Flaking Problem

[Dean C.]

During the last couple months, the smoke buildup/grease layer on the dome of my WSM has been flaking off. This happened once and I completely cleaned both cookers and lightly rubbed the inside with vegetable oil. Unfortunately, it happened again, this time at the Royal while we were cooking for sponsors and some of the flakes fell onto the food. Anyone have any suggestions for preventing this or is this just a problem that I will have to deal with. I have owned both smokers for nearly two years and this is the first time I have had this problem. Whats weird is that it happened twice with two months. Thanks again.

 

[Doug D]

This is normal. A bristle brush, or even crumpled paper towel, will serve to scrub off the flakey stuff. It's the combined result of smoke particulates and moist air that cause the rust-colored coating on the inside of the dome. Eventually, it will build up to the point where it will begin to flake off-- first like dandruff, then in leafy chunks, if left unattended.

 

[Bryan S]

OK Here's my 2 cents worth. Had the same problem but now that i only burn lump in the WSM i no longer get the flake build up.

JMO.(Binders) Bryan

 

[Chris Allingham]

Dean C.,

I have gotten into the habit of evaluating the inside of the lid before each cook, for fear of getting "dandruff" on my food. If I see the least bit of flakiness, I scrub inside the lid with a stiff bristle brush and water from the garden hose. It usually all comes right off.

Sorry you had a bad experience!

By the way, no need to waste good vegetable oil inside the cooker. The porcelain coating does not benefit from it.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Bryan S]

2 + years now flake free. See if you can get your WSM to burn 20.5 hrs on 8.5 lbs of Kinsford.

Thats right it takes 6 lbs or 100 briquetts to fill the chimney.

Plus the flake build up thingy. Bryan

 

[Dean C.]

Thanks guys.

 

[Jerry N.]

That happend to me once and now I chaeck the lid before each cook. That was terrible to see after so much time cooking. I still ate the ribs, but I don't want that to happen again.

 

[Matt J]

I use my pressure washer to clean the entire grill once a month or so.......haven't had any probs with it hurting the finish......cleans it up nicely.......and can put a bit of degreaser in and it cleans it up even better and then for good measureI clean it a second time with soap dispensed thru the pressure washer. Seems to work well.