Cold Weather Pellet Smoking

[duffman]

I got a pellet smoker this year and I was thinking about trying to do some smoking this winter with it. I have no plans on trying to do it in sub zero temps but I thought maybe sub freezing. Any suggestions on doing this, like gear or accessories?

 

[kilo charlie]

I got a pellet smoker this year and I was thinking about trying to do some smoking this winter with it. I have no plans on trying to do it in sub zero temps but I thought maybe sub freezing. Any suggestions on doing this, like gear or accessories?

Are you talking about gear and accessories for yourself or your smoker?

What style/brand is your smoker? How big is the hopper?

 

[Coreymacc]

I was able to buy an insulation blanket for my Camp Chef. But after about -15c /5 F the fans and moving parts don't really like it too much until things warm up a bit.


Corey

 

[BigW.]

Give it a try and see how it works. Might use a few more pellets because of the cold. I don't use mine much anymore, but did not do anything different because of the cold.

 

[Torch&Tone]

Top items are wireless temp probes (if you aren't using them already) and perhaps an insulated blanket. The probes let you keep the lid closed as much as possible, which is, obviously, even more important in winter than in summer. For blankets, most big names make their own, plus there are third-party ones, or you can improvise with a welding (or other fireproof) blanket and strong magnets and/or straps to keep it in place. Avoid wind and rain/snow if you can, either with smoker placement or setting up partial shelter (windbreaks, patio umbrellas, etc.). Daylight might also be more of a concern than in summer, so it helps to have some good lighting available, too, just in case.

 

[mneeley490]

I used an insulation blanket when I had my GMG that had a chimney. Worked fine.
Now I have a Recteq Backyard Beast with the vents in the back of the chamber. Too windy today to fire it up, but I'm hoping it'll be alright in the cold. Rarely gets below 25°F here, even in the dead of Winter.

 

[Fueling Around]

Been a number of years since I experienced winter in northern Minnesota.
I have a pellet pooper with a side vent. A welding blanket tossed over the cook chamber was very noticeable for heat retention. I drew the line in the snow at 0° F for outdoor cooking.
Remove that idiot finger shield from the pellet hopper. No you don't get added pellets, but those in the hopper will get to the auger while you warm yourself around the fire inside. Never had a problem with the wired thermometers monitoring the meat. I had a years ago model with a remote monitor that worked really well.
Fast forward to present. I hope for a few days of cooler temps to cold smoke some cheese. Have a couple of Thermoworks wired units to monitor from afar.

 

[schlotz]

I smoke all year round, and it sometimes drops below 0º here in Indiana. Yup pellet consumption is more but the end results are the same

 

[sandyut]

I have a cold weather cover. Rec Teq stopped selling them saying it was not needed. While true, pellet consumption will go way up with no insulation. Welding blankets are fireproof and often used/moded etc.

Found this one, not sure if it the exact right one but PB makes them.

 

[Winterrider]

I've used my Rec Tec down to -20°. Welding blanket from Harbor Freight helps.

 

[bigfurmn]

I generally use my Pit Boss in the garage but I've used it when it was well below 0F. Find s good welding blanket or insulated cover and pellet consumption is less but cold hasn't slowed me down. Last Christmas I did prime rib in the garage. Cold... yes. Delicious... oh yeah. Totally worth it. If you have a way of blocking the wind that's helps a lot.

 

[dubob]

I've used my Rec Tec down to -20°. Welding blanket from Harbor Freight helps.View attachment 728246

Loved seeing the can liquid staying cold.

 

[dubob]

I generally use my Pit Boss in the garage but I've used it when it was well below 0F. Find s good welding blanket or insulated cover and pellet consumption is less but cold hasn't slowed me down. Last Christmas I did prime rib in the garage. Cold... yes. Delicious... oh yeah. Totally worth it. If you have a way of blocking the wind that's helps a lot.

I'm with ya brother. I store mine in the garage with a dust jacket and use it half out/half in of the garage right at the overhead door opening. Keeps the south/SW winds at bay and the smoke is drafted out the door opening. Did smoked salmon last week to perfection.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I've used my Rec Tec down to -20°. Welding blanket from Harbor Freight helps.View attachment 728246

I second this same blanket from Harbor Freight. I got a Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX that has 2 vents out the top and didn't do anything fancy just throw it over the top and let it do its thing. I think when I got mine was with my little stick burner and obviously at that time I set it up different and did not cover the stack but beings the pellet smoker has a fan running air I don't have any issues really. Yes I still go through more pellets but it isn't that big of a deal when I actually do use it or when it decides to work correctly is more like it.

 

[WaterRat]

Even my old thin walled PitBoss runs fine in the the teens/20s. Most have thicker walls now. Strong winds are a bigger issue than the actual temp IMO. So fire it up and happy smokin’