Offset smoker and the wind

[Florida Q]

We live in Florida, near the beach, so I have to contend with the varying winds that come off the ocean every time i grill or fire up the smoker. I'm looking for a slightly larger offset and have considered building a wall around the patio but before i do ....

Does anyone know if there is a particular offset smoker that handles the wind better than the others? Brand/model?? Looking for something in the 48-60' range - patio type.

thank you

[Dom Mazzetti]

i just get a folding table that breaks down in the middle and shape it like a > around the smoke box.

Table like this
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lifetime-72-in-White-Plastic-Portable-Folding-Banquet-Table-22901/100656193

[ebijack]

Depends on what brand smoker you buy.
Side intakes, door intake.
I'm sure one could be made for most any situation.
Mine is simple aluminum flashing I bent loosely around the handle above my intake.
It works great for me. When the wind blows, the flap only partially closes due to it's length/width. Still leaving plenty of intake opening. If that makes sense.

[Capt]

I think they will all be somewhat affected by the wind. If you live in Melbourne then I assume it is almost always an east wind. I would just buy the smoker I wanted and either move it to a better location or do like other day and get something to block the wind.

[Florida Q]

Depends on what brand smoker you buy.
Side intakes, door intake.
I'm sure one could be made for most any situation.
Mine is simple aluminum flashing I bent loosely around the handle above my intake.
It works great for me. When the wind blows, the flap only partially closes due to it's length/width. Still leaving plenty of intake opening. If that makes sense.

This makes good sense. I was hoping some pit maker had possibly solved for this themselves. I swear I saw somewhere that Outlaw Smokers had done something to help with the wind but now i can't find it again. It could've been wishful thinking. Thanks for the tip.

[Big George's BBQ]

You can prob use a welding blanket to help hold the heat in

[InThePitBBQ]

I battle North winds rolling down Lake Michigan and sucking the life out of my big offsets all the time, I've owned all the Lang's 48"-108" and the winds would bring those to their knees sometimes when loaded up with meat for a catering job.

My newest addition is a 70" elevated cabinet from Shirley Fabrication with the 2" insulated firebox and it run's circles around the Lang's in high winds.

Between the area's of heavier 3/8 steel above the fire and the added efficiency of the insulated firebox it's been a game changer.

On day's at or near freezing temp's with 25-40 mph gusts I'd get 75* drops below average form the Langs and had to use ridiculous amounts of wood on the 84 and 108 to keep them 250-275* on the Shirley it's nothing more than one extra stick of wood size of a soda can every 30 minutes or so.

I'd imagine you can get similar results from other builders who offer an insulated firebox and something more than 1/4" steel in some areas.

[KevinJ]

Jambo and Rockin W Smokers have a plate in front of the intake.

https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-14590144/images/5981649ca3370EDfXLfz/IMG_2140_d400.JPG

[4ever3]

This makes good sense. I was hoping some pit maker had possibly solved for this themselves. I swear I saw somewhere that Outlaw Smokers had done something to help with the wind but now i can't find it again. It could've been wishful thinking. Thanks for the tip.

They did, or do, it was the first one that I had seen.


Just found this on their website...

https://i.postimg.cc/gkXTHrV1/67-F008-C5-B64-E-41-FC-8-A25-753-F5-B0-E48-BC.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

But it’s not the way I remember it

[Florida Q]

Jambo and Rockin W Smokers have a plate in front of the intake.

https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-14590144/images/5981649ca3370EDfXLfz/IMG_2140_d400.JPG

I'll have to take a look at Rockin W. I'm not familiar with them. thanks

[Florida Q]

They did, or do, it was the first one that I had seen.


Just found this on their website...

https://i.postimg.cc/gkXTHrV1/67-F008-C5-B64-E-41-FC-8-A25-753-F5-B0-E48-BC.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

But it’s not the way I remember it

thanks -- that picture is helpful.

[KevinJ]

I think the current Outlaw is more like the Jambo, Rockin W Smokers type setup, all 3 are top flow and very similar, all of them come standard with an insulated firebox.

[billygbob]

Outlaw's front load has the firebox intake underneath. Comp cookers I know with the front load say it works great in windy conditions.

https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/ce47782d-4174-4fe1-b99c-86d25bc0d5a5/496897e0-10b9-41c6-9f3f-40983aea6e88.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=h:650,cg:true

[Florida Q]

Outlaw's front load has the firebox intake underneath. Comp cookers I know with the front load say it works great in windy conditions.

https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/ce47782d-4174-4fe1-b99c-86d25bc0d5a5/496897e0-10b9-41c6-9f3f-40983aea6e88.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=h:650,cg:true

Intake under the firebox? I'm guessing that would work. That is an awesome looking smoker. thank you!!

[BBQ Freak]

2 pieces of plywood cut a little taller than your intake pinwheel with a hinge in the middle and fold out as need be , use to use one all the time .

[marvda1]

Jambo and Rockin W Smokers have a plate in front of the intake.

https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-14590144/images/5981649ca3370EDfXLfz/IMG_2140_d400.JPG

second these two. the rockin w smoker was designed in -20 degree winds of alaska.

[SMOKE FREAK]

2 pieces of plywood cut a little taller than your intake pinwheel with a hinge in the middle and fold out as need be , use to use one all the time .


I have two 5x5 ft sections hinged in the middle...I use it to protect from the Kansas winds in the winter...I call it the great wall of BBQ...

[SmoothBoarBBQ]

Johnson Smokers designs work VERY WELL in the wind. I live in Jacksonville, NC just a few miles from the ocean, so I know your pain with the wind. The draft on my 24x60 smoker was super strong and I NEVER had any issues...not in heavy windstorms, not in the rain, etc.

You said 48" or 60" patio so this might work out well for you. It's a reverse flow cooker so every single inch of that cooking chamber is usable.

https://johnsonsmokers.com/rolling-patio-smoker/