What is better to insulate?

[PassTheFlux]

Hello,

I have the Dyna-glow wide body and have some insulation I can use to reduce heat loss. What do you think will have the biggest impact on temperature and fuel use: insulating the firebox or the smoke chamber?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JWFokker]

Insulate the top of the firebox and as much of the cook chamber as possible.

 

[PassTheFlux]

Ok thanks. With that thought in mind, would it be best to insulate the furthest away part of the cook chamber as possible due to lower temperature range than the side closes to firebox?

 

[jaypatrick]

Curious about this too .. only in my situation, I’ve got a barrel smoker with an offset FB .. a New Braunfels. What type of insulation were you thinking of using PassTheFlux? I called around to my local fireplace shop today and they recommended some chimney flue liner. I’m going to run by and look at it tomorrow.

 

[PassTheFlux]

Curious about this too .. only in my situation, I’ve got a barrel smoker with an offset FB .. a New Braunfels. What type of insulation were you thinking of using PassTheFlux? I called around to my local fireplace shop today and they recommended some chimney flue liner. I’m going to run by and look at it tomorrow.

I have ordered two welding blankets to insulate the outside of my smoker. Should have them within two weeks. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[jaypatrick]

Just picked up this remnant of chimney insulation to try wrapping my barrel smoker .. I’ll let you know what happens!

 

[PassTheFlux]

Just picked up this remnant of chimney insulation to try wrapping my barrel smoker .. I’ll let you know what happens!View attachment 398471

I saw a video on youtube from a guy who used this stuff on his barrel type smoker and he was saying it worked wonders on heat stability and fuel. Hope it works out and please share your outcome!

 

[jaypatrick]

Here’s this morning‘s experiment. Spare ribs this morning, pork butt later tonight, film at 11

 

[PassTheFlux]

View attachment 398527 Here’s this morning‘s experiment. Spare ribs this morning, pork butt later tonight, film at 11

Is the barrel fully covered or just half?

 

[jaypatrick]

FB is fully covered - main smoker barrel just the top (as much as the remnant would go). The insulation actually came with a metal band attached to it (I guess from where it was used in the chimney?) and I used that to fasten it to the front of the FB just below the lid .. then wrapped it over the top and ran the handle bolts through it to attach. The main portion, the blanket is just draped, with it formed as much as possible.

Tell ya though, I couldn't control the temp .. guess I should have played around with it first. I put the ribs on this morning at 10:45 .. and just now took them off (put them in the oven at 200 wrapped in foil) for fear of crisping them. I came back at noon with the temp at 350 .. so I closed the FB vent down to 1/4. Came back at 1:30 .. still running north of 300 .. ugh. Oh well .. trial and error. I left the smoker the way it was .. will be interesting to see what it registers the next time I run home.

Oh .. and I was using the minion method with 3/4 of the box with fresh charcoal and 1/4 lit from a chimney.

That's the latest.

 

[PassTheFlux]

Wow that much of a difference!?! So I just bought these minion bars on eBay from an amazing welder who does it cheap, and even customized it for me to fit my firebox. I used them once but until I can get my smoker fully insulated I will not be able to maintain high enough heat. Maybe you should try them out. Here is what I got: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Minion-Sna...plate-Qty-2-/283294850119?txnId=1999346333018

 

[jaypatrick]

hmmmmmmmm .. checking out a YT video now - thanks!

 

[jaypatrick]

OK going again .. must be addicted (actually just trying to get the smoking part in before the rain comes tomorrow .. i’ll transfer inside of the oven if need be).

Tonight I’m trying what I term as my “modified minion method”. Nothing in-between them to stop crossover, just hoping that the distance will be enough. I got my wood chips in the little metal box underneath the charcoal. Not sure if it’ll be enough to get it going good but we’ll see!

 

[jaypatrick]

Starting to rain at 2 am ... had to pull the plug and bring the butt in the house, as the tarp covered smoker is in danger of getting shut down by Mother Nature. The “modified minion method did ok, but I do think it was lacking some control, and probably could do with a metal box and track to run in.

 

[PassTheFlux]

That does look cool, I do not have that kind of room in my firebox. That is really cool concept, to bad you got rained on. So you got up too 300 with that type of setup? How much of a difference did the insulating do?

 

[jaypatrick]

It’s really kinda hard to say .. as I’m just starting to get back into smoking - but I’d say a substantial improvement in heat retention. I’m going out of town for a week on Tuesday .. but when I get back, I think I’m going to run some tests to see if I can’t figure out the formula for an unattended overnight smoke. I believe a WiFi temp sensor is in my future?

Oh .. and the chip box under the charcoal idea didn’t do squat. Not enough heat for the wood inside to smoke.