Cold Weather Cooking

[Flying Fur]

I've been leaning toward purchasing a pellet grill for cold/cooler weather cooking. I'm intrigued by this set it and forget it phenomenon (provided with a learning curve the results are good). Usually we have 4 distinctive seasons in my region of the world with modest to frigid winters. The cold weather, especially with a constant breeze will extend those long cooks on my WSCG making it difficult to both enjoy smoked meats and keep myself healthy by limiting exposure to the elements. For the record, I do have a WSM as well with silicone fitted blanket which exponentially ups its abilities when the snow flies but still tethers me to it and the elements. For those wondering, I have a Fireboard thermostat controller for both aforementioned smokers but alas age and my body's inability to shed the cold as I once did have me looking for healthier options.

So my question is simply this: in anyone's experience, are there pellet grills which resist the elements better than others? By resist, I reference consistent heat/smoke within a tight window so a twelve hour cook is a twelve hour cook and not 18. From my research, only a few are insulated and/or double skinned, e.g. Memphis, Blaz'n, Traeger Timberline, Yoder (with custom designed thermal blanket), Fast Eddie Cookshack 1000 and up, etc. My assumption is an insulated grill will hold temperature and be more efficient. I've tried to read most of the threads here and noted Meathead used his MAK during Chicago winters which is amazing to me since I lived in the city for a number of years and braved the wind chill and the lake effect snow.

In this new age of consumerism, if its not bad enough one oftentimes has to order products sight unseen, how much worse is it if one has to predict its engineering strengths as well. So thoughts?

[xaugievike]

honestly - my WSCG is the best thing I've ever used in the winter....started a brisket at -10 once upon a time with it and it was great.

Good luck on your search.

[Flying Fur]

For the record, I love my WSCG and use it several times a week for baking, grilling, and smoking. It is the best I have ever used in winter as well--great product!

[mrk]

I haven’t had a chance to use a double walled pellet grill yet but I had a cheap Pitboss 700FB that managed ok in the winter (Cleveland , Ohio area) but definitely used more pellets and temperature swings would be wider.

I have been looking at replacements for that grill and same as you have focused on ones with a double wall design for heat retention. One brand you didn’t mention above was Grilla Grills. They are based in Holland, MI so they probably know a thing or two on cold weather cooking. If you look on YouTube they have a video comparing their double wall design to a Camp Chef in cold weather . Also I know a number of people on here own either a Grilla or Silverbac and would probably be able to tell how they do in less than ideal conditions.

[Troutman]

Good point on the double walled models, that would really help.

[Flying Fur]

Thanks mrk,
I'll check again, I thought Grillas were single skinned on top, double walled on the bottom. But perhaps their controller and skin thickness are sufficient to maintain proper temperature, thanks for the thought!

[Troutman]

Like any other cooker or bbq pit, heat retention is a direct result of the material the cooker is made out of, obviously. I don't own any of the pellet models you mention, but the one I do own was custom built. It's a converted 1/4" steel walled stick burner that had the firebox removed and a hopper assembly attached. Once the pit heats up it's hard to slow it down, similar to say a ceramic cooker (although obviously not quite as efficient). A lot of the pellet cookers, especially the ones under say $1500, that I have seen tend to be rather thin walled. In that case I would lean toward some sort of welding blanket to drape over the cooker in the hard freeze conditions.

Of course I may be the worse guy to comment on this since I live in south Texas and it rarely freezes here !! I simply don't run into that problem much !! But good luck with your choice, I'm sure a lot of guys on here have some great opinionated help for you.

[Troutman]

Yea mine is a Pitts & Spitts out of Houston, very similar build specs to the Yoder but totally different style.

[bten]

The Yoder is 10 gauge, just a little over 1/8 inch thick. The Blazn and Grilla silverback are double walled which will probably hold heat best. I like that you can get an insulated lid option on the Blazn

[Flying Fur]

Thanks Troutman and bten!

[Sac3848]

I have both FEPG 1000 and the Memphis Pro. Both are great grills and operate well in wind(Fl) and rain/snow (NC)
The Memphis heats up and lights quickly and has better temp control(as well as wi fi) but the 1000 seems to have more smoke. Can't go wrong with either one

[Flying Fur]

Thanks for the information—we Have a Memphis dealer nearby.

[Danjohnston949]

Flying Fur, Like You I've Cooked In All Kinds Of WX❓ Fortunately, Here In Fargo ND Nothing Too Severe Comes To Mind❓‼️❓ For A Bit More Than Opinions (Like Behinds Everyone Has One) You Might Want To Contact SCHEELS ACE HARDWARE STORE, 3202 13th Ave S, Fargo ND❗️ Ph. #: 701-232-8903, They Are An Employee Owned Operation, And Offer A Complete Line Of Grills And Smokers, Weber, Traeger, CampChef, MasterBuilt, Yoder, Big Green Egg And ❓❓ These Are Very Friendly Knowledgeable People Who Will Visit With You At Length Regarding Your Question‼️ Hope This Helps You‼️
Eat Well And Prosper❗️ From A Backyard Cremator In Fargo ND, Dan

[Flying Fur]

Thank you for the information, pictures, and link! I will explore further!

