Too cold to smoke

[veryolddog]

Well, I started up the wood smoker with good intentions today to make ribs. To my dismay, I was disappointed that I could not get the smoker up to 225 using my same method as I normally do. I would have had to double or triple the amount of wood to generate the heat required and to sustain that heat. I decided to let it go after I put on Welders blanket to see if I could keep more heat in the lid. Wrong! The blanket kept blowing off in the wind. So here's a little video of my alternative process.

The result: ribs were moist and juicy and falling off the bone, just the way my wife likes them. The brining process for pork is well worth it including an extra night with the rub on the meat for 24 hours. Give Sweet Lou's Roast Rub a try.

If I had to, I would do this again. However, no smoke flavor. But, very tasty.

Hope that you enjoy this very short video.

Thanks for looking in.

Ed

[muebe]

Why not use the YS480 when the weather makes the offset impractical?

[veryolddog]

The pellet smoker will eat pellets like crazy and operate inefficiently.

But, it is a good thought.

Ed

[drholly]

Way to recover in those balmy temperatures...  Good idea and I'm glad it turned out well for you. Thanks for the video.

[muebe]

The pellet smoker will eat pellets like crazy and operate inefficiently.

But, it is a good thought.

Ed

Didn't realize the Yoder was a pellet hog. A thermal cover might be a good investment for your pellet smoker then.

[HighOnSmoke]

Great looking video and am glad the ribs came out the way you wanted them too Ed!

[pz]

Nothing like perfect ribs, Ed!

[GusRobin]

You brine your ribs? for how long?

[smokeasaurus]

The pellet smoker will eat pellets like crazy and operate inefficiently.

But, it is a good thought.

Ed

Didn't realize the Yoder was a pellet hog. A thermal cover might be a good investment for your pellet smoker then.

Oh yeah, that is why mine is gone.

[sliding_billy]

Nice work Ed.

[veryolddog]

The pellet smoker will eat pellets like crazy and operate inefficiently.

But, it is a good thought.

Ed

Didn't realize the Yoder was a pellet hog. A thermal cover might be a good investment for your pellet smoker then.

Let me clarify for a little bit. During the warm ambient temperatures that range from 80 plus degrees, the 480 will burn 1.2 to 1.5 lbs. of pellets per hour at a temperature set between 225 to 250 degrees. That is acceptable for me. I have operated the pellet smoker for 20 hours and used about 22 lbs. of pellets to cook a brisket. My cost for pellets is $9.99 per 20 lbs. As far as I am concerned, the pellet smoker is outstanding for long distance smoking because I have no inclination to get up in the middle of the night nor tend a fire every hour on the hour for 20 hours especially in the dark. Note: I do not use the pellet smoker to grill steaks, chops, or burgers. That is what the Weber is for and I am perfectly satisfied with the Webers versatile functionality. However, in colder temperatures, heat will escape at an increasing rate consuming more pellets especially at 35 degrees. As I have stated before, my preference for the pellet smoker is long distance cooking and the wood smoker is for 5 to 8 hours. After that my attention span will suffer.

After re-thinking what I did, I would have been better served using the Weber to smoke the ribs outside in the colder weather just like Sparky with a ring of fire. The Weber being smaller concentrates the heat before it would exit through the dome. Now I understand the concept of the Kamoda ceramic smoker for heat retention during very cold days.

When I get to New Mexico, it will be cold there through March. But, lumber is not an issue as it is there to pick up off of the ground before I have to fell a tree.

So, there it is.

Ed

Oh yeah, that is why mine is gone.

[muebe]

My Memphis is insulated and at smoking temps in sub 30F weather during overnight cooks I hit about 1lb an hour consumption at the most. During the summer I can get under 1/2 a lb an hour.

I guess that is something to really consider when making a pellet grill purchase if you live in colder climates. Sometimes spending more can save you in the long run by cutting your overall pellet costs.

I know Yoder has a really nice form fitted insulated cover that probably would pay for itself pretty quickly in pellet savings during those cold winter months.

I know that if I had to tend to a pit outside in 30F weather then I probably would not use the pit during the winter.

Kudos to you guys who will hang out out your pits during these cold months

[bbqchef]

I have a Yoder and the insulating cover makes a significant difference during our New England winters.

I use it year-round.