I'm cooking in the rain, just cooooking in the rain.......

dublin

OK so now that the fall (and rain) is just around the corner, what is the best way to light the egg???
I use an electric starter but am afraid to use it in the rain, will it take long to start a fire with a starter cube with the lid down? and what about heavy down pours with the daisy wheel bearly open?? will it still light and just take a long time????[p]Looks like rain tonight and I am having a half Rack Of Lamb from costco's, and ice cold Michelob.[p]Dublin[p]

tn slagamater

Dublin, Someone earlier in the archives had a great idea to place a coffee can or #10 size gallon can over the daisey wheel in rain after punching several large holes in the sides of the can to allow the smoke/ heat / exhaust out.[p]

QBabe

Dublin,[p]If you find a good answer to this one, I wanna know too! That's one problem I have as well, since mine sits out on an open patio, with no overhead coverage. [p]When I've had to lately, I have a patio umbrella on a stand (got from Sam's Club) that I've moved from one side of my 28' patio to the other side so I have an something to provide some minimal coverage if I have to light it after it has begun raining, or if I have to mop/baste or check on whatever is cooking. But, I gotta tell ya, that really gets old...first, if I move it from where it usually lives (near my fishpond and two swivel chairs) then I no longer have a dry place to sit when I'm done lighting 'er up; second, it's not exactly light so is kind of a pain to move around; and third, it's big and one of these days, I'm going to knock out the glass in my kitchen window![p]So, while I get by, I have the same problem......Sorry, not much help here, unless you want a temporary solution that would work until you can figure out something better.[p]QBabe
:-)

Unknown

Dublin, while the punched out coffee can will work, but iffin you want something a little more fancy and not subject to rust like that can - go to any home impr store and buy a metal cap for a roof vent pipe. It is made of galvanized sheet metal, has a peaked dome and is attached to a metal band that will sit over Miss Daisy. Cost you 6 bucks and works and looks remarkably cool! Just be careful in handling whether you go with the can or the cap that sucker gets HOT!

Zeke

Dublin,[p]I know others have more experience than I do re weather and the egg. However, last Friday night was the maiden voyage for me, the BGE and a Boston Butt. It started to rain about 2AM (I put the butt on at 11PM.) The daisy wheel was just slightly open and the rain had no effect on the temp. Perhaps it was beginners luck but I'll take luck anywhere I can find her. Like you, I don't believe that I would want to use the electric starter in wet weather.

Julie

Dublin,
I only use the fire starters that BGE sells. I put two in my BGE and use a lighter. It is easy and doesn't require me to haul the extension cord out or worry about anyone having electricity when I bring my BGE to other people's houses. I haven't had any problem with cooking in the rain or snow. You might want to make sure you put some (not necessarily all)fresh charcoal in when it is damp outside.

Spin

Dublin,[p]I started with the crumbled newspaper serveral years ago and got quite good at it, even in the rain. I now use a MAPP gas torch to start the lump, after a couple of years using a propane torch. The propane was quick, clean, and produced a very nice start to the fire in 60 seconds or less. MAPP gas does the same in half the time.[p]Starter cubes have been the staple for a long time. Dig a small hollow in the center of your lump, lite and set the cube in the hollow, and cover with a couple of pieces of lump and you are set to go. My only complaint with using starter cubes is that you must wait for the cube to totally burn up before adding the meal as they all tend to produce an off odor that I wouldn't want to apply to my meal.[p]If lighting the Egg requires an umbrella (for me) or the weather report forecasts very heavy rains, I do add a gas chimney vent cap over the top vent only to help with my comfort level with using the Egg in the rain. The cap is a crutch I use only for my security. Even before using it, I have never had a problem with cooking using the Egg in the rain. Rain is not a problem, other than your concerns with the electric starter.[p]Spin[p]

WudEyeDoo

kat,
I agree with you. The roof vent cap works perfectly, it almost seems like it was made for us eggers.

WessB

<p />Dublin,
Here`s how I deal with that problem...drilled a hole in the top of my table and one in the lower shelf and stick in a patio umbrella...BTW this is at PG`s house..we toted my Egg over there for a party we had...when back home the umbrella covers both the large and my small egg at the same time..[p]Wess

Chris

WessB,
Nice set-up.
How do you move the BGE? The BGE aline is about 140lbs; must be ober 200 lbs with the table. Do you take apart and move all the pieces seperately.

Unknown

Come on Wess, show him your 800 pound guerilla!

Unknown

kat,
LOL...actually if you look at the right side of the table there are some boards that slide in and out ( ext. handles ) and the wheels on the left..it`s actually very easy to move..but honestly Page and I picked it up and put it in his truck, but I rolled it to and from the truck with no problems..I was cooking ribs while he did pork tenderloins, and when that was done we alternated about 8 pizzas...What a PARTY ..[p]Wess