MES II Question - protect the control panel from rain

[dwdunlap]

Seems like a design flaw to me but leaving the control panel unprotected from rain. Inevitably rain will start before smoking is over exposing the delicate electronics. Maybe some of you have come up with a solution?

DW

 

[crankybuzzard]

I've used a plastic sausage lug over the panel before. To keep it in place, I just put a chunk of firewood on it.

 

[dwdunlap]

Thanks cranky but I don't know what a sausage lug is. I inverted the plastic pan over the panel but noticed with a perfectly flat top there was nothing to keep the rain from running underneath the pan and into the controls. If master bill would put a we're in the metal around the control at least it would stop that.

 

[daricksta]

Thanks cranky but I don't know what a sausage lug is. I inverted the plastic pan over the panel but noticed with a perfectly flat top there was nothing to keep the rain from running underneath the pan and into the controls. If master bill would put a we're in the metal around the control at least it would stop that.

What about doing something simple like sliding a Ziploc bag or similar over it? The way I deal with the control panel exposed to the weather issue is that I never smoke on rainy days. I have no overhang to place my MES 30 Gen 1 underneath.

 

[crankybuzzard]

Sausage lug...

IMG_1579.JPG

• crankybuzzard
• Nov 29, 2016

 

[dwdunlap]

I feel so enlightened now Cranky. So a sausage lug is just a plain old plastic tub! Difference I guess is if I buy it at Dollar General or Cabelas...

DW

 

[crankybuzzard]

I feel so enlightened now Cranky. So a sausage lug is just a plain old plastic tub! Difference I guess is if I buy it at Dollar General or Cabelas...

DW

Yep, pretty much!

I've always called them lugs since that what they were called when I was a kid. My wife says they are tote trays, and one son says it like you do, plastic tub. :biggrin:

However, it worked pretty good at keeping the rain off the MES. Like you said though, the flat top is an issue with the rain puddling and getting into the area around the control head.

 

[dwdunlap]

Maybe if I cranked in a thick bead of silicone caulk around the control edges. Help seal the obvious entry points? Would have to be thick enough a bead to act like a weir around the control to divert the water getting in under the pan around the electronics.  I might try that. That silicone is easy to peel of if it doesn't work.

I wish I could have a covered shelter but that's not in my immediate future. And I also can't schedule when I need to smoke. The weathermen around this neck of the woods are not infallible predicting when or even IF  rain might fall during my smoke. So I'll try the caulk for now.

I did call Masterbuilt for suggestions but they didn't have any. They agreed the flat top posed a problem and seemed to welcome my suggestion to include a stamped in weir on future models. Seems like they should be able to come up with something better 

but for now I'll have break out the old caulking gun.

DW

 

[crankybuzzard]

I can't find it, but a guy on here actually put his into a Rubbermaid type cabinet. Still looking for it.

 

[SmokinAl]

Sounds to me like the caulk would work!

Al

 

[dr k]

I can't find it, but a guy on here actually put his into a Rubbermaid type cabinet. Still looking for it.

Those deck boxes to put outdoor seat cushions in while not in use have a dimension that may just barely fit a Mes 40 w/o the leg extension kit. 

-Kurt

 

[crankybuzzard]

DW,

FOUND IT!

Look this over...  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/104033/i-just-cant-take-it-anymore

 

[mosparky]

I remember seeing one when I first joined. Someone set up their smoker in a small tent, canaopy, or pop-up hunting blind something like that.

 

[daricksta]

 
DW,

FOUND IT!

Look this over...  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/104033/i-just-cant-take-it-anymore

I've actually thought about doing this same thing. I haven't because even though I love the smell of wood smoke I didn't want it permanently permeating the interior of my garage and everything inside. There are two smells almost impossible to totally eradicate: smoke and the smell of milk spilled onto seats inside of a motor vehicle (trust me on the second one).

 

[crankybuzzard]

 
I've actually thought about doing this same thing. I haven't because even though I love the smell of wood smoke I didn't want it permanently permeating the interior of my garage and everything inside. There are two smells almost impossible to totally eradicate: smoke and the smell of milk spilled onto seats inside of a motor vehicle (trust me on the second one).

#2 is no joke!  

 

[daricksta]

 
#2 is no joke!  

Yes indeed. It happened to my folks' car when I was a kid and in one of the cars I owned later. The milk smell never left either one before the cars were gotten rid of.