Cold Weather

[whitley1983]

So I just bought a pit boss pro vertical smoker. I live in Alaska and I’m trying to figure out the logistics of if I will be able to use it outside in the coming months as the weather gets colder. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Cowboy1955]

Welcome from Texas to the group!
You could think about an enclosure and running stack outside
I’ve used a blanket and wind block here
Of course it doesn’t get as cold here as it does there
Hopefully this helps you

 

[Freedbyjc]

So I just bought a pit boss pro vertical smoker. I live in Alaska and I’m trying to figure out the logistics of if I will be able to use it outside in the coming months as the weather gets colder. Anyone have experience with this?

If your ambient temperatures are very low and your smoker does not want to start (ERL/ERR) ... you can use a hair dryer, Heat gun, brûlée torch or any heat source on the RTD or digital thermometer probe on the inside of barrel on left side. Heat it up so the controller shows temperatures above freezing; that will allow the grill to start and go through normal start up. Once it is going and it heats up it will run normally.

Sometimes, when it comes to ambient temperatures and a PitBoss , you just have to play the cards you’ve been dealt.

An Insulated blanket or non-fiberglass welding blankets or FIRE BRICKS lining the bottom of the barrel will lessen the heat loss and help to stabilize temperatures and minimize pellet usage.

When it get super cold you may need to adjust your rain cap down a few spins or air vents closed a little but watch your barrel/cabinet temperatures, if they start to rise and not settle then spin it back up some.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Try keeping it out of the wind, I've smoked in the single digit temperatures and you'll have to increase your temperature to compensate.
If Sub-Zero you might need a heater the help warm up the auger and fan motors.

 

[hollrusl]

I spent some time working up on the slope. They would build little enclosures outside and pump some heat into them to run pellet grills at some of the camps. I’m not sure if this is a possibility for you, but they made it work at -80, so I know you can certainly make it work.

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the club

 

[WT2121]

You can get low cost welding blanket at a discount store such as Harbor Freight. That helps with cold weather. I have used my 500 Navigator in below zero in North Dakota. My problem is always getting the controller to come on. I have had to warm the unit up in cold weather. Once it is started it runs fine and try keeping out of the wind.