Smoking in the winter

[got14u]

One important thing I found out from here was to put some red bricks or fire bricks in your smoker when it is cold out. I have smoked in -17 or so. It gradually got up to about 7degrees that day. but holding that heat is key when it is cold out. If there would have been any wind that day I don't think it would of worked.

 

[cheech]

I too smoke all winter long.

I found that my beer does not cool down as fast in the winter.

 

[got14u]

very, very important fact !!!! very serious post ! thank you.

 

[flash]

Hey, it does get cold in Florida. Don't believe all these south Florida people on here

We had a solid week of 20's last year. One other thing to add for those that use water pans. Switch to Sand and you will see higher and more consistent temps.

 

[got14u]

poor people i bet they just closed down the town...lol...sometimes I do miss living in AZ where if it got down to the 40's it was freezing.

 

[Bearcarver]

I guess it's all what you get used to:
I spent 3 winters in the Army:
1st winter in Vietnam.
2nd winter in Hawaii.
3rd winter at Ft Hood.

Then I came home & went Bear hunting with my brother. It was -8 degrees in the Poconos (PA). Almost froze my tail off. I told my brother, "If I would have seen a bear, I would have had to ask the bear to help me get my safety off".

Bearcarver

 

[hemi]

When I was a much younger fellow I thought that U only did a BBQ in cold weather. [before service] Even now I just don't think much about smokin
or puttin a pig in the ground until about october . I think it is because my folks only did it when they were killin hogs for puttin in the smokehouse. The cold weather gave U a little more time to work the meat. Makin liver mush and so on. U had a bit more leeway in butcherin the carcase time wise. They didn't have much in the way of refrigerating.
We didn't have cookouts for fun until MUCH later. I always enjoy it a lot better now when it is above freezing.. 35-60 degrees or so. Below freezing I will buy out.. 80-100 degrees and U will find me under the central air inna house..
Back when I used to spend a lot of time under Uncle Jack's influence
any excuse at all for a all-niter at the burn barrell and 275 gal oil drum
was good enough.

All that aside I still enjoy tendin' the fire and shovelin coals under the
hog when it is light -to- medium jacket weather. Hemi..

 

[yount]

Ilive in north east pa and will be smoking here this winter here is what i did
Total price for
door gasket $7.00
all pipes and fittings
and misc stuff for job $32.00
total price $39.00
Getting to smoke in my garage drink a beer and watch a game or the race all in the same place priceless

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/nghtmre4u/smoker-4.jpg

 

[smokenmyeyes]

i got a question for you smoke masters ,if yall dont mind helping me out I ve been smoking two butts for about 12.5 hrs now they are about 7 to 7.5lbs each just now getting to 160-165 should I be concerned about the meat or is this normal for this length of time Its not real cold or hot here 70's today 60 now

 

[oneshot]

It happens.....

No worries, just let it do it's thing....

 

[jeffj]

It is not cold unless you have 2 feet of ice on your lakes and you are driving out to your favorite spot.

I took the boy to a merit badge college Saturday, so I had some time to shop at the local Cabelas. Out front they had several smokers on trailers. I stood there and tried to imagine one hooked to the back of an ice house. Hitting the lake for a weekend of fishing and starting the smoker on Friday and having some great meals on Saturday and Sunday. That would be heaven.

 

[smokemifugotem]

Ok... so i am new to smoking this year. Been bbq'ing for a long time.. and thats easy to bring the temp up in. Just turn the knob. But IS it the cold that is the reason i struggle to hit 225? when it was 95 out, i could hit 300 no problem!! So today, it was windy and cold, and i could barely hit 215. I am looking for an education and i appreciate all input!! Thanks!

 

[travcoman45]

Wind is usually the hardest on most smokers, if ya can put up some sort a windbreak will more en likely make a big difference.

 

[jeffj]

It seems the problem this year is not the cold so much as all the darn snow. It is a little over a month into the season and there is 24" on the ground. We are having our 3rd storm right now. I can not even find the smoker anymore. May have to wait until I find the smoker again.

 

[triplebq]

Exactly . You need a wind block ( far enough back NOT to be a fire hazard ) and more Fuel in the fire box . Keep reading as it just gets better and better .

 

[triplebq]

Everybody I know smokes year round no matter what . My watt burner does better when the outside temp drops below 60 . In the summer I use the burner to start the char and then add soaked wood . I get a better product with this method . Just use common sense with wind blocks , low temps , open fire boxes etc . The hardest thing is too stay somewhat sober while cooking in the winter . Thin blood cools QUICK .

 

[rstr hunter]

High of -5 here today with 30 mph winds should get down to -25 tonight. That's temp windchills between -25 and -50 today. Not what I'd call smoking weather. Sorry to hear about your cold temps in Florida.

As far as your question, with my chargriller, I've had a tough time keeping temps in cold weather. It helps to put some coals into the main cooking chamber and I think the bricks would help as well. I see many of the guys that are commenting that they do it alot are running gassers and many of those indoors. Something to consider. Good luck.

 

[jeffj]

I have been watching Pitmasters on TLC and have been wanting to fire the smoker up again. Well, I finally got my smoker dug out. It was right were I left it, except all the snow around it. I am hoping to get it fired up soon. I will see what the weather and schedule brings. Hoperfully it is soon.

 

[canadianwild]

I have smoked at -40 deg C with no problems.
If I didn't smoke when it was cold out (by some of your standards) I would never get a chance.

 

[rbranstner]

Nope the cold doesn't stop me I smoke all year round.