I am sure when you guys reply here i am going to feel like an idiot for not figuring it out, but i will ask anyway.

The second shelf is 33+ inches long.  I was keeping it on the bottom shelf under the cover of my RecTec but honestly every time i pull the cover off there is dead grass and even spider webs on it.  i think when the mower goes but it creates a void inside and all of the grass flies in and just settles on the bottom shelf where i have the rack laying.  I would like to put it in a container after washing it.  Most totes are too small.  Any good ideas out there to keep it clean and out of the way but still on the shelf?  Garbage bag (hate that idea but would work)?

thanks...

why not keep it inside the grill

why not keep it inside the grill

+1

 I have a shelf I store hanging from a crossmember in my BBQ gazebo. The negatives are, moving around in the wind, and if oily, dripping. If the shelf isn't used much, a spot in the garage or basement( that is

if you have either) ..I have a pegboard on one garage wall located by the back door. It's on the way to my cooking area. A good half is dedicated to outdoor cooking. What I found handy is the ability to

rearrange items easily without the destruction of adding and removing nails/screws..I gave it a coat of urethane so it does not absorb oil... I also have a 4 shelf rack in the basement dedicated to "outdoor

cooking and BBQ".

I keep mine in the grill, and place on the lower shelf while the pit is running.  I have started it up forgetting to take the shelf out a few times.  Lucky I was cooking at low temp so it did not get too hot to remove.

You nailed it.  A couple of reasons. 

I did forget one time and started up the smoker.  Both second shelf and grates in there.   Was tying to keep them separate.  Am currently keeping them all inside but feels like i am cheating on my wife when i clean up the smoker and then stick the grates, shelf and cooking mats in there.   Ha! 

I keep my second shelf in my smoker along with other things that I use in the smoker each time.  If I don't use the second shelf I put it on my outside countertop while smoking.