Pellet Fan

All Things Considered => General Discussion--Food Related => Topic started by: Kristin Meredith on September 12, 2017, 09:19:27 AM

Title: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Kristin Meredith on September 12, 2017, 09:19:27 AM
Reading a post by ShireSteve got me to thinking about weather and cooking on the pit.  I was 30 years living in Los Angeles.  The weather was nearly always perfect -- numerous days of 70 degrees and sunny in the middle of "winter".  So it was always easy to use the pit year round.

Now, Virginia is not exactly the Great White North in winter and pellet pits are pretty easy to use all year round, but psychologically, I don't find myself as drawn to going out and using the Memphis Pro in Jan and Feb as other times.  What about you all, especially you folks with severe winters.  Do you use your pits the same amount in winter as other times of year?
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on September 12, 2017, 09:28:17 AM
I am typically an Easter to Thanksgiving pellet grill user.  Sep/Oct are probably my favorite times as the weather seems ideal to me.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: riverrat49 on September 12, 2017, 09:32:53 AM
With winter weather here in Eastern, WA outdoor cookin slows down a lot  :rotf: mostly March- Oct/Nov depending on how cold it gets
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: LowSlowJoe on September 12, 2017, 10:07:03 AM
Lived in southeastern Michigan my whole life... Fall is the best time of year to do anything.   Cool nights, warm days... beautiful colors

Winter... two words... smoke shed...
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Queball on September 12, 2017, 10:20:41 AM
More than the season, it depends on the weather patterns for me. I cook year around, but as an example, some summers will be exceptionally rainy and the next summer will be hot and dry. Or ... snow will play a big factor during the winter season and the next winter there won't be any. Every season is good for me ... if I can get out and do it.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: TLK on September 12, 2017, 10:24:30 AM
I start stocking up in October and freeze quite a bit so I don't use the smoker very often over the winter.  I use the gasser regularly however.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: pz on September 12, 2017, 10:33:11 AM
I mostly cook outdoors in the summer. I put the Traeger away for the season, but I keep the Davy, SRG, and Bradley in the garage to do cooks even during winter just in case I get requests from friends/family I can't refuse.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Quadman750 on September 12, 2017, 10:47:08 AM
Well up here north of the border I use it less in the winter as we get periods of -40° & windy so I pick my days as the weather permits.  I have cooked in the extreme cold and wind and the Memphis does not miss a beat
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Free Mr. Tony on September 12, 2017, 10:48:59 AM
Absolutely fall. Something about the smoke starting to roll through the crisp air just makes me the happiest.

Being able to wear jeans and a jacket, and sit comfortably outside while the smoker is running is fantastic.

I hate hot weather, but unfortunately that's when it makes the most sense to be outside. I make the most of it when the weather changes. I do cook out year round, but much less frequently in the winter months.

I can tell you that this year I am most excited to go out very soon to smoke something, and not be bombarded with flies. They make me CRAZY.

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Quadman750 on September 12, 2017, 11:06:22 AM
X2 on that, I love the fall as well. I like the crisp air.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: LowSlowFoShow on September 12, 2017, 12:12:42 PM
In Portland we can see 100 degrees in the summer and below freezing and snow in the winter but for the most part its comfortable. I have a covered patio so I cook outside year round.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Jcorwin818 on September 12, 2017, 12:33:34 PM
I basically cook Jan - Dec as long as the temp is above 32 degrees.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: SmokinHandyman on September 12, 2017, 03:00:12 PM
I go early spring till late fall, depending on conditions.
100 degree plus day in the summer, I am probably staying in.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: Bentley on September 12, 2017, 03:45:03 PM
Any time it is either Cloudy and below 80° or any time it is below 60°.
Title: Re: Is There a Perfect Time of Year to Cook on Your Pit?
Post by: GREG-B on September 12, 2017, 04:24:37 PM
Wind is the biggest factor with my decision to cook outside or not.   I have a roof and walls (3) on my BBQ shack, so rain or snow isn't really a big deal for me, but wind really gets my attention.   When it rocks the windows in the house, time to stay inside.  Now when it's blowing horizontal rain or snow, I'm all for staying in bed!!   :rotf: