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Rain and Temp??


 
C

ChrisK

New member
Hey everyone,

I'm new to the site and to the WSM. I've already had a couple of successful smokes, so I feel like I'm on my way. Question though...rain is in the forecast for Saturday and so is a brisket and ribs on the smoker. Short of an all day downpour, how much do you think on and off rain during the day will affect the WSM temp? I'm trying to decide if I should (somehow) cover the WSM to prevent the raindrops from hitting it to help regulate the temp.
 
Welcome Chris,

I would rig something to protect your smoker from the rain. What's the saying? "an ounce of prevention..." I did a HH brisket last week and it started raining half way through. Temps drop about 50 degrees. So yeah, rain most definetly will be an obstacle during cooks.

Good Luck
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ChrisK:
how much do you think on and off rain during the day will affect the WSM temp? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
My experience is zero effect. Wrap a piece of foil around the lid handle and extend it over the lid vent to deflect rain. Now if it's windy, that's another matter.
 
Water conducts heat much better than air (25 X more efficient), That's why you get cold when you get wet. Depenting on how heavy the rain , the temp & wind speed , you may not be able to keep your cooker up to temp. If expecting a lot of rain & it's cool outside try to protect the cooker from the rain.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dave/G:<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ChrisK:
how much do you think on and off rain during the day will affect the WSM temp? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My experience is zero effect. Wrap a piece of foil around the lid handle and extend it over the lid vent to deflect rain. Now if it's windy, that's another matter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Agree.

Light rains aren't a big concern. You'll probably have to open the vents a bit more to hold temp.
 
If it's warm and raining I usually set up the canopy and move the Q under it so I can still sit out and enjoy the day cooking,listening to music and sipping a beer. If it's cold and raining I usually set up the canopy because it's not so much fun having cold rain run down the crack of your butt when your fiddling with things.
 
rain will cool it down big time. also the rain will go into the wsm at the bottom. so yes, get it covered. if its cooler than you have had to deal with it will require more vent openings and possibly more coals.
 
Is it an 18 or 22...?

FWIW, If it's an 18 then I've found this to be a great rain/wind screen.

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I got it at WalMart for about $25 a few years ago (it's $36 now). Works great but some on here have expressed concern about the possibility of fire. I've never had any issues and don't think it's any less safe than the plywood wind screens others have made. It's always well away from the house and (as with any cook) the fire extinguisher is close by.

Just my $.02. Use at your own risk.

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That's awesome Don, your 18" has it's own little home! Mine is under the overhang outside the kitchen. It's about 6 X 4 of overhead cover. I keep it tucked back towards the house so it's completely protected on 2 sides and basically protected by the house on the others unless wind comes from the North.

Thanks
 
My experience is that a steady rain is worse than wind. I see a lot of different views here, so I guess you are on your own.
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It may not be a bad idea to get a wind screen and umbrella together just in case. Good luck.
 
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