to clean or not to clean

[schmitty28]

Does anyone know if you should clean the inside of your smoker? If so how and what should you use to not lose the seasoning your smoker has developed

[Freddy j]

For arguments sake, what smoker you got? (Great avatar btw!)

[schmitty28]

its a home built offset resembles a my version of a jambo clone

[82's BBQ]

I have a large RF offset. I powerwash it out several times each year. Afterwards I spray the inside with Pam or something similar, it's worked great so far (I can still smell it during warm days).

[Pyle's BBQ]

I am a heavy user, so I clean my grates at least weekly. I just burn the grease and crap off and then take a wire brush to them. About once a month I will take a crumpled piece of foil and scrub the inside top and walls. My grease/water pan gets a build up in it so I have to scoop some of the burnt grease out. I do that on an as needed basis.
This is my smoker.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1358633283.093063.jpg

[schmitty28]

thanks for the info

[cholloway]

After your next cook spray the cook chamber with water from your hose while it is still hot. The steam will help clean it quite a bit.
Make sure you have the drain open.

[caseydog]

I clean my grates before every cook, but not the inside of my grills and smokers. I get the grates hot, and take a wire brush to them.

When the buildup of grease and carbon starts to flake off, I knock it off with a wire brush or ball of foil. I only do that to keep the flakes from falling on my food.

CD

[Texas Turtle]

On my offset, I use a wire brush on the grates when I take the meat off and then I usually let it sit overnight because I am pooped after fighting, er, feeding the thing for 10 - 12 hours on a big cook. Next day, I take a putty knife and scrape off the accumulated grease/gunk off the area below the cooking grates. It's usually still soft and comes off easily. Then I wipe it down with a paper towel and push any remaining liquid down to the drain. Use a wire brush reamer to clean out the drain and run a paper towel through it to finish up. I used to hose it out, but it tended to develop a little rust afterwards so I only do that a couple of times a year now.

[Ole Man Dan]

Originally Posted by 82's BBQ

I have a large RF offset. I powerwash it out several times each year. Afterwards I spray the inside with Pam or something similar, it's worked great so far (I can still smell it during warm days).

Even a couple of weeks after I use my Off Set, You can step out on my patio, and that BBQ smell seems to always be there.

My friends think I smoke everyday. I'd like to, but sadly I'm not in business.

I clean mine good, one or two times a year. The rest of the time I brush my grills, then wipe out the BBQ chamber and shovel out the firebox.

I do empty the grease bucket after every smoke, then wash it with Simply Green. No ants or critters making a mess.

[BobM]

I cook on WSMs, I wire brush the cooking grates and dump the ashes, that is it.

[Carbon]

I've never cleaned the inside walls of my UDS. It has a thick layer of built up gunk on it, top to bottom. Could be my imagination but I think all that gunk helps insulate the drum and maintain steadier temps. My UDS seems to perform better, the dirtier it gets. :)

[schmitty28]

all the replies have been great think I will clean the grates and knock any loose debris off with foil give a quick rinse down the drain wipe it dry to avoid rust and spray it down with pam with all the suggestions developed a good cleaning plan

[bo_gator]

Originally Posted by BobM

I cook on WSMs, I wire brush the cooking grates and dump the ashes, that is it.

Do you not have any of the black flakes falling off on your food

I take and bang my lid on the concrete before placing any food on the grate, and this seems to work most of the time

[jacksedona]

i cover my grates with aluminum foil make a few holes to let the hickory smoke come thru,as far as the sides of the weber rocky mt smoker i i clean them once a year with a steaer i wear ggges t protect my eyes

http://thebarbecuemaster.net