Smoking in the rain

Was just in River Forest the last couple days.
This is what I have on my back deck in Jersey - a beach umbrella bolted to the railing with the smoker under it. Now it's not 100% perfect, but you can invert a 13x9 pan over the control panel of your smoker (the back part especially) and it should aid in further shielding. I lived in the Chicago area 12 years and they don't call it the Windy City for nothing. You can't delay the smoke run for another day or two ?? I got out of Chicago just before that crummy weather hit Sunday, it's here in Jersey. A perusal of current radar doesn't look that threatening.

quote:

Originally posted by jacksmoker:
I am committed to smoking a couple of pork butts for a friends fishing trip. The problem is, that I will need to smoke this overnight Tuesday night and very heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted (strange winter in Chicagoland). My smoker is located out in the open on my back patio. I have been smoking for 3 years now but never attempted it in heavy rain. Any suggestions??

If your concern is about rain getting into the smoke vent go to your local hardware, home depot, or plumbing supply store and get a cheap iron 90 degree street elbow that will fit over the vent hole. I'm also in the Chicago area with my smoker on the deck and use one from time to time for smokes in a heavy rain. It's heavy enough that the wind won't blow it over.

May want to weigh the pan down a bit with the forecasted winds...

I've done something similar in the past using a heavy 13X9 Pyrex glass baking dish. Wind's not a problem.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am using the lid from a roaster to cover the vent hole and temp control panel. I'll let you know how it turns out.