Is it good in Winter?

[schmoke]

Hey guys,

Up until now, I've always put the smoker in storage during the Winter. I've always relied on my Weber to do my grilling and smoking during the colder months. I really didn't think it would be possible to maintain a constant temp in an off-set barrel smoker when it's cold out. It's hard enough in the warm weather.

Can it really be done? I don't feel like standing outside when it's 32 degrees and snowing trying to keep the temp up.

I'm not ready to give up on the season yet. What do I need to consider? Or should I just keep the Weber out?

 

[meat hunter]

What kind of smoker is it? Many here have wrapped theirs in insulation during Winter months. This year, I will be doing just that unless I get my fridge conversion done.

 

[raceyb]

If it is an offset firebox, it will be tough depending on how cold your winters get. You could get a Weber Smokie or a Brinkmann vertical that should do well in the winter.

I'm lucky. I live in Florida and smoke year round.

 

[fire it up]

This Winter when I am drunk and freezing outside smoking on my sNp in a Nor'easter I'll remember that and start shaking my fist at you

 

[rivet]

I love winter, especially the snow - what we get anyway- and I smoke year around. I just don't hang around outside with it!

 

[garyt]

This guy ain't in Wisconsin

 

[mballi3011]

I'm also one of the lucky one who lives in sunny Fla. But I have seen on the jobsite where the Hood guy had a insulation blnket made by 3M and it is used for wrapping an exhust hood for a resturant's grill. It is very heavy and about 1 1/2" thick with a foil outer layer. It should work for you if you want to wrap your fire box and grill it is made for high temps.

 

[beer-b-q]

the Springfield and Kansas City areas usually don't have severe winters, KNOCK ON WOOD...

 

[fire it up]

My luck we will get 6-7' of snow and I'll have to do some serious shoveling before smoking this winter.
You can be sure I'll snap some pics, hopefully the snow won't bring down the lines cause a generator doesn't fix downed internet.

 

[schmoke]

I guess my next question is: Say I want to do some ribs. Does it take longer in the cold than it does when the weather is warm?

 

[rickw]

It shouldn't as long as you can keep the temps up.

That's exactly what I did, got a WSM for those cold winter days. Different tools for different jobs.

 

[bluefrog]

I've seen my son in Denver use an offset smoker with 4 inches of snow on it when he started.