Plug It - Things That Go Bump In The Night

[tomd8]

I may be the only one who worries about this but I plug the bottom drain hole and the top exhaust to prevent ants, spiders, etc. from getting inside after being attracted by smell or leftover grease.  I did this with my last smoker and I started doing it on the SI.  On the SI I use rolled up aluminum foil to plug the bottom and top holes. Since this is being left outside in a greenhouse there are plenty of critters roaming the ground.  Unlike my grill which has a flame and burns off anything low temps don't.  Am I alone in this?

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[old sarge]

You are not the only one.  A couple of years ago I spotted mouse droppings in my older cookshack.  After a thorough cleaning of scraping and oven cleaner, I used a short but heavy bolt and a washer to plug the hole when the smoker is not in use.  The washer was oversized and allowed me to bend it to fit the profile of the smoker floor pan and still slide over the bolt.  JB Weld secured the washer to the bolt and filled in the gap between bolt head and the bent washer. Problem solved.  Works well on the SI smokers too.

[tomd8]

Hi Dave - I like that idea of using a fender washer with a bolt instead of my aluminum foil plug.  Thank you for that.

[old sarge]

I am going to say this anyway:  Do not forget to remove the plug before using.  Don't even think about asking why!

[Limey]

I find that a plastic wine cork works perfectly for the top hole.

[tomd8]

Dave - Of course.   I do make my foil plug long which sticks well below the bottom and prevents the drip pan from sliding in.  I did that accidentally but it's an immediate reminder so I may try to incorporate that same thing.  A long bolt from the bottom with a stop to keep part sticking down along with the formed washer from the top with a wing nut may do the trick.

Limey - That's a good idea as well for the top.  Do you think a mouse could chew through it and fit through the top hole?

Th last thing I want are bugs falling into my smoking food.