Hi, I've just purchased a Smokette and I'm just a bit worried about what should happen if it starts to rain or snow while the smoker is in use.

Is it unsafe to use when wet? Can I somehow divert the airhole on top so water does not get in?

Should I never start cooking something when it's raining or if rain is predicted?

There are no overhangs at all in my backyard. I suppose I could fabricate something.

Do a Find -> Keyword Search -> rain
That should get you started.

Sorry I guess I was a tad short in my response.
Welcome to the forum

Gail,

I have been caught many times smoking with the CS55 when a storm or rain would come up. In that our place to smoke is on an open deck, I take clear wrap and tape it over the controls with the bottom open to air. If windy, I tape the bottom of the clear wrap on the corners. Sometime when it is just raining, I have put a porch umbrella up and rolled the smoker under it.

Snow? I don't know what that is here in Cedar Key, but sure the same would work - the smoker is insulated. I have been stopped from smoking five times, each during a hurricane and that was for my protection not the Cookshack. They are a lot worse than snow.

smokemullet

It's pretty basic.

The hole is real small, so most rain probably won't put a lot down the hole. But you need to keep the dial/electronics from getting wet (or water wicking down the stem into the smoker).

Snow's not a big issue, it's fully insulated so the external temps won't be a big impact, if any.

Do a search like jim said on "rain" and you'll see some good idea about how to prevent it.

Wecome to the group!

Thanks, y'all! See, I'm new but I'm already talkin' like a barbecue pro.

I built a little box/shed that my smokette sits in on my back deck. I put a hole in the top with a curved pipe to keep out the rain/snow and can cook year around regardless of the weather. It works great. When I bought my smokette the salesman at my local Cabelas said that he kept his smokette in a Rubbermaid deck box even when in use. He just cut a hole in top for smoke to escape.

Gail in Toronto - Go to the plumbing section of your local harware and pick up one of these. It's an 1 1/4 inch, 90 degree street elbow. I think I paid around $3.00.

If it starts raining or snowing, just put it over the vent hole. When done, just store it. Also, it's heavy enough that it won't be blown off by high winds.

Thanks for the advice. I bought something similar at Home Depot last night, but made of PVC. Do you think it has to be metal, or is PVC okay?

Gail - You're PVC valve will probably fly off if the winds kick up. I'd simply exchange it for the galvanized version.

After reading your post, I went back to Home Depot and picked up a brass one. I was afraid of the galvanized one rusting.

Thanks!

I was smoking last night in the rain....

I place two bricks on top of the 55... then a piece of plywood that hangs over all edges... the a couple of bricks on top of the plywood to keep the wind from blowing it off.... (for winds greater than 35 a cinder block)

There is plenty of gap for the smoke to vent. No rain falling directly on the top.... it works well.

When I eventually have a complete outdoor kitchen there will of course be some type of permanent shelter (shrine) for the smoker.

Richard

A few weeks ago I took my Smokette on a fishing trip. They were calling for rain and snow where we were camped. I took along but didnt use a larger type of umbrella. Like they carry on the golf bags. My plan was.........Open the umbrella and secure it to the smoker w/a couple of ratchet tie down straps. Luckily the rain held off until the briske flat and pork butts were done. Im sure it would have worked ok but not in high winds unless you had some type of wind block.

Bull