Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to buy cheap smokers........

[ChrisBarb]

Seriously. It is only about 31 degrees outside today and my el-cheapo Chinese POS Smoke Hollow is having trouble maintaining 200 degrees. Oh, well. Lesson learned. You get what you pay for. :doh:

At least, I can now justify the cost of a real smoker.

 

[hedge]

Must be a Weber

 

[ChrisBarb]

Must be a Weber

Wut?

 

[tenpenny_05]

Question: Is it advisable to use an electric smoker inside of a closed garage?

 

[rwalters]

At least, I can now justify the cost of a real smoker.

I agree... the cheap smokers are typically paper thin and leaky as all get out! Whatcha thinking about getting?

 

[Mikhail]

Get a PK grill. Thick cast aluminum.

 

[jestridge]

Put something around it to knock wind off, wind is what kills your heat

 

[bgross88]

I started with with a cheap offset smoker. Sealed it up with JB weld, and plugged most of the holes. I also covered it with a welding blanket whenever I used it(just the cooking chamber).

It served me well for a few years, and it's what I learned on. But as you stated, it was hard to regulate/hold temps.

I bought 22.5 WSM a few years ago, and now everyone thinks I'm an expert...LOL.

Please don't tell anyone it's the WSM. :wink:

 

[LDawg]

The Indians used teepees, great for upward draft

 

[hurricanedavid]

Buy some insulation board at the local hardware store and make a three sided box to slip over the smoker. It works wonders for holding in the heat on a frigid day.

 

[LDawg]

Make somthing like this yourself.
http://www.goapesonline.com/P/19361/GreenMountainGrillsGMG-6003THERMALBLANKET-DB

 

[cats49er]

Learn to use what you can afford at the time an enjoy it.Move when you can.There is always an ugly drum they work well.

 

[Bob C Cue]

For $299 the Pit Barrel Cooker works great in all kinds of weather.

 

[SmittyJonz]

some reflectix and some plywood.......

 

[Harbormaster]

I use my WSMs in temps as low as -20F. Never an issue with temps.

Just sayin'.

 

[robert-r]

Move to Southern California.

 

[Bob Ivey]

Agree with Clark, WSM's are great cookers and they just work. Have the WSM22 and will be getting a WSM14 for the times it is the wife and I.

 

[airedale]

I agree... the cheap smokers are typically paper thin ...

Wall thickness has little effect on heat loss. That's why they call metals "conductors" and make cookware out of them.

Put something around it to knock wind off, wind is what kills your heat

:clap2:This.

Buy some insulation board at the local hardware store and make a three sided box to slip over the smoker. It works wonders for holding in the heat on a frigid day.

I made a cheap and effective wind shield with two pieces of masonite nailed to 1x2 frames and hinged together. Just open it up to about 90 degrees and set it on the upwind side of the smoker. When done, fold it flat and store it easily. The insulating capability of a windbreak will have little or no effect. As @jestridge said, you just need to stop the wind.