Rain strategy for WSM?

[Anton32828]

I'm looking at a typical subtropical forecast for this weekend. Sun for most of the day, with rain showers for an hour or two in the evening.

What is your experience with such "intermittent rain" situations with the Weber Smokey Mountain? I have a screened-in back porch, but I'm against the idea of having a charcoal fire under a roof. Perhaps an abundance of caution.

[RonB]

I use a large umbrella in a stand when I'm caught cookin' in t he rain.

[smokin fool]

Yup, over to Walmart and buy a coupla cheap beach umbrellas.

[jfmorris]

I third this. Or a cheap pop up tent.

[LA Pork Butt]

That would have been my suggestion.

[FireMan]

Break into a chant of "no rain, no rain, no rain, no rain", then break into Santana’s Soul Sacrifice! You will feel good anyways.

[binarypaladin]

At least it’s not just me.

[Anton32828]

I like the umbrella idea. Patio umbrella with a nice heavy base would be perfect. I don’t own one but Walmart has ‘em.

I used a pop-up canopy twice. I got away with it once. The second time a wind gust sent it flying & ripped the canopy. I could have prevented that by anchoring each leg in a painter’s bucket full of water (& tied down to the canopy leg), but I didn’t really expect the wind.

Umbrella seems much simpler!

[Anton32828]

Honestly I was hoping for a reply along the lines of, "My WSM laughs at the rain!" Not expecting that, just hoping.

[JeffJ]

Canopy or umbrella.

The WSM performs well in cold temps but rain and excessive wind creates problems in the absence of protection.

[Pow7der]

Another vote for an inexpensive canopy for a couple of reasons. The first, I already had one. The second, it is big enough to cover the "dueling dragons" while still allowing enough space for myself and a couple of friends/family members to congregate around the cookers while checking or removing food from the cookers.

[Razor]

Canopy. You can easily anchor it in to the ground, covers a greater area, keeps you protected if you need to fiddle with something, one canopy should do it vs 2-3 umbrellas.

[JPGators17]

I have a screened in back porch and I am not against having a charcoal fire under a roof, or three charcoal fires under a roof.

[Bkhuna]

Yup. A coat of paint every now again keeps the ceiling ship shape.

[gdsim1]

Garage, and stand fan. When I’ve got a forecast like this, I drag the PBC around the house and kick off the cook just outside the garage. WHEN it starts sprinkling (the BBQ gods here in KC are merciless when challenged, so it’s not an IF), I drag it just far enough inside the garage to keep it dry, and put a stand fan behind it to blow the smoke outside. When the rain stops, back outside it goes.

Take THAT, BBQ gods! 💪😃👍

Really surprised I haven’t been smited by a lightning bolt at some point for thumbing my nose at them. 😂😂😂

[Beefchop]

Buy one here. https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...evirtualweberb

Source: Virtual Weber Bullet

[JeffJ]

That is hilarious.

[gdsim1]

NEVER underestimate hickadoo life hacks! 😃🙌

[klflowers]

Now I like that! I may have to get one.

[LA Pork Butt]

One last thought on the umbrella idea - I would position the umbrella as close to the top of your cooker as you would your head when walking in the rain.

[Anton32828]

Here’s what I’ve been doing. Small canopy anchored against sudden gusts by 5-Gallon pails filled with water. Thanks for all your help!

[Beefchop]

That's a great option. Most people already own one of these. I wish I could fit my stickburner under one! Enjoy that WSM.

[PaulstheRibList]

Cooked in the rain plenty of times with the WSM. If you want to run a Maverick during the rain, just wrap it in a ziplock.

No worries!!

[Beefchop]

In Louisiana you are cooking in the rain more often than not!

[drobinson]

I put wheels on my WSM so if rain comes I just move it to the covered portion of the screened in patio. No worries!