Snow and smoking, help!

[mrkkti]

I have a lot of family coming this weekend and my wife wants me to smoke on Saturday (that's a good thing), but....

the high temps are forcasted to be about 35*...

I have a couple of racks of ribs, a couple of loins, and about a 5 to 6 pound brisket...

Any of you smoke in the the winter before, and I'm not talking about winters in the south (I know some of you will come up with something real cute like, "Hell yea, I smoke in the middle of January", well, Florida doesn't count!).

I'm thinking it'll only take more fuel (I'm a pure stick burner by the way), and as long I keep a good hot fire and the temp at about 225* or so, I should be fine...

Or does it take longer?

 

[jt]

I've been here in Missouri for most of my life so I know a little about winter

Worst problem is going to be the wind. If you can get a wind break around the smoker then you'll be in good shape. It'll take a little more fuel but not bad. I burn mostly oak and just use charcoal to keep my coal bed going. I'd start a little earlier than normal with the brisket (you can always cooler it extra if need be) and when it's time for the loins and ribs you'll know how your temps are doing.

 

[Mark]

As Bill and others will attest, it ain't the temperature, it's the wind. Rig ups some wind blocks and consider some fire box heat shields. Phil swears by applying lawn chair cushions to the smoke box but:

1. I nearly caught one on fire that way
2. It can really piss off the OL
3. If you take care of the heat loss in the firex box (where it is much higher) then insulating the smoke box is much less of an issue.

 

[Neil]

Listen to what Jt says. I soke in below 0* wind chills and plenty of snow up in Michigan all winter long. You just need to keep your wood covered and use more charcoal to help keep the temps up. The wind break will help keep your fuel consumption down.

 

[Saiko]

I think this is an area where wood fires actually have an advantage. I do live in Georgia, but I actually haved smoked many times when the morning temps were in the 20's.
I start with my usual chimney of charcoal, then instead of throwing 1-2 chunks of wood to start the fire I use 4-5 and get a really good fire going.
I was able to bring my chamber up to 225 in less than an hour (starting from when I first lit the chimney). Here is a pic I took one morning when it was in less than 30 degrees:

With that amount of wood I was up and running in no time. Wind is much more of an enemy than temp. I'd much rather have it 25 degrees with no wind than I would 40 degrees with high wind. As long as you are blocked from the wind you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[BBQchef33]

i cook all year round.. :mrgreen:

and its 22 degrees today in NY. Does that count?

You'll use more fuel and, have to pay more attention to the fire. It be best if you can wrap the smokebox in something. I've been using a welders blanket which works great. Moving blankets work too, but on the bandera and skd the hotparts where the firebox meets the smokebox will melt anything not heatproof, so if your using something makeshift(like a lawn chair cushion, (see gallery)) leave that side open. Wrap the chamber and hold the blanket in place with a bungie cord.

 

[mrkkti]

Thanks for all the input! I will go get some charcoal...sounds like a good idea.

Not sure where to find something to insulate with though, I live in a small town (pop. 9000), not too many options (and I'm not going to try and convince my wife that her chair cushions for the patio set are expendable!).

Thanks again!

 

[tommykendall]

Not sure where to find something to insulate with though

Don't worry about insulation. With any luck you'll have a calm day. Makes for beautiful smoking weather.

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

I'd add a few minutes to the time you expect to reach cooking temps, too. It always seems to take longer for me on a cold day.

 

[midnight]

as long as the temps are above 10 deg. you will have no problem. you will burn a little more fuel to get your smoker up to temp but once there it shouldn't be any different than normal.
The big key is to stay out of the wind! The wind will really cause your temps to go up and down especially in the cold.

You can smoke in any temp but anything below 0 deg. is just to cold to be standing outside and watching your smoker.

I have my Dera in my garage with the smoke stack vented out the window. This takes care of all the wind problems and my garage stays warm ( above freezing)from the smoker. Although smoke can be a problem sometimes, I usually leave the overhead door open about 2 feet to help circulate air.

Another solution would be to buy an electric smoker. I have a Cookshack Smokette that I set out of the wind and can cook with no mater what the temp is out side, best part is I don't have to go out and check the fire every 45 min.

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

In the garage, Midnight? Wow, I can just SMELL the mayhem!

 

[midnight]

In the garage, Midnight? Wow, I can just SMELL the mayhem!

Only draw back is that all my tents smell like bbq, wait... thats a good thing!

 

[midnight]

Go here to see my garage installation.
http://www.bandera-brethren.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=910&highlight=garage+mod

 

[tommykendall]

Go here to see my garage installation.
http://www.bandera-brethren.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=910&highlight=garage+mod

Is the cooker still that clean?

 

[midnight]

Go here to see my garage installation.
http://www.bandera-brethren.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=910&highlight=garage+mod

Is the cooker still that clean?

Not even close!

Even though its in the garage I seem to be getting some rust on the outside of the lid to the fire box. Not paint flaking off, just a rusty color. I am wondering if maybe the lid is starting to "burn through", anyone ever have that problem?

 

[BigBelly]

My firebox lid is also starting to show signs of the same discoloration in the form of three little quarter sized round shapes. It cannot be burn through yet, or can it?

 

[Arlin_MacRae]

Mine is flaking from underneath and slowly rusting on top. Not getting thin, though.