What outside air temperature is acceptible.

[Matusel3]

I just ordered my first Bradley Smoker, and my first smoker in general for that matter.  I ordered the Bradley Digital 6-Rack Smoker.  I am extremely excited, so excited in fact that I put it in for next day delivery :o.

My question is this, since I have not done much smoking... what temperature ranges in the outside air are acceptable with this unit?

Can I smoke food even though it is 25-30 degrees in the air outside, or will I have to wait until it is warmer outside?  What is the right temperature for optimal performance?

Thanks a lot everyone, looking forward to reading and writing on this forum!

[MPTubbs]

You can smoke in any temp.

I've smoked in a blizzard with the temp. around 15*.

Just keep the smoker out of the wind.....I keep mine in my garage right next to the door.

About 220* you would use to smoke most meats.

Remember to keep the vent open.... 1/2 to wide open.

[FLBentRider]

Let me first state that this is from hearsay and not personal experience.

You should be good to go until at least the single digits.

Foil wrapped bricks will help with heat recovery.

The wind is more your enemy than the cold.

For me, I like about 65F, but then I live in Florida!

I also smoke in 95F!

I like 205F for butts, briskets and ribs, 250F for everything else.

[Matusel3]

Thanks so much for the quick replies!  This is a heckuva nice community!

What do you mean by foil wrapped bricks?  Do you mean putting some foil wrapped bricks on an unused rack to try and hold heat in?

Sorry for my ignorance.

[squirtthecat]

Firebrick will work as well.  Stack them on either side of the water bowl.


I use a cast iron skillet with the handle lopped off.

[MPTubbs]

Thanks so much for the quick replies!  This is a heckuva nice community!

What do you mean by foil wrapped bricks?  Do you mean putting some foil wrapped bricks on an unused rack to try and hold heat in?

Sorry for my ignorance.

You can put them bricks in anywhere you want.

I put one by the water bowl and 2 on the very top rack if not in use.

[classicrockgriller]

Repalce your water bowl with a pan and that too will help.

I like 220 on butts!

[KevinG]

Welcome Matusel3, I just wrapped aluminum foil around a red house brick. I stuck one next to the water pan and one on the v-tray.

[ArnieM]

Welcome to the forum M3. 

I started a preheat (OBS, 4 rack) this morning when it was 24^oF, light breeze.  I was up to 275 pretty quickly which, frankly, surprised me.  I don't think I've hit 275 even in the summer.

I use two foil-wrapped bricks on the lowest rack, half-standing leaning against the smoker wall.  I believe this helps to channel any drippings into the V tray.

I've smoked the dickens out of those bricks and they still aren't tender  ;D

[Matusel3]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, I appreciate it greatly!  I'm going to try smoking some ribs Sunday afternoon.  Here I was, thinking that I was going to have to wait until spring to start smoking.  Now it's on, I'm smoking regardless of the weather!

If I don't vent my smoker out the window, how much smoke comes out of the smoker if I were to do it in the attached garage with the window of the garage open?  Will my whole house smell like a smoker or is it not nearly that much?

[RickWL63]

Welcome Matusel3.  Hope it won't be snowing where you are.  I've had stuff out smoking with temps below10* with no trouble, I just don't open the door as often and feed the digital temp gauge probe out the exhaust vent.  If you don't vent it out of the house (while smoking), you will probably set off the smoke alarms.  The house will smell nice though...  ;D

[OU812]

Welcome to the fun Matusel3

I have smoked in the teens many times and like the others have stated keep your smoker out of the wind, thats the heat killer.

The window might not be enough to get the smoke out but if you raise the over head door up a bit that will help.

Before I put in a powered vent for the smoker I just opened the over head all the way and it kept the smoke form buildin up.

[ArnieM]

If I don't vent my smoker out the window, how much smoke comes out of the smoker if I were to do it in the attached garage with the window of the garage open?  Will my whole house smell like a smoker or is it not nearly that much?

Here's an idea.

Go to the hardware or building supply store.  Get a 6" to 4" duct reducer, a 4" clamp and enough 4" plastic dryer vent hose to get from the top of your smoker out the window.  Hold the vent hose in place by closing the window on the vent hose lightly.  Use some cardboard to block up the open area(s).  Cut the vent hose, if necessary, so that it extends about 12" out of the window.  It should work in a pinch.

Good luck on your first smoke.  And don't forget to season the smoker per the manual.