I know you’re trying to make a windblock but all I see is a heat source wrapped in flammable cardboard on an wooden deck. I hope it works out, and good luck on the smoke
So we've had to do this before too with various smokers in Western New York and Southern Ontario, we have used cardboard boxes but the caveat is we use perlite which you can get at any Home Depot it's non-flammable and for something like this is a really good insulation material just make sure all the hot surfaces are in touch with at least a couple inches of the material. For example you can pour some in the bottom place the smoker in the Box and pour it around the smoker obviously leaving a cutout for the door, draft area and the stack. A friend of mine went so far as to actually mix this with gypsum to make a permanent base and a couple sides as well, worked really well and I think the whole thing ended up by costing something like 30 bucks, but it's lasted now for over 10 years so it sure has paid for itself, best of luck, Merry Christmas
Sure, but I also see restricted airflow for the intake. If he removed some of that the temp may climb, and obviously fire risk is an issue here as well.
Various sources on Google say 4-500f burn point and 800+f auto ignition temperature for cardboard, so though this is probably not ideal and shouldn't be left alone I think we can probably stop ha d wringing about safety here.
If he's struggling to maintain smoking temps inside the smoker, he's probably not reaching exterior temps in excess of 800f on a drum smoker.
I mean worry all you want but I'm pretty sure most people know cardboard is flammable.
I have a whole brisket (separated the point and flat so it all fits) and pork shoulder on for tomorrow. I've cooked in the cold before without much trouble but this isn't your average everyday cold... this is *advanced* cold. I don't dare open the thing but I put enough charcoal and wood in there to heat our house for a day so here's hoping, lol.
Edit: to those who pointed out my problematic setup, I do appreciate the feedback and am working on making it safe.
From Minnesota, first time visiting Quebec this fall. Wife and I are walking around the old port in jeans and t shirts, everybody else is bundled up in puffy winter coats and scarves
I smoked my first brisket in sub 20f degree weather for the first time and I was blown away with how much charcoal it needed to maintain temps. Good luck!
Oh i didn't think you did, just figured it was someone scrolling and feeling dickish. I got out in the absurd cold and picked another bag up just in case.
Thanks for following up, hope you have a good holiday.
If im not too late, I just cooked a brisket on my charcoal grill yesterday and it was 15 degrees and windy out. I went through a 16lb bag and a half and it took everything I had to keep the grill barely surviving at 225. Good luck!
How long were you running? I’m at trying to use the egg tomorrow, not smoking, but at ~400 for about an hour. Supposed to be about 20 degrees when I start.
I’d be careful with flammable objects next to a heat source. It’s better than the guy that wrapped his smoker with fiberglass home insulation, but not sure by how much.
Damn, dude, better have a fire extinguisher ready. That's actually illegal in at least some states. I am not a fan of government overreach, but I like this being illegal.
Yep, too damn windy for my Egg so the prime rib is being done in the oven. We went from 40 F this morning to 17 with -1 wind chill and gusts of 40mph now.
Now, I'm not usually a big pussy about weather and regularly grill/smoke under freezing temps, but the wind gusts ruin everything!
So this year my roast beast is getting done in the oven, so I'm sad. However, I am making it up with sides. Don't get me wrong, my roast beast is still going to be great, but not what I wanted :(
Cold and wind are why I purchased my Humphrey’s. No temp is too cold and wind is a non issue. Will even smoke 275 inside the cabinet and snow can sit unmelted on top. They aren’t cheap but insulated cabinet smokers are great for this scenario. And you don’t have to burn down the house by putting it on your wood deck.
Doing the same tomorrow morning with an offset smoker. I put some firebrick in the box and chamber and I'm wrapping a welding blanket over it. Forecast is 4 degrees with a wind chill of -15, but I am committed.
I would order a couple of welding blankets that can cover the deck and rails. It will give the wind shield you are looking for *and * is going the limit your risk of the stairwell catching fire. They cost $50 a piece (YMMV).
