What happens if it starts raining??

I think the concern is water in the thermostat control and the electrical cord connection.

A plastic bag over the control panel should handle that.

Some folks rig an umbrella,to keep them and the CS dry.

Someone once showed setting a spare storm window on four cans of peas.

Depends on where the CS is located. If you have the room and want to keep other cooking supplies and/or company dry you could purchase a small canopy. This works good to keep you in the shade on a bright sunny day as well.

These machines have a small footprint so they're easy to cover. I just throw a tarp over it (an old shower curtain actually) and leave enough room between the top of the unit and the cover so it doesn't obstruct the vent hole.

At some point I'm going to get an EZ-Up type cover for bad weather.

Portable Outdoor Covers

I just did a shoulder in the pouring rain all day on wednesday. I do mean pouring. I have done it twice before. Nothing keeps me from my Q. Did a 10 hour cook with a big square cookie sheet that covered the thermostat, smoke hole, and thermometer base all at once. No problem.

Bradtri,
get yourself a cover for that cookshack, there is nothing finer that cooking in... what ever comes, yeah get yourself a cover, like a patio cover so you can sit out in the rain and smell to meat smokin...one of lifes joys!!

Better yet, build a shack for your cookshack- see my december 8th post "Plans for Cookshack Shack"

there were some problems with the photos early on- some couldn't see them via the links; I sent them to Smokin for posting-I can see them now (but always could, so don't know if its fixed). If youcan't and want to share your e-mail, I could send the photos to you, if you are interested. Mine 009/ shack is often covered with a foot of smow when I get to it....works great in the rain...zacher