Anyone have issues with varmits getting in smokers or grills?
I live on the outskirts of town in Pinon-Juniper woodland. Nice, except that it's been a battle keeping mice and wood rats at bay. I've had to fortify my traeger at least 3 different times, I'm not very smart I suppose.
First, a wood rat got in through the chimney and made himself a nice home for a couple months.
Next, it was mice coming in through drip port and little air(?) hole on opposite side. This family of mice made exquisite nests mostly by collecting my Great Pyrenees' hair and using that.
Supplier of mouse nest material:
Last, they got down into fan blower box and nested in there. Discovered those guys when I heard the fan going clunk, clunk, clunk on a mouses head after turning it on! Had to dispose of about 8-10 that time.
I used hardwire cloth to solve the issue:
Was surprised (not really)they figured out how to access blower area down the side of pellet storage.
Thankfully, through it all I've managed to keep smoker going even after some wire repair in blower box.
To whit, some 3-2-1 from this weekend: