Insulating a grill/smoker

noclss2000 · Oct 23, 2013

So, since it's getting cold out, I started thinking about how I'm going to do any smoking during the winter. I've gotten caught with my pants down, per say, when I was trying to smoke something and it started raining, killing my temp. So I can imagine the winter cold won't be much better.
I've read a little about using a welding blanket to wrap or cut and tape together with high temp adhesive tape to make a tight cover. I've also read about using this high temp adhesive tape to put on the inside of the grill? I'm not sure how all of this will work with the setup I have. It's a master forge grill/smoker so the charcoal sits under the grates. Can I wrap the area that would I guess be considered the "firebox?" this would allow me to wrap the whole grill that would need the heat held in and not just the lid of the grill.

Uomograsso · Oct 24, 2013

I've used fiberglass water heater insulation to insulate my smoker. That and good old duct tape. It's cheap ($20 to $25), easy to cut (use a utility knife and long straight board) and easy wrap around your smoker.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-Ki...ter-Blanket-R3-5-SP90A/100170479#.Umi4HRCMOAY

Mo-Dave · Oct 24, 2013

^^^^^^ What he said, except be sure not to block the vents, and I think two or three bungee cords would be a better solution than any tape. You could also use some velcro strips.
Dave

DjPorkchop · Oct 24, 2013

I just recently inquired about this in the UDS thread. I found some at home depot that was not fiberglass, but recycled denim material. I thought about doing that due to the fact that I hate fussing with fiberglass.

Cayman1 · Oct 24, 2013

I used an old wool army blanket. Works great.

noclss2000 · Oct 24, 2013

Cayman1 said:
I used an old wool army blanket. Works great.

you're not worried about the wool blanket catching fire?

noclss2000 · Oct 24, 2013

Mo-Dave said:
^^^^^^ What he said, except be sure not to block the vents, and I think two or three bungee cords would be a better solution than any tape. You could also use some velcro strips.
Dave

you think it would be safe to cover my whole grill, or should I just do the lid as I don't have a true firebox and the charcoal sits under the grates? This is what I have:http://www.lowes.com/pd_404332-95393-MFJ576PNC_0__?productId=3878740&Ntt=master+forge+32&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dmaster%2Bforge%2B32&facetInfo=
I think I could cut spots out for the vents and cast iron doors, was just curious if I should do the bottom at all since I read from everyone else not to cover the firebox. I know I have a different setup from the other guys so not sure what the recommendation would be as far as that.

squeel · Oct 24, 2013

I am using a product called Reflectix around my electric Brinkman. Reflectix is rated to 180 so you do not want it to be in contact with your grill. I used the handles on the Brinkman and bricks at the base to keep the material away. If your grill is larger then you could build a cpvc/metal "x" frame with 90 degree angles on the 4 ends. Then come up to a height of your grill and wrap the Reflectix around the vertical posts on the "x" frame sitting under your grill. The CPVC setup would keep the material away from your grill's surface and provide a "windbreak". You could then fashion a Reflectix cover. Of course If your grill is the size of a 1/4 acre lot then this would not be feasible. You can see my set up here:
http://www.usefulramblings.org/?page_id=4446

Bludawg · Oct 24, 2013

noclss2000 said:
So, since it's getting cold out, I started thinking about how I'm going to do any smoking during the winter. I've gotten caught with my pants down, per say, when I was trying to smoke something and it started raining, killing my temp. So I can imagine the winter cold won't be much better.
I've read a little about using a welding blanket to wrap or cut and tape together with high temp adhesive tape to make a tight cover. I've also read about using this high temp adhesive tape to put on the inside of the grill? I'm not sure how all of this will work with the setup I have. It's a master forge grill/smoker so the charcoal sits under the grates. Can I wrap the area that would I guess be considered the "firebox?" this would allow me to wrap the whole grill that would need the heat held in and not just the lid of the grill.

