How to prevent mold?

bcrawfo2

I know the answer is to use my egg more.
But...
I just got back from a two week vacation and found mold on my cooking grate (grid), plate setter and fire ring.

I had the egg totally closed up (rain cover on) and bottom vent fully closed.

Any thing I could do differently?
I have an aluminum rain cap (that I got from Home Depot). Could I use that to let the egg breathe while still keeping rain out?

Panhandle Smoker

Is your cover a vented cover? keeping the vents open may help and a vented cover would be much better. On the down side wasp will find it inviting and more moisture could get into the egg causing the lump to get damp. Your first answer is the best one use the Egg more.

Rascal

If it's under cover, leave the lid & bottom vent open. If not, be as innovative as you can to allow air to circulate through it. In extreme cases (as boaters often do during the off-season) light a low-watt bulb (like 15w) to keep the mildew/mold in check.

Little Chef

Typically it's the food or sauce drippings that will mold. Make sure the Egg and grid are good and clean before storing for any length of time. A clean burn the day before covering should eliminate the problem for future storings. (flip the plate setter over so the drippings are facing the coals during the burn, and all those drippings will cook right off.)

Morro Bay Rich

Move to a place with lower humidity (ex. Arizona). :woohoo:

Crimsongator

I was going to say cook on the egg more often, but you are correct.