Stoker performance issue in sub freezing weather

CircleW · 11-19-2012, 03:30 PM

Just wanted to see if anyone has had similar problems with their stoker.

Started up the fire at about 4am Sunday; ambient temps were in the high teens. The stoker kept starting up and then shutting down... over and over again.

I had to stoke the fire the old fashioned way.

I kept trying to get it working for the next couple hours, occasionally turning it on to see if it was working but no luck. It wasn't until around 9am or so the outside temp was around 34 degrees by then, and it started working! I don't recall ever having this problem before... not that I make a habit of cooking in such cold weather... but this sure seems odd to me. Any thoughts?

JS-TX · 11-19-2012, 04:01 PM

Never have that problem here in South Texas!

Maybe try putting your stoker in a plastic box on top of a heater pad.

RX2006JE · 11-19-2012, 05:15 PM

I have not had that issue with mine either and i have cooked in sub freezing weather. But mine also stays close enough to the smoking chamber in my offset that it can stay semi warm

pwa · 11-19-2012, 07:48 PM

I use mine year round even at -50F, but I have converted a cooler to a Stoker warmer when it get cold. But I've used mine in the teens with out the warm and never had a problem.

CircleW · 11-19-2012, 08:50 PM

Hmmm... I keep mine in an enclosure also but it isn't heated. I suppose I could just chalk this up to bad luck and do some testing next time the mercury dips... I did manage to get the cook finished so no harm done this time. Thanks for the feedback.

pwa · 11-19-2012, 08:54 PM

Toss in a heating pad thats what I use then fill in void with old scrap towels.

Funtimebbq · 11-20-2012, 09:43 AM

What about the electrical cord? Should the cord and voltage regulator be better insulated?

CircleW · 11-20-2012, 08:43 PM

I may try the heating pad for those super cold cooks... Heck, and I have a power strip in there already. I

The power strip always had power so I don't think it was the cord... I will keep that in mind though. I think we may be in the 20's this weekend so I will do some experimenting then. Thanks for the replies!

Pitmaster T · 11-21-2012, 12:13 PM

STOKER TEST III -b - COLD ENVIRONMENT TEST - YouTube

Addressed in the first test after the stoker disaster of 2007.

Pitmaster T · 11-21-2012, 12:16 PM

these tests were done in connecticut

lost disaster tests and 66K hit coal test are here...

3rd Rocks BBQ Stoker Failure - Lost 2007 Video - Part 1 - YouTube

3rd Rocks BBQ Stoker Failure - Lost 2007 Video - Part 2 - YouTube

STOKER TEST IV - 40 lbs of Coal and a Stick Burner - YouTube

11-19-2012, 03:30 PM	#1
CircleW On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-02-09 Location: New England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Stoker performance issue in sub freezing weather Just wanted to see if anyone has had similar problems with their stoker. Started up the fire at about 4am Sunday; ambient temps were in the high teens. The stoker kept starting up and then shutting down... over and over again. I had to stoke the fire the old fashioned way. I kept trying to get it working for the next couple hours, occasionally turning it on to see if it was working but no luck. It wasn't until around 9am or so the outside temp was around 34 degrees by then, and it started working! I don't recall ever having this problem before... not that I make a habit of cooking in such cold weather... but this sure seems odd to me. Any thoughts? __________________ BillC Circle W BBQ -SS UDS- Super, super fast YELLOW Thermapen! Stoker

11-19-2012, 07:48 PM	#4
pwa is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-11-11 Location: North Pole, Alaska Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use mine year round even at -50F, but I have converted a cooler to a Stoker warmer when it get cold. But I've used mine in the teens with out the warm and never had a problem. __________________ Equipment: 2UDS Weber Performer WIFI Stoker BurlesQ BBQ team Go Magpul

11-19-2012, 08:50 PM	#5
CircleW On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-02-09 Location: New England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hmmm... I keep mine in an enclosure also but it isn't heated. I suppose I could just chalk this up to bad luck and do some testing next time the mercury dips... I did manage to get the cook finished so no harm done this time. Thanks for the feedback. __________________ BillC Circle W BBQ -SS UDS- Super, super fast YELLOW Thermapen! Stoker

11-19-2012, 08:54 PM	#6
pwa is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-11-11 Location: North Pole, Alaska Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Toss in a heating pad thats what I use then fill in void with old scrap towels. __________________ Equipment: 2UDS Weber Performer WIFI Stoker BurlesQ BBQ team Go Magpul

11-20-2012, 08:43 PM	#8
CircleW On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-02-09 Location: New England Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I may try the heating pad for those super cold cooks... Heck, and I have a power strip in there already. I The power strip always had power so I don't think it was the cord... I will keep that in mind though. I think we may be in the 20's this weekend so I will do some experimenting then. Thanks for the replies! __________________ BillC Circle W BBQ -SS UDS- Super, super fast YELLOW Thermapen! Stoker

11-19-2012, 04:01 PM	#2
JS-TX is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 02-17-10 Location: San Antonio, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Never have that problem here in South Texas! Maybe try putting your stoker in a plastic box on top of a heater pad.

11-19-2012, 05:15 PM	#3
RX2006JE On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-16-09 Location: Anniston, AL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have not had that issue with mine either and i have cooked in sub freezing weather. But mine also stays close enough to the smoking chamber in my offset that it can stay semi warm

11-20-2012, 09:43 AM	#7
Funtimebbq Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-19-09 Location: Whittier, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What about the electrical cord? Should the cord and voltage regulator be better insulated?