Insulation

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dirt guy

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Dec 11, 2009
481
10
Oklahoma
If one were to want to insulate his smoker, what is the best material to use, what's the cost (per sq. ft.), and where is it available?

I had a buddy that built his own gun safe and fireproofed it with some kind of stuff designed for the space shuttle interior. He could have bought a whole safe for what it cost.
 
Fibrex is another product that I have read about but I don't think it will survive if used around the firebox. I think it is only rated for 1400 F
 
Hopefully BBQ Engineer will be along and he can tell you what he used in his build...
 
Kaowool. Found all day on ebay from 1/4" to 2" thick by 24" long x 25' rolls. 1" is sufficient for insulating your firebox and smoker. BBQ engineer used the same stuff on his. Temp rated for 2100 or more. Same stuff used in kilns. This is the stuff I am using for my backwoods clone.
 
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Using the same stuff in mine. 1" in the smoker chamber and 2" for the firebox. Hopefully will have a break in smoke in a week or two so I can provide some feedback.

But if you check out BBQ Eng's build thread, you'll see how well it contains the heat! Def not cheap though....
 
Are you looking for insulation that will be next to the flames so it needs a high fire rating or is it going to be going on the outside/inside of walls where it doesn't have to be a high temp material?
 
Kaowool is an excellent product, BUT, please, please adhere to the following. Wear a dust mask when cutting, placing or even just messing around with this stuff. In a past lifetime, I was involved with Stress relieving (welders know what this means) and we used Kaowool all the time. It'll handle the temps with no problem, HOWEVER, in the process of handling, cutting, whatever, it generates a very fine particulate, while not in itself hazardous, will leave you with a throat irritation for several hours. Kinda like fiberglass insulation. A simple dust mask is all that's needed.
 
I don't kow the cost of it but it's a 3m product and it is a duct wrap for a commerical hood wrap. I comes in what ever widthes that you need and it's heavy duty wrap for a cooking hood ducts. The a/c contractor supplied it so check with one on your jobsite.
 
I saw a Char Griller Duo that someone attached welding mat to (on the outside). I don't remember the specifics, but he was quite happy with it (and it looked really nice, too)
 
camper4lyfe, looks great! How well does it work for you? How low of ambient temps are you smoking in with that cover? How many blankets did it take to cover all of your smoker?
 
I actually didn't do it. Someone from another forum did it (not sure if posting to other forums is allowed, which is why I didn't link to it).

Edit: It took one 3x3 blanket for the chamber and one 3x3 for the side fire box.
 
That would be SuperWool. I think it's rated to 1800+. I too saw his Iron Maiden build and used that idea it to insulate my wood box. Yesterday I wrapped the rest of my smoker with it... been up since 4:30 this morning cuz I'm so excited to test it today!

It is really good stuff, a bit pricey, and I used mine like BBQ E - between two metal walls. This stuff would not work if directly exposed to fire.
Tracey
 
You didn't mention what kind of smoker you are planning to insulate, but I used some concrete board normally used for tile underlayment on my square brinkmann. Works great! Here's a couple of pictures that may help...
 
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