Nasty WSM Worth Saving?


 
If this were mine, and its going to continue sitting a bit before you can get to cleaning it, I'd strongly consider spraying a fungicide all over it to make sure the stuff's dead before you begin the cleaning process of other chemicals (soap/bleach), stiff plastic brush, and pressure washer (and burn-in).
 
Just spray the mold with some 7% vinegar, scrape off the mold and then use a garden hose and a brush to remove the rest.
Then, load it up and let it rip as high as you can go.
All sorts of chemical cleaners an so forth is probably worse for your health than the molds. I've scraped off my WSM a couple of times, looking almost like this, and I'm sure my health problems are not related to any white mold.

Any pathogens in the mold is not likely sitting there with bungee- ropes attached, waiting to swing over to your food. If you remove the mold, the problems are gone. At least not after a hi-heat burn. Wash the grates, though. :)
 
Just use Tilex. It's an instant kill. One spray bottle will do it. Might have to spray it a couple, three times at 1 hour intervals if it's on thick. If the grates have rust replace those. Then rinse and burn :).
 
Update: Finally found the time to deal with this ugly mess. The first step was to burn out the crud, so I ended up with four chimneys full of coals dumped on piles of unlit briquettes. Over 20 pounds of charcoal overall on all levels - the bottom (normal), and the lower and upper cooking surfaces. The thing was chock full of burning charcoal. The temp at first shot up to 500 degrees, then leveled out at 450 for well over five hours. Who knew it could get so hot? The smell was putrid.

The next day I took it apart, laid it out and liberally sprayed everything with oven cleaner. Inside and out. Lather, rinse, repeat. In the end it came out much cleaner that I thought possible. Almost brand-new. The original stainless grates still needed help, so they went though the dishwasher then a meticulous scrubbing with a scotchbrite pad, then into the dishwasher again. They came out pretty darn good.

Everything was saved. I was sure it was all dumpster bound junk when I first posted this thread. You guys convinced me to give it a try and it worked out much better than I had hoped for. The oven cleaner discolored the aluminum front opening cover, but this was the only thing damaged. I ended up paining it with flat black BBQ paint. I like the look. Thanks all for the advise and encouragement. Now to re-season this puppy and start smokin some pork...
 
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All cleaned-up and ready to go.

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Squeaky clean, like brand new. No more green fuzz!

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Christmas morning 2008. Back in better days.
 
Looks like you got it almost back to new condition. Realize that until it gets seasoned again, it might burn a little hot. Try to manage your temps accordingly. That painted door looks alright. Might just give you a reason to upgrade to the Cajun Bandit Stainless Steel door. If interested, take a look at my mods thread for the info on it and the new handle.

http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?55072-THoey-s-WSM-Mod-Thread
 
THoey said:
Looks like you got it almost back to new condition. Realize that until it gets seasoned again, it might burn a little hot. Try to manage your temps accordingly. That painted door looks alright. Might just give you a reason to upgrade to the Cajun Bandit Stainless Steel door. If interested, take a look at my mods thread for the info on it and the new handle.

http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?55072-THoey-s-WSM-Mod-Thread
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, looks great!
 
Webster, great job saving your WSM! She looks good as new! Just in time to smoke the thanksgiving turkey.
Way to stick with it and not write it off for dead, you'll appreciate using it that much more knowing the work you put into it.
Tim
 
After you wash, I would also suggest a big fire in your cooker...just to re-season...and to get away from the wife....and bourbon....mainly the bourbon....
 
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