do you really need to cover your smoker?

yukoff · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject: do you really need to cover your smoker?

Finally got my new custom built smoker (will post pictures later) and I'm moving it to my backyard. Was wondering if it's necessary to cover it when not in use? Where it's going doesn't have any cover, but I don't want to buy a tarp unless I have to. It's made of 1/4" thick steel, and is currently painted black. The winter weather is rainy here.

k.a.m. · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

yukoff, to me where you will see some rust will most likely be around hinges and any moving parts, I know around here our humidity is so high covered or not if you do not oil things up they are gonna rust. I think if you look around and see how other things handle your elements will be a good idea on how your cooker will survive.

yukoff · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

thanks kam, unfortunately i'm not sure what to compare it to. Here in the NW, due to the winter rain, everyone covers everything, especially their grills, which the majority are Weber. The person who built my smoker said it should be fine in the rain, it may develop rust, just stay on top of it and clean it off when you see it. I can do that, but given i don't know much about steel, i'm paranoid it will rust and fall apart. lol

Florida Boy · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

It is always good to cover no matter how thick the steel. We pay alot for our toys and they need to be taken care of along with regular Maint to keep it looking good. I have a custom cover on mine but working to have it under a shed by summer.
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k.a.m. · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

yukoff, I am sure if you cover you cooker you will get a lot more life from it. If your air is high in salinity like you live close to the coast then rust is a no brainer but if you was clean let dry and keep covered from the sun and Uv's then you should have a nice cooker for some time to come.

Oregon smoker · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

cover it. you can buy one of those easy up tents for $75, or a tarp for $10-15. either way its cheap insurance for extending the life of the smoker.

whitey · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

Yukoff living up here where We do it is a very good idea to cover. Water that pools in the cooker makes the cooking grates mold and the whole chamber gets nastey Shocked

. I am building a outdoor kitchen/cooker cover for my lang 84 . Cant wait to throw the tarp in the garbage.
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Virginia Q · Posted: Feb 09 2009 Post subject:

Did you say "not in use?" Does that really happen Question

Actually we cover even when in use with this - http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42211
We left both ends off and back the smoker in just until the stack clears the back edge. By cheating the smoker to one side we are able to cook under cover. Works well for us and we live in a modrate climate with very high and frequent winds. We do however tie the sheltor down to the smoker (lang 84) to help keep it from blowing away. It is staked down in 18 places but constant 20 to 30 mile an hour winds are a little much for the stakes alone.
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watchado · BBQ Fan Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 207 Location: Oklahoma

I get rainwater inside mine that comes from the top of the doors. I don't cover it but really should and I repeat that to myself every time I'm cleaning it out. Also you'll end up with rust on your cooking surface. I'm gonna cover it next time,,,,,,,,,,yarrrrrite, Smile

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yankton67 · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

I just purchased a new Klose smoker back in Dec. I live in NY and so I covered with a tarp. Even so it still gets wet. I was thinking of purchasing a car cover for it. Any thoughts. Thanks in advance.

whitey · Posted: Feb 10 2009 Post subject:

Heres the link Virginia posted: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42211
I have one for my fishin boat it works great. I am still building my outdoor kitchen,With prep area,hand sink, 3 burner gas stove and gas water heater. Should tun out nice.
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Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

darylcincy · Posted: Feb 11 2009 Post subject:

Virginia Q · Posted: Feb 11 2009 Post subject:

You're welcome Smile

The tarp is attached with little ball bungie cords and is very easily removed. We are so happy with how it is holding up that I think we are gonna buy another frame and strech mylar over it for a green house this year.
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Virginia Q
"The Best of the Wests"
Lang 84 with dual smoke-n-pits mounted.
Killer cabinet smoker.

yankton67 · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 7

Im wondering about using a car cover. Usually people get them custom fit for their particular car. I was thinking about a cover for a Volkswagon or something smaller. Probably only runs about $ 60 . Any comments on this type of cover ?

Virginia Q · Posted: Feb 11 2009 Post subject:

We have had a couple of sports cars over the years and have bought covers for them. Funny thing is that each cover we bought had the disclaimer that they were not for protection against the rain and that after each rain they had to be removed and the car wiped down. We never did this but you gotta wonder why the disclaimer.
Another thing with car covers is they tend to blow of in high winds so you might want to make sure you get one with a cinch cord/rope at the bottom.
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Virginia Q
"The Best of the Wests"
Lang 84 with dual smoke-n-pits mounted.
Killer cabinet smoker.

mgwerks · Posted: Feb 11 2009 Post subject:

Car covers aren't supposed to be waterproof. They are designed to keep bird poop, dirt and most dust off the surface. If they were waterproof like a tarp your paint would soon be crappy-looking form the humidity and friction. There are a few reputable companies out there that make covers for many kinds of bbqs and also make custom covers.