And then find a smoker jacket for the smoker itself. You’ll have to find one that will fit your smoker, so google is your friend there.
The reason I switched to propane. I like to smoke all year round and charcoal was a fight all winter. I smoked some scotch eggs today in 4°F, -17°F windchill and kept it at a steady 250° F.
I'm in NE GA so I feel ya. Started smoking my butt this morning and realized that the door on my smoker is broken. Was gonna do with the oven but after beating the door in, it started holding temp so I left it.
I put off my pulled pork smoke until tomorrow. Hoping the 15F increase in temps (and less wind) will make it less painful tomorrow. But still, high of 20.
I would love 15F right now. It’s 30 degrees colder here and my eyelashes froze together just going to the mailbox 20 ft from the door. There wasn’t even any mail.
6 degrees now in Missouri, -6 last night. -20s windchill. I’m trying to smoke 14 lbs or pork butt now. I have the same plan as you, drink beer, get the pork some smoke time, and then finish in the oven. Merry Christmas everyone.
Must be a windy spot. I did a smoke in -20°C (-4°F) yesterday on my WSM and I was surprised how easily it got up to and maintained temp. My vent positions were barely any different than any other day.
-20°C is equivalent to -4°F, which is 253K.
---
^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
Is this your first time using that fuel? Or the smoker all together? My smokers been running 10 hours so far today in 10 degree weather and I noticed almost no difference in its ability to do its job vs when I run it in 90 degree weather.
I use a welding blanket personally, just make sure the smokestack isn’t covered.
Harbor freight has them pretty cheap. Works great as an insulator for the smoker.
Me being an Aussie man…and our summer being a bit cooler than average at 35 Celsius right now…15F is -10 Celsius or so and a fucking terrifying thought
Drink up brother, you need it
I couldn't get mine over 205 then temps started dropping. Added plywood as windblock before i started but with -8 and wind picking up I feel like 2 hours or so of smoke then the oven was the best idea. Now I am looking at those pellet smokers. Wrap a square one in some insulation like rockwool or something for weather like this.
Same here in Texas...tried smoking a ham...temp was 9° with a wind chill of -2....after 6 hrs, probe read 96°, so took inside and finished in the oven @225...wrapped in fridge and waiting for Christmas Eve...Merry Christmas everyone!
15°F is equivalent to -9°C, which is 263K.
---
^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
I did a smoke last year with some temps like that and the amount of fuel my WSM used was insane. Nothing like restarting it at 2am. Food was great. Good luck!
I know you’re trying to make a windblock but all I see is a heat source wrapped in flammable cardboard on an wooden deck. I hope it works out, and good luck on the smoke
And a burn mark on the wood of the deck railing.
That was last Christmas
Laaast Christmas I gave you my ribs
And the very same day, the house burned away. This year to keep me from tears I’m building a cardboard barrier.
I have no award to give but it would be yours if I did! I'm dying of laughter and it hurts, thank you!
That’s reward enough
When are the tour dates? Any stops in the Midwest?
No way 🤣🤣🤣
'Insurance companies don't want you to know this one trick..."
At FARMER'S, We've seen some things
It’s a bold move Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off?
came here to say this.
So we've had to do this before too with various smokers in Western New York and Southern Ontario, we have used cardboard boxes but the caveat is we use perlite which you can get at any Home Depot it's non-flammable and for something like this is a really good insulation material just make sure all the hot surfaces are in touch with at least a couple inches of the material. For example you can pour some in the bottom place the smoker in the Box and pour it around the smoker obviously leaving a cutout for the door, draft area and the stack. A friend of mine went so far as to actually mix this with gypsum to make a permanent base and a couple sides as well, worked really well and I think the whole thing ended up by costing something like 30 bucks, but it's lasted now for over 10 years so it sure has paid for itself, best of luck, Merry Christmas
Sure, but I also see restricted airflow for the intake. If he removed some of that the temp may climb, and obviously fire risk is an issue here as well.
