Traeger and cold weather

[LarryF]

So Fall hit all of a sudden. Last week 97. This week a high of 67.
It is my intention to cook year round.
Looking for advice for when it gets cold?

 

[Rip]

I cooked in single digit temps with my Lil Tex earlier this year, no problem. It will take longer to get up to temps, you will use more pellets to maintain a given temp, and there will be a bigger heat loss every time you peek. Some folks use a welding blanket to help insulate, but as MAK Daddy has noted, the biggest impact of cold air is it coming into the smoker via the fan, not through radiation loss.

 

[squirtthecat]

I use mine year round..

The welding blanket does help when it is windy. (especially around the cracks in the door)

1/2 a dozen fire bricks in the bottom of the until will help retain/stabilize the heat, especially when you are opening/closing the door.

Yeah, I got a couple screws loose...

 

[LarryF]

Awesome pics. Thanks for advice guys.

 

[Rip]

Great shots Squirt! I do regret not photographing some of my more weather challenged cooks last winter!

 

[sparky]

don't tell me your out there in your jammies and slippers Qing partner?

 

[TentHunter]

Cooking year round is fun. It greatly expands the types of foods you will cook, especially during the holiday season. Do one Thanksgiving turkey on your smoker and you'll never want to cook one any other way.

If you don't have a covered place to put your smoker, invest in an easy-up canopy to give yourself a quick shelter for your smoker during snow.

 

[LarryF]

Cooking year round is fun. It greatly expands the types of foods you will cook, especially during the holiday season. Do one Thanksgiving turkey on your smoker and you'll never want to cook one any other way.

If you don't have a covered place to put your smoker, invest in an easy-up canopy to give yourself a quick shelter for your smoker during snow.

I have been thinking about things like that. I have an 8 by 10 enclosed patio. Looking for a cheap solution for the winter. Thanks!!!

 

[Scallywag]

We have some cold Canadian winters here and I cook all year round without issues. Like everyone else said as long as your not peeking you will have no issues at all.

 

[bark biter]

I cook year round as well. Last year we enclosed our deck with lattice work and John just puts up plastic for the winter months. Works like a charm. When the Traeger is going which is daily you can actually sit out there and read a book.

Will grab a few pics and post later today.