Hello from Minnesota

[tonka16827]

Hello - I'm located in the Twin Cities.  I had been messing around with using my gas grill for smoking for a year or so but I found it really hard to keep the temperature low enough.  I recently purchased a used CharBroil H2O Electric smoker for $20 and thought I'd give it a try.  Did two racks of ribs and pork shoulder this weekend. It was a little hard getting the temps high enough with the cool temps out so ended up finishing the meats on my grill.  Everything was very tasty and the process was fun.  Looking forward to learning more and trying others meats.  But I think the Minnesota winters are going to limit my opportunities with an electric smoker.

 

[bubbasan]

If you look online, there are tons of ideas for cold temperature smoking.  You might have luck using a wind break, or by finding a thermal "jacket" for your smoker.  You may have to get creative, but if you protect your smoker from excessive heat loss, you'll be able to smoke all winter long.  As a plus, winter time is the best time to smoke cheese and any other cold smokes that you want to do.  Good luck!

 

[wolfman1955]

Tonka16827,
Welcome, from southern Ohio, to the best forum on the internet if you are looking to learn how to BBQ/smoke/brine/cure/inject. Well you get the picture if you can do it to to something you put on a plate to eat then someone here has probably done it. Use the search bar at the top of the page and you will be led to the answer to most every question you can think of. If you don't find the answer there then just post it and someone will chime in with their opinion on the subject.
Like bubbasan said some sort of insulating blanket will help on those cold winter days. Just don't cover your vents.
Always remember the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask!!
Keep Smokin!!!
Wolf

 

[gary s]

  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum, from another cool and nice day in East Texas. Lots of great people with tons of                    information on just about  everything.    

            Gary

 

[kesmc27]

Welcome fellow cold weather dude! I would rather smoke when its cold! For me it is easier to control the temp in the cold than in the hot and humid, besides I have more time in the winter. I process and smoke all my own deer sausage and it is always done in January. Never fear the cold.
Steve

 

[themule69]

Glad you joined the group. The search bar at the top of any page is your best friend.
About anything you wanna know about smoking/grilling/curing/brining/cutting or slicing
and the list goes on has probably been posted. Remember to post a QVIEW of your smokes.
We are all smoke junkies here and we have to get our fix. If you have questions
Post it and you will probably get 10 replies with 11 different answers. That is
because their are so many different ways to make great Q...
Happy smoken.
David

 

[tonka16827]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement - thinking about some chicken this weekend on the smoker or maybe just some sausage.  I just hate to leave that smoker sitting empty for a whole weekend.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey

Welcome to the Smoking forum. You’ll find great , friendly people here, all more than willing to answer any question you may have. Just ask and you’ll get about 10 different answers—all right. LOL. Don’t forget to post qviews.

Gary

 

[smokin monkey]

Hi Tonka, welcome to the forum from across the pond! Plenty of good people on here with all the answers you need to any questions!

Smokin Monkey :38: