Pellet Smoking Meat in Winter?

[Craigster]

I live in the cold, wet Pacific Northwest. I'm wondering if any of you pellet smoke during the cold winter months and if you do, do you use a blanket on your smoker?

I've been considering buying a blanket for my smoker to conserve on pellets.

Are they worth the expense? Thanks in advance!

 

[jcam222]

Many folks use welding blankets on Smokers / grills in the winter. I think you can get them pretty cheap from Harbor Freight.

 

[sandyut]

yes you can. i bought a cold weather cover made for my rec tec, but a welding blanket would be much cheaper and likely do the same job.

Pellet consumption is much higher due the need to make more heat. I smoked all last winter and it worked just fine. just make sure your electrical cord connections are dry.

 

[mike243]

I don't see what smoker you have but on mine I use a moving blanket, its around $10 which is much cheaper than a welding blanket, helps to reduce pellet use and keep temps more stable. I have a smoke stack so no problems but if you have the vents at the top instead it will be harder to configure.

 

[mike243]

also even if no blanket I wont stop smoking, $ to do so will increase but its not like spending a fortune to run without 1

 

[mneeley490]

Many folks use welding blankets on Smokers / grills in the winter. I think you can get them pretty cheap from Harbor Freight.

That's what I use on my GMG. Just fold up the layers to fit. There is a Harbor Freight on Evergreen Way.

 

[WeberBlackStoneYoder]

I have smoked in single digit weather on several occasions. I just crack my garage door for ventalation. As long as I'm out of the wind it's all good. Everything smells bettter in the cold weather too.

 

[jcam222]

I have smoked in single digit weather on several occasions. I just crack my garage door for ventalation. As long as I'm out of the wind it's all good. Everything smells bettter in the cold weather too.

Lordy, I hope you crack it a lot with good airflow. I love smoking meat but don’t love smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning :)

 

[Craigster]

Thanks for the tip on the welding blanket. I might have to give it a try. I wanna smoke something for Christmas.

 

[siege]

I smoke in reasonable weather in the winter. Here in Idaho, anything above 40 degrees is "shirt sleeve " weather. I have smoked pork shoulders at about 20 above. It makes you appriciate remote reading thermometers.
I had not thought of using a welding blanket. Great idea, thanks !

 

[WeberBlackStoneYoder]

Lordy, I hope you crack it a lot with good airflow. I love smoking meat but don’t love smoke inhalation or carbon monoxide poisoning :)

Well why would I have to stand next to the smoker for 7 hours? I'm in the house with no worries.

 

[bregent]

Well why would I have to stand next to the smoker for 7 hours? I'm in the house with no worries.

I think his worry is if your garage is attached to the house.

 

[WeberBlackStoneYoder]

I think his worry is if your garage is attached to the house.

Ok my garage is about 150' from my house

 

[martin1950]

No blanket for me. My pit lives and works inside my garage, 35 paces out the door. Last year here in S/W MI. at -27* American, two ft of fresh snow and a healthy breeze, it took me longer to suit up than it did to go out and adjust my pit. I'm only 69.