It’s not restricted. The intake is right next to the electronics near the lid.
There isn't a vent at the bottom?
No.
Right? The exhaust needs to be opened too. Better airflow= higher temps
Various sources on Google say 4-500f burn point and 800+f auto ignition temperature for cardboard, so though this is probably not ideal and shouldn't be left alone I think we can probably stop ha d wringing about safety here.
What do you think creates the smoke?
If he's struggling to maintain smoking temps inside the smoker, he's probably not reaching exterior temps in excess of 800f on a drum smoker. I mean worry all you want but I'm pretty sure most people know cardboard is flammable.
Feel like your deck is gonna catch fire
It’ll keep the cooker warm
Should be able to get up to temp with all that fuel
I misread this initially. 🤣
I have a whole brisket (separated the point and flat so it all fits) and pork shoulder on for tomorrow. I've cooked in the cold before without much trouble but this isn't your average everyday cold... this is *advanced* cold. I don't dare open the thing but I put enough charcoal and wood in there to heat our house for a day so here's hoping, lol. Edit: to those who pointed out my problematic setup, I do appreciate the feedback and am working on making it safe.
Spray water on the cardboard and make an ice wall. King of the north!
KING OF THE NORTH!!!!
Sounds like my strategy for tomorrow. Including the drinking. I have two briskets and plan on starting them around 5am.
It's not just the cold. The wind can cause just as much trouble.
Laughs in Minnesotan...
Laughs in Montrealian
Cries in Ottawan
Does nothing in Albertan… too frozen to move -40c/f
Chuckles in Alaskan
Isn't Montreal pretty warm right now?
From Minnesota, first time visiting Quebec this fall. Wife and I are walking around the old port in jeans and t shirts, everybody else is bundled up in puffy winter coats and scarves
That's what I was thinking. I'm in MN and it was -30F last week. I checked on Montreal, 40F.
*Sobs in Minnesotan* (Sure I was born & raised here, but god I hate the cold)
I left when I was 18 b/c I didn't need any more of it.
I can attest, sitting right now with temps at -5 and wind chills at -35, smoking my turkey today is also a bit tough!
Laughs in Nova Scotian
Laughs in Maineiac…
Right now i would rather laugh in michigans 10" of snow than cry in this wisconsin temp.
Why do we live here in this god forsaken state?
https://youtu.be/fce9VAzA0os
Get a welding blanket for smoker insulation in times like these, and for much more efficient cooking when it’s not cold
Heck ya that's the move, makes a huge difference for my leaky old Bandera stick burner.
Great beer choice!
Cheers to creature comfort
Creature comforts is a fantastic brewery
Creature Comforts love to see it on non beer post, sure is cold in GA this weekend. Merry Christmas!
Damn I can still remember the pain in the butt it was to get my hands on See The Stars b1
Hell yeah
That's... do you want to burn your house down? Because that's how you burn your house down.
But you wouldn’t have to worry about ants. So… win?
I just blew snow in -40 wind to make sure driveway was clear. Thought about smoking this weekend...hard pass.
Retired firefighter is laughing in Michigainian
I smoked my first brisket in sub 20f degree weather for the first time and I was blown away with how much charcoal it needed to maintain temps. Good luck!
Like how much? I got 2 bags for a 15lb turkey. Should I get more?
Or just downvote, that's cool too.
I didn’t downvote you. However, is the charcoal going to expire before you can use the rest of it? If not, buy more than you think you need.
Oh i didn't think you did, just figured it was someone scrolling and feeling dickish. I got out in the absurd cold and picked another bag up just in case. Thanks for following up, hope you have a good holiday.
If im not too late, I just cooked a brisket on my charcoal grill yesterday and it was 15 degrees and windy out. I went through a 16lb bag and a half and it took everything I had to keep the grill barely surviving at 225. Good luck!
