Too cold to smoke?

[Mnfisher]

I have one of those Smokey Mountain Great Outdoors smokers. I'm trying to smoke some Northern and trout filets today. My temp is not getting above 150 and the flame seems to be getting smaller and smaller. My smoker wouldn't light at all initially until I brought it and the tank indoors for awhile. Then, it lit up real good, but now the flame is fading again. I am guessing it might be too cold (5 above) and the propane just isn't flowing very good. Anyone else have problems in cold weather? Can I finish in the oven? Thanks

[Mnfisher]

Flame is very low even on high so stuck it in the oven. The flame seems to be the same whether it is on high,medium or low so maybe it is the regulator.

[MNCPRGUY]

Are you sure you have a full tank? I have had similar problems when it gets very cold, but a new tank always seems to resolve it.

[bloc004]

I just did some jerky the other night, when it was about the same temp. I have a homemade propane smoker, and it normally runs right about 225 steady, but with the cold, it hovered right at 150 max.

If you can maintain a consistent smoke, I would just put smoke to them for an hour or two and finish in the oven. That should give you enough smoke flavor.

With most everything that I smoke, I just put smoke to it, to reach the smoke flavor that I want, and then finish in the oven. It saves me a lot of propane this way as well.

[Mnfisher]

Tank is new. I couldn't get above 150 degrees. I didn't get any smoke out of it at all so aftern an hour, just put it in the oven. Might try your method in the future. Thanks.

[reinhard1]

i had that happen to me and it was the regulator. the regulator was old. good luck.

[Powerstroke]

Regulator will freeze up on a 20lb tank in temps around 0.

My problem is keeping my electric warm enough in these temps. I can keep the wind off it and I bought some reflectix to wrap it with, but I'm not sure how much help that will be.

[ATV hugger]

I have a Bradley electric smoker. When it gets below 35 degrees I wrap it with a old sleeping bag and a moving blanket. Brings the temp right up. Just keep the damper clear.

[Mnfisher]

I'll try wrapping it next time or wait for warmer temps to see if it works better. Maybe regulator is freezing. Thanks

[lakeshoremunster]

I have an eletric masterbuilt and Ive never had a issue using it in the winter. That thing is so well insulated that I prefer to use it in the colder temps. Tried to use it last summer in 90+ degrees and I didnt get the results that I wanted, it kept the temp too stable were the heating element didnt turn on to get the smoke.

[OnAFly]

I had the same problem in the heat. Significantly less smoke was generated than on cooler days.

I just smoker 15lbs of pastrami yesterday. The temp was only 15 according to my truck. I had no problems with the cold.

One note: I use an old tarp, my garbage bins, and a couple 2X4s to create a little tent around my smoker. It keeps the wind, rain and snow off which I think helps keep things more consistent in the smoker.

[KEN W]

Masterbuilts smokers are very well insulated.I was making venison sausage a few years ago.Put it in the smoker and went in the house.Came out a few hours later and it had snowed a couple inches.The snow did not melt off the top of the smoker.