E20 rust problem?

My e20 is 3 weeks old and has been stored in a dry shed. The first time I used it I noticed a sort of rust coloured coating in the bottom stacker in lines like it was condensation. I thought it must be that but with smoke content in the condensing water and didn't think any more of it.

However today I cooked for four hours then closed all vents to kill the fire and left it for 3 hours when I returned to it there appeared to be surface rust on the outside of the lid around the lip. I thought it was the same thing as on the inside of the stacker. I took off the lid and it looked like there was surface rust all along the lip of the lid. I wiped the outside with kitchen paper and the coloured coating came away but underneath it looked like the paint had cooked away so I have a big light patch on the lid. Along the inside of the lip it still looks like rust. I'm worried that the paint has come away and a layer of surface rust has formed. Now I'm also concerned that the thing I saw in the stacker is also rust.

I bought the e20 because it's thicker steel and I want it to last. Can anyone tell me if they've seen the same thing? Is it normal and a smoke water coating or is it rust. I'm hoping I'm just being paranoid and it's normal but it does look dodgy to me.

Any feedback would be most welcome.

Steve, can you send some photos to me? ian@macsbbq.co.uk

I have never seen rust as you describe... is it not the residue left by the smoke?

Hey Mack,

You could be right, I might just be worrying about nothing. I've become very attached to my little smoker


I've emailed you some pictures. Please let me know what you think.

Cheers

Steve

I just want to say thanks to Mack for looking at the pictures and clearing the issue up for me. It appears that it's not rust but smoke residue that hasn't blackened yet. So I was just being paranoid

Thanks Mack.

I dont own an E20 yet but I would not call it a little smoker....its a rocking piece of kit p.l.a.b. C.J.

Jack, you should take a look at the Doc's new project then you'll agree the E20 is a "little" smoker

true..I think we're going to see a few big rigs this year

Hahaha funny this should come up.
I'm sat here after one hell of a long and wet day and still have several things to do before I can settle in for the evening. Tomorrow (Bank holiday) is build day and we plan on having it completly finished .

I need to get oner to a friends by 5:30 this evening for parts.

Need to get to the metal shop by 5:00 to pick up the exhause and flat bar.

Need to arrange to have the bowser taken to the shop by 4:45 and be there for a 7 am start Saturday.

The wife has my van with all the tools inside out grocery shopping with her mother.

Yes I'm on edge right now, but I got this.