Oh, the art of cleanup that smoker grill for it’s a must-perform in order to maintain the good shape of this fire-breathing dragon!
But you might want to resist the temptation of hosing it down because you do not want your smoker sad and sodden. Water cannot be combined with smoker grills better than oil can mix with water figuratively speaking.
Those pellets you love? They will decay faster than my determination to start dieting on Monday.
So, here is one cool trick on how to get rid of dirt from your favorite smoking machine with nothing else but just your wit and elbow grease.
This is for maintenance not cleaning because a smoke-belching dinosaur of this magnitude should always be ready for another feast.
No way Jose except when used as hydration or vodka during last season’s scrubbing away. Please don’t drown the digital masterpiece. Let it keep functioning right.
Step 1: Removing Ashes
Your grill’s ash problem is like a guest who overstays his welcome and causes disorderliness. Grab a small handheld vacuum and suck up all that pesky ash.
This prevents rust and makes sure your smoker grill has a good performance. Think about it as an ultimate spa day treatment for your grill.
Step 2: Dismantling them
The puzzle that is your smoker grill has parts that could be easily taken apart such as racks, drip trays, smokers-boxes, name them.
Dissemble them for proper cleaning. It will give you some space so that even each part gets its deserved treat.
Step 3: Scrub off the Grills
Now over to the grates on the grill. Place them in your preferred smoker or barbecue cleaner for around five minutes just like you would do when taking a bath placing them into bubbles only this time round they are grates too.
Then using a wire brush meant for grilling grate make sure they shine completely.
Step 4: Scrape Off Built-Up Grease
Here, the problem is grease. To get rid of greasy soil from below the grill grates use a putty knife or wire brush to scrape it off.
A steamer or power washer works wonders, too. You can also scrub your way through the grease trap and chimney.
Step 5: Wiping It Clean
After you have done battle with grease, clean out the inside of your grill’s chamber using a pellet grill cleaner. Give attention to the temperature probe in particular.
If need be, use a wet /dry vacuum cleaner to remove stains from the smoker and fire pot.
Step 6: Cleaning Rust
Like an itch that you cannot reach is what rust feels like. First, try a wire brush then move on to fine sandpaper.
Use high-temperature-resistant paint on its exterior of course so as to avoid future rust attacks. Your barbecue deserves this kind of look!
Step 7: Apply Stainless Steel Cleaner
Your smoker grill has several stainless steel components in it. They will shine for many years if you keep them polished with stainless steel cleaners.
Step 8: Oiling It Down
Finally, give the interior a thorough rubdown with vegetable oil or any high-temperature cooking oil run at 350 degrees for a few hours.
This helps prevent rusting, heal existing rusty parts, and make sure fat does not stick onto grates. Put some more oil on it after which your grill is set to go for another adventure amongst flavors again.
Smoker Maintenance
Taking care of a smoker goes beyond just cleaning it once in a while; you have to maintain it properly.
- After Use:
When every time one is through with their cooking process, switching on this equipment to run at the highest flame for 10-15 minutes will go a long way in burning out any remnant food particles.
Then employ a grill bristle brush and scrub gently the grates and other cooking areas before wiping off outside parts with humid fabric to remove running oils.
- Dry It Out And Replace:
Allow the grill to dry completely before putting another foil on its drip tray. This prevents the accumulation of grease which can cause unwanted smells or even lead to fire outbreaks.
- Look for Rust:
Examine the smoker for rust spots. Sand such areas down and coat them externally with high-temperature paint so that they cannot corrode further in the future.
Regular maintenance is important if you want your smoker to work effectively over a long period of time.
What If The Smoker Has Mold?
So it’s been a while since you used your smoker and after some time, you open it only to find mold inside! Nevertheless, this is not unusual. Mold forms in the smoker and smoke chamber when there is too much moisture in the area.
Just fill a bowl or tin with boiling water that is microwave-safe. In the oven put the dish and let it on high temperature for almost an hour. When all mold has burned off, clean everything off with a gentle scrape of grease or other things.
For stubborn mold spots, use vinegar mixed with baking soda as an extra cleaning option. Apply on these areas, allow to sit for a few minutes then scrub off using a brush.
Finally, rinse well in warm water and dry completely. The smoker, however, is pesky but if you follow these steps you will have it back into action within no time.
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How Often Should You Clean a Smoker?
If you have looked at your smoker properly and feel that it needs a deep clean, then surely it’s time to clean it. But how frequently does one actually clean their own smoker? That depends on who you ask for an answer.
If you are someone who uses your smoker quite often and at least more than twice per week, once every 3-5 uses should be enough thorough cleaning. Also, try to deep clean at least twice or thrice every year
However, if seldomly used like once per week approximately then only after 8-10 usages maybe one thorough cleanup would be highly recommended.
Therefore regular cleaning helps maintain the efficiency of the smokers’ system and hence preserve the flavor quality of food prepared in them.
The use of well-maintained smokers not only allows longevity but also guarantees tasty food devoid of hazards due to unwanted residues.
So get into practice this schedule suits your usage best and you will have smoke-kissed goodies from your smoker every time.