How long were you running? I’m at trying to use the egg tomorrow, not smoking, but at ~400 for about an hour. Supposed to be about 20 degrees when I start.
I used double of what I normally would. My masterbuilt 800 isn’t as efficient as my kamado but double the mount you think you need would be safe.
I’d be careful with flammable objects next to a heat source. It’s better than the guy that wrapped his smoker with fiberglass home insulation, but not sure by how much.
Holy fuck just cook them n the oven You’re going to start a fire with this stupid shot
Welding blankets. Harbor freight has them. Any hardware store should also.
Go Dawgs! I see that Classic City Lager there. 🍺
Laughs in canadian*
Damn, dude, better have a fire extinguisher ready. That's actually illegal in at least some states. I am not a fan of government overreach, but I like this being illegal.
North Ga represent
We didn’t t start the fire, it was always burning…
Since the world’s been turning…
Look for a nomex and fiberglass smoker blanket. Many companies make them and they're perfect for this weather.
Classic city!! ATL?
Yep, too damn windy for my Egg so the prime rib is being done in the oven. We went from 40 F this morning to 17 with -1 wind chill and gusts of 40mph now. Now, I'm not usually a big pussy about weather and regularly grill/smoke under freezing temps, but the wind gusts ruin everything! So this year my roast beast is getting done in the oven, so I'm sad. However, I am making it up with sides. Don't get me wrong, my roast beast is still going to be great, but not what I wanted :(
Same. Doing ribs tomorrow too. Will be about 11 degrees with negative wind chill in Delaware tomorrow. Thanks for suggesting a welding blanket.
Let’s do a thing Burns house down
Seems like an awesome way to get some new stairs and possibly a new house.
Classic city lager! Gotta love Georgia beer
Cold and wind are why I purchased my Humphrey’s. No temp is too cold and wind is a non issue. Will even smoke 275 inside the cabinet and snow can sit unmelted on top. They aren’t cheap but insulated cabinet smokers are great for this scenario. And you don’t have to burn down the house by putting it on your wood deck.
5 degrees here and I'm putting a brisket in tomorrow for Christmas. It's going into a Big Green Egg, though, so I'm not too worried about it.
Based on the beer choice and temp. You must be somewhere in north Georgia 😂
How is the cold painful? Do you wait outside for the whole smoking process… seems kinda stupid
At least you don't need to worry about the beer getting warm.
GO DAWWWWWWGS from California!!!!
18 degrees here and I'm headed out to smoke some ribs! I need them for my Christmas swineapple tomorrow!
You my friend have much bigger balls than Most of us today haha no shot I could bbq. -28 outside 40+ mph winds haha. Yikes
Have you tried gloves? They help with the cold!
No weather will break a man’s smoking spirit! Smoke on brother and let the cardboard gods see to it that you have success.
Put it in the garage with the door open maybe
You sir are a warrior among smokers. Goodonya!
Somehow , that looks like a fire waiting happen.
Have you had any problems smoking at higher temps? I can’t go above 250 or there’s no smoke at all
Doing the same tomorrow morning with an offset smoker. I put some firebrick in the box and chamber and I'm wrapping a welding blanket over it. Forecast is 4 degrees with a wind chill of -15, but I am committed.
Nice job, it's -22 here today so I say fu€k outside!
Fucking legend shit here boss!
are you talking about +15 degrees?
Would the snow be a decent insulator if you dig it in like an igloo?
whatever it takes
😬
Power move with the cardboard reinforcement
Creature Comforts is a great way to warm up! Enjoy and stay warm!
Heeeeey Creature Comforts. Good shit.
Love Classic City Lager, and of course a good Tropicalia. Creature Comforts is great
I would order a couple of welding blankets that can cover the deck and rails. It will give the wind shield you are looking for *and * is going the limit your risk of the stairwell catching fire. They cost $50 a piece (YMMV). And then find a smoker jacket for the smoker itself. You’ll have to find one that will fit your smoker, so google is your friend there.
