LSG Pellet grill in winter?

[PainfulPleasure]

I'm in Canada and use my traeger all year long. I'm in the market to upgrade and the LSG hits all the buttons for me.

Ive got a blackstone griddle that i use occasionally and a kamodo joe that i used often until getting the traeger. Sleeping theough a brisket cook often wins over the better smoke.

I think the LSG with the la plancha griddle amd charcoal will meet all my needs. I'll probably never use the charcoal but will think I would if I don't get it.

My concern is using in the winter here. My traeger is double walled and has no problem. My buddies have blankets but none are available for this unit. LSG says they dont need one.

Anybody know how it worka in cold weather?

Sorry for the long first post.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

IMO double wall is really only needed on the thin metal box store grills. It's rare that we get sub 30F here but when we have a barely have an increase in pellet consumption with my MAK and the Yoder and LSG both use thicker steel and I've seen folks say there's not a significant change in pellet usage once their Yoder gets up to temp. If that turns out not to be the case, just buy a welding blanket.

[02ebz06]

Haha, you beat me to it for the welding blanket.

[Sweaty Paul]

Prior to getting my Yoder one of their custom made insulating blankets I used a welding blanket. I know folks don’t think they are necessary, however, living in Western Kansas means wind and I find wind really sucks heat off of the sides of the Yoder when it’s cold too. On the one day it was cold and not windy it held temps great with no appreciable change in pellet consumption. With wind, pellet consumption increases dramatically. The welding blanket decreased consumption.

[02ebz06]

Welcome to the group.
Don't know about cold weather as I am in New Mexico, but the LSG is built with 3/16" steel.
Should be just as good as any uninsulated double wall smoker.
You could always go to Harbor Freight and get a Welding Blanket to put on it if you are worried about the cold.
They are cheap.

[RonB]

Welcome to The Pit.

[PainfulPleasure]

Thanks for all the quick answers! I admit to little understanding of the physics of this but that was my last mental obstacle and the feedback knocked down my last physical obstacle (wife) so I'll be placing my order as soon as they open tomorrow (can't order online since I'm shipping to the border not my house).

[Donw]

It doesn’t get Canadian cold where I live now in the Mid Atlantic but having lived in Saskatchewan I can understand your concerns. My old standby was and is throwing a welding blanket over my cooker to retain heat and block wind. This helps even here in Maryland when temperatures get down into the 20’s and 30’s (F).

[PainfulPleasure]

My cooking area is blocked from wind, so that'
s not an issue. I'll get a blanket.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Oh, not sure if LSG has this "feature" but some pellet grills won't start if the ambient is below a certain number. The workaround is to manually light some pellets in the firepot to warm things up or you can just point a heat gun or torch at the thermocouple while you try to light it. Just something to keep in mind if LSG has that "feature"

[CaptainMike]

The only thing that gets a little glitchy in cold weather is the Fireboard controller. Nothing a hard reboot (unplug for a 10 count) doesn't fix, put I don't get Canada cold here. Ask Chris about that when you call.

[rlozinak]

Welcome to the Pit from Buffalo.

I have an LSG pellet smoker and have no problems in the winter. It holds the heat very well. I have used in in 20 degree weather with high winds. She runs like a top.

[PainfulPleasure]

Thanks! I'm now just trying to decide on the expanded metal or laser cut stainless grate. The stainless looks really easy to clean.

[02ebz06]

Not of the videos I have watched on the LSG grill had the SS grates.
One person did complain about the expanded metal grates though.
He said that the metal was vertical instead of flat and had problems with it. Meat sticking I think it was.
Think of the metal looking like this --> | instead of this --> --

I went with the SS grates for the reason you said, easier to clean..
Mine is being built now, so hopefully will have in by end of next week.