Cold Weather Smoking

[Data_Dan]

Hey Everyone,
What’s the coldest weather you’ve ever run the Traeger in?
I’m planning a spatchcock turkey for Saturday and the forecast is -28C low -17C high. (-18F to 1.4F). Will it work? I’m running a Bronson 20 with the insulated cover.

I’ve smoked a turkey on a Traeger Jr. @-20C which I think is the same as your Bronson but I had the insulating kit on it. I now use an Ironwood 650 with no problems. It just takes longer to light and uses a lot more pellets

 

[tkelly248]

Hey Everyone,
What’s the coldest weather you’ve ever run the Traeger in?
I’m planning a spatchcock turkey for Saturday and the forecast is -28C low -17C high. (-18F to 1.4F). Will it work? I’m running a Bronson 20 with the insulated cover.

With the Traeger insulated covers I’ve smoked ribs @ -24°F. Just a little extra pellets

 

[PPitBoss]

I'm curious how it worked at -24F. Was the unit stored at a different temp and then rolled outside to smoke at -24F? (ie. stored in a garage)
Most of the chips are rated to -20C unless Traeger went cheap and only used 0C rated parts. Once the units turns on and gets going the power dissipation in the electronics + residual cook heat would keep the system running fine.

 

[Vussman]

Hey Everyone,
What’s the coldest weather you’ve ever run the Traeger in?
I’m planning a spatchcock turkey for Saturday and the forecast is -28C low -17C high. (-18F to 1.4F). Will it work? I’m running a Bronson 20 with the insulated cover.

I've smoked at -15F in northern Minnesota a few times and haven't had a problem, even without a blanket. Start up takes a little bit longer, say 20-25 minutes, and uses more pellets, but other than that the grill doesn't have any issues. I plan on smoking a spiral ham and lamb on Thursday and not concerned with my 780 Traeger. The beer may freeze, but the meat will smoke just fine!!! Cheers!!

 

[dkuchenberg]

Here we go! So far so good. It got up to temp. Testing it on some wings and jalapeño poppers.

Smokin in the snow, Ya gotta love it. I see the pic's are from the 17th. How did it work out?

 

[FireTechMike]

Smokin in the snow, Ya gotta love it. I see the pic's are from the 17th. How did it work out?

Yeah, it was really good. I posted an update earlier, you must have missed it.

 

[WoodBurn]

First year with mine and loved the summer results. Still bit concerned about winter use given we get 6 months and can drop to arctic levels. First cold cook of season, -15C/5F. Tried others suggestions using welding blanket. Wings at 350 took a bit extra to get there. Breasts after at 500 went smoothly. Only things I'd say for my Northern experience, headlamp a plus, welding blanket cover a plus, not realizing how hot the handle can get under the welding blanket, ow ow ow ow

 

[Phyllis]

I’ve smoked in cold weather before and it definitely works. The insulated cover should help a lot with keeping the heat in. Just make sure to give it a little more time to preheat, as it can take longer in the cold. For the spatchcock turkey, it should cook faster and more evenly, so that’s perfect for the temps you’re dealing with. Just keep an eye on the internal temp and you’ll be all set. Good luck with it, sounds like it’ll be awesome!