Smoking outside in winter?

So I know I can't be the only one who smokes outside exclusively, at least I wouldn't think so. I made a promise when we moved into our new home about 7 years ago not to smoke inside ever. At the time I only smoked cigarettes so there really wasn't an issue.

Then I started pipe smoking and braving the winter evenings for a pipe full here and there. Now that I have lost myself in cigars as well, I am looking for some ways to help stay as comfortable as possible. I don't have a closed in garage, just a screened in back porch. Now I am having someone come in next week and put up temporary paneling or 1/4" plywood on the bottom half all the way around to help. I was thinking of a electric heater, or even a heat lamp that can sit next to me and help mitigate the cold on the bad nights. (for reference our average lows I would be dealing with would be in the 20-30degree range)

I was curious what any of you with more experience have found to work if anything?

I use my workshop to partake in the cold months. Although I brew beer and some more potent stuff in there which usually takes several hours so plenty of time to fit in a Churchill.

If your only option is your screened in room I would probably use a propane heater of some sort as long as you have sufficient ventilation.

One of my old neighbors had what appeared to be a clear set of shower curtains he would use on his front porch. Turned out it was just heavy gauge transparent vinyl, and he would roll it up when not using it. He actually installed a permanent radiant heating system on the ceiling too!

I smoke out on the patio and also in the garage in winter. Garage if I'm wanting to watch TV while smoking. On the patio I have one of the tall propane patio heaters that does quite a good job of keeping me warm. When the temps would drop down into the 20's I would also use a propane firepit to help. The patio heater didnt keep the lower half as warm. Now I made a heat deflector for the propane fire pit and it works amazing. I've been very comfortable in the teens with the heat deflector in use.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...36e3da3fcf.jpg

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Originally Posted by AlanS

One of my old neighbors had what appeared to be a clear set of shower curtains he would use on his front porch. Turned out it was just heavy gauge transparent vinyl, and he would roll it up when not using it.

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sounds ghetto fabulous :D

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Originally Posted by tjhemp

Now I made a heat deflector...

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Good idea. That's using the ol' noodle :)


I'll smoke a bowl out in the pole barn if I have it heated up for some reason but I'm not going to brave the cold or burn a bunch of fuel just for the sake of smoking something. IMO winter is a good time to smoke less and give your system time to recover if need be. After all, it ain't good for you anyway.

I just get a nice fire going in the fire pit and enjoy a smoke, a scotch, and a good book...

I smoke in the garage with a small 15,000 BTU propane radiant heater when I'm alone, and bring out the 40,000 heater when there's a lot of people the need to keep the door open. Works pretty well for a non-insulated garage.

I just layer up on clothing. The wife likes to sit in front of a small bathroom heater. Fire pits are nice.

I often wonder if projectsunfire or cheaphumidors have room for some Bums this time of year down in sunny Florida.

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Originally Posted by AlanS

I often wonder if projectsunfire or cheaphumidors have room for some Bums this time of year down in sunny Florida.

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Phoenix works pretty well, too. The bigger issue is smoking outside in the summer. :-)

You could probably get a good deal on a pop up hunting ground blind as hunting season dwindles down. Set up a comfy chair and small table, run an electric cord and an electric heater. Just leave a window open (away from the wind) for ventilation and smoke away. I have never tried it but I imagine it would work.

I too am banned from smoking cigars in the house. I usually just go with a fire in a fire pit/fire place to try and keep warm. That and shorter cigars.

I've long dreamed of getting a 8' x 8' garden shed and turning it into a mini lounge. Just enough room for myself and maybe 1-2 other guys, a TV and a heater. Sadly, still just a dream....

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys,
I decided to try the heavy duty vinyl, so I had the wife grab a 10x25ft roll and tacked it up for a test this evening and was really surprised how well it made a difference. I have a small electric heater but with only screens, it couldn't really handle it. Now that there is a barrier I think it might just do the trick when temps drop during the harder freezes.

We were going to put in a fire pit the past spring, but the contractor just up and went MIA on us. Hopeful to find someone more competent next spring.

I used to just dress up for the cold and go out on the deck, but this year it just seems too dang cold and dark for me. I'm just letting my sticks rest for the most part until spring.....

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Originally Posted by AlanS

I often wonder if projectsunfire or cheaphumidors have room for some Bums this time of year down in sunny Florida.

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I have a guest room and a heater for the screened in rear porch for when it gets below 70 (its 63 right now and I am legit cold haha)

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Originally Posted by tjhemp

I smoke out on the patio and also in the garage in winter. Garage if I'm wanting to watch TV while smoking. On the patio I have one of the tall propane patio heaters that does quite a good job of keeping me warm. When the temps would drop down into the 20's I would also use a propane firepit to help. The patio heater didnt keep the lower half as warm. Now I made a heat deflector for the propane fire pit and it works amazing. I've been very comfortable in the teens with the heat deflector in use.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...36e3da3fcf.jpg

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Problem solved, no icy toes from now on.

