Hi Scot.
I assume that by keeping your WSM inside, you mean actually inside your living quarters. Although it can be done, that probably isn’t a great solution due to the perpetual charcoal smells and potential drips and stains coming from it. For most of the past three years, I didn’t have enough space in my garage, so the only thing in my living room was a New Braunfels Boss charcoal grill that I converted for indirect cooking and rolled out on the deck whenever I used it. Yes, I am indeed a born-again bachelor!
I’ve got a couple of ideas, but neither is particularly simple. Here’s the first approach:
? First, fasten a chain or cable between a permanent structure and through one or more legs of the WSM to tether its base.
? Next, secure the dome and body to the base by using two short lengths of chain from the hardware store inside the body. To do this, undo the top nut on one of the leg mounts, slip one end of a chain over the bolt and retighten the nut.
? Then, drill a small hole in the dome, and fasten an eyebolt through that hole with a couple of nuts. Hang a steel S-hook on the eye on the inside of the dome and slip one end of the other chain over the hook.
? Cut each length of chain so the ends just meet in the middle of the body where you could run the free end of each chain through a padlock. The access door in the side should be big enough for you to reach in easily to access the lock.
? Finally, protect the padlock by running a small self-tapping sheet metal screw through the door into the body to secure it in place while you’re not using your WSM.
When it’s time to cook, remove the sheet metal screw, open the door, undo the lock, stow the bottom chain beside the fire ring, remove the chain hanging from the S-hook so it’s not in the way, and you’re in business. This method would keep your unit intact and secured to something solid but not necessarily keep it safe from vandalism.
The other solution would be some type of enclosure that completely covers the unit that could be chained or locked to something solid, such as a wall. Something about the size of an inverted metal garbage can would protect the WSM as well as keep it from vandals. However, I don’t know if anything of this type exists.
Sorry if these aren’t practical. Maybe this will inspire somebody else here to come up with a better idea. I just wanted to let you know your question wasn’t being ignored.
I’d like to hear what you come up with.
Ken
