PBC is getting her first cold weather workout

[goosebr160]

Happy Thanksgiving all! Wish me luck!

[shify]

Best of luck. I’m in the same situation (but slightly warmer) and will also embark on my first cold weather PBC cook. Its currently 20 degrees where I am and is expected to reach a balmy 27 when I’ll getting ready to fire up my PBC.

[Mr_Plow757]

It's actually warm 40 here but can't seem to get my PBC above 270-280. Any recommendations to get temp up in my PBC? I'd like to be cooking around 325 for my turkey. Happy Thanksgiving to you guys

[smn1285]

Crack the lid? Can you take a rebar out?

[FireMan]

Crack the lid or as Jason would say "lack the crid". Just a bit & see how it works. Shouldn’t have to be wild & crazy, bit for openers.

[FireMan]

Those east coast weather people have gone over the top with the wind chill thing. They are almost NOT reporting actual temps. Sounds scarier & better for ratings.
The actual temps of mid 20’s to 40’s should be no problem. Just wear a hat. 🕶

[goosebr160]

True, actual temp was 15 at that time. Now it's up to 17. High of 21 today. So far everything is going ok. Had to crack the lid and I'm only using one rebar. Temps are looking good now.

[RustyHaines]

I have had successful cooks with my PBC at zero degrees.

[xaugievike]

Same

[McEDaddy]

Lid crack is a money move for sure. If you need serious juice, open the bottom up to full throttle >>> be careful though that’ll require close supervision

[Josh Moskop]

I wish I could have some cold weather cooks! Its 53 right now and willie a high of 68!

[MBMorgan]

Crack the lid and/or remove one of the rebars. If you remove a rebar, you can optionally insert the other one diagonally through the barrel to keep the bird centered over the charcoal basket. Just don't be tempted to try chasing temps by messing around with the bottom vent ... that's not what it's for. Just leave it set correctly for your altitude and focus on twiddling the lid and/or rebar. FWIW, I generally found that keeping the bottom vent oriented so that wind wasn't blowing directly into it seemed to work best.

[Spinaker]

You will be fine. Just let it breathe more than normal. I also find that lighting more of the basket helps a lot. The biggest difference I have found is the welding blanket. It makes a nice little cozy spot for the PBC to hang out in.

[Hulagn1971]

Spinaker I too use a welding blanket on my WSM when the temps drop way low. Really makes the fuel stretch out.

[goosebr160]

All good! Smoked like a champ!

[shify]

Turkeys are on. One on a hanger and one split and hung. Trying to keep temp on PBC around 325 but it’s tough. Super windy here and temp is all over the place. May just ride it where it settles.

[shify]

Success

[Donw]

Well done to all you cold weather cooks!

[Karon Adams]

Well, this is one of the reasons the Y and I don't live in the arctic Tundra (anything north of Virginia). We cook in our PBC year round. Ours sits on cinder blocks. that allows for air under the cooker and also means it never sits on the ground where moisture can stay against it and grow rust.

That, however is not the point of this, though. We use Hot Water Heater Insulation and wrap it around the smoker when the weather is cold. . we wrap all the way around and feed an air hose into the bottom vents. likewise, we keep a blanket of the same insulation over the top with another hot water blanket. this saves a great deal of fuel since we can keep the temps more stable.

I hope it all works out well for you!!