How to clean WSM

dml85

Newbie

Original poster

Jun 19, 2011

21

10

• Oct 3, 2012

• #1

As the title says, how do I clean a WSM?  Just normal soap and water?  Is there anything I can use to deep clean an old WSM that's been sitting for a while that normal soap water can't do?  Or should I just leave it as is?  Of course I'd just like for mine to look good :P 

I'm talking about the outside shell mainly 

 

Last edited: Oct 3, 2012

kryinggame

Smoking Fanatic

Nov 16, 2007

543

30

Charlotte, NC

• Oct 3, 2012

• #2

For the outside, I just wipe it down after it cools off. 

For the grates, I soak them in a little bleach, dish detergent and water.  Whatever grease and grimes that's on them will come right off. After a few hours, they look brand spanking new.

I always change the aluminum foil that I have inside.  If you have grease that spilled from whatever, it can catch fire near the heating element (trust me on that one).

Finally, I just rub the inside down with soap and water to get any large grease spills.  I don't think you want to do anything like use brillo for example to get the blackness off of your walls. 

I REALLY SHOULD STAY OFF OF THIS SITE WHILE AT THE OFFICE.  I CLEARLY DID NOT READ THIS THREAD PROPERLY. THIS WAS FOR CLEANING THE WSM; HOWEVER, WHEN I POSTED, I THOUGHT IT SAID MES.  SORRY TO DML85 FOR HIJACKING THIS THREAD.

 

Last edited: Oct 3, 2012

meatinc

Smoke Blower

Jul 21, 2010

131

12

SoCal

• Oct 3, 2012

• #3

I've never cleaned the inside of my WSM.  Ever.  More than 1,000lbs of meat through it.  That stuff on the inside helps seal it and - I think - provide some seasoning to the cook.  I think my WSM also holds temp a lot better now that it's properly seasoned.

Grates - I just knock off the heavy stuff with a grate brush after it's hot from direct heat.  I clean out the water bowl occasionally - or whenever some one on the BBQ team has time.

The outside - What Kryinggame said - GP cleaner and a paper towel / rag.

 

fpnmf

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 19, 2010

7,283

82

Fl

• Oct 3, 2012

• #4

I just cleaned the outside of mine...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/128292/my-wsm-has-been-saved

Used 409 and windex and one of the dollar store sponge pads with the scrubber on the other side for the heavy stuff.

I did put a coat of turtlewax F21 on it too!!  Sorta like Armorall.

Nothing to the inside...

I dont use water..I have a clay saucer (not foiled) in it and they get hosed off in the fire pit every so often.

 

mballi3011

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Mar 12, 2009

14,477

58

• Oct 3, 2012

• #5

I was gonna say clean what. Nothin on the inside until I have a good build-up then I scrap it down and start all over again.

 

dml85

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 19, 2011

21

10

• Oct 4, 2012

• #6

I'm just talking about the outside, i'd like to see if i can get it to shine nice again :P  I'm not worried about the inside 

 

luv2putt

Meat Mopper

Feb 24, 2008

237

15

Benicia California

• Oct 13, 2012

• #7

Any good automotive pastewax works !!!

 

s2k9k

AMNPS Test Group

Sep 8, 2011

11,324

182

SEUSA

• Oct 13, 2012

• #8

luv2putt said:

Any good automotive pastewax works !!!

Click to expand...

This is what I use on my car but I haven't thought about waxing my smoker:

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-carnauba-polymer-car-wax.html

 

scarbelly

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Oct 13, 2012

• #9

S2K9K said:

This is what I use on my car but I haven't thought about waxing my smoker:

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-carnauba-polymer-car-wax.html

Click to expand...

Holy cow Dave - any car wax that comes in a wood box is over my budget