Your WSM is a Smoking Beast!
Show it some love and keep it covered.
Here are the links to buy the right cover and accessories for your Weber Smokey Mountain on Amazon.
22.5 inch WSM Covers
Keeping rain out of your smoker will help the charcoal and cooking grates last longer and eliminate unpleasant surprises when you go to fire up your pit.
18.5 inch WSM Covers
Your WSM will last for decades if you take care of it. The first part of proper smoker maintenance is keeping it covered when not in use.
14.5 inch WSM Covers
Your miniature WSM is perfect for tailgating or for when you just want to do a small smoke like a chicken or a chuck roast. Make sure you keep this guy covered when not is use so it is always ready when you need to put it to use!
Weber Smokey Mountain Maintenance Tips
Buying a cover for your WSM is a great start to helping your smoker last longer. Keeping water out of the smoker will really help all of your grates last longer but will REALLY help the charcoal grate the most.
I also recommend that you remove spent ashes as soon as possible. The combination of charcoal ash and water can create a very corrosive environment. Cleaning out the ashes will help your components last longer and will have you ready to fire up your pit the next time you want to smoke a brisket.
Last, always try to clean your grates at the end of the cook while they are still warm and the grease is easily removable. The salt in the bbq rubs as well as the vinegar used in sauces and mops are corrosive and will eat away at your cooking grates.