Oil Absorbent DE to clean smoker?

CivilTrojan · 07-22-2021, 04:01 PM

I need to clean some grease out of the bottom of my pellet smoker and was wondering if anyone had ever used Oil Absorbent DE (link below) to help with this. I have some laying around so that’s what made me think of it and the bag says NSF on the front, but I don’t want to put something in there that could leave harmful chemicals behind.

Thanks for all and any help/advise.

The link to the product so you know what I’m talking about: https://epminerals.com/products/oil-absorbent-de

bschoen · 07-22-2021, 04:15 PM

I have heard of using kitty litter for oil spills.

GK02 · 07-22-2021, 04:22 PM

im pretty sure you can eat DE and it won't hurt you so I think it will work fine for cleaning a smoker. I know people also use it as an additive for gardens and as an absorbent.

I have used it in an industrial capacity for filtration and the only concern we ever had with it from a safety perspective was that the dust can be harmful if breathed in on a daily basis just due to the fine nature of it.

CivilTrojan · 07-22-2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschoen

I have heard of using kitty litter for oil spills.

Yeah, it’s similar. Seems like it would make cleanup less messy, but I’m not sure I want to put it inside my smoker.

CivilTrojan · 07-22-2021, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK02

im pretty sure you can eat DE and it won't hurt you so I think it will work fine for cleaning a smoker. I know people also use it as an additive for gardens and as an absorbent.

I have used it in an industrial capacity for filtration and the only concern we ever had with it from a safety perspective was that the dust can be harmful if breathed in on a daily basis just due to the fine nature of it.

Thanks! I think I will try it next time! Due to impatience, it’s already been cleaned and unfortunately made a bit of a mess.

GK02 · 07-22-2021, 04:45 PM

yeah you can even buy it as a food supplement on amazon so i'm pretty sure it would be safe to clean a smoker with. Not exactly sure why you would want to eat it but seems like it's safe to do so.

https://www.amazon.com/Diatomaceous-.../dp/B00025H2PY

SmokeRingsMatter · 07-22-2021, 05:10 PM

Kosher Salt..........

cowgirl · 07-22-2021, 08:49 PM

Flour

CivilTrojan · 07-22-2021, 10:28 PM

So kosher salt and flour will work the same and make cleaning easier?

SmokeRingsMatter · 07-22-2021, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivilTrojan

So kosher salt and flour will work the same and make cleaning easier?

Kosher Salt is more coarse then Flour.

(flour will make a mess) So it will break up any gunk. Its great for absorbing oil/liquids. Its basicly what most old school cast Iron pan cooks use to clean their pans. I have a Cast Iron pan i been using for 20 years. It has never touched water/soap. A quick douse with Kosher salt, and rubbed with a SS scrubber, then bake in the oven to cook off any bacteria.

SMOKE FREAK · 07-23-2021, 07:02 AM

Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of microscopic sea creatures known as Diatoms. it is used by organic gardeners because the razor sharp characteristics will slice open the soft underbellies of slugs and cutworms and other slithering offenders. The silica content of DE will further add to the dehydrating and eventual death of these pests.

I know that breathing it can cause problems for the respiratory system. And I can see no reason at all why a person would want to eat the stuff.

It works as an absorbent of liquids but it seems it would be a huge mess in a smoker situation.

sfisch · 07-23-2021, 07:27 AM

Be careful if you consume it, there are a few kinds of D.E., the food grade one is the one obviously consumable, used to put it in with the chicken feed, there is also a D.E. grade you put in swimming pool filters which is not consumable.

jzadski · 07-23-2021, 10:11 AM

I just use a plastic putty knife and dollar store orange bbq spray but, I have never had to clean out the bottom for grease just maybe the drip plate

cowgirl · 07-23-2021, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivilTrojan

I need to clean some grease out of the bottom of my pellet smoker and was wondering if anyone had ever used Oil Absorbent DE (link below) to help with this. I have some laying around so that’s what made me think of it and the bag says NSF on the front, but I don’t want to put something in there that could leave harmful chemicals behind.

Thanks for all and any help/advise.

The link to the product so you know what I’m talking about: https://epminerals.com/products/oil-absorbent-de

Quote:

Originally Posted by CivilTrojan

So kosher salt and flour will work the same and make cleaning easier?

Salt is an abrasive.
Flour works as an oil absorbent. If you put enough flour on, you should be able to vacuum it out of the smoker. I'd use a vacuum with bags for easy cleanup..

Just one more "food safe" option.

airedale · 07-23-2021, 06:09 PM

I used to clean oil spills on my garage floor with oil-dri soaked with aviation gas. Made a slurry and push it around. then swept it up. Av gas is nice because it evaporates completely/no residue. Now I have a house with an attached garage so I don't clean this way any more.

A slurry of oil-dri and av gas should work great in a smoker. I would keep it well away from the house, though.

07-22-2021, 04:01 PM	#1
CivilTrojan is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-18-20 Location: Los Angeles, CA Name/Nickname : Chad	Oil Absorbent DE to clean smoker? I need to clean some grease out of the bottom of my pellet smoker and was wondering if anyone had ever used Oil Absorbent DE (link below) to help with this. I have some laying around so that’s what made me think of it and the bag says NSF on the front, but I don’t want to put something in there that could leave harmful chemicals behind. Thanks for all and any help/advise. The link to the product so you know what I’m talking about: https://epminerals.com/products/oil-absorbent-de

07-22-2021, 08:49 PM	#8
cowgirl somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-18-07 Location: Oklahoma Name/Nickname : jeanie	Flour __________________ jeanie Lifetime member of the Society for the Preservation of Authentic Royal Magical Rare Kaskaskian Peppers (Thanks Ash :)) RIP Ash, you are missed http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/

07-23-2021, 07:02 AM	#11
SMOKE FREAK Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-03-16 Location: McPherson Kansas	Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized remains of microscopic sea creatures known as Diatoms. it is used by organic gardeners because the razor sharp characteristics will slice open the soft underbellies of slugs and cutworms and other slithering offenders. The silica content of DE will further add to the dehydrating and eventual death of these pests. I know that breathing it can cause problems for the respiratory system. And I can see no reason at all why a person would want to eat the stuff. It works as an absorbent of liquids but it seems it would be a huge mess in a smoker situation. __________________ Craig

07-23-2021, 07:27 AM	#12
sfisch is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-05-05 Location: Holly, Michigan	Be careful if you consume it, there are a few kinds of D.E., the food grade one is the one obviously consumable, used to put it in with the chicken feed, there is also a D.E. grade you put in swimming pool filters which is not consumable. __________________ Scott Rubbed, Smoked & Sauced BBQ Team Sponsored by Bars Leaks/Rislone Humphreys Battle Box Chargriller Akorn, Akorn Jr. Certified Moink Baller, CBJ# 53817

07-23-2021, 10:11 AM	#13
jzadski Babbling Farker Join Date: 11-06-14 Location: Lapeer, MI Name/Nickname : Joe	I just use a plastic putty knife and dollar store orange bbq spray but, I have never had to clean out the bottom for grease just maybe the drip plate __________________ 14" CBS, 18" & 22" WSM, Weber Kettle, Ducane Gasser, Rec Tec-680, MB-560, Blackstone 36"

07-22-2021, 04:15 PM	#2
bschoen Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-27-17 Location: State of Denial Name/Nickname : Bruce	I have heard of using kitty litter for oil spills.

07-22-2021, 04:22 PM	#3
GK02 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-20-17 Location: Park City, UT	im pretty sure you can eat DE and it won't hurt you so I think it will work fine for cleaning a smoker. I know people also use it as an additive for gardens and as an absorbent. I have used it in an industrial capacity for filtration and the only concern we ever had with it from a safety perspective was that the dust can be harmful if breathed in on a daily basis just due to the fine nature of it.

07-22-2021, 04:45 PM	#6
GK02 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 01-20-17 Location: Park City, UT	yeah you can even buy it as a food supplement on amazon so i'm pretty sure it would be safe to clean a smoker with. Not exactly sure why you would want to eat it but seems like it's safe to do so. https://www.amazon.com/Diatomaceous-.../dp/B00025H2PY

07-22-2021, 05:10 PM	#7
SmokeRingsMatter is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-31-20 Location: Bergen Town Name/Nickname : Poppy Pellet Pooper	Kosher Salt..........

07-22-2021, 10:28 PM	#9
CivilTrojan is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-18-20 Location: Los Angeles, CA Name/Nickname : Chad	So kosher salt and flour will work the same and make cleaning easier?

07-23-2021, 06:09 PM	#15
airedale is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-19-15 Location: City, MN	I used to clean oil spills on my garage floor with oil-dri soaked with aviation gas. Made a slurry and push it around. then swept it up. Av gas is nice because it evaporates completely/no residue. Now I have a house with an attached garage so I don't clean this way any more. A slurry of oil-dri and av gas should work great in a smoker. I would keep it well away from the house, though.