"Thomas Mooney" wrote in message ...
Derek O. wrote in message
news:6Cwub.41494$Dw6.185163@attbi_s02...
snipped
...when it is cold outside...40 degrees or so?

When it is 40 degrees, I still go outside barefoot to flip the steaks. "And
that's the triple-truth, Ruth."*

You did mean 40 above, right? Now 40 below, then I'd definitely put on
some socks and shoes. g

Seriously, 40 degrees is nothing to worry about. When the temperature gets
under 10 degrees, things start to get interesting. I've grilled in the 5-10
below zero range, but then I actually had a somewhat difficult time. One
side of the meat was charring, the other side was simultaneously
refrigerating. Getting the whole thing hot at once was a challenge.

Insulated my offset SnP with 3.5" of fiberglass topped with another 2"
of AL wrapped duct insulation. Covered the end away from the firebox
with the same using 1" wide strips of 1/8" steel bar connected to the
chamber sides with bolts. That part worked just fine-really
stabilizes the temp on windy days and use a whole lot less fuel. Also
did the same treatment to the firebox-not good. Sucker started
smoking-paper on outside of the fiberglass layer burned-wooden handle
on the firebox cover turned into a charred cinder and when the grease
started burning in the bottom of the smoker and the temp really
spiked-got out the garden hose. The ham and brisket survived-but now
I just drape some of the foil covered duct insulation over the
firebox.

COst less than $20 and will save me that much in firewood gathering
hassle. Smoker now looks like the Michelin man. The AL covered duct
insulation protects the paper covered fiberglass and it looks ok.
Will leave it on all the time.