SNSK Gen 1 - does top vent leak in the rain?

[jfmorris]

I didn't think about this until recently, but the fact that my Camp Chef flat top cover (June 2020) has disintegrated to the point of allowing water to pool on the griddle surface made me consider that the cover on my SNS Kamado is only 7 months younger (Jan 2021), and will eventually fail. Sadly, it appears that SNSGrills has orphaned all their Gen1 kamado users, and no longer sells a cover that fits the Gen1 kamado.

That, plus the fact that I am thinking of biting the bullet and doing my outdoor kitchen build this May, has me thinking about that stainless top vent. If I don't have a cover on the kamado, will it allow rain into the kamado when the vent is closed?

Does anyone with a Gen1 and that same top vent leave it outside without a cover, and if so, does it allow water into the grill?

I am hoping it does not, since it does seal pretty tight when closed. However, if it does, I guess I can keep my 18" round stainless drip pan on top of the cooking grate to catch any rain that drips in when the kamado is not in use.

[Spinaker]

I have the Smokeware chimney cap on all four of my kamados. Seals tight and never lets water or snow in. It also does not reset when you open the lid like the cast iron ones do.

It’s a no brainer for my Kamados.

Another thin g to consider for covers is looking at Vision or Kong Kamado covers. Your SNS is basically the same exact thing with a private label.

[jfmorris]

That is all well in good, but they don't sell one that fits the SNS Kamado. SNS Kamado top is about 7.5 to 7 5/8 inches across the top opening, including the gasket material.

[Spinaker]

Smokeware doesn’t make a cap that fits?

[jfmorris]

Spinaker nope. And they don't list dimensions on any of their stuff. I may email the, but so far, folks who make things that fit the top of kamados, like the Smobot, have been a strike out on me finding anything that fits the top of the SNS kamado. Smobot emailed me back asking the top opening dimensions, and when I gave them to then, crickets...

[Alan Brice]

My cover on the used Gen 1 was a shade on the rough side when I purched 6-8 months ago. I was able to get a new one then.
Be sure to snug the little top knot on the vent and maybe trim a two litre bottom to fit over the whole vent.
Just went on and looked at the Smokeware chimney cap, Interesting and not jury rigged as my solution would be.

[jfmorris]

This is the diameter as best I can make it, of the top opening on the SNS Gen1 kamado.

[Alan Brice]

Dave Parrish last activity was Feb 7th 2024

[jfmorris]

Well boys and girls, I am here to tell a tale of woe, dismay and doom. Well, maybe not doom...

I recently had ant infestations on several grills where there were little black ants on TOP of the domes of the grills, under the grill covers, when I went to use the grills - this happened with my Weber Genesis II, and my SNS Deluxe Kamado. My solution was just not to put the covers back on for now, so that there is no dark vinyl and canvas covered abode for the ants.

I had a secondary reason for leaving my Camp Chef flat top with the new stainless lid and the SNS Kamado uncovered - because I've kept talking about building those into an outdoor kitchen setup, in which case, the factory covers will be unusable anyway, with the carts discarded. As part of my test, with my concerns about the top vent on the SNS kamado, I thought I would be smart, and I put my 18" round drip pan on the cooking grate, to catch any rain water that just might make it throught that top vent.

Yesterday, I wanted to grill some chicken thighs and corn for Memorial Day, and wanted to use the SNS Kamado, so I could sit in comfort on the patio furniture under the pavilion, where I have a ceiling fan. I opened the grill to note some mold patches on the grates, as well as in a couple of spots inside the body of the grill! That was my first clue! I was kinda bummed, and decided to pull everything out, and clean out the ashes from the last cook. After shoveling out a bucket full of partially burned lump, imagine my dismay when I pulled off the cast iron grate, and found that bottom of the grill full of wet ashes and rain water!

Since the drip pan was dry, I am speculating that the rain water must have seeped through the closed top vent and run down the sides of the dome and body, versus dripping straight down.

I ended up pulling out the firebox, using a scoop to scrape up all the wet soupy ashes, and a big wad of paper towels to dry up and wipe up what I could.

I then used the hose and a brush to clean the cooking grates from mold, wiped down the inside with DRY paper towels, and put the grill back together.

I dumped about 10 pounds of lump into the bowl, added a starter, added back the charcoal and cooking grates, and proceeded to run a long slow fire at about 250 for several hours, then opened the vents to get it up to 350 until the charcoal burned out overnight. I figure that was sufficient to dry out any moisture that may have seeped into the ceramic body.

