How cold can it be outdoors and still smoke effectively?

up musky hunter · Nov 13, 2015

My wife wants me to try and smoke the Thanksgiving bird this year. The forecast "HIGH" is 33 degrees at around mid-day. I would expect most of the day to be 28-34 degrees.

I have a 18.5 inch WSM. Is that simply too cold to effectively use the smoker? I have thought about removing the water pan and smoking on the lower rack, but would hate to wreck the bird. I may get a different "bird" from my wife if that happens!! LOL!.

Any thoughts, tricks or experience would be helpful. I have had the smoker for less than a year and really enjoy it.

Thanks.

mummel · Nov 13, 2015

Ask the pros but I think a WSM will be tough. Will probably also chew through a lot of fuel. Could you insulate it? I've seen quite a few cool mods with fire resistant insulation etc.

tropics · Nov 13, 2015

If you can block the wind and its not raining or snowing,you should be okay.I hear some people wrap the smoker with a wielding blanket

Richie

dukeburger · Nov 13, 2015

I smoke all winter long on my WSM here in central Alberta. As tropics mentioned, a welding blanket works wonders.

You'll still burn some extra fuel, just make sure you have an extra bag on hand for longer smokes.

Been smoking a butt since last night where we had temps of -8C. On hour 13 and still haven't had to add fuel.

IMG-20150516-00793.jpg

dukeburger
May 17, 2015

jirodriguez · Nov 13, 2015

I use my WSM all winter long in Oregon. I do have a small covered back porch but it can still get cold and windy - coldest day I ran it on was a high of about 23 °F with 10-15 mph winds. Really it is more the wind than the temperature that gets you - a cold calm day does not have nearly as much effect as a cold windy day.

I use a welding blanket and still put water in my pan. On a full 20 lb. load of charcoal I can still hold 250° for 18+ hrs.

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jirodriguez
Feb 28, 2015

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jirodriguez
Mar 16, 2014

up musky hunter · Nov 13, 2015

Great info - Thanks. Do either of you have any issues with air flow when the blanket is wrapped that tight? Do you leave the vents open wider with restricted access to air?

Thanks again.

mummel · Nov 13, 2015

jim_streisands_wind_shield.jpg

mummel
Nov 13, 2015

mummel · Nov 13, 2015

parthum_insulation.jpg

mummel
Nov 13, 2015

dukeburger · Nov 13, 2015

UP Musky Hunter said:
Great info - Thanks. Do either of you have any issues with air flow when the blanket is wrapped that tight? Do you leave the vents open wider with restricted access to air?

Thanks again.

I keep mine fairly loose on the bottom. If anything I keep my vents shut a little more as the blanket adds some insulation.

mummel · Nov 13, 2015

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mummel
Nov 13, 2015

b-one · Nov 13, 2015

I use my WSM all year. Luckily I can't fit cars in our garage so the smoker sits just inside the overhead door and I shut the door most of the way and the smoke lofts out the top!

jeepdiver · Nov 13, 2015

Looks like you have plenty of wsm people telling you that it can be done. One thing I would add is if you don't want the moisture from the water plan fill it with sand (playground sand from Hone Depot etc should be sterile). It will act as a heat sink to keep temps stable. Water will to, but in a cold environment you will need to keep an eye on the level and refill (with hot water) as needed.

This isn't wsm specific but works with most smokers.

hdsmoke · Nov 17, 2015

Cold is no problem. The wind is. I use mine at very cold temps when no wind with no blanket. No issues keeping temp. I put some fire bricks in water pan and foil over it whether cold or hot out. It does run a bit hot with this method in the summer with just one vent about a quarter open.

jirodriguez · Nov 17, 2015

UP Musky Hunter said:
Great info - Thanks. Do either of you have any issues with air flow when the blanket is wrapped that tight? Do you leave the vents open wider with restricted access to air?

Thanks again.

Nope.... the vents are far enough down around the bottom of the bowl and you don't need a tight wrap on it. Basically your just creating wind break, that happens to add some extra insulation. If it's just a bit breezy I sometimes don't even bother covering the dome - just the main body.

hdsmoke · Nov 17, 2015

The other thing I do is face the the access door away from the wind as well as the exhaust. I have never blanketed either of my wsm's honestly. I'm not sure I have ever smoked in sub zero but teens and twenties and never had any problems. I'm in Ohio. I do shy away from smoking when it's cold and windy though.

oldschoolbbq · Nov 21, 2015

Build a Q-Q-Bana , see my profile at my Bana build ...
I can smoke year round in relitive comfort [VIDEO]:biggrin:[/VIDEO]

How cold can it be outdoors and still smoke effectively?

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