Protecting the mains plug from the elements - inline RCD replacement
Ninja generally do a really good job with their products, but I don't understand their decision making process for the supplied mains plug on this BBQ. Everything about it seems to be a really poor design. There's no way to leave this plugged in without leaving a 240V UK mains plug exposed to the elements:
- The RCD plug is too large to fit in any waterproof socket or extension lead.
- The supplied lead is so short it's always exposed to the weather.
We have proper outdoor sockets on the patio, but I couldn't leave the FlexFlame plugged in. The weather cover on the socket had to be open when the BBQ was in use, and the mains lead was so short I needed to use an extension lead anyway.
I've wound up removing the supplied mains plug and fitting an inline RCD with a longer lead. This works so much better I can't believe it's not their standard design.
The new lead is long enough I have the flexibility to position the BBQ where I want, and both the RCD and socket are IP66 rated soI can leave the BBQ permanently plugged in with all the 240V connections properly protected from the elements.
... and then 2 days after ordering everything from Amazon and fitting it I found I'm not the only one being annoyed by this and there's even a conversion kit (although the lead on that looks far too short). https://toughleads.co.uk/products/conversion-kit-to-replace-ninja-oven-and-bbq-rcd-plugs-with-an-in-line-rcd