MES in freezing temps

[GatorAGR]

Anyone have any issues with an MES maintaining temp in below freezing temps? Thinking about smoking some sausage tomorrow but temp will be single digits outside. I have an auber pid by the way.

 

[bigfurmn]

Toss a welding blanket over it. Can get one cheap at harbor freight or a like store. Just make sure not to cover the vents. If you can get some plywood or something to block the wind is helpful as well.

 

[Winterrider]

Shouldn't be a problem. Have smoked a turkey down to -20°. You won't need that high of temps so should be good. I do have my 40 wrapped in reflectix and weld blanket. Key as bigfurmn stated, block the wind. That is worse than the ambient temp.

 

[normanaj]

I can't say that I've had any real issues. I do exactly as bigfurmn suggests,I bought one at Harbor Freight just for that purpose.

 

[chef k-dude]

What THEY said. Only problem I've had with my MES is in the african heat of summer. When it's too hot the element doesn't cycle enough to burn chips well.

 

[Jim_C]

This is what I like about SMF........

I have been fighting the wind for awhile with the upright Smoke Vault. I also have issues with temperature swings in colder weather.

I was going down the road of building an insulated box around three sides and the top, but that's one more large thing to store someplace. I never considered a welding blanket. Great idea. I can punch a hole for the top vent.

 

[chopsaw]

I let mine heat up with the top vent closed , and give it time to heat the cabinet .
Add what I'm smoking , close the door , then open the top vent .
Biggest trouble I have is evap cooling from opening the door , so keep that in mind .

 

[Kevin DeShazo]

In the South Carolina winters, only issue I ever have is, I have to throw a hair dryer in it for a few seconds before turning it on. Otherwise, if it was below say 20 in the morn, it would just beep at me and not start heating up.

 

[Winterrider]

What THEY said. Only problem I've had with my MES is in the african heat of summer. When it's too hot the element doesn't cycle enough to burn chips well.

Smoke tube will help ya out.

 

[Charlene G]

Anyone have any issues with an MES maintaining temp in below freezing temps? Thinking about smoking some sausage tomorrow but temp will be single digits outside. I have an auber pid by the way.

I smoked pepperoni, salami and ham sausage yesterday in the Masterbuilt Electric. I was around 0 def F outside. It took a little longer to get it up to temp. I also had hubby build me an external fire box using a baby weber grill with an metal tube out the top vent & secured to the MES. Just have to remove the chip tube and insert the metal tube from the Weber to the MES. Get the Charcoals very hot, add your favorite wood chunks, let the dirty smoke burn off and put the lid on. Add charcoal throughout your cook as needed-keep a good charcoal base going. I have also smoked a ham when it was -20 outside-no issues. I have a friend who had grief with his pellet pooper smoker in the -41 deg (kept jamming up-guessing it was a moisture issue)