UDS Covers - more trouble than they are worth?

I bought a large gas grill cover for my UDS. I have a side table so I put the grill cover over it and tighten the sides with bungie cables.

I have 8 one inch holes as exhaust on top, which are covered with magnet strips to put out the fire.

In theory this is great. The cover looks nice (makes the wife happy) and there is rain protection.

The problem is that when I remove the cover (about once a week or so), the whole top of the smoker is covered with water and the sides are wet. My main concern is rust. I have high heat engine paint on the outside and top and I'm not seeing any rust yet, but I'm sure its only a matter of time.

I wonder if it would be better to just leave it sitting outside? At least then when the rain would stop the sun would dry it! The UDS is sitting on the deck, which is where I do my smoking. Otherwise I could put it in the shed when I'm done or something. But that's a hassle.

I'm not sure what to do.

John

HankB said:

Where is the water coming from? Is there moisture in the UDS when you put it on? Does the cover have seams that allow rain to come through? Does the cover reach the ground and allow moisture to migrate up from there?

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I'm guessing the moisture is migrating up from the ground. It's a sturdy cover and no rain can get through this.

colonel00 said:

You might be restricting the air flow under the cover if you are tightening it down too much with the bungee cords.

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I think you are right. A less tight set up would allow the moisture to evaporate.

Bludawg said:

I keep saying it buy a roll of Contractor grade HD SH!T can liners for 5.00 they fit nice even with a shelf, I just replaced the one on my UDS it lasted 3 yrs. I figure at this rate My grand kids will still be using the original roll long after I'm fertilizing the Garden.

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I'm not sure I know what you are talking about? Trash can liners?

Please explain