How to Clean Your Smoker
Q: My husband got a smoker and he has a very thick buildup of what he calls creosote. I have looked everywhere and can find no good info on how to clean it, help please!
A: If it is really bad you can use some "simple green" and a scraper and/or wire brush to remove the buildup. Be sure to recoat with some type of cooking oil when finished to prevent rusting.
If it is not too bad, you can heat it up to about 400 degrees or so and spray it out real good with water. The water will turn to steam when it hits the hot metal and make the goo come loose.
Once again.. be sure to rub down with cooking oil to prevent rust after any type of cleanup like this.
Usually creosote buildup is caused by using green, unseasoned wood and/or inadequate airflow in and out of the smoker.
I don't know what type of smoker he has but if it is one that has an intake on the firebox and then a damper or stack coming out of the smoking chamber, tell him to keep the damper on the stack 3/4 to full open and the intake on the firebox should be at least half way open most of the time. This may require building a slightly smaller fire since the extra air will make it burn hotter but it will also burn cleaner.
If he has a vertical bullet type smoker then the only thing you can really do is make sure the wood chunks you are using are well seasoned and be sure to use good lump charcoal.
Visit Smoking-Meat.com and WYNTK.us for hundreds of great tutorials and guides on smoking meat.
The Technorati Tag for this post is Cleaning the Smoker
Jeff's Naked Rib Rub and BBQ Sauce Recipes.. a religious experience! Make everyone think you're a pro (even if you're not!)
A: If it is really bad you can use some "simple green" and a scraper and/or wire brush to remove the buildup. Be sure to recoat with some type of cooking oil when finished to prevent rusting.
If it is not too bad, you can heat it up to about 400 degrees or so and spray it out real good with water. The water will turn to steam when it hits the hot metal and make the goo come loose.
Once again.. be sure to rub down with cooking oil to prevent rust after any type of cleanup like this.
Usually creosote buildup is caused by using green, unseasoned wood and/or inadequate airflow in and out of the smoker.
I don't know what type of smoker he has but if it is one that has an intake on the firebox and then a damper or stack coming out of the smoking chamber, tell him to keep the damper on the stack 3/4 to full open and the intake on the firebox should be at least half way open most of the time. This may require building a slightly smaller fire since the extra air will make it burn hotter but it will also burn cleaner.
If he has a vertical bullet type smoker then the only thing you can really do is make sure the wood chunks you are using are well seasoned and be sure to use good lump charcoal.
Visit Smoking-Meat.com and WYNTK.us for hundreds of great tutorials and guides on smoking meat.
The Technorati Tag for this post is Cleaning the Smoker
Jeff's Naked Rib Rub and BBQ Sauce Recipes.. a religious experience! Make everyone think you're a pro (even if you're not!)
posted by Jeff at 12:42 PM
1 Comments:
I have the same issue with my Oklahoma Joe Horizontal Somker. I was able to scrape out most but there is a coat on the inside of the lid that feels and looks like black glass.
I am thinking about going with another type pit. I have found you really have to watch not only temp but how much smoke your meat is getting. I would also like a propane fire starter in the fire box. What do you recomend?
Thanks
Steve
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