UDS Covers - more trouble than they are worth?

grilling24x7 · 03-23-2013, 09:30 AM

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 · 03-23-2013, 09:54 AM

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?

colonel00 · 03-23-2013, 09:56 AM

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

Bludawg · 03-23-2013, 10:41 AM

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.

grilling24x7 · 03-23-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HankB

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?

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

grilling24x7 · 03-23-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonel00

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

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

grilling24x7 · 03-23-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bludawg

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.

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

Please explain :-)

HeSmellsLikeSmoke · 03-23-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grilling24x7

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

Please explain :-)

I speak conversational Texan so let me interpret for you. Plus, I've driven thru Jonesboro, TX at least a couple of dozen times.

Yes, the heavy duty contractor ones from Home Depot.

J-Rod · 03-23-2013, 12:20 PM

If it's painted well I wouldn't worry about it, long as water isn't getting it thru your stack or lid that is.

retired trucker · 03-23-2013, 02:08 PM

I would say to leave the bottom loose so air can circulate. I cover mine with a smoker cover and leave the bottom loose. No moisture problem. Also are you covering it before it cools down completely?

AustinKnight · 03-23-2013, 03:33 PM

Or you could go to home depot or lowes and in the bbq section there will be covers for barrel type smokers made by char griller and a generics brand I think they cost 7 buck's. But my lid has a flat lip, nothing gets in or out;-)

Sent from my SGH-T999

03-23-2013, 09:30 AM	#1
grilling24x7 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-17-11 Location: Baltimore, Maryland	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 __________________ Weber Performer, 18.5" WSM, UDS.

03-23-2013, 09:54 AM	#2
HankB is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-16-12 Location: Winfield, IL	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? __________________ Weber Crazy

03-23-2013, 09:56 AM	#3
colonel00 Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-03-10 Location: Shawnee, KS	You might be restricting the air flow under the cover if you are tightening it down too much with the bungee cords. __________________ Brad [URL="https://www.instagram.com/bradsimmons00/"]Some of my photos on Instagram [/URL] [SIZE=1][I][COLOR=red]Proud owner of the PentaZero[/COLOR][/I][/SIZE] :whoo: [B][COLOR=red]WWWWFBBQADD[/COLOR][/B] [B]0 out of 1 members found this post helpful[/B] :thumb: “I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

03-23-2013, 10:41 AM	#4
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	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. __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

03-23-2013, 12:20 PM	#9
J-Rod is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-15-12 Location: Irish Hills, MI	If it's painted well I wouldn't worry about it, long as water isn't getting it thru your stack or lid that is. __________________ Okie Joe offset, UDS, Akorn, Weber Kettles, I'm JD.

03-23-2013, 02:08 PM	#10
retired trucker is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-28-11 Location: Dallas, Georgia	I would say to leave the bottom loose so air can circulate. I cover mine with a smoker cover and leave the bottom loose. No moisture problem. Also are you covering it before it cools down completely? __________________ Webber 22 1/2 OTG Gold, UDS, rusted out chimney, Red Lavatools Thermowand, Maverick ET 732, 1950 model wife. Walking cane to help me get around.

03-23-2013, 03:33 PM	#11
AustinKnight is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-23-10 Location: Austin Texas Name/Nickname : D	Re: UDS Covers - more trouble than they are worth? Or you could go to home depot or lowes and in the bbq section there will be covers for barrel type smokers made by char griller and a generics brand I think they cost 7 buck's. But my lid has a flat lip, nothing gets in or out;-) Sent from my SGH-T999 __________________ Pitmaker Magnum Snipper * UDS* Copper Kettle