[Danjohnston949]

Flying Fur, You Are More Than Welcome, Sir‼️ If You Have Any Questions Just Ask❗️
From A Backyard Cremator In Fargo ND, Dan

[Randy-Phx]

You can make a winter "blanket" for whichever pellet grill you choose. Camp Chef sells one but most CC owners make there's out of insulation of some type.

I dont have a need for one.

[bten]

many use welding blankets from Harbor Freight

[Flying Fur]

Thanks to Randy-Phx and bten.

[jgreen]

Way too early for me to even think about cold weather cooking.

[JCGrill]

No matter what grill you get, keeping it out of the wind is the easiest way to keep it consistent. Air temp is less relevant. Any pellet grill can just feed more pellets to overcome the ambient, but wind plays havoc.

[Flying Fur]

Therein lies a problem.

[smokenoob]

Flying Fur yeah, I’m thinking "keep out of wind" or "double wall".....just from a thermodynamic point of view

[Fire Art]

I bought a trager blanket and put it my pit boss 700 cut my pellet use and steady the heat curve. I cook out side a lot all winter the coldest was spatchcock chicken at -23 It turned out great

[Flying Fur]

Thank you Fire Art!

[FireMan]

So where is this place that you have these winter fears? Cuz it sounds like there are a few of us’ns in some pretty raw stuff that get the job done.

[Danjohnston949]

FireMan, Never Let 'em See You Sweat❓❗️❓ Dan

[FireMan]

Danjohnston949 💠🔥 . Just smoke n’ fire, no perspiration! 🕶

[Flying Fur]

As I said in my initial statement its not just the cold but persistent air movement. I live at the highest elevation in my area and there is always a breeze and wind here sends my neighbor's chimney cap oftentimes into my back yard so even in August regulating temperatures is difficult but in December/January cook times can increase 30-70% which becomes a hardship on my post warranty body.

[CandySueQ]

By far the most reliable, low-pellet-eating smoker I have is a FEC100 -- this isn't the PG series, this is a dedicated smoker that will cook 100 lbs. of meat. Typical usage is 15 lbs. of pellets for a 20 hour cook. It's fully insulated and a small exhaust port (4" I think) which you can add a stack for adjusting for wind direction. With that said, I cooked a full contest last weekend in Colorado at 7500 feet and used only 30 lbs of pellets in my Yoder Cimarron Pellet trailer.

[Flying Fur]

Out of curiosity, if that contest in Colorado was held in January, would the Yoder design, construction materials, and electronics allow it to maintain temperature for longer cooks in those conditions without significantly extending cooking times? Though both smokers would be too large for my needs perhaps smaller siblings of either line might prove sufficient. Thanks again for the expertise!

[CandySueQ]

Flying Fur, the Yoder 640 has a thermal "blanket" add on that would take care of cold. I've had more trouble with wind, though we don't get the cold like that. I did augment my pellet BTUs by adding a good amount of Jack Daniel's pellets to my normal contest mix. I think that's why I burned such a small amount. Normal usage is 40#

[Flying Fur]

Thank you for the expert assistance! I do have a Yoder dealership about 3 hours away so we will schedule a visit to "kick the tires". Thanks for the tip on the Jack Daniel's pellets too.

[dajoker]

I just got a Pit Boss 820FB, we will see how it does in the Northern Alberta winter in a couple months. If it can't keep up, I will go back to my Broil King Keg 5000. I have used the Keg as low as -40C(-40F) with the windchill that day, it was -50C(-58F).

[Flying Fur]

Thanks dajoker, I'll look forward to your cold weather evaluations.

[Attjack]

My Primo XL with DigiQ is set it and forget it too. Plus it has fantastic insulative properties.

[Flying Fur]

Interesting, thanks for the assistance!

[Sweaty Paul]

Flying Fur I can’t speak to cooking at elevation with the Yoder, however, I can talk about wind and cold. I live in Western KS and I got my YS-640 the first week in February. Cold and windy. It held temps well and I was impressed with fuel efficiency, although, I will be getting a welders blanket for this winter. That said the Yoder maintained temps within 3 degrees on lower shelf and 7 on upper shelf.

[Flying Fur]

Wow impressive, thanks! If memory serves me correctly, Yoder makes fitted thermal blankets for their pellet models (watched a YouTube video). Does Yoder offer an option for wireless control? Do not recall seeing anything about it. Wish you well with your new purchase!!

[Sweaty Paul]

Yoder does make a fitted thingy. It’s $250ish. Welders blanket and bungee cords $35. I’m cheap.