WSM and Water Heater Blanket

Cast Iron Chef · 01-08-2013, 05:04 PM

Those that use a blanket with their WSM's. Does that require an IQUE or similar to maintain airflow? Do you just wrap the center section so you don't cut off the airflow?

Cayman1 · 01-08-2013, 06:11 PM

Just the center section is all I cover plus a few inches of lid. I use an old army blanket. Cut in half, it is perfect to do two 22's.

motoeric · 01-08-2013, 06:47 PM

How effective is the water heater blanket or army blanket?

Where would you purchase one?

Thanks!

Eric

Ron_L · 01-08-2013, 06:52 PM

You can get a water heater blanket at any hardware or home improvement store.

I used one once. It was enough of a pain in the backside that I stopped using it. Blocking the wind is essential in the winter, so I just use something like an old cardboard box as a wind block (not touching the WSM, of course).

RangerJ · 01-08-2013, 06:56 PM

^^^^ This.

Same applies to UDS, wind wreaks havoc on all my upright cookers. A windbreak , either cardboard box or sides of the ez up rights the ship.

rib runners · 01-09-2013, 04:18 AM

I use an 40 year old sleeping bag to wrap 3/4's around. Not using it to sleep in any more.

Ron

tnjimbob · 01-09-2013, 08:50 AM

I use a 6' folding table, opened to 90° and a half sheet of plywood on the other side, braced with a couple of cinder blocks. This makes a U shape around my WSM, and gives about a 3" gap on all three sides. This has worked like a champ for years when it's cold & windy outside.

Cayman1 · 01-09-2013, 08:51 AM

Garage sale for army blanket. Works great.

Cut mine in half, fitted it on the smokey and held it in place with spring clips from the office, then the wife sewed it. Slips on and off great. Basically just sew the top, leave the seam in front open and you can then get into door if you need to.

Alexa RnQ · 01-09-2013, 08:53 AM

We've long used insulation from the hardware store that comes in rolls and is basically mylar-coated bubblewrap. Cheap, lightweight, easy to trim into a cylindrical jacket that's just enough to keep the wind off (don't wrap it tight enough to touch).

Cast Iron Chef · 01-09-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivaHerself

We've long used insulation from the hardware store that comes in rolls and is basically mylar-coated bubblewrap. Cheap, lightweight, easy to trim into a cylindrical jacket that's just enough to keep the wind off (don't wrap it tight enough to touch).

Thanks Diva I've seen you guys do that. Still enough air flow with the cover all around?

Alexa RnQ · 01-09-2013, 09:31 AM

It's nowhere near airtight. Since it stands up as a cylinder, you've got free space top and bottom that should be plenty. You need to leave at least an inch clearance all around so you don't get touching/melting, although the material does bronze a bit in color on the inside. Also easy to cut a hatch/flap at the bottom if your first cook or two don't give you the results you want.

01-08-2013, 05:04 PM	#1
Cast Iron Chef is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-01-09 Location: Henderson, NV Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	WSM and Water Heater Blanket Those that use a blanket with their WSM's. Does that require an IQUE or similar to maintain airflow? Do you just wrap the center section so you don't cut off the airflow? __________________ Paul 18.5 & 22.5" WSM New Brumfield Offset Smoker/Grill 22.5" Weber One Touch Platinum Genesis 3 Gasser Bradley Bisquette Pooper Bullpen BBQ Team

01-08-2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Cayman1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-20-12 Location: Springfield, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Just the center section is all I cover plus a few inches of lid. I use an old army blanket. Cut in half, it is perfect to do two 22's. __________________ Smooth Smoke BBQ Team, KCBS CBJ, 2-WSM, wsm 2880, Smokey Joe Mini wsm, Old Country Offset, Red Weber OTG, Blue Weber OTG.

01-08-2013, 06:47 PM	#3
motoeric Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-07-06 Location: huntington, ny Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	How effective is the water heater blanket or army blanket? Where would you purchase one? Thanks! Eric __________________ Smoke Signals Current Issue A BBQ Brethren Publication 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Exodus 12:9

01-08-2013, 06:52 PM	#4
Ron_L Moderator Join Date: 12-09-04 Location: Chicago 'Burbs Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You can get a water heater blanket at any hardware or home improvement store. I used one once. It was enough of a pain in the backside that I stopped using it. Blocking the wind is essential in the winter, so I just use something like an old cardboard box as a wind block (not touching the WSM, of course). __________________ "Ron Rico, Boss. You can call me Captain Ron..." Save The Fatty! FEC-100/BWS Party/Memphis Pro SS/PBC/LBGE X 2/SBGE/Mini BGE/Nomad Pellet-matic/Good-One Model 42/WSM X 2/Cookshack Smokette 008/Weber Performer/Saber Cast 500/Weber Gasser (RIP)/Weber Kettle X 2/Weber Smokey Joe/WGA/UDS/Coffee Roasting Gasser and a pickle Remembering a friend

01-08-2013, 06:56 PM	#5
RangerJ is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-04-08 Location: Houston, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	^^^^ This. Same applies to UDS, wind wreaks havoc on all my upright cookers. A windbreak , either cardboard box or sides of the ez up rights the ship. __________________ www.pappacharliesbbq.com Cooking on a Baby J by Jambo Are You Ready to Throwdown?

01-09-2013, 04:18 AM	#6
rib runners Got Wood. Join Date: 08-04-09 Location: martinsville, indiana Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use an 40 year old sleeping bag to wrap 3/4's around. Not using it to sleep in any more. Ron

01-09-2013, 08:50 AM	#7
tnjimbob Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-02-12 Location: Nashville, Tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a 6' folding table, opened to 90° and a half sheet of plywood on the other side, braced with a couple of cinder blocks. This makes a U shape around my WSM, and gives about a 3" gap on all three sides. This has worked like a champ for years when it's cold & windy outside. __________________ Traeger Lil' Tex Elite, WSM, Green SS Performer, 22" OTG, hyperfast orange Thermapen. CBJ.

01-09-2013, 08:51 AM	#8
Cayman1 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-20-12 Location: Springfield, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Garage sale for army blanket. Works great. Cut mine in half, fitted it on the smokey and held it in place with spring clips from the office, then the wife sewed it. Slips on and off great. Basically just sew the top, leave the seam in front open and you can then get into door if you need to. __________________ Smooth Smoke BBQ Team, KCBS CBJ, 2-WSM, wsm 2880, Smokey Joe Mini wsm, Old Country Offset, Red Weber OTG, Blue Weber OTG.

01-09-2013, 08:53 AM	#9
Alexa RnQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-12-07 Location: the Ninth Ring of Hell, cleverly disguised as Phoenix Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	We've long used insulation from the hardware store that comes in rolls and is basically mylar-coated bubblewrap. Cheap, lightweight, easy to trim into a cylindrical jacket that's just enough to keep the wind off (don't wrap it tight enough to touch). __________________ . . Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong. Don't overthink or undercook. Rhythm 'n QUE

01-09-2013, 09:31 AM	#11
Alexa RnQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-12-07 Location: the Ninth Ring of Hell, cleverly disguised as Phoenix Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's nowhere near airtight. Since it stands up as a cylinder, you've got free space top and bottom that should be plenty. You need to leave at least an inch clearance all around so you don't get touching/melting, although the material does bronze a bit in color on the inside. Also easy to cut a hatch/flap at the bottom if your first cook or two don't give you the results you want. __________________ . . Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong. Don't overthink or undercook. Rhythm 'n QUE