Weather Concerns

[Coach45mjp]

As stated previously I'm a novice to electric smokers. In reading other sites I have seen some concerns about weather and an electric smoker.  If it decides to rain/snow/sleet all in a 30 min. period  during any given smoke is it necessary to move the smoker under cover so as not to get wet. I live in NE Ohio and the weather can change dramatically from one hour to the next.  In the same realm is it necessary to store the electric smoker inside or at least under cover from the weather.  Propane / charcoal smokers have no such issue.

 

[swthorpe]

I keep my smoker on my back deck with a smoking-it cover on it.  The deck is uncovered, although I do push it against the house so it has some protection from the roof eve.  I have not had problems.  If I know we are going to get severe storms and I want to smoke something, then I will move the smoker into the garage.    But I have also had rain storms pop up while I was smoking on the open back deck ... I just cover the to hole slightly to keep water from getting inside, and I cover my Maverick with a baggie, and this has worked fine.  You will get water build up on the top of the smoker, but I just wipe it off periodically with a towel.

 

[SuperDave]

The units area pretty bulletproof and I don't know that I would even worry about a few drops of rain coming in the vent hole.  Some have developed a shield to put over the controller knob using things like a Rubbermaid box or a floor register heat deflector. 

 

[Pork Belly]

My Model #3 has sat uncovered, on an open deck, rain, sine or snow since June 2014 in Michigan. While not ideal treatment of a fine smoking machine it is held up exceptionally, with no issues.

 

[DivotMaker]

My Model #3 has sat uncovered, on an open deck, rain, sine or snow since June 2014 in Michigan. While not ideal treatment of a fine smoking machine it is held up exceptionally, with no issues.

Yeah!  Take that, internet BBQ experts!  There you have about the best testimony you could ask for!  Many of the "experts" on the internet, unfortunately, don't have a clue about what you can or can't do with a SI smoker, because they don't own one!  Thanks Brian!

 

[Bucket]

I've done several smokes in rain / sleet / snow.  The only thing I do differently is to cover the temperature dial (someone suggested to cover it with a small glass - works great).  Nothing over the vent - smoke hole.  These smokers are so well insulated that it seems unaffected by weather.

 

[DivotMaker]

Another great testimony, Bucket!