Use a pellet grill in the rain/snow?

inkjunkie

Master of the Pit

Original poster

Nov 25, 2014

2,020

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• Jun 15, 2015

• #1

Been casually looking at a few different pellet poopers. Green Mountain, Louisiana and Rec Tec in particular. Not seen much on the Louisiana grills...other than they have temperature control troubles. Concerned with using any of them in increment weather....and storing it in increment weather. Don't want to have to drag it into the garage...or empty the hopper...when the weather turns funky...

 

seenred

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Feb 9, 2009

10,017

1,776

N.E. Oklahoma

• Jun 16, 2015

• #2

Lots of folks store their rigs outside under tarps or covers of some kind, but I've always kept my Rec Tec stored in the garage. Its on wheels, so its not hard to wheel it in and out before/after using it. I do this because I'm trying to make sure it lasts for many years...and any pit, no matter how well built, will eventually succumb to the elements if it lives outside long enough.

I cook on mine year-round, but when there's precip of any kind falling, I put it under a covered porch. Keeps the pellets (and the cook) snug and dry.

Red

 

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Reactions: Rafter H BBQ

inkjunkie

Master of the Pit

Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 25, 2014

2,020

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• Jun 16, 2015

• #3

Live out in the country...only dirt and rocks between the garage and cooking area. Space is at a premium in the garage, storing a pit in there is just going to be one more thing I need to constantly shuffle around

 

westby

Smoking Fanatic

Jan 17, 2011

384

75

Winona, MN

• Jun 16, 2015

• #4

I do the same as Red.  Cook in all types of weather (rain, snow, sun, cold, hot), but it stays in the garage when I'm done with it.  You can cover it well with a tarp or good cover and I think many have, but I would worry a little bit about condensation and rodents.

 

jeepdiver

Smoking Fanatic

Jul 16, 2007

324

21

Highlands Ranch, CO (South Denver)

• Jun 16, 2015

• #5

I have a heavy cover from Amazon for my PG500. I cook year around here in Denver rain or shine. Only issues I have are
1) don't open the hopper when there is precipitation, so try to make sure to keep it full when the weather is good.
2) I have a faulty outdoor outlet that trips the gfi in blowing rain that I haven't tracked down yet so have to put the cord under the door and plug into the kitchen gfi if the weather gets too bad

 

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

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Jun 18, 2013

12,106

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S.E. Idaho

• Jun 16, 2015

• #6

SeenRed said:

Lots of folks store their rigs outside under tarps or covers of some kind, but I've always kept my Rec Tec stored in the garage. Its on wheels, so its not hard to wheel it in and out before/after using it. I do this because I'm trying to make sure it lasts for many years...and any pit, no matter how well built, will eventually succumb to the elements if it lives outside long enough.

I cook on mine year-round, but when there's precip of any kind falling, I put it under a covered porch. Keeps the pellets (and the cook) snug and dry.

Red

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

I could not agree with the above statement more... I have a few grills/smokers... One being a GMG DB pellet smoker ! It as well as all the rest of my units stay outta the elements as much as possible !

 

smokinadam

Smoking Fanatic

Aug 31, 2013

739

127

Appleton,WI

• Jun 16, 2015

• #7

I used to pull in and out but I now have a cover and it sits outside. No problems with it at all. Pellets don't have an issue (only started getting humid here) if I had easier garage to get in and out I would put it in there every night. It's part of next house!

 

inkjunkie

Master of the Pit

Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 25, 2014

2,020

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• Jun 17, 2015

• #8

WaterinHoleBrew said:

:yeahthat:

I could not agree with the above statement more... I have a few grills/smokers... One being a GMG DB pellet smoker ! It as well as all the rest of my units stay outta the elements as much as possible !

Click to expand...

Between the project car/parts, bike lift bike/project bike,tools, welders, Lignetics for heating the house, the Bosses quilting supplies and Reverse Flow project t space is at a premium in the garage. Couple that with my laziness and there ain't no way I will be wheeling a grill in & out of the garage everytime I was going to cook....would just be using the range...

 

jtrainor56

Meat Mopper

Apr 21, 2013

162

20

Sinking Spring, PA

• Jun 18, 2015

• #9

I have no garage or carport so my Yoder sits on my deck year round under a cover when not in use.
But I have used it in all types of weather, snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain, etc.. If it's thundering and lightning I won't start it, but if it rains after it's running it doesn't stop.

I have the thermal cover on year round and in crappy weather I cover the hopper with a welders blanket the best I can.

 

ak1

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 23, 2010

2,373

75

Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

• Jun 18, 2015

• #10

No covers at all on mine. They sit outside, they get used no matter the weather all year long.