Short story:
Twas the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and it was 15 degrees in Wisconsin. The pork butts and meatloaf went in at 4:00 am to be ready for the 12:00 game.
The Brinkman Vertical smoker, all wrapped in mattress pads and canvas (a custom jacket) wasn't keeping the heat at 250 degrees that I wanted. It had worked great when the temps were in the 40's , but not the teens and 20's. Grabbed an old quilt - and that did the job!!
Checked on it at 8:00 am for the scheduled spritz of apple juice and to replenish the liquid and wood. All that caught my eye was the ball of flames that was in the spot of my smoker.
Put out the fire, saved the butts and meatloaf (finished 'em off in the oven), but my smoker aint looking to good. Amazing how the metal sides can twist and bukle on the cheaper smokers. Even the junkman who comes wouldn't touch it.
My neighbor (who enjoys my smoked meats) came to the rescue and with some stainess channel iron, and some scraping and scrubbing on the outside - I am back in business, with no contamination to the seasoned interior.
I didn't have my smoked turkey for Thanksgiving, and many people were disappointed - especially me!
Bought a welding blanket last week, and this will be my new insulating jacket!! Hope it works. Live and learn - but the thought of no smoking for the entire winter was very depressing and I should have done it right from the start.
Twas the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and it was 15 degrees in Wisconsin. The pork butts and meatloaf went in at 4:00 am to be ready for the 12:00 game.
The Brinkman Vertical smoker, all wrapped in mattress pads and canvas (a custom jacket) wasn't keeping the heat at 250 degrees that I wanted. It had worked great when the temps were in the 40's , but not the teens and 20's. Grabbed an old quilt - and that did the job!!
Checked on it at 8:00 am for the scheduled spritz of apple juice and to replenish the liquid and wood. All that caught my eye was the ball of flames that was in the spot of my smoker.
Put out the fire, saved the butts and meatloaf (finished 'em off in the oven), but my smoker aint looking to good. Amazing how the metal sides can twist and bukle on the cheaper smokers. Even the junkman who comes wouldn't touch it.
My neighbor (who enjoys my smoked meats) came to the rescue and with some stainess channel iron, and some scraping and scrubbing on the outside - I am back in business, with no contamination to the seasoned interior.
I didn't have my smoked turkey for Thanksgiving, and many people were disappointed - especially me!
Bought a welding blanket last week, and this will be my new insulating jacket!! Hope it works. Live and learn - but the thought of no smoking for the entire winter was very depressing and I should have done it right from the start.
