Time to get serious about a new smoker.

[FN Phat]

Winter is approaching and Im feeling the desire to put together a modded welding blanket that would fit the smoker more like the standard vinyl cover. I can just throw a welding blanket on top of it for long winter cooks, but it looks sloppy and could blow off in the wind.

Has anyone here smoked with a blanket? Does it make a big difference in the winter? I'm almost tempted to do this more for the sake of doing it, as I don't anticipate any zero degree smoking on the horizon. But it could be a fun project. Traeger sells some heat blankets but the texas blanket costs almost $200. That seems like a lot.

So far my research indicates that fiberglass welding blankets are not the way to go. Most people recommend using the Tillman felt blanket ( I guess the glass ones give off a weird smell as they heat up over long periods of time). Nomex fire resistant/heat resistant thread is fairly affordable for a 750 yard spool (the smallest increment I could find). I think the only thing Im lacking at this point is a pattern. Im assuming I can just use the vinyl cover pattern but increase the dimensions slightly so it will slip on and off a little easier.

Someone talk me out of this project, otherwise I will probably give it a shot.

You actually need to go in with some peeps. 750 yd spool? That should make a few covers.

[TripletDaddy]

You actually need to go in with some peeps. 750 yd spool? That should make a few covers.

I know but it only costs around $13, so no big deal. If this works, I will gladly send off the remaining thread to the next person that wants to try. 3x3 welding blanket costs $24 but for some reason a 6x6 costs $75.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Winter is approaching and Im feeling the desire to put together a modded welding blanket that would fit the smoker more like the standard vinyl cover. I can just throw a welding blanket on top of it for long winter cooks, but it looks sloppy and could blow off in the wind.

Has anyone here smoked with a blanket? Does it make a big difference in the winter? I'm almost tempted to do this more for the sake of doing it, as I don't anticipate any zero degree smoking on the horizon. But it could be a fun project. Traeger sells some heat blankets but the texas blanket costs almost $200. That seems like a lot.

So far my research indicates that fiberglass welding blankets are not the way to go. Most people recommend using the Tillman felt blanket ( I guess the glass ones give off a weird smell as they heat up over long periods of time). Nomex fire resistant/heat resistant thread is fairly affordable for a 750 yard spool (the smallest increment I could find). I think the only thing Im lacking at this point is a pattern. Im assuming I can just use the vinyl cover pattern but increase the dimensions slightly so it will slip on and off a little easier.

Someone talk me out of this project, otherwise I will probably give it a shot.

I am definitely interested in one of these. How do you plan to do the stitching?

[TripletDaddy]

I am definitely interested in one of these. How do you plan to do the stitching?

From what I have read, you don't even need an industrial needle to punch through the felt. A standard sewing machine with either a denim or leather needle will work just fine.

Traeger is (or was?) having a sale on all its covers. I am considering cutting my existing vinyl cover and taking pattern measurements from that. I will just buy a new one on sale to replace it. Although there is a person here in my office that is a cosplay enthusiast (dont ask!) and has told me that taking measurements on a barrel smoker should be pretty simple without having to cut my existing cover. It just depends how snugly I want the welding blanket to fit over the machine.

[mtnbiker]

I'd probably be interested, too. Seems like you'd only have to cover the barrel, not worry about the hopper, and certainly wouldn't want to cover the exhaust.

[Jeff Lebowski]

From what I have read, you don't even need an industrial needle to punch through the felt. A standard sewing machine with either a denim or leather needle will work just fine.

Traeger is (or was?) having a sale on all its covers. I am considering cutting my existing vinyl cover and taking pattern measurements from that. I will just buy a new one on sale to replace it. Although there is a person here in my office that is a cosplay enthusiast (dont ask!) and has told me that taking measurements on a barrel smoker should be pretty simple without having to cut my existing cover. It just depends how snugly I want the welding blanket to fit over the machine.

Hmm... My wife has a heavy duty sewing machine. Should be doable.

Let me know where you get your materials. I am in.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'd probably be interested, too. Seems like you'd only have to cover the barrel, not worry about the hopper, and certainly wouldn't want to cover the exhaust.

Yes for the exhaust, but it might be nice to cover the hopper to keep the snow off during a long cook.

[TripletDaddy]

I'd probably be interested, too. Seems like you'd only have to cover the barrel, not worry about the hopper, and certainly wouldn't want to cover the exhaust.

Agree on the chimney. I'M considering just going all in and otherwise mimicking the vinyl cover layout, which would technically include the hopper. Not sure on that yet.

I'M also thinking it would be cool to sew an easy-access vent to allow easy open and shut of the lid. Working on a few ideas around that, too.

I already have fire bricks inside so not worried about insulation underneath. The welding blanket would basically cover what the current vinyl cover does.

[TripletDaddy]

Hmm... My wife has a heavy duty sewing machine. Should be doable.

Let me know where you get your materials. I am in.

I am confident that SLC has a welding supply store but this is the blanket everyone seems to recommend (note the sloppy look in the photo...hate that)

http://store.cyberweld.com/panfelwelbla.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&cvsfa=2530&cvsfe=2&cvsfhu=70616e66656c77656c626c61&gclid=CMy-0t6sxLkCFYk9QgodSmIA2A

And heat resistant thread can be purchased here pretty cheaply:

http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=fire-retardant-sewing-thread#product-selected

Id be going for black Tex-40. Good up to 700 degrees. Kevlar thread goes even higher but since a traeger cant get up to 1000 i dont see the point. Also, I guess kevlar thread only comes in yellow and I dont want a black and yellow stryped welding blanket (Isaiah 53:5).

[TripletDaddy]

This is going to be a really fun project! I was looking at basic how-to sewing videos and now I think I am already positive I made the right decision to proceed with this idea....

http://www.howcast.com/videos/180897-How-to-Turn-an-Old-TShirt-into-a-Sexy-Top

[hostile]

I am definitely interested in one of these. How do you plan to do the stitching?

I know a guy who does commercial upholstery/fabric work out of his home shop in Holladay, Jacks Do It Shop. I'm sure he has the right equipment. If enough people are interested I can ask what it would cost for a project like this.

[TripletDaddy]

I know a guy who does commercial upholstery/fabric work out of his home shop in Holladay, Jacks Do It Shop. I'm sure he has the right equipment. If enough people are interested I can ask what it would cost for a project like this.

hostile, please ask him. Also, see what it would cost to do the first prototype. I dont mind being the guinea pig

[Jeff Lebowski]

I know a guy who does commercial upholstery/fabric work out of his home shop in Holladay, Jacks Do It Shop. I'm sure he has the right equipment. If enough people are interested I can ask what it would cost for a project like this.

Sure. But I have a fairly unique model. I suppose I could bring my current cover in.

It seems like it would be a good idea to build a flap into the cover so that one could lift the lid to check the progress of the cook without taking the cover off. Ditto for the hopper maybe.

[TripletDaddy]

Sure. But I have a fairly unique model. I suppose I could bring my current cover in.

It seems like it would be a good idea to build a flap into the cover so that one could lift the lid to check the progress of the cook without taking the cover off. Ditto for the hopper maybe.

I was thinking of making a flap and hemming the edges, weighting them down slightly inside the liner so that the flap doesnt blow in the breeze and so that looks good when it is lying flat. It would be critical to add the flap. Too annoying taking everything off simply to check or to spritz or whatever.

Im really starting to get pumped about this idea.

[mtnbiker]

I am confident that SLC has a welding supply store but this is the blanket everyone seems to recommend

You can ask at Humphries welding supply on Main Street in American Fork. Shares the parking lot with my favorite bike shop, Bike Peddler.