wsm temp

[marshall]

I'm doing my first smoke in cold weather 20 degrees f. I can not get my smoker temp. above 215, I started out with the donut method like always and have gone through almost a full bag of kbb 18#, I have 2 butts on any suggestions, is that temp safe to cook at??

[Troutman]

Temperature is safe, that’s not an issue. It’s going to take a long time that’s all. What you need is some sort of thermal blanket.

[marshall]

yea, I need to come up with something for winter cooks! or get a better insulated smoker maybe,....

[kmhfive]

Check out BBQ Guru. They have insulating blankets for WSM.

[JeffJ]

Are your vents wide open? Have you tried opening the refuel door for a minute or two?

[Jon Solberg]

It's safe. JeffJ has some great tips to get the temp up a touch. I would work on getting it up. Be careful not to overshoot your target temp. Go slow with adjustments. I find the colder it is the more consistent a WSM actually holds temp. I cook regularly in sub zero temps on a WSM. IMO the only thing you need to worry about in the cold is the wind. You also need to get an understanding of your fuel consumption so your not adding new fuel to late to hold your cooker temp. You can load lit coals from a chimney if needed using the door as a shoot but it's not a great option.

[Psinderson]

I would definitely follow the advice above, you should be able to get the temp up unless it is windy like Jon Solberg said. Wind is a temp killer. I am heading out to cook some ribs on the WSM soon. It’s in the 30’s so I will have to modify my procedure as well. Will have to look into those blankets!

[ecowper]

Just a thought, have you made sure your ambient probe isn’t in a meat shadow? Aside from that, the advice here is right on

[sblair1255]

You didn't mention whether or not you have water in the water pan, if you do try skipping the water. If you put them both on top and take out the water pan altogether, I guarantee 350 or higher is possible if you don't watch your vents. I have found starting with a dry water pan and at least a half lit chimney or more makes it easier to get to and maintain 250-275 pretty easy.

[marshall]

had water in the pan and vents wide open, thanks for the tips I will try some different things next time, I have only used this smoker about 5 time this summer so still learning,

[sblair1255]

Yea, skip the water and just try adding more hot coals to the unlit coals. It might get you too hot at first but it's pretty simple to cool it down a little. Also if you are not using a Guru, try the bottom vents half open and regulating temp with just the top vent. It's one less variable that way.