Smoking in colder weather

[JCAP]

Hey all- Although I've been smoking for a few years now, I've usually shut it down in the colder months. I haven't had much of a chance to really get into the yard for a while so I'm shooting to do so this weekend. It'll be about 40ish F for my smoke. I'm looking for any advice for smoking in these and lower temps. Going to attempt a brisket flat and either a chicken or ribs.

I plan on using my charcoal bullet smoker (my imposter of the wsm). I can usually get it locked in around 230-250 with 10 lit briquettes (KBB using minion method) and the water pan. But that's in the warmer weather. I plan to a) forego the water pan and instead wrap a pizza stone in foil and b) up the number of lit briquettes used for the minion method. I was thinking maybe half a chimney for these cooler temps. Too much/too little? I don't have any kind of insulating blankets so that's out.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[smokerjim]

I don't think 40 is to bad, especially if you can stay out of the wind if there is any, as far charcoal amounts I can't be much help never used your type of set up, so grab a case a beer. a bottle of mr. daniels and enjoy yourself, if worse comes to worse you could always finish in the oven.

 

[smokininidaho]

You could insulate with a welding blanket, maybe some fire brick. I use kamado type smokers now because I can bbq year round.

 

[Hawging It]

Ditto what smokerjim said

 

[tropics]

You shouldn't have any problems doing the smoke,try keeping it out of the wind.
Richie

 

[Fueling Around]

How did it go?

I'll smoke ribs and other quick items in the Weber down to about 0°(F).
A double row snake is usually more than enough coal.
I haven't tried a brisket in the Weber and the Brinkmann doesn't get used as a smoker below 50°
Straight grilling I'll use either Weber or Brinkmann as cold as my old bones can withstand standing outside.

Temps have been a balmy 30's for a couple days with same for tomorrow.
I'm planning to smoke a cured pork loin tomorrow.

 

[izeedeee]

Hey all- Although I've been smoking for a few years now, I've usually shut it down in the colder months. I haven't had much of a chance to really get into the yard for a while so I'm shooting to do so this weekend. It'll be about 40ish F for my smoke. I'm looking for any advice for smoking in these and lower temps. Going to attempt a brisket flat and either a chicken or ribs.

I plan on using my charcoal bullet smoker (my imposter of the wsm). I can usually get it locked in around 230-250 with 10 lit briquettes (KBB using minion method) and the water pan. But that's in the warmer weather. I plan to a) forego the water pan and instead wrap a pizza stone in foil and b) up the number of lit briquettes used for the minion method. I was thinking maybe half a chimney for these cooler temps. Too much/too little? I don't have any kind of insulating blankets so that's out.

Thanks for any advice!

Hi,
I smoked a 12 LB. brisket and two racks of short ribs in my WSM 22 yesterday. The ambient temp was about 50. I loaded a 15LB. bag of Kingsford original into the WSM, filled the water pan with boiling water, and topped it off with 20 lit briquettes. I maintained 245 for about 6 hours, After that I had to add more unlit coals to maintain temp. At nine hours my brisket was at 180. I lost patience chasing the Weber with coals so I finished it in the oven at 325 for about an hour and a half to bring it up to 195.
I was surprised the coal didn't last longer, but this is the first time I smoked at this cool a temp.
Good luck! Let me know how you make out.