Pellet Smoker Question

[Stella]

Question I have, at the end of season, or when winter is coming, do you empty the pellets out of the hopper for the winter, or do you leave them inside? I have mine covered with a smoker cover and a tarp for the winter, so I was hoping this would be enough to keep the moisture out. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[hansol]

I recommend using the smoker during winter.

Smokers are not a summer affair - smokers are a year-round lifestyle.

(I don't think it matters if you empty it or not, but given Murphy, it might remove a potential variable for you.)

[Savage Bacon]

Do not, and I repeat do NOT stop using your smoker in the winter. Doing so has been known to cause some pretty serious side effects.

Heed my warning.


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[JohnB]

I use mine all winter as well. I have a insulated jacket for my GMG which helps for the winter.

[Stella]

Originally Posted by Savage Bacon

Do not, and I repeat do NOT stop using your smoker in the winter. Doing so has been known to cause some pretty serious side effects.

Heed my warning.


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I did not know this. What kind of side effects are we talking about? This is my first year using a smoker.

[Greatwest]

Originally Posted by Stella

I did not know this. What kind of side effects are we talking about? This is my first year using a smoker.

The main side effect would be going through Smoked Meat withdrawals. If you stop using the smoker over winter there is a risk you could turn Vegan or Vegetarian.

[Stubb]

The controller on mine shuts down at -34 degrees. Until then I’m using it.

[superuke]

Do not leave your pellet bag on cement.

[Stinky Buffalo]

I use mine all winter long too!

Can’t risk contracting veganism.

[DirtShooter]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

I use mine all winter long too!

Can’t risk contracting veganism.

This right here lol

[Savage Bacon]

Originally Posted by Stella

I did not know this. What kind of side effects are we talking about? This is my first year using a smoker.

You could become a vegetarian, vegan, sprout a man bun, wind up in a pair of skinny jeans. And the list of known side effects go on and on.

If I were you I'd make sure to stock up on pellets for the winter. Even if they're the cheap Kirkland brand.

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[HyperMOA]

Every post above is 100% accurate.

Your pellets are fine in the hopper.

If your controller doesn’t fire up below -34 you can warm it with a hair dryer until it warms up enough to keep working.

[DiabeticKripple]

i leave pellets in the hopper year round. I have a cover so moisture doesnt get in too.

My smoker runs better in the winter, it seems to be more consistent.

[tommyguitar]

I recommend cranking it up once a month or so just to keep the pellets fresh.

[Gun]

Yup, just keep using it. I do a batch of hamburger jerky every couple weeks

[Talleyrandophile]

Do those of you who smoke all winter on a pellet grill find you use a ton of electricity to do so? Or does the insulating blanket more or less mitigate that?

[HyperMOA]

A pellet smoker uses very little power after the glow plug goes out during the lighting process. In the cold I find pellet consumption goes up by about 50%

[tirebob]

Originally Posted by HyperMOA

A pellet smoker uses very little power after the glow plug goes out during the lighting process. In the cold I find pellet consumption goes up by about 50%

I run mine all winter long too under all conditions. My smoker doesn't usually use a whole lot more generally in cold (maybe 10/20 percent?), but when it is really windy it will consume maybe a third more than normal give or take a bit. A lot of how much extra is consumed depends largely on how thick the steel is on your smoker and how well it seals, exposure to wind etc.. I also find the quality of pellet has an effect on consumption.

@CDNOutdoorsman may have a bit of insight into the pellet quality as he is involved in that game himself!

[walker1]

Originally Posted by tirebob

I run mine all winter long too under all conditions. My smoker doesn't usually use a whole lot more generally in cold (maybe 10/20 percent?), but when it is really windy it will consume maybe a third more than normal give or take a bit. A lot of how much extra is consumed depends largely on how thick the steel is on your smoker and how well it seals, exposure to wind etc.. I also find the quality of pellet has an effect on consumption.

@CDNOutdoorsman may have a bit of insight into the pellet quality as he is involved in that game himself!

This point on the material in the smoker is true. I bought mine a little over a year ago and have burned 400 pounds of pellets!!!! I use a lot and this does not include my barbecue needs and camping!!!!
If the smoker is mid to higher quality with better seals it should be more efficient and burn less pellets. I also run temps low as high temps defeat the purpose of smoking really. Quality of pellets does / can matter and I am taking note of these. The Jax pellets are brazillian hardwood I think...... and burn hotter and longer . I buy when on sale and am pleased so far. I own a Traeger Ironwood and like it but find their pellets are not great. Not much flavor and 23 bucks for 20 pounds. Have a few bags to use up!
I keep pellets in the hopper when not is use with the cover like many others. I have used the hopper chute to change out blends and brands. Convienent .

[HyperMOA]

Originally Posted by tirebob

I run mine all winter long too under all conditions. My smoker doesn't usually use a whole lot more generally in cold (maybe 10/20 percent?), but when it is really windy it will consume maybe a third more than normal give or take a bit. A lot of how much extra is consumed depends largely on how thick the steel is on your smoker and how well it seals, exposure to wind etc.. I also find the quality of pellet has an effect on consumption.

@CDNOutdoorsman may have a bit of insight into the pellet quality as he is involved in that game himself!

In truth I haven’t logged the use and 50% may have been a high estimate, I just know that pellet use increases drastically in January at -40. I would disagree with 10-20 percent, but maybe 20-30 percent I could believe. 50 likely was too high. Never weighed the pellet use.

In the summer a 12-14 hour brisket won’t use a whole hopper, in the winter I need to top it up.

[walker1]

Originally Posted by HyperMOA

In truth I haven’t logged the use and 50% may have been a high estimate, I just know that pellet use increases drastically in January at -40. I would disagree with 10-20 percent, but maybe 20-30 percent I could believe. 50 likely was too high. Never weighed the pellet use.

In the summer a 12-14 hour brisket won’t use a whole hopper, in the winter I need to top it up.

The temp, wind, conditions, and location of smoker for sure make a difference. Coldest I probably ran was -20 give or take and did use more pellets but would have to guess 15-24 % more. I was in the learning stage then....... not that I am a pit master now!!!!!

[DiabeticKripple]

My GMG has different settings for summer and winter.

When I turn it to “icy” mode it definitely is more aggressive on the fans and auger. Having the variable speed fans like the GMGs make it super stable in all temps

[walker1]

Originally Posted by DiabeticKripple

My GMG has different settings for summer and winter.

When I turn it to “icy” mode it definitely is more aggressive on the fans and auger. Having the variable speed fans like the GMGs make it super stable in all temps

that is a nice feature