Cold Weather Insulation/Smoking in a Shed

[delivior]

Good afternoon,

I am new to the forum and I am sure this question has been asked numerous times before as with most questions on a forum. Because of this I appreciate the replys that you give. I have looked at numerous other posts and have not found my answer yet. What I am trying to do is I just purchased a Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker and LOVE it. However, I live in the midwest and know snow is just around the bend. Because of this I am told it is very difficult to keep temperature during the winter. I currently have a 20x10 Tough Shed that is not being used. I figured I would turn this into a smokers shed and put a mini fridge, maybe a chair inside there for all my smoking pleasure. I am sure it wouldnt cost much to add insulation and dry wall to this empty shed. Because of this I was wondering if anyone smoked in a shed before? The shed already has a window in it with a few different air vents.

My worry is the possibility of a lack of air control which leads to a large amount of carbon dioxide. Secondly my worry would be the possibility of a fire. I would make sure I had a fire/carbon alarm inside and a fire extinguisher. However, I am worried about how hot the smoker might get. Given the bottom of the shed is wood I would have to create like a cement base or something of the sort for the smoker to sit on. This would possibly eliminate the heat that is created from the base. I am not sure what to do regarding eliminating the carbon dioxide. Maybe a fan or try to think of an exhaust system. Any help would be greatly appreciated and if you have pictures would be double appreciated. 

Delivior

 

[kc5tpy]

Hello.  Welcome.  I see this is your first post.  Please take some time and swing over to Roll Call and introduce yourself so that we may give you a proper "Hello".  All info you can provide us with such as smoker type, location and so on will help us answer any questions you may have, and pictures help a bunch.  As for your question:    Check out the link below to solve your air intake problems.  A large exhaust fan in the outter wall should take care of the exhaust problems and the other ideas you have are good.  I see no reason why it shouldn't work well.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

http://pitmasteriq.com/products/automatic-temperature-control/iq120.html

 

[kc5tpy]

1

 

[delivior]

Oh my goodness thank you for showing me this, I have been looking at a DigiQ system for the past few weeks. Not only is the system 200 dollars but you also have to purchase a fan. This seems to include everything for half the price. I definitely will be looking into this to see if it is a better worth while benefit.

 

[smokin monkey]

Hi Delivior, welcome to SMF. if it was me installing this into a shed, I would install and cheap cooker extraction hood above it and extractor it out the back wall.

Smokin Monkey

 

[jirodriguez]

Here is what I do in the winter with my 22.5" WSM.... granted Oregon doesn't get quite as cold, but I can run in gusty windy 25° weather with one vent open and still stay stable at 250° for over 15 hrs. with no adjustments.

6 ft. x 8 ft. welding blanket, $45 from my local welding supply store, spring clamps were about $2 each at Home Depot. It acts as both a wind break and extra insulation. Just make sure you are not blocking the exhaust vent when you arrange the top - and best of all in the summer if folds up small and sits on a shelf in the garage.

DSCN1871.JPG

• jirodriguez
• Mar 16, 2014

 

[m-fine]

Had a smoke house in the middle of a garage for a long time. There was an attic exhaust fan above it, but the building still filled with smoke. You wouldn't want to sit in there with the doors and windows closed up enough for the insulation to make a difference. With enough airflow to keep the smoke out, you will have reduced wind chill issues but it will still be cold.

Insulate the smoker itself with a blanket as shown above or build a small enclosure for the smoker.

 

[billy rock]

Put the smoker on several concrete patio blocks that would fire proof the bottom !