Pellet cooking @ -25F outside w/ 30mph wind?

SoDakSmokerGolfer

SoDakSmokerGolfer

New member
Hello all...

I am looking for advice from the vast knowledge base here. I am looking to buy a pellet grill to replace my Big Green Egg. I have liked using my Egg and have loved the food cooked on it but I am looking for something that is a bit easier to use and something that allows easier "2-zone grilling".... wife and Kids friendly.

My issue is that I live in South Dakota and winters here can be brutal. I have seen a number of people with post here talking about the issues of pellet cooking in the "cold" weather but... 34F really doesn't count as cold where I live. I still wear flip flops and shorts at 34F!

Can someone recommend a Pellet rig that will stand up winter in SD? I have been looking at MAK 2-star and Memphis Pro.

thoughts and commits much appreciated.
 
Tatonka3A2

Tatonka3A2

New member
We purchased a Yoder last winter and have been smoking ever since... North Dakota weather here, so you must be 10 degrees warmer at least. :D

We also purchase a thermal jacket for it to help with the cold temps.

I have seen others use welding blankets on their smokers to help maintain temps in the winter.

Good luck in your search! :cool:
 
Pappymn

Pappymn

New member
SoDakSmokerGolfer said:
Hello all...

I am looking for advice from the vast knowledge base here. I am looking to buy a pellet grill to replace my Big Green Egg. I have liked using my Egg and have loved the food cooked on it but I am looking for something that is a bit easier to use and something that allows easier "2-zone grilling".... wife and Kids friendly.

My issue is that I live in South Dakota and winters here can be brutal. I have seen a number of people with post here talking about the issues of pellet cooking in the "cold" weather but... 34F really doesn't count as cold where I live. I still wear flip flops and shorts at 34F!

Can someone recommend a Pellet rig that will stand up winter in SD? I have been looking at MAK 2-star and Memphis Pro.

thoughts and commits much appreciated.
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Minnesota here. But I have only had my Mak for two weeks. I too wear shorts and flip flops ten months out of the year. My biggest concern is being able to reach my Mak. Not interested in shoveling my deck.
 
SoDakSmokerGolfer

SoDakSmokerGolfer

New member
@Takonka3A Yoder? Hmmm haven't looked at that one will have to do that. Thanks... and yes at least 10deg warmer nothing like living here in warm balmy South <grin>

@Papymn I hear you on shoveling you deck! one of my least favored chores of winter. Please let me know what you think of your MAK so far...
 
Pappymn

Pappymn

New member
SoDakSmokerGolfer said:
@Takonka3A Yoder? Hmmm haven't looked at that one will have to do that. Thanks... and yes at least 10deg warmer nothing like living here in warm balmy South <grin>

@Papymn I hear you on shoveling you deck! one of my least favored chores of winter. Please let me know what you think of your MAK so far...
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I totally love it. I have done ribs, beef, chicken so far. Tonight I am doing Panko fish with some hash browns on the griddle attachment. I have had no issues with my Mak so far.
 
BBQ Joe

BBQ Joe

New member
I have a mak 2 star and have used it in temps as low as 0. The wind is the biggest challenge. I move the grill to a location that is more protected than where I keep it in the summer. I have the pellet boss remote. That is a great feature for the cold. Being able to monitor your cook from the sofa is great.
 
SoDakSmokerGolfer

SoDakSmokerGolfer

New member
@BBQ Joe - thanks for the input... You bring up a good point - wind.

Anyone else out there have issues with wind? Any thoughts as to which does better with wind... Mak 2 star or Memphis pro?
 
Chili Head

Chili Head

New member
It gets windy in the Illinois flat lands... My 2 star has never blown out. I do use a welding blanket to help with temps in frigid weather. Just don't cover the vents..baby needs to breath!
 
TTNuge

TTNuge

New member
I've been through several Minnesota winters now with my MAK 2 Star and it hasn't let me down. The best part is the remote Pellet Boss so I can sit inside where it's warm and monitor the MAK and the food temps if I want. I have several pictures somewhere with about 2 feet of snow on the deck surrounding the MAK, just shoveled a path to the smoker and fire it up. I go outside quick to power it on, then go inside, use the Remote Pellet Boss, set my desired temp, monitor when the pit is up to temp and then run out quick to put the meat on.
 
SoDakSmokerGolfer

SoDakSmokerGolfer

New member
@TTNuge - Seems like there are a number of "real" cold weather folks here that are using Pellet cookers... Thanks for the encouraging feedback. I would love to see the pic's if you would like to post them. I have been leaning towards the Mak 2 Star for the remote and the pellet dump door (seems like a no brainer that everyone should put on their grills). The only things that keep me looking at the Memphis Pro are the insulation and higher temps.
 
TTNuge

TTNuge

New member
SoDakSmokerGolfer said:
@TTNuge - Seems like there are a number of "real" cold weather folks here that are using Pellet cookers... Thanks for the encouraging feedback. I would love to see the pic's if you would like to post them. I have been leaning towards the Mak 2 Star for the remote and the pellet dump door (seems like a no brainer that everyone should put on their grills). The only things that keep me looking at the Memphis Pro are the insulation and higher temps.
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They block my photo sharing site at work so I can't find individual photos but I think I may have a few in this album. Feel free to look through them all and see what the MAK can do.

MAK album | TNEUTGENS | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.
 
roburado

roburado

New member
SoDakSmokerGolfer said:
I have been looking at MAK 2-star and Memphis Pro.
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Michigan here. It's windy. I don't think it's as cold as SD in southeastern MI, but we sure get some wind. I was advised by Big Poppa himself to get the MAK 2-Star. His advice to me was basically that the MAKs had the edge on the Memphis Pro for versatility, 3 temp probe capability, quick-change pellet door, and higher pellet capacity. I was thinking he'd recommend the Memphis for the insulation. In my experience the MAK 2-Star gets hot enough to get cooks done. Winter, of course, is harder, because of lower ambient temperature and wind. Cooks take longer. More pellets burned. Still, we can get some damn good cooking done. In late autumn/early winter, we brought the MAK into the garage to decrease wind exposure a bit, and I cooked with the garage door open. Sure, it's not ideal, but we make it work. I'd love to insulate the cooker somehow. Some people have given me some suggestions on it here.
 
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