I have had my 22.5 WSM now for almost 5 years. Only issue I have ever had were the grates rusting. That was all me in my earlier days of smoking and I left the water in the pan after a smoke and voila!!! 6 months later, white mold in the smoker and rusty grates. So, these days I clean the water pan and grates directly after a smoke prior to eating any goodness. That is where my question comes in... Do any of you clean the inside of your WSM's? I did once, and that was because of the above mentioned brain fart. But never since. I feel that it is properly seasoned and all that gunk (not crap, but smoke residue) helps keep the heat and smoke in the smoker. If I am wrong, please tell me so. I am wondering if anyone thoroughly cleans their WSM after every smoke, or every other. I am OCD when it comes to cleaning, and would like to clean my smoker, but I feel that would only hinder the performance of it.
Cleaning your WSM...
- Thread starter RLinNH
- Start date
Dwain Pannell
TVWBB Hall of Fame
I wipe down the grates and outside but that's about it. I also haven't used water in a long time. I believe the water creates an opportunity for mold growth. But then again, I use it most weekends which probably prohibits mold growth.
If grates have really tough baked on stuff I do this: http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?54938-Cleaning-the-22-5-quot-Grates!-Any-Tips
If grates have really tough baked on stuff I do this: http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?54938-Cleaning-the-22-5-quot-Grates!-Any-Tips
Last edited:
Tom Golden
TVWBB Pro
I just empty the water after the WSM cools. Usually grease floating on top...