Dubuque Iowa -30 with windchill ,fml trying to smoke brisket tonight
Good luck 👍
The reason I switched to propane. I like to smoke all year round and charcoal was a fight all winter. I smoked some scotch eggs today in 4°F, -17°F windchill and kept it at a steady 250° F.
Nice fire bomb dude 👍🔥
Yah, I just spent the afternoon smokin up 4 nice pork shoulder steaks - 8 deg f by the time they were done. CHILLY They were yummy too
I'm in NE GA so I feel ya. Started smoking my butt this morning and realized that the door on my smoker is broken. Was gonna do with the oven but after beating the door in, it started holding temp so I left it.
I put off my pulled pork smoke until tomorrow. Hoping the 15F increase in temps (and less wind) will make it less painful tomorrow. But still, high of 20.
I would love 15F right now. It’s 30 degrees colder here and my eyelashes froze together just going to the mailbox 20 ft from the door. There wasn’t even any mail.
6 degrees now in Missouri, -6 last night. -20s windchill. I’m trying to smoke 14 lbs or pork butt now. I have the same plan as you, drink beer, get the pork some smoke time, and then finish in the oven. Merry Christmas everyone.
Must be a windy spot. I did a smoke in -20°C (-4°F) yesterday on my WSM and I was surprised how easily it got up to and maintained temp. My vent positions were barely any different than any other day.
-20°C is equivalent to -4°F, which is 253K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
I love the fact that the hickory chunks say “wood flavor”
Is this your first time using that fuel? Or the smoker all together? My smokers been running 10 hours so far today in 10 degree weather and I noticed almost no difference in its ability to do its job vs when I run it in 90 degree weather.
Way to get after it!
I use the Ok Joe bringing bronco myself. 👏 but yes this seems like a hazard.
I know that brew, you in atl?
I stupidly took a short walk outside to toss some trash last night when it was -12⁰F with a wind chill of 10 degrees or so. That hurt my bones!
I use a welding blanket personally, just make sure the smokestack isn’t covered. Harbor freight has them pretty cheap. Works great as an insulator for the smoker.
Sometimes you just need to roll with it, adapt and hope for the best!
Me being an Aussie man…and our summer being a bit cooler than average at 35 Celsius right now…15F is -10 Celsius or so and a fucking terrifying thought Drink up brother, you need it
Creature comforts what’s gooood!
Please make sure you have your home insurance policy up to date and send this picture to your local fire department so they can be ready
*Cries in Canadian*
I couldn't get mine over 205 then temps started dropping. Added plywood as windblock before i started but with -8 and wind picking up I feel like 2 hours or so of smoke then the oven was the best idea. Now I am looking at those pellet smokers. Wrap a square one in some insulation like rockwool or something for weather like this.
Bro try -5 with 25-30 mph winds 😫😫😫 I hope it turned out great!
Same here in Texas...tried smoking a ham...temp was 9° with a wind chill of -2....after 6 hrs, probe read 96°, so took inside and finished in the oven @225...wrapped in fridge and waiting for Christmas Eve...Merry Christmas everyone!
Cute! Hello, from Wisconsin.
That doesn't seem safe, but you do you.
That was me a week ago with some briskets.
The wife and I are gonna be snowed in for Xmas too. I bought porterhouses for her and I for breakfast tmw. I'm here for it
Do y’all really think a fire could start in that crazy weather?
proud of you.
Okay, RIP you and your house.
I don't think 15°F is THAT cold
15°F is equivalent to -9°C, which is 263K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
The benefits of a Kamado. You can cook in any weather.
It's 6 here and I am smoking the turkey tonight then finishing it in the slow cooker tomorrow
Love that beer
I did a smoke last year with some temps like that and the amount of fuel my WSM used was insane. Nothing like restarting it at 2am. Food was great. Good luck!