Years ago when I worked on the Diamond R In NE Wyoming that winter wind was worse than a Polar Bear breathing down your neck while standing barerfooted on a block of Dry Ice at the south pole on the 4th of July. All I had at the time was the ECB. I solve the howlin north wind and -35 temps by cutting the ends out of a 55 gal drum and slipping it over the ECB. worked like a Champ. However with yours it is an WSM knock off a HW heater blanket is just the ticket.

pwa · Oct 24, 2013

As long as you can keep the wind off it the ambient temp doesn't make that big of a difference. I've cooked at 90F to -55F as long as I keep the wind off it or a heavy rain my UDS keep chugging along. My offset doesn't seem to care about ambient either but the rain effects it more. The BIG thing is colder air= more fuel being burned. So insulating will help with that. But I found it to be more of a pain then worth it. I used water heater wrap and some relfex bubble wrap looking stuff both caused more problems then worth IMHO.

Just my experience

Mo-Dave · Oct 24, 2013

noclss2000 said:
you think it would be safe to cover my whole grill, or should I just do the lid as I don't have a true firebox and the charcoal sits under the grates? This is what I have:http://www.lowes.com/pd_404332-95393-MFJ576PNC_0__?productId=3878740&Ntt=master+forge+32&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dmaster%2Bforge%2B32&facetInfo=
I think I could cut spots out for the vents and cast iron doors, was just curious if I should do the bottom at all since I read from everyone else not to cover the firebox. I know I have a different setup from the other guys so not sure what the recommendation would be as far as that.

I was going to suggest lining at least 3 sides and the bottom with fire brick, but I can't see the inside,so not sure that would work. I think I would either go with some kind of wind break, or the hot water blanket. Cut each section to fit just the top, and them use metal silver tape like used on duck work to close up the seams. The brick if used can be cut with a grinder very easy if you need to fit it around things, then place some foil on the bottom for easy clean up. After saying all that I would probably just use it the way it is and toss a cheap-o welding blanket over it if need be for the wind and rain.
Dave

noclss2000 · Oct 24, 2013

squeel said:
I am using a product called Reflectix around my electric Brinkman. Reflectix is rated to 180 so you do not want it to be in contact with your grill. I used the handles on the Brinkman and bricks at the base to keep the material away. If your grill is larger then you could build a cpvc/metal "x" frame with 90 degree angles on the 4 ends. Then come up to a height of your grill and wrap the Reflectix around the vertical posts on the "x" frame sitting under your grill. The CPVC setup would keep the material away from your grill's surface and provide a "windbreak". You could then fashion a Reflectix cover. Of course If your grill is the size of a 1/4 acre lot then this would not be feasible. You can see my set up here:
http://www.usefulramblings.org/?page_id=4446

Actually, this is what I ended up finding today as well. My local Lowe's didn't have the denim insulation, only the fiberglass stuff. So, thinking that I can make the reflectix work, I bought some velcro as well. My plan was to make "panels" for each side of the lid and velcro them together so I can pull it apart if need be (and in a hurry at that if that stuff somehow caught fire). The stuff is Class A /Class 1 fire rated so I thought it should be OK wrapping at least the lid directly touching the lid...

noclss2000 · Oct 24, 2013

Mo-Dave said:
I was going to suggest lining at least 3 sides and the bottom with fire brick, but I can't see the inside,so not sure that would work. I think I would either go with some kind of wind break, or the hot water blanket. Cut each section to fit just the top, and them use metal silver tape like used on duck work to close up the seams. The brick if used can be cut with a grinder very easy if you need to fit it around things, then place some foil on the bottom for easy clean up. After saying all that I would probably just use it the way it is and toss a cheap-o welding blanket over it if need be for the wind and rain.
Dave

The bottom has 2 charcoal baskets that can be raised/lowered. I can also put a metal panel in between the two baskets to separate it out for indirect heat.

Insulating a grill/smoker

noclss2000

Knows what a fatty is.

Uomograsso

Knows what a fatty is.

Mo-Dave

Quintessential Chatty Farker

DjPorkchop

is one Smokin' Farker

Cayman1

is one Smokin' Farker

noclss2000

Knows what a fatty is.

noclss2000

Knows what a fatty is.

squeel

Guest

Bludawg

somebody shut me the fark up.

pwa

is Blowin Smoke!

Mo-Dave

Quintessential Chatty Farker

noclss2000

Knows what a fatty is.

noclss2000

Knows what a fatty is.

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