Question on Outside temps right now

[kathrynn]

Getting ready to fire up Big Poppa again in a few weeks.  I have only used "him" during the Summer Months.  Wondering what the colder temps outside are going to do in the next few weeks to the time and/or the meats i am planning to do.  I want to try some Turkey before Thanksgiving....and a few more butts.

 

[scarbelly]

I have seen guys smoking in the snow so I think you will be fine.  Looks like your in the 60's for the next 10 days so it should not have any impact on you 

 

[jrod62]

I smoke year round. It will take more fuel to keep the temp up.
This year i'm wraping my smoker with welding blankets

 

[chef jimmyj]

If I remember Big Poppa is Propane fired. There may be a small issue with maintaining temps because the smoker is not insulated. But because gassers maintain temps well at the temps you will be smoking Turkeys at, 275-300*F+, you may only have to turn it up slightly. I would recommend having a Wind Break built. Plywood walls covering at least 3 sides will greatly reduce any issues from the cold wind. You should not have it too bad in 'Bama, the guys up in Minnesota and Canada work harder during the winter months...JJ

 

[frosty]

I smoke year round. It will take more fuel to keep the temp up.
This year i'm wraping my smoker with welding blankets

The welding blankets should do the trick, if needed!  They are simple to find, and a few magnets should help do the trick.  Also consider a possible wind break, made of plywood or tarps to deflect the wind if needed.  That way, you can keep the wind from cooling off the smoker.

I have heard of people using quilted moving blankets, but I fear they could flame up if too close to an ignition source so I don't use them. 

Safety for you and the family!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[jarjarchef]

On another thread they used a welding blanket. I had stated an interest in it and another member sent me this link.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=welding blanket&hftref=cj

 

[sqwib]

Smoke year round, cold doesn't seem to bother my smokers but the wind sometimes will, smoked in the teens no problem, I actually have better control over my smokers in the colder months than the hotter months.

As Jimmy said a windbreak is a must Wind will rob your smoker of precious heat very quickly.

 

[kathrynn]

Cool!  Okay---where I usually do my "smoking and joking" is in the garage...with Big Poppa (yes...gas burner) just sticking his rear out the garage...so technically 3 sides would be covered....and we do have tarps and such that could be set up too.  Ya can never not be prepared!  Yall are the best....gotta get my ducks in a row.  Have some butts and ribs in the freezer....and going to get some "turkey parts" this week.  Hugs to you guys!!!! 

 

[oldschoolbbq]

KathrynN, if you have a large Smoker it should be no problem , even us with smaller Smokers make use of wind-breaks to satisfy our Winter taste :

Betty 003.JPG

• oldschoolbbq
• Oct 9, 2012

Wind and drifting Snow a bother , park behind a building or in a place you can create a wind-break.

Have fun and...

 

[cliffcarter]

You never said how cold is cold in Alabama, this is from the last Superbowl Sunday, yes that is 5°f above zero-

Superbowl cook (4).JPG

• cliffcarter
• Oct 9, 2012

This from just before Christmas, 4 years ago-

a1.jpg

• cliffcarter
• Oct 9, 2012

You should have no problems.

 

[mballi3011]

Now you should be fine and it really doesn't get that cold in Bama. If you want to you can get a welding blanket if you want to.

 

[kathrynn]

I quilt so there is no way I will put cotton things on him! Fire waiting to happen! But the temps for day time here this week have been in the mid 60's....lows at night low 40's. We live in North Alabama. Things have been chilly lately.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

I to smoked/grilled all year when we lived in NE PA. Smokers worked good even in the -11 pocono weather.
 

 

[jirodriguez]

The welding blankets should do the trick, if needed!  They are simple to find, and a few magnets should help do the trick.  Also consider a possible wind break, made of plywood or tarps to deflect the wind if needed.  That way, you can keep the wind from cooling off the smoker.

I have heard of people using quilted moving blankets, but I fear they could flame up if too close to an ignition source so I don't use them. 

Safety for you and the family!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

If you size your welding blanket correctly you won't need a seperate wind break. I have a welding blanket that drops all the way to the bottom of my smoker (WSM) and I use large metal clips (big clothes pins) to hold the part where the seams meat. Just make sure to leave a hole at the top for exhaust, the bottom will be fine because it's not airtight - but it does block the wind and improve winter fuel use a ton!

 

[smokinhusker]

I have an MES 40 and I smoke all winter long here in CO. The smoker is in a cabinet but I still gotta go out there!

This past Saturday the high temp was 22 with windchill of 15...I did cold smoke some kielbasa!

 

[kathrynn]

Big Poppa is a (Camp Chef) Browing 24....and to me after using Elivra (little brinkman electric).....He is huge.  I plan on using it many time during the Winter Months.  Looks like we all will be in for a wild winter from what the Farmer's Almanac is saying for 2013.