I wanna know in your opinion what smoker and or brand would be best for all year round use. We live in the norther part of the US and get plenty snow and wanted to continue to smoke during those snowy months.
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A well insulated electric smoker like the Cookshack line will serve you well. In extreme sub zero weather an insulated water heater jacket could be cut to fit the smoker but check with Cookshack for their recommendation on adding any kind of exterior insulation.
I've been using my Amerique SM066 (over 10 years) and Fec100 (about 7 years) now in South Dakota. I've had no problems using them year-round, but I do keep them out of the weather. Once they get going, they hold temps just fine, and I've never used any kind of insulation. The Amerique smoker starts cold from the beginning of the cook and the Fec100 is warmed up to your selected temp to begin. Once when it was -20, I did have an issue with the control panel freezing but once I warmed that up the smoker took off. Hope that helps.
Amerique owner here. Smoking is the same whether 100 degrees or 0 degrees. They are so well insulated. No external insulation needed.
Soleman has it right. Just keep it out of the rain and snow. And don't store it outside if you don't have to. My Amerique lives in an unheated garage until I wheel it out on the apron to do a smoke. 12 years and going strong.