How to Build Insulated Firebox for Offset Smokers
No matter what best kind of smoker you are using; an electric, charcoal or a propane one . You will always be looking for to make it fit for all kind of seasons. In most cases, every BBQ enthusiast finds to make its BBQ apparatus a winter fighter. Loosing heat when it is cold means you will be compromising on your food. In case of pellet smokers which uses a heavy firebox, insulation is the key to make your smoker keep going even when there is extremely cold. In this article I will be sharing the methods to build the insulated fire box for an offset smoker.
Best Methods to build Insulated Firebox for Offset Smokers
Insulated firebox for offset smokers is a must for barbecue enthusiasts.
Insulated firebox provides better fuel economy better heat retention in any cold climate or inclement weather as you can see here. As loss of heat can be prevented in your smoker grill by insulating the firebox.
There are several methods you can use to insulate your firebox. We are going to talk about a few here.
Firebrick Method
First method we are going talk about is, using thin firebricks as an insulation layer inside the firebox. What we do is, we wrap each firebrick in aluminum foil. With foil-covered firebricks the burning chamber or the firebox takes a little longer to heat up but will remain hot for longer too.
Moreover, firebricks tend to distribute the heat evenly and help to maintain consistent temperatures, avoid any temperature spikes. The other benefit is, firebrick insulation will prevent heat from escaping.
So, what we do is, we place foil-warped firebricks at the bottom of the pit/firebox in shape of a layer. We can also make insulation layer of firebricks on each side of the firebox. Doing so, it will prevent the heat from escaping from bottom or any side.
Insulation Jacket Method
Insulated grill jackets are made of stainless-steel layers that are usually installed in Fireboxes. They are usually build-it in expensive smokers. But if you want to insulate your firebox of the smoker with insulation jacket, you can easily build one.
Insulation jackets prevent any heat loss and used to maintain the temperatures for longer. Moreover, insulation jacket protects the firebox outer layer or any combustible materials from burning/heating up too much.
Using a Welding Blanket
Welding blankets are also useful to insulate a firebox. These blankets are usually used to protect welders. As they are insulated, they protect against excessive heat coming from welding process.
If you plan to use welding jackets as your smoker insulation, make sure to wrap those welding jackets around the firebox as well as cooking chamber. It will prevent the escaping of heat from each chamber and every side.
Cement Board Method
You can easily line your firebox and the smoker inside with the help of cement board to help prevent the escaping of heat. What you do is, mix cement and part fibers to build thin sheets in form of a thin layer inside firebox as well as the cooking/smoking chamber.
Cement board insulation is also a good idea to put outside of the smoker or cooking chamber, as it will prevent from the third degree burns to anyone who accidently touches those chambers barehanded.
Ceramic Fiber or Porcelain Layer Method
You can also use ceramic fiber/porcelain layer inside as well as outside the firebox to make a thin insulation layer, that will prevent the heat loss and help maintain the required temperatures to deliver you perfectly smoked delicious food.
What to know about insulated firebox?
Before applying/experimenting any above-mentioned method, what you need to first is, to measure the required insulation correctly, no matter what method you are planning to use. We recommend measuring tape to get the exact sizes, so you may know the exact amount of insulation required.
It is important to make sure that you must insulate all the sides, top and bottom of the smoker and its firebox. If you have carefully placed insulation, then you don’t need to worry about escaping heat. However, in case of some leakage, you can optimize your insulation with a few teaks afterwards.
Last thing to take care is, you should always leave some room for handling the smoking chamber and firebox, if you cover them all the way with insulation, you probably will not have enough room to handle the firepit as well as the smoking grills where your food is being smoked.
Shape or type of a smoker can tell you easily about what kind of insulation will be the best for your smoker.
- If you have a vertical/horizontal circular grill smoker, it will be better to use welding jacket or or insulation jacket method.
- If you have a square shaped smoke grill, then using cement boards will be a better method.
Final Conclusion
Learning to insulate your Barbecue grill smokers can be a great method for helping you to not only maintain consistent temperatures but also it will save a lot of cost of burning fuel, as better insulation will provide better fuel economy. The methods I shared above are easy to follow and economical to do. If you get some more easy and cheap methods, must share in the comment box.
