Cold temperatures

[SuperDave]

I haven't had problems smoking in the cold in the past but today is proving very trying and difficult for some reason.  The outside temp today is 17 degrees.  Not matter what I do the box temp is not reaching the set temperature.  Are the Aubers affected by the cold temps? 

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[PAHuntAndEat]

I am interested in this question too. I was going to post the same thread but then saw yours. We have had a few days with morning temps in the single digits. I would have like to do a smoke those days but had a feeling it was just too cold. Im curious if there is a recommended safe outside temperature range for the SI units?

[old sarge]

See if this link helps out.

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2437.msg18123#msg18123

[SuperDave]

Dave, that thread is mostly about the temperature of the permanent probe.  I'm wondering if the Auber box itself has issues with the extreme cold. Does it get brain freeze?  Way back in my memory I vaguely remember reading a thread where someone would put a heating pad on it in super cold conditions. 

[DivotMaker]

When I used the standalone Auber, I used to set it on top of the smoker (without the legs extended) during really cold smokes (single-digit).  Seemed to work fine...never had a problem.  All electronics, though, reach their limit!  A heating pad is a good idea - never thought of that!

[SuperDave]

This Winter is the first time living in a cold climate, so, I'm having to learn some new habits.  When living in CA, I could set my smoker up the night before so that O dark 30 all I had to do was put the meat in and turn it on.  I did a ham this past weekend and kept the Auber in overnight and found that it worked much better. I also laid a small towel over the Auber so that it retained some of its own heat.