Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => recteq => Topic started by: Th3Batman86 on January 29, 2018, 07:27:35 PM
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Any of you fine folks use your RT680 in the weather? Store it in the weather? Smoke in the weather? Just wondering how it handles it.
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I keep mine outside but covered when not in use. I've used it in the rain and snow with no issues.
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I store mine in the garage. I wheel it out and have cooked in all kinds of weather.
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I store mine in the garage. I wheel it out and have cooked in all kinds of weather.
This is where I am right now. I am thinking of keeping it out back with just a cover. Just wondering what others were doing.
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I keep mine outside but covered when not in use. I've used it in the rain and snow with no issues.
So you use it while raining? Interesting.
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The unit can handle getting wet.
Please be aware, quite a bit of moisture builds up inside a grill/smoker in bad weather if not being used. They tend to mold very quickly inside if left outside and under one of the typical grill covers and not used very often. They just do not breath under that cover and over time things grow, especially if you use it for only/mostly low n slow smoking and do not get it to max temp to burn off all the grease/fats.. If you use it every week probably not an issue, let it sit a month or two.... :puke:
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I bought a cover on Amazon with two vents.
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The unit can handle getting wet.
Please be aware, quite a bit of moisture builds up inside a grill/smoker in bad weather if not being used. They tend to mold very quickly inside if left outside and under one of the typical grill covers and not used very often. They just do not breath under that cover and over time things grow, especially if you use it for only/mostly low n slow smoking and do not get it to max temp to burn off all the grease/fats.. If you use it every week probably not an issue, let it sit a month or two.... :puke:
Thanks for the advice. Right now it is in my garage but I would like to get it onto the back patio. However, there is no cover there and likely won't be until spring/summer. I have the "cold smoker" attachment so I think the only cover I can get that is large enough would be the one from RecTec. However it doesn't say anything about having vents so that might be something I need to look at for airflow.
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I actually was going to ask what everyone's experience with the cover has been. I grill all year long but have the grill cover on over winter in between uses. I notice moisture/condensation on the grill when I take the cover off despite the grill being cool and dry when I cover it. I'm trying just leaving it out uncovered, so far seems to be handling it just fine.
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RE: Mold and moisture ... Cold at nite. Sun hits the pit in the day. The dark cover absorbs heat = condensation. Add rain or melting snow that migrates thru the stitching = water.. Propping the lid open 1/8" to 1/4" with the cover on will help..Adding some sort of spacer, ie, 1/4" thick pvc (wont hold moisture) between the pit and cover, on top, to provide a small air space helps even more..If the pit hasn't been used after a rain or snow fall, remove the cover and hang to dry. Fully open the pit and let the air and sun in. Helps with rust too.
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RE: Mold and moisture ... Cold at nite. Sun hits the pit in the day. The dark cover absorbs heat = condensation. Add rain or melting snow that migrates thru the stitching = water.. Propping the lid open 1/8" to 1/4" with the cover on will help..Adding some sort of spacer, ie, 1/4" thick pvc (wont hold moisture) between the pit and cover, on top, to provide a small air space helps even more..If the pit hasn't been used after a rain or snow fall, remove the cover and hang to dry. Fully open the pit and let the air and sun in. Helps with rust too.
This is a good breakdown. I like the PVC idea!
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Forgot-MOST IMPORTANT: NEVER EVER cover a wet or damp pit!
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I guess I started this thread because I was mostly worried about the electronics or the pellets getting wet. Doesn't sound like anyone has a problem with that. Did anyone gasket their hopper lid? I was thinking about doing that but maybe it isn't necessary.
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I don’t think the lid needs a gasket as it overlaps enough. You also need it to breathe and the gasket would seal it up too tight.
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I've used mine in the rain many times and never any ill effects. Never had moisture get into the hopper either.
Dan
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I have mine in the back patio under the rec tec cover but the cover from rec tec isnt 100% waterproof. If rain sits on the cover for a while the body does get wet. I have noticed some rust along the top and bottom edge of the body where the door sits. At some point will need to sand and repaint. I want to take all the paint off and use a ceramic caliper paint for the entire body and door but not sure if its worth the trouble
Ive never had any mold issue with the rectec even though its not my go to pit. I have gmg JB with wifi that gets used the most. Once the rectec wifi controller is for sale the rectec will be my go to.
During rough weather I have a large patio umbrella that will keep my both pits underneath to offer some protection but it does get a bit wet. i make sure the pellet hopper is centered in the umbrella. In two years of using both never had a weather related issue.
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I have mine in the back patio under the rec tec cover but the cover from rec tec isnt 100% waterproof. If rain sits on the cover for a while the body does get wet. I have noticed some rust along the top and bottom edge of the body where the door sits. At some point will need to sand and repaint. I want to take all the paint off and use a ceramic caliper paint for the entire body and door but not sure if its worth the trouble
Ive never had any mold issue with the rectec even though its not my go to pit. I have gmg JB with wifi that gets used the most. Once the rectec wifi controller is for sale the rectec will be my go to.
During rough weather I have a large patio umbrella that will keep my both pits underneath to offer some protection but it does get a bit wet. i make sure the pellet hopper is centered in the umbrella. In two years of using both never had a weather related issue.
Nice, thanks for the input. I may have to look into some kind of umbrella/canopy until I get something more permanent constructed. Long term goal is a BBQ shed :)
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I use an patio umbrella
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Quadman750: Correct me if I am wrong. You have room for more pits there..Kind of looks like my place until I downsized to four pits.
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I would like to see a FEC120 on there one day
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Hey Quadman, can't remember if you showed that arsenal uncovered, but would be a great pic to see! Sorry Batman, did not mean to hijack your post. I do keep my pit out in the elements with a cover. I have cooked many times in rain and snow, but have a extendable awning I use to cover the pit/me during cooking. Yep, I cheat. My RT 680 pit is relatively new, coming up on 1 year, and so far shows no sign of any weather issues, and moisture has not been an issue.
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Hey Quadman, can't remember if you showed that arsenal uncovered, but would be a great pic to see! Sorry Batman, did not mean to hijack your post. I do keep my pit out in the elements with a cover. I have cooked many times in rain and snow, but have a extendable awning I use to cover the pit/me during cooking. Yep, I cheat. My RT 680 pit is relatively new, coming up on 1 year, and so far shows no sign of any weather issues, and moisture has not been an issue.
No need to apologize, we are all friends here! My wife fears that someday our patio will look like that. If only I am so lucky.
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Hey Quadman, can't remember if you showed that arsenal uncovered, but would be a great pic to see! Sorry Batman, did not mean to hijack your post. I do keep my pit out in the elements with a cover. I have cooked many times in rain and snow, but have a extendable awning I use to cover the pit/me during cooking. Yep, I cheat. My RT 680 pit is relatively new, coming up on 1 year, and so far shows no sign of any weather issues, and moisture has not been an issue.
I don’t think I have a pic of it uncovered,some put away for winter. If I remember in the spring I will get a pic & post.
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Perhaps Uncle Bent would generate a survey as to who has the most pits..
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Perhaps Uncle Bent would generate a survey as to who has the most pits..
https://pelletfan.com/index.php?topic=968.msg10274#msg10274
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I missed that one big time! Thanks Kristin.
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Take it from an old electronics engineer, any time you expose the electronics to a moist environment, you are asking for trouble. :2cents:
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Take it from an old electronics engineer, any time you expose the electronics to a moist environment, you are asking for trouble. :2cents:
This was my thought. That's why I was asking others their experiences.