cover for smoker while smoking

[paidin]

I am not as fortunate as some of you with covered decks.  I am afraid of getting the top of my smoker wet, especially with an auber.  Because of this, I have only smoked once on my smoker even though I have had it a total of 7 days!!!  I have been trying to figure out how to protect it from the elements while smoking out on my uncovered deck.  Have any of you guys solved this dilemma short of building a cover for my deck?  My garage has my hunting clothes and stuff in it so I dont want it to smell like smoked deer for when I go deer hunting.  Any ideas would be appreciated!!

thanks
paidin

 

[SuperDave]

How about stealing one of those easy up shade structures the soccer mom's use?  I think they are usually around 8' X 8'. 

 

[paidin]

yeah I found a slick deal on a true 10x10 ezup this past fall.  Unfortunately, when set up on my deck, it takes up the whole deck, causing me to have to move all the plants, grills, storage sheds, etc.  It worked great but was super pain in the a$$ to set up and with my snooty neighborhood, had to be taken down within a day or two.  Already owning a 10x10, I could not justify an 8x8 but those 8x8 are 10x10 at their base so I would have the same issue but with less coverage.  Maybe I can mount a fishing pole holder on the SI#4 and stick a golf umbrella on it when smoking!  possibilities!!

 

[SuperDave]

Most weather that you are trying to avoid has a certain horizontalness to it.  I don't think an umbrella will get it done unless you find away to use a patio table umbrella. 

 

[paidin]

Most weather that you are trying to avoid has a certain horizontalness to it.  I don't think an umbrella will get it done unless you find away to use a patio table umbrella.

true but I am even afraid of a light drizzle and what it can do to our $1400 investment, especially if I start drilling override switches and stuff into the chasis.  If I could adjust the height of the umbrella to about 1 foot above the top of the unit, that should work right? 

 

[DiggingDogFarm]

I built a relatively small canopy featuring an extra heavy duty tarp.
http://tarps.com/chrome2.htm
http://tarps.com/vinyltarps.htm

 

[DivotMaker]

I built a relatively small canopy featuring an extra heavy duty tarp.
http://tarps.com/chrome2.htm
http://tarps.com/vinyltarps.htm

Sure would like to see a picture of what you built, Martin!

 

[paidin]

yes pics please!

 

[Pork Belly]

I think, loose the Auber until it is fair weather days out. I have fired up my #3 with  a half inch of ice across the top and had some great smokes.

 

[SuperDave]

If you aren't afraid about the drilling, I think a piece of conduit and conduit straps mounted vertically would make a great umbrella holder.  Similar to your rod holder idea but sturdier.  It might even hold the patio umbrella. 

 

[paidin]

who said I was not afraid of drilling?  I see it as a necessary evil

 

[es1025]

I use a beach umbrella and put the auber and temp controller in a small container then place the container in a plastic bag. I only had to due this once during a huge thunderstorm.

 

[Libohunden]

I've been caught in huge storms several times while smoking on my uncovered patio with no issues whatsoever. Luckily, I was not using an Auber. I was using a Maverick 732 each time and was surprised that they were not effected at all. 

 

[paidin]

ok while this is not the perfect protection, this is what I have come up with so far:

a lid to one of my mixing tubs is about the right size and weight to stay on the Auber PID.  The lip that it has keeps it from sliding off and it is large enough to protect the PID during a medium to light rain.  The Bunghole of the Smokin-It is a great way for rain to enter so I came up with a steaming rack from an asian market (about $1) and a heavy glass lid to sit on top.  Enough clearance to not interfere with the convention of the heat but close enough to keep most of the rain from entering the smoker (i hope)

One day I will come up with something gooder to keep the 'spensive electronics protected.

 

[DivotMaker]

Creative, Paidin!

 

[paidin]

I bought some 1/4" cable clamps and attached them with the upper screws on the tops of our smokers.  This will allow me to bungee a cover on top of the smoker for when it is raining.  Now I have to find a cover that is large enough and rigid enough to cover the entire top from rain.  I bought an under the bed container but it is just slightly too small to fit a rack for cleaning and thus too small to cover the top of the smoker

On a plus note, the cable clamp is the correct size to "plug" in the auber probe to keep it from laying on the ground when I have it in storage.

 

[LTS]

  Hey Paidlin  I think you are on to something with the 1/4 clips I was thinking of a hood or like a scoop on a car hood, but have the opening at the back put the 1/4 clips on it then you could just slide a 1/4 " pin through which would hold it in place. I live in a retirement comm. and have the similar issues you have. I try to stay low key because I am on the corner, and I have a #1, #4 and a webber gas grill.  Thanks  Paul  (LTS)

 

[paidin]

those clips are working well for me so far and they are out of the way when I put the cover on the smoker.  I like the flexibility they provide for anchor points

 

[Smokster]

Tony, talk about pimping your smoker! That is a serious piece of work, I love what you did with the finish. Totally sweet. 

It would also look totally awesome in a candy apple red as well.

You took your smoker to a whole new level.

 

[DivotMaker]

Thanks Tony!  It cleans really easy, too - quick wipe with a wet rag!