has anyone ever insulated a pellet grill? I have access to some pretty amazing high end insulations that are about 10 times more heat transfer resistant than the ceramic in kamado type cookers.
Is this a good idea? Im afraid that really insulating one well would mean less pellets burned and therefore less smoke and flavor.
Last edited by cool hand luke; October 8, 2017, 09:25 PM.
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Same here. I use welding blankets. I am in Virginia, so it doesn't get too cold, but we often get rain with the cold... so the first blanket is more of a sponge, and the inner is the insulator. Cool to see the steam and smoke rising from the smoker.
Green Mountain sells insulated cover, as most manufacturers do. I called them about it and they told me to use with temps below 45 F and using it above that would adversely affect temp control. Like others I went with the Harbor Freight welding blanket and highly recommend the welding blanket option for cooler temps.
Guys I think most of us in cold weather climates probably use a welding blanket or buy a cover from the manufacturer. But the purpose of insulating is less pellets used. What do you think, does it mean less smoke?
Yes. It does. It also seems a bit unnessesary. What will you save? 10% 20%. ??? Pennys not dollars. Then with the money you save you can buy a amazing tube to add more smoke because it’s not Smokey enough. Or let the cold be your Freind. Use the horse power of the grill to overcome it and add more smoke along the way. :
Last edited by Jon Solberg; October 9, 2017, 06:29 PM.
Not sure but if it is running balls to wall to keep up from the cold stripping the heat off it I would assume less smoke. Smoke is usually generated when pellets begin to drop and smolder a little before igniting. So It is possible to get more smoke if it is insulated due to the fact the auger would stop feeding till more heat is called for and would cycle more. Then on the other side of the spectrum you could lose your fire if there is to long of a delay for need for pellets? A lot will depend on the type of controller you have and if you can get the insulation for cheap, what the heck give it a try and report back with your findings!
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I had a Traeger (non insulated) pellet grill and now have a Memphis Pro (factory insulated) pellet grill. I've had these pellet grills for a total of 15 years and have used them a lot. IMO the insulated grill uses noticeably less pellets than the non insulated grill in cool to colder weather. I'm not sure the smoke effect is that much different between the two grill types or in different weather types. I have come to realize and believe (as has been discussed many times before on the AR Site) that a pellet grill has much milder smoke than many other types of cookers using charcoal and/or wood. So IMO insulating your grill will reduce pellet usage but also IMO the smoke effect won't change all that much.
I use a welding blanket from time to time. I agree with Jon that the pellet savings are probably pretty immaterial. I don't think it will affect the smoke flavor or mean less smoke. What I do think is that insulating probably reduces the extremity of your temperature swings.
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