fear of rain

[ddpor]

Spending too much time watching the weather to make sure my Bull is covered in the event of rain. It's under a 5X8 canopy which is useless in a driving rain. Anyone have experience with their hopper staying dry or leaking water uncovered in rain? Same concern with my new Bulleye.

 

[Pops]

Hello there, I am in Georgia! I have covers for my 590, Bullseye and Blackstone. I cover and sleep like a baby.

 

[Mike]

@ddpor a buddy of mine has an RT-700 as well, and he uses it on his back patio which is uncovered. At most, he might have some protection from the house eave, but that's about it.

The RT-700 has worked just fine for him. The pellet hoppy on the Bull is also pretty sealed up. I'd say unless you've opened up the hopper, then you probably won't get any rain inside of it.

 

[Pacman]

Over the holidays we got rain. The only rain of the season, but it did make my planned cooks "interesting" and damp. I am pleased to report that at least my food and pellet hopper were completely unaffected by the rain. The cook himself however, complained quite a bit.

 

[llbts1]

Move to Texas. You won't have to worry about rain.

 

[SmokeOCD]

I spray all my stuff with 3M Scotchguard - I don't have to worry about rain. /s

Anyway - yeah it sucks - I delay or move up my cooks depending on the weather...

 

[Greg Jones]

I’ve started leaving the cover off my RT-700 because water goes right through it now, leaving the grill wet for days. Haven’t had any problems, and I may just skip buying a replacement cover.

 

[SmokeOCD]

I’ve started leaving the cover off my RT-700 because water goes right through it now, leaving the grill wet for days. Haven’t had any problems, and I may just skip buying a replacement cover.

The 700 is semi-waterproof? My pellets will stay dry - but my grease catch will overflow from the rain getting through at every seam.

 

[C. Keeper]

The 700 is semi-waterproof? My pellets will stay dry - but my grease catch will overflow from the rain getting through at every seam.

Make a hole in the bottom of the bucket, this will allow the rain water to drain

 

[Greg Jones]

The 700 is semi-waterproof? My pellets will stay dry - but my grease catch will overflow from the rain getting through at every seam.

I don’t have a problem with any water getting, but then I’ve sealed the door, hopper, and the smoke box.

 

[SmokeOCD]

I don’t have a problem with any water getting, but then I’ve sealed the door, hopper, and the smoke box.

Yep, I Lava-Locked the lid - that's unlikely the source of my issues. I think it's the shape of the 1070(590) and only tac welds holding it all together. So when any moisture gathers on top - it can find its way into the grill.

 

[Jim6820]

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential for us to check the weather forecast when planning a cook. They don’t call Washington “The EverWet State” for nothing!

 

[SmokeOCD]

Living in the Pacific Northwest, it is essential for us to check the weather forecast when planning a cook. They don’t call Washington “The EverWet State” for nothing!

I've watched plenty of FRASIER; real or not, that is the impression I am stuck with of your part of the world.

 

[FF Cory]

Spending too much time watching the weather to make sure my Bull is covered in the event of rain. It's under a 5X8 canopy which is useless in a driving rain. Anyone have experience with their hopper staying dry or leaking water uncovered in rain? Same concern with my new Bulleye.

Just went through this this morning. Cooked some St. Louis style ribs yesterday. Got done around 1800. Ate dinner and a bourbon or 2 and forgot to cover my 590 which I usually do religiously. Got up this morning after a full night of storms with wind, lightning and driving rain at times. I was kicking myself and not looking forward to the mess I created for myself. The grill itself had water in the thin pan I keep under the grates but the hopper, THANK GOD, was completely dry and not a sign of a storm at all. My 590 sits on the north side of my house and of course, the wind was out of the north last night. I got really lucky!

 

[Maule Guy]

Move to Texas. You won't have to worry about rain.

From what I see from the weather reports you might not even need a grill to cook things.

 

[BillsCamino]

Afternoon popup T-storms happening right now...the RT is in the garage

 

[SmokeOCD]

I got flooded again (the RT) - I don't think it was supposed to rain - IT POURED!!!
Standard grease all over, overflowing grease catch, blah blah blah...
What's new is I got the *POOF*. So my firepot was wet? or greasy? or wet and greasy?
This is the first time - I turned it up to 500 to dry it out before grilling. Nasty smoke billowing out, I ended up opening it up before the big bang - only got a little poof, but it's the only time I ever got that.

 

[NavyHSKR]

I have the Reqtec covers for both my Bullseye and RT-300. They spend the whole time outside. I don't have any worries when it rains as long as they are covered. And the ReqTec covers for properly and keep the water out

 

[okie]

With the kind of lids the RT's all have, they were never intended to be left uncovered in the elements. So get a good cover and use it after every cook and clean up. Does not matter that the grill seams leak, the lids will always leak. If you do not have a covered porch to retreat to, then if you are cooking and it starts to rain, close down and cover (when cool enough) and finish in the kitchen. Same for all other similar design brands (the majority). Sorry for those who do not have covered cooking area to move to.
For new owners, you can always use high temp (gray or red) silicone and caulk all those riveted and spot welded seams from the interior side as I did with my previous 590. Do it before you do your burn out. I did that to keep grease that leaked down into the barrel from dripping on my porch. Because I had already cooked in it, it was hard to get all the seams and rivet holes clean and dry. But that and a good lid gasket might work well for those who must leave their pit out in the elements, but also a good waterproof cover is essential.
And finally, don't cook in the rain with an electric grill! Ever! You might get cooked since none of the control areas are waterproofed. Sorry for my directness but I am OCD about grilling safety.

 

[SmokeOCD]

With the kind of lids the RT's all have, they were never intended to be left uncovered in the elements. So get a good cover and use it after every cook and clean up. Does not matter that the grill seams leak, the lids will always leak. If you do not have a covered porch to retreat to, then if you are cooking and it starts to rain, close down and cover (when cool enough) and finish in the kitchen. Same for all other similar design brands (the majority). Sorry for those who do not have covered cooking area to move to.
For new owners, you can always use high temp (gray or red) silicone and caulk all those riveted and spot welded seams from the interior side as I did with my previous 590. Do it before you do your burn out. I did that to keep grease that leaked down into the barrel from dripping on my porch. Because I had already cooked in it, it was hard to get all the seams and rivet holes clean and dry. But that and a good lid gasket might work well for those who must leave their pit out in the elements, but also a good waterproof cover is essential.
And finally, don't cook in the rain with an electric grill! Ever! You might get cooked since none of the control areas are waterproofed. Sorry for my directness but I am OCD about grilling safety.

No, I am OCD!
Mine is on a GFCI.
Thanks for the concern and the advice though, good stuff.