Cold smoking salmon in the winter

dperrin · December 2018

Hi All,

I will soon be attempting my first cold smoked salmon on the egg. I have ordered an amazen maze pellet smoker and it should be here this week. I have hot smoked salmon many times, but this will be my first attempt at cold smoking.

What I am worried about is the temperature. While the most common worry seems to be that the egg will get too warm, I am worried that it will be too cold and the salmon might freeze during the smoke. It is winter here and temps are around the freezing mark or just below. I dont expect the amazen smoke generator to produce much heat.

Has anyone run into this situation and what have you done to raise the temp in the egg? The obvious answer is a small amount of lump but that might crank it up too high. Thoughts?

Thanks.

st¡ke · December 2018

you'll be fine. don't overthink.

it isn't going to freeze during the smoke.

dperrin · December 2018

Thanks stike. So egg that is below freezing and salmon that is cold and sitting out there for 8 hours + wont freeze? I am assuming that is due to the salt content from the brine.

st¡ke · December 2018

The smoldering fire will add heat too.

What temps are you at ?

Meat doesn't start to freeze until maybe low 20s. As you said the salt will lower the freezing temp further

dperrin · December 2018

23-32 degrees Fahrenheit

BobDanger · December 2018

I really think the pellet container will keep the temps above freezing when in your egg.

Jstroke · December 2018

If you seriously think it will get too cold—might try an electric heat pad—the kind us old farts use on the couch. Just wrap the pad in a towel, and then put it in a plastic bag to keep it clean. Put the bag in the firebox first and run the cord out the bottom draft. Could try it and see what temp the egg was before the cook.

st¡ke · December 2018

Jstroke said:

If you seriously think it will get too cold—might try an electric heat pad—the kind us old farts use on the couch. Just wrap the pad in a towel, and then put it in a plastic bag to keep it clean. Put the bag in the firebox first and run the cord out the bottom draft. Could try it and see what temp the egg was before the cook.

Trouble light is easier

but both unnecessary

dperrin · December 2018

Thanks for all of the input.

Cold smoking salmon in the winter

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