Covered WSM and rain

[billmc40]

Last week when I smoked I took the cover off the WSM. The first thing I noticed was that the fireman had water in it and so did the heat shield. It has been ranging for nearly 12 hours and I am wondering if the cover is doing its job. Is there a better cover then the one that came with it? Thanks for the input.
BilMc

 

[bama bbq]

Here are some covers:  http://www.the-cover-store.com/SearchByCategory.aspx?CategoryCode=kettle_smoker_covers

 

[dward51]

I have seen other posts about WSM covers slightly leaking at the stitched seam.  Never had a problem with mine and it now lives under a covered porch so I don't cover it anymore.

Some of the solutions I've seen posted before are to get a tube of Coleman or other brand tent seam sealer from Walmart or an outdoors store and seal the seam area on the inside of the cover. It's a liquid product that dries to waterproof and seal fabric seams. I've also seen posts where they put a black trash bag over the WSM and then cover the trash bag with the cover (make sure it's totally cooled down of course).

Is your top vent still open?  I would think if it's closed even if a little water came in via the cover seam it would not really have anywhere to go and would run down the outside of the WSM under the cover.  I closed my top vent when I kept mine under a cover.

 

[billmc40]

I think I have probably left the top vent open. I'll have to look when it quits raining. Not complaining about the rain we really need it here.
BillMc