Lot of guys up here go grab the pop up ice fishing tents from Cabelas or bass pro. Decently cheap and they're made for extremes.

I tried to build an actual igloo a couple winters ago and was about 3/4 done when a january thaw ruined it. Might try again this year. Case of molson and a tv for hockey and I'll be set for the winter...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f78451e625.jpg

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Originally Posted by droy1958

I used to just dress up for the cold and go out on the deck, but this year it just seems too dang cold and dark for me. I'm just letting my sticks rest for the most part until spring.....

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Ahm shure Smokin Monkey'll look after th smokes fur yew wile yew en his sweet little Girlfrend ar bedded down til Spring.

Was a bit cooler this evening and the vinyl did a great job, had the electric heater on for about 15min before I went out and ended up having to turn it off half way through a cigar. I think this will at least for the time being be a solution I can work with.

Thanks again EVERYone!

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Originally Posted by bluenoser

I tried to build an actual igloo a couple winters ago...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f78451e625.jpg

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Nice igloo but you look a little young there. You sure you were old enough to be drinking beer and smoking?

That, and I always took you for a d00d... you look a little girly in the pic, no offense...

Got something against pink? Lol. She did all the hard work, I managed the beer and cigars.

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Originally Posted by projectsunfire

I have a guest room and a heater for the screened in rear porch for when it gets below 70 (its 63 right now and I am legit cold haha)

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And here I am all excited if I get the garage up to 60° so I don't need a coat when I go out to smoke. [emoji951]️

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Originally Posted by FireTom

And here I am all excited if I get the garage up to 60° so I don't need a coat when I go out to smoke. [emoji951]️

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Hahaha..it is going to get in the 30's here this weekend at night. I will not be leaving the house.

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Originally Posted by projectsunfire

Hahaha..it is going to get in the 30's here this weekend at night. I will not be leaving the house.

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Today's high was 32°, much nicer than the 19° when I left for work this morning. They're calling for 3-4" of the white stuff tonight into tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by FireTom

Today's high was 32°, much nicer than the 19° when I left for work this morning. They're calling for 3-4" of the white stuff tonight into tomorrow.

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Word is we'll have much the same on Saturday...too soon for me.

6" of snow expected here - no outside gars today. Cannot wait to go south for the winter in a few weeks.

I pretty much don't smoke indoors. In the not-too-cold times, I smoke under a propane lamp on the deck. But when it's below about 25F and/or windy, I have an indoor solution - I put a fire in the fireplace (regular wood-burning) and smoke next to that - the smoke plus about half the heat in the house goes up the chimney. I also run an R2D2-sized hepa filter next to me to catch the rest, and leave it running all night thereafter. Keeps Mrs. Bruck happy :)

The only time's I have smoked outside have either been in my garage with a propane heater cranked up next to me or at my last house on an enclosed porch with a few blankets. If it was super cold I would use an electric heating pad under the blankets.

Cold winters and time crunches are the reason that I originally started piping. Pipe in the winter, cigars when it is warmer or I have a fire handy.

I have a bowl or two a week in my truck with long breaks between sessions. This seems to keep things clean, as people can't believe I smoke in it when I tell them. Keep a window down few inches and febreeze as needed.

I tend to let my stogies rest in the winter, keep up the humidity, and wait for better/warmer weather.

So far the vinyl and small heater combo are keeping the back porch at a nice temp even during the snow we had the other day.

Since I have a 3 car garage I use the last bay as a smoking area and use the Presto Parabolic Heater and I'm good to go. Even when the cold hits in the teens that heater works great and I just vent the garage as it can actually get too hot.

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Originally Posted by stonecutter2

I tend to let my stogies rest in the winter, keep up the humidity, and wait for better/warmer weather.

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Speaking of coming in from the cold! I haven't seen you around in a while. I hope all has been well.

Well, I smoke a lot less cigars in the winter.
I still enjoy a pipe most every day though. With a pipe, if I get too cold I can come inside and go back out later and light it back up with no ill effects.

I frequent my local B&M more in the winter as well.

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Originally Posted by allusred

Ahm shure Smokin Monkey'll look after th smokes fur yew wile yew en his sweet little Girlfrend ar bedded down til Spring.

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Well I'm fixin' to get my caboose out and have a smoke right now. The friggin' monkeys are in their cage.....

I had the heater on a few times the past 2 weeks. Looks like I can put it away for the winter...last 2 days have been close to 80 lol

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Originally Posted by jhedrick83

Speaking of coming in from the cold! I haven't seen you around in a while. I hope all has been well.

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All has been very well, just got exceptionally busy with the little ones. They're a tad bigger now and wanted to get back into the swing of things on the forum.

How are things with you?

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Originally Posted by stonecutter2

All has been very well, just got exceptionally busy with the little ones. They're a tad bigger now and wanted to get back into the swing of things on the forum.

How are things with you?

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As a man with a 19 month old, I feel you. All is well and I’m glad to see you back!