Cold weather problem. Need advice,

It sounds like a condensation problem. The air around your smoker is too cold and causing the problem. If you can find a way to avoid/reduce the cold temps like in a garage or storage shed with good exterior ventilation then this may reduce or eliminate the condensation.

Try to think simple. Anything that would warm the outside of the vent would work. Even a worklight with the bulb close woud do the trick. Short length of eaves heating cable might also work

I've never had this problem yet others have. One cure (?) was to cut the top & bottom out of a tin can and set it over the top vent hole. The smoke/steam warms the can and condensation dissipates on the can and not the vent hole. Can't hurt to try. Let us know how your remedy the problem! Good luck...

Take Wheelz' advice and try the can. I have found that it works for me. The moisture condenses on the inside of the can and ends up on top of the smoker instead of dripping down onto what you have in the smoker.

It's 28 degrees and more salmon is in the smoker. I'll give the can a try. Thanks!

Julie -- Might want to put some foil or something under that can. The drippings may stain your smoker. It's only cosmetic but... Just a thought.

After all these years it's a little late to worry about the smoker. That said, it appears to be working! JCA

J,

LOVE your brine recipe, good to see you around!

Lots of good details, that's why this forum is fun, everyone contributes.

I'd just make sure, each time, in cold weather you scrub the vent and the area around it. There is probably just an accumulation, but if it's kept relative clean, it should disappear.

Russ

28*....too damn cold for a Southern Boy!!

You've got that right! I'm from Florida. It's snowing sideways today. I hate it.

Cold weather can be a real pain when trying to smoke fish. Of course, keeping everything clean is good and condensation is real bad. Here's a couple of other ideas that come to mind. Make sure your fish is as dry as possible short of cooked. As the temp. drops you may have to increase your smoker temperature. It been my experience that as some point you just have to get the smoker out of the cold. Any wind at all can be a problem. A big cardboard box might be an easy fix. A little food for thought if nothing else....Oh by the way, it's another beautiful day at 22 deg. for this southern ak boy. Good luck..

Findogak -- What kind of smoker are you using? Wind and cold has little to no effect on Cookshack electric smokers. People from Maine to Montana to your own Alaska are using them year around with no problems.

Wheelz-
Actually I have a smoking shed w/a guru caldera among others-love regulating temp. Have had my eye on cookshack for quite awhile. Alaska has an interesting twist due to the temperature extremes. It seems like everyone up here smokes fish and I've seem just about every type of smoker. Cookshack makes some great units that's why I getting a fec300 but not for fish. I'm now more into cold-smoke for fish and that limits it to the summer months. I smoke and can salmon for the winter unless I get some fresh winter kings. There is a huge trade off between fresh and frozen. If someone is having problems with condensation it might not be the smoker at all but where do you start? We get alot of curve balls as far as weather and sometimes the little things make the difference IMHO.