Needless to say though, I am very bummed and discouraged about being able to build this kamado into any form of outdoor kitchen, unless I can find a rain proof cap for the top vent. Or I gotta buy a custom short cover to put over it in the drop down I was planning to set the kamado in. I have no plans for the outdoor kitchen being under a roof, as it just isn't practical in the area I want it out by the pool. And even if I keep it on the cart, SnSGrills has stopped selling the cover for the Gen1 kamado, and says that the cover for the Gen2 won't fit it. They also confirmed for me that the rain proof top vent for the Gen2 won't fit the Gen1 kamado either.

I've been looking since last night online, and am striking out on any form of aftermarket rain proof top vent or 3rd party fitted cover for the SNS Gen1 Kamado. Which is a real shame for a grill that I think retailed for $1799 new in 2021.

I'm kinda feeling orphaned here by SNS Grills today, since they don't seem to offer any help for the Gen1 kamado owners in this area, which is a clear deficiency in the grill. Otherwise, why would they have redesigned the top vent for the Gen2? It would have been nice if they had kept the top of the grill the same size and shape, so that the new vent would be backwards compatible with the Gen1 kamado, but that its not the case.

P.S. I couldn't cook on the SNS Kamado yesterday, as all that drying it out with a low slow burn ate into our plans. I used the Vortex on my kettle to do the chicken, and the Genesis to cook the corn.

[Grillin Dad]

If you’re open to going the 3rd party cover route, I’m a big fan of Classic Accessories. I use them for my grills and our patio furniture (in the winter), and they’re pretty good quality. Plus their Ravenna line has a lifetime warranty which, in my experience, they’re really good about honoring.

[Grillin Dad]

Just took a quick look, and it looks like CA has several covers which may work for you:

https://classicaccessories.com/classic-accessories-ravenna-water-resistant-37-inch-ceramic-bbq-grill-dome-cover-55-419-055101-ec-color-dark-taupe-mushroom-espresso

https://classicaccessories.com/ravenna-water-resistant-kamado-ceramic-bbq-grill-cover-ca-pat-rav-130

CA also has a store on Amazon where, for some reason, tends to have better prices.

[jfmorris]

Thanks Grillin Dad. Both of those may be options for me down the road if I build the SNSK into something. For the moment, the cover I received with the grill in 2021 is still serviceable while I use it on the cart, but I doubt it will make it past this year.

[58limited]

David Parrish

[fuzzydaddy]

I too found the top vent leaking on mine which was sold before I moved back to Florida last year. I had 2 different SnS covers with both being leaky so I just had to remember to check inside often.

[jfmorris]

I hate to hear that, but am not surprised. My big concern with water in a kamado is it seeping into the ceramic, and leading to it cracking under heat. That's why I did several hours at low temp to dry things out, before raising the temp a little more to 350.

[58limited]

jfmorris I e-mailed SnS Grills last week asking about a Gen 1 cover. They have them - $60.00 plus shipping. I didn't see it on the website but they replied to my e-mail saying that they have them and had me send my shipping info to them. They then sent me an invoice. Got it today.

My old one was dry rotting and tearing plus the velcro stopped working.

I sent the e-mail 9/23 in the evening and they replied the next day. I paid a day later, got the cover today. Pretty quick.

[jfmorris]

Good to know. That said, the top vent concerns me still, as originally I planned to build an outdoor kitchen with the SNSK as an element, and I feel now I'll have to get a custom cover for the kamado if I do, to keep rain out of the top... I may get the cover they still have in stock and have my mother-in-law "hem" it for me if I do that...

[58limited]

jfmorris I just reread your post above and understand about the shorter cover needed for a built-in, or the desire to not use a cover. The retaining screw/nut on top of the Gen 1 vent is long enough i think to add an overhanging shield. If you have a local metal shop you might see if they can make a stainless cover with a hole for the screw to add to see if that will keep rain out. However, the vent adjustment tab might be in the way, its too dark for me to go out and check mine.

[jfmorris]

I just searched again for some type of kamado rain cap that MIGHT work with the SNS Kamado Gen 1. I came across something in an article that links to an apparently defunct company, that intrigues me, as it seems to be something I might be able to fabricate myself.



Basically, it looks like this company, Perfect BBQ Tek, had made in 2014 a rain shield that sits around the hole in the kamado, then you put the top vent back on. I feel like even in my garage, I could probably bend some flashing or thin sheet metal into a shape like this, and use rivets or screws/nuts to "close" the shape. The trick will be of course ensuring there isn't a sharp edge to get cut on as you reach in to adjust the vent settings.

I still wish that Smokeware made a cap that would fit the SNSK, but the size is just too non-standard, and the top opening is oversized compared to about every other kamado out there, and the ceramic lip is shorter as well. Maybe those are reasons SNS Grills changed the kamado top vent design in Gen2, but its kinda frustrating to me still that they now sell a kamado with a rain proof top vent, and that they don't take care of their Gen1 users with a retrofit version of that top vent.

[58limited]

That looks like it work work great!