Shocker With my Mini

[BandCollector]

I had a very strange experience with my Mini this past weekend.

Smoked some chicken wings in 3 degree weather and couldn't get more than two hours out of my full basket of Kingsford using the Minion method.

I'm gussing that the gale force winds that were blowing were the culprit!

John

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Wind can be a factor for sure. I have smoked in sustained 40-50mph winds but haven't ever had the basket not last that long. I only had one of the 3/4" side valve vents partially open though. I have burnt through a whole basket of plump in 2 1/2-3 hours before doing a high temp smoke and starting with a fully lit chimney.

 

[pc farmer]

I try to keep my mini out of the wind.

2 hours is fast.

 

[BandCollector]

 
Wind can be a factor for sure. I have smoked in sustained 40-50mph winds but haven't ever had the basket not last that long. I only had one of the 3/4" side valve vents partially open though. I have burnt through a whole basket of plump in 2 1/2-3 hours before doing a high temp smoke and starting with a fully lit chimney.

That is why I am baffled!

Next time I will use a windbreak...I was at a friend's house so I really didn't have all my accoutrements with me...LOL!

John

 

[bdskelly]

Yeah John,

If there is ONE issue with the mini is that it appears it does not take the wind too well.  Less mass = less heat retention is my guess.   However... Whats a few extra briquets under seriously adverse condition in exchange for the other awesome attributes and portability of the MWSM? More than a fair trade if you ask me!

Congratulations  on that new banner next to your name my friend!  Looks great!

B

 

[BandCollector]

 
Yeah John,

If there is ONE issue with the mini is that it appears it does not take the wind too well.  Less mass = less heat retention is my guess.   However... Whats a few extra briquets under seriously adverse condition in exchange for the other awesome attributes and portability of the MWSM? More than a fair trade if you ask me!

Congratulations  on that new banner next to your name my friend!  Looks great!

B

Thanks Brian...A true gentleman indeed!!!

 

[pc farmer]

adam phone 221.jpg

• pc farmer
• Feb 11, 2014

This works great in the wind and cold.

 

[BandCollector]

adam phone 221.jpg

• pc farmer
• Feb 11, 2014

This works great in the wind and cold.

 

[pc farmer]

Sorry, I will exit now.

Sorry again.

 

[Dutch]

John, I use Kingsford for my Dutch oven cooking as well as using them in my Mini. Yeah-if you don't have a wind break (even with the D.O's) that wind will make you go through the charcoal.

Hey c farmer-what is your wind break made from? Got to build me a new one. My son stole my plywood wind screen for a building project. He said he was too cheap to spend the bucks needed to buy a half sheet of 3/4 ply. Dang kid anyhoo! :biggrin:

 

[BandCollector]

John, I use Kingsford for my Dutch oven cooking as well as using them in my Mini. Yeah-if you don't have a wind break (even with the D.O's) that wind will make you go through the charcoal.

Thanks Dutch,

Discovered that the day I tried to do the wings in 3 degree weather and a brisk wind to boot...God I hate Winter!!!

I was at a friend's house and didn't have my windbreak with me or things would have been a bit different.

Actually I thought that the wings would have been done by the time the coals started to burn out...No big deal though, I just finished them in the oven.

Thanks,  John

 

[BandCollector]

Sorry, I will exit now.

Sorry again.

Please do not apologize...You were only trying to help and I appreciated your concern.

Take care,  John

 

[Dutch]

My screen/break was a 4X4 sheet of 3/4" exterior grade ply. It was cut into 2-2X4 pieces and joined back together with a 48 in piano hinge-it would fold flat for easy storage. I build it way back when I had my ECB. I use a smaller break that is 4- 12 in. X 12 in sections joined with 12 in piano hinges so that it will bend around the contour of the d.o.'s-the hinges are off set so that the screen will fold down to 3 inches thick.

 

[pc farmer]

John, I use Kingsford for my Dutch oven cooking as well as using them in my Mini. Yeah-if you don't have a wind break (even with the D.O's) that wind will make you go through the charcoal.

Hey c farmer-what is your wind break made from? Got to build me a new one. My son stole my plywood wind screen for a building project. He said he was too cheap to spend the bucks needed to buy a half sheet of 3/4 ply. Dang kid anyhoo!

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13357-56291...tix&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=reflectix&facetInfo=

Work's great.

 

[BandCollector]

 
http://www.lowes.com/pd_13357-56291...tix&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=reflectix&facetInfo=

Work's great.

Thanks...Will look into this material!

John

 

[pc farmer]

It will actually melt the snow on the inside of the insulation in a perfect circle.  So it works at keeping heat in.

 

[sam3]

 
Thanks...Will look into this material!

John

Yea, great info. Me too.

It will definitely help with the smoker running at low temps for sausage.

 

[bdskelly]

 
It will actually melt the snow on the inside of the insulation in a perfect circle.  So it works at keeping heat in.

It's post like this that make me thank the Lord I live in Texas...  

 

[pc farmer]

Heres a pic for ya B.

adam phone 271.jpg

• pc farmer
• Feb 12, 2014

 

[fwismoker]

P1010935.JPG

• fwismoker
• Jan 6, 2014

Yep coldest day of the year..-20 and 50 below WC.    That was a fun cook.   Did have the mini running at 350 doing a bird though.