Geir Widar
TVWBB Wizard
Good to see! I'm finally happy.
WSM Cleaning 101
- Thread starter Larry Wolfe
- Start date
S Mitchell
TVWBB Pro
Glad to see she's back! I never woulda believed it. Yet another reason to join the forum. You are the Chuck Yeager of grillin! You pushed the envelope and came back safe. Press on brother!
Dennis Lubertozzi
TVWBB Member
Ah - Mine looked pretty similar before last weekend. I hadn't used it since Memorial Day weekend and had also been too lazy to clean it out in a timely manner after that weekend's cook. I took the same approach to cleaning it out - a whole bag of Kingsford and quite a few big chunks of smoke wood to burn everything off, then I hit it with a mixture of bleach, soap, water, and a bit of elbow grease. I didn't bother cleaning the grates though, just sprung for two new ones from the local Ace. Now she's good as new.
I guess I have to confess to. I normally leave mine in the garage but erlier this spring I left it outside with grease in the water pan. We had a really hard rain that afternoon and I just moved it close to the house. Well I did not use it for another month or so and when I went to use it the wsm had white mold in it. I used some oven cleaner and a plastic bondo spreader to clean mine. Followed by a 4 hr 350* burn. That was the sadest day of my summer!
Tim L.
TVWBB Pro
Wow, I would have never known that the heat method could be that effective. Well done! Any tips on keeping it clean to avoid that? I keep mine outside with the cover on it. As it approaches "rainy season" (yeah, sure, I'll believe rain when I see it) I'll put it under the overhang. Do most folks keep there's outside or in the garage? Do most people wipe down after every use and/or apply Pam? So far I'm guilty of taking no cleaning efforts.
Thanks!
Thanks!
David Verba
TVWBB Fan
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tim L.:
Wow, I would have never known that the heat method could be that effective. Well done! Any tips on keeping it clean to avoid that? I keep mine outside with the cover on it. As it approaches "rainy season" (yeah, sure, I'll believe rain when I see it) I'll put it under the overhang. Do most folks keep there's outside or in the garage? Do most people wipe down after every use and/or apply Pam? So far I'm guilty of taking no cleaning efforts.
Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I bought my smoker last September then hit the worst winter I've seen in my adult life. I kept it outside all winter long under an overhang that just covers my smoker. Granted I used it quite often last winter, and will again this winter, I'm sure.
When I first started using my smoker, I was pretty nuts about keeping it clean - I have a tall tub dish washer and was able to fit the body in it, then a second round with the lid & grates. However, I know better now - the more you use it, the better it seals up/heat control.
No water - use clay pot - absolutely zero time to clean up. Lift foil, and throw away - about 10 seconds compared to finding a place to dump the water so my dog doesn't try to eat the dirt I dump it in, scrubbing the bowl, re-foiling the bowl, just yuck. (I use about half the fuel I did when I was using water - easily get 18 hours on a full ring now)
It has been a great spring/summer this year for learning - all from this site and its knowledgeable members!
I suggest using it a few times a month in the winter, that will keep it clean.
Wow, I would have never known that the heat method could be that effective. Well done! Any tips on keeping it clean to avoid that? I keep mine outside with the cover on it. As it approaches "rainy season" (yeah, sure, I'll believe rain when I see it) I'll put it under the overhang. Do most folks keep there's outside or in the garage? Do most people wipe down after every use and/or apply Pam? So far I'm guilty of taking no cleaning efforts.
Thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I bought my smoker last September then hit the worst winter I've seen in my adult life. I kept it outside all winter long under an overhang that just covers my smoker. Granted I used it quite often last winter, and will again this winter, I'm sure.
When I first started using my smoker, I was pretty nuts about keeping it clean - I have a tall tub dish washer and was able to fit the body in it, then a second round with the lid & grates. However, I know better now - the more you use it, the better it seals up/heat control.
No water - use clay pot - absolutely zero time to clean up. Lift foil, and throw away - about 10 seconds compared to finding a place to dump the water so my dog doesn't try to eat the dirt I dump it in, scrubbing the bowl, re-foiling the bowl, just yuck. (I use about half the fuel I did when I was using water - easily get 18 hours on a full ring now)
It has been a great spring/summer this year for learning - all from this site and its knowledgeable members!
I suggest using it a few times a month in the winter, that will keep it clean.
Steve Whiting
TVWBB All-Star
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Larry Wolfe:
She's all clean and purdy now! Gotta 8lb brisket that I'm gonna cook tomorrow, but might just do it on the kettle.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Larry, Larry, Larry. Throw that Brisket on the WSM. I know the two of you have had a falling out of sorts but isnt it time to make up? Nothing like falling in love all over again!
She's all clean and purdy now! Gotta 8lb brisket that I'm gonna cook tomorrow, but might just do it on the kettle.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Larry, Larry, Larry. Throw that Brisket on the WSM. I know the two of you have had a falling out of sorts but isnt it time to make up? Nothing like falling in love all over again!
James Trapp
TVWBB Fan
I got mine nice and moldy once. A mild detergent and a water hose took care of the bulk of the grime and the fire sterilized the cooker.