I ended up only putting the mesh on the grease spout. I did a cruddy job and just wrapped the mesh over the tube.. and then pinched it over and held in place with tie wraps. So far no rat has got in via the vents.
Gave it an hour on full... 15minutes to 500f then another 15min to 600f. Grease spigot is meshed up. I think the mesh is to fine -- gonna order some coarser stuff -- but for now it'll do. Caught the bugger on camera -- he was checking out the grill grates that I had left on the front shelf...
But I also removed the grill grates - since they had been collecting the most poop&pee -- maybe he is just visiting those outside of the grill now..hmmm...
Tonight when I took the grill grates out -- there was a puddle of rat pee -- blech. I had to work late -- so I didn't get the spigot covered before it got dark..:(
Wife has decided that new grill grates, grates, and drip tray are required before she'll eat off of it again. Will certainly make it easy not having to clean those particular parts. This evening I'll take a stab at attaching he mesh to the spigot -- but the vents -- I'm still not sure how to...
Subject says it all!
I wasn't certain it was a turd at first -- I had recently done a cheese smoke with a tube -- maybe it was a charred pellet? It was dark outside so I couldn't do a good inspection. Well the next day I looked and there were fresh droppings..:( blech!
Anyway -- while...