Opinions Please - leaving Blackstone outdoors

kl8ton

We are going camping at the beach and will be there starting today until August 1, give or take.  In that amount of time, we will likely see at least 3 or more significant storms.  We are right on Lake Michigan with no real protection from wind/rain.

I am certainly bringing the Blackstone with us.  Can I leave the thing outside for a month uncovered?  The camper has an awning but it will get rolled up at night as awning stand no chance at direct winds coming off the lake.  It will see nearly daily use out there.  Reading the reviews of the Blackstone cover, it looks like it doesn't protect it from rain that well.  Users have uncovered the Blackstone only to find the griddle top wet.  One thought I have is to take the griddle top off and store in the back of the Excursion or Jeep when not in use.  I assume with this being built for the outdoors, the rest should be fine if not covered.  

Since we will be out there for so long, I am almost certain, I will bring the Large BGE as well.  I know that will stand up to all weather! I will be commuting to work most of the time so I will have plenty of opportunities to bring more items out there if needed.  

Please let me know your thoughts and experiences with the Blackstone and how it fairs in the elements.

SmokeyPitt

I have the cover and I had issues with it leaking.  I fixed by using a roof vent like this

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Speedi-Products-4-in-Galvanized-Umbrella-roof-Vent-Cap-EX-RCGU-04/202907396?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D26P-AirCirculation|&gclid=CPn6oJ6o3M0CFdgXgQode0AJmg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Along with a cheap blue tarp under the cover.   If you don't care how it looks I would just use a roof vent (or something to make a tent like peak) and a cheap blue tarp along with some bungee cords or rope to make the tarp taught.  

fishlessman

i leave mine out at camp and just use it weekends, it gets a light rust but nothing that doesnt clean up easily. it gets used enough that the rust doesnt get to the pitting stage, it pretty much just wipes off with an oiled napkin. i do not have it covered

kl8ton

Thanks for the feedback.

Sonny3

I had a piece of 1/4 inch plywood laying around, so I cut it about 1 inch bigger than the griddle size.  Lay it on top of the griddle and put the cover on.  Since then I have not had any issues with rain puddling or getting through to the griddle.  Also makes for a good windbreak behind the griddle when I need it.  FWIW

stlcharcoal

I have mine in my garage, but want to put it out with the BGE's.

I really want to get a piece of Corian for the top.  Use a router to cut a groove into the underside that fits the shape of the "backsplash" of the gilling surface.  If there's plenty of overhang on all four sides, and I cut a groove on the underside of the outer perimeter, then it should keep the water from rolling underneath.

The only thing I wonder is how big to cut the groove for the grill.  You have to figure that grill surface expands and contracts with heat.  I'm thinking if you keep it tight for the back and one of the sides, then oversize the other side groove, I should be ok.  I just don't want to make it too loose, because then it's a crappy table or work surface.