with an adjustable 1000w unit. (I have two Big Chief's with this modification).

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Feb 23, 2015

• #4

Like cmayna, I modified mine also.....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/...r-element-for-colder-climates-and-hot-smoking

 

cmayna

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 23, 2012

3,971

1,697

SF Bay Area, CA

• Feb 24, 2015

• #5

If you have a top loader Chief, not sure how I would upgrade the heating element when it comes to placement of the controller switch.   I would need to see a pic of the bottom side of such a unit.