WSM insulation solutions?

Ringburner

Ringburner

Full Fledged Farker
Joined
May 26, 2012
Location
Napier...
Morning all

It's a freezing 14.5 degrees celcius (Around 58 farenheit?) here in Napier, New Zealand today and it's 10 AM with no signs of getting any warmer.
I'm planning on firing up my WSM this afternoon.

I'm wondering what folks in places where it literally is freezing do to insulate your WSM? I've seen a material that is used for insulating hot water cylinders and I wonder if that is suitable?
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/greenstuf-eco-wrap-hot-water-cylinder-wrap_p00264711
I invisaged just using a couple of bungy cords to secure it around the main body of the smoker, allowing it to still breathe top & bottom.....

Am I on the right track here?
 
I've cooked on mine in the low 20s ferenheit no problems at all maybe used a little more fuel but didn't need to insulate. Might be different if it's windy.
 
Best way to figure out what the cooker will handle it to try it!
14.5 Celsius isn't too bad. The major thing that would affect the cook would be how fast you go through a load of charcoal/wood...

If it's not windy, let it rock!
Lots of other ideas for blocking wind on this site!
Good Luck!
 
I've had many cooks in the single digits and some below zero (Fahrenheit) and I don't do anything to insulate my wsm, I just try not to have it in a windy spot and I definitely don't use the water pan when it's cold....actually i don't use water ever.
 
I've cooked many, many times at -20 F or colder and have not insulated my WSMs. I'll put up wind blocks but not insulation. It still cooks very well and efficiently.
 
Being in Canada, I've done many cooks in the -10-30C range with no insulation on the cooker. Have banked the snow up as a wind break, but that's about it. Might use a bit more charcoal, but not enough to worry about. Wind will affect your cooking more than the cold.
 
Harbormaster nailed it. Protect it from the wind. They work fine when not in the wind. You may have to adjust the vents open more and use more fuel but they work well in cold weather.
 
Thanks for taking time to reply folks.... It ain't broke so I guess I won't fix it. I just can't help that urge to tinker with things to make them "better".

There's bugger all wind in my BBQ area as it's small and well fenced so that's not really an issue and I guess it's warm here compared to those who are using snow as a windbreak!!
 
Yep, Reflextic, or whatever it's called. I made a 26" or so ring around my 22.5" WSM. Made a great insulator around the smoker. Temps stayed stable even in cold temps.

IMG_4381_zpsdpwxga3w.jpg
 
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