If you’re someone who enjoys using an electric smoker and hosting fun barbecue parties every now and then, you’re probably used to doing it outside. Using a smoker inside is typically not recommended and it can prove as a really bad idea for more reasons than one.
The best time to use an electric smoker is in summer when it’s sunny and you can have fun preparing your food outside. However, even during the hot summer months, there can be unexpected rainy days.
If checking the weather daily to make sure it will be nice and warm presents a burden, or you simply don’t want the weather to influence your cooking activities, you might be wondering whether it is possible to use your electric cooker in the rain.
That way, you wouldn’t have to worry about whether the prognosis was wrong and could stay indifferent if the rain still poured even though they said the day would be sunny.
The answer to this question, however, is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. In truth, you could use an electric smoker in the rain, but not just any electric smoker, and not in just about any way. You would have to be extra careful and take certain precautions to make sure you’re still staying safe.
Let’s not forget that electricity and water don’t mix well, so in order to make sure this scenario plays out well, you need to get informed and prepared before you turn your electric smoker on in the rain.
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What Electric Smoker Can I Use in the Rain?
Nowadays, there is no shortage of different brands and models of electric smokers that provide you with a wide range of neat features. Although you can find high-quality electric smokers that are extremely durable and sturdy, there are no waterproof ones on the market that come with a 100% guarantee to work even during the rain.
The electric cookers that are best to use in the rain are the ones that are made of high-quality materials, such as steel and aluminum. They should be able to withstand the bad weather and prove as a better choice for smoking your food in the light rain.
You would have to make sure that you’re using a grounded GFCI outlet and that extension cords are rated for outdoor use, protected from the rain, and aren’t sitting in water.
However, even such smokers can be damaged if exposed to a deluge. As we already said, there are no waterproof electric cookers, so if the rain is too heavy, we advise you not to turn your electric smoker on. It might be able to withstand a few drops of rain here and there, but you shouldn’t risk it breaking down and malfunctioning.
How Can I Use an Electric Smoker When It’s Raining?
If you’re hell-bent on using your electric smoker even when it’s raining and you don’t want to reschedule, there are a few ways you can minimize the chances of it turning out badly. Take a look at the table below for tips on how to use your electric smoker in the rain:
| Tips | Explanation |
| Use a Tent/Cover | The best way to ensure your electric smoker doesn’t experience any issues due to the rain is to protect it from it as much as possible. Using a cover or a tent for these purposes is one of the best solutions. However, there are certain downsides to this.
For example, you can’t use just any tent or cover because your electric smoker will heat up pretty quickly, and if your cover is made from non-heatproof materials, it could catch on fire. Luckily, there are tents that are designed for grilling and that you can purchase especially for these occasions. They are fire retardant, so you won’t have to worry about them catching on fire when near your electric smoker. |
| Precook the Meat | Precooking the meat in the oven can help you save time and avoid exposing your electric cooker to rain more than necessary. Take some time to cook your meat in the oven, then put it in foil and bring it outside to smoke it in your electric smoker.
That way, you will spend way less time outside preparing the meat while your smoker stands there waiting in vain while absorbing the rain. Minimize the risk of your smoker malfunctioning by thinking ahead! |
The Disadvantages of Using an Electric Smoker in the Rain
A lot can go wrong when you mix electricity with water, so, naturally, there are a few disadvantages to using your electric smoker in the rain that you should consider.
We’re here to break them down so that you can take everything into consideration before deciding whether to use your smoker outside while it’s raining or not. Here are a couple of common disadvantages:
1. Rusting
Nobody wants a smoker that looks rusty and nasty. Unfortunately, exposing your electric smoker to rain often can lead to such outcomes. If your smoker isn’t made of high-quality materials, the metal around the hinges, latches, vents, rear panel, and other moist areas will start to get rusty.
Rusting is not only aesthetically unpleasing, but it also damages the appliance, makes your smoker less effective, and, sometimes, even renders it unusable.
2. Electricity
As we already mentioned, electricity and water do not go well together. If you expose your electric smoker to rain often, the drops can get in the grease catcher or top vent and cause a series of issues.
Even if there aren’t any huge and dangerous risks, like the smoker catching on fire (although possible if you’re not being careful enough), these issues are nonetheless inconvenient and will result in you wishing you didn’t use your smoker in the rain in the first place.
Using an electric smoker in the rain, generally, wouldn’t be the best course of action. There is more than one thing that could go wrong and more than one disadvantage we explained in this article that you should consider before turning your smoker on while raining.
However, if you are willing to get the additional protective tools and gear we mentioned, you might be able to pull it off.