Cleaning my smoker

[missed-em]

My wife and I got an MES 40 for our anniversary (51) and so far have smoked 2 pork shoulders (1 great, 1 good - the one we invited company over for - go figure), one turkey that was really good, and a fatty (jalapeno, onion and cheese w/bacon weave) - looked great, tasted good, but too rich for old stomachs.

My question is how do I clean the smoker?  The racks, water pan and drip pan go in the dish washer but do I need to get all scrubby dutch with the interior of the smoker?  I know, the company line is that the interior has to look new or it's not clean, but how do you really do it?

 

[adiochiro3]

You do not want to remove that seasoning!  A good hot burn is all you need if you wish to "clean" it.  If you want to go the extra mile, heat it up and then spray water from a squirt bottle around the inside to steam it.

 

[raymo76]

I recently steam cleaned my offset of 10 years, and I was so impressed with the results that I got a wire brush and proceeded to scrub out everything. That was not an easy task, however, I am happier with the way my cooks come out.

I personally am not familiar with the MES smokers.

 

[teeznuts]

I have an mes30 and I just put hot water in the water pan and run the smoker(with no chips) at 275 for a couple hours and steam it out. Don't do anything abrasive to the inside.

 

[SmokinAl]

I wouldn't clean it at all.

 

[tiki guy]

I agree with "SmokinAl"  I wouldn't clean it , I just clean the drip pan, and the chip bin, I guess if the racks get really bad I will clean um.  BUT the inside walls ?  Never that is seasoned .

I notice on the BBQ shows I see on TV ..the racks look all thick with juices & sauce    some times the expanded metal looks like its 1/2 inch thick, seems to me .....DON'T clean that stuff off it only adds to the flavor .

 

[custom99]

I dont touch the walls. I just clean the water and chip pans. I do clean the racks real good after every use. I dont think the low heats I use would burn off any bacteria that would be on the racks.

 

[Bearcarver]

I dont touch the walls. I just clean the water and chip pans. I do clean the racks real good after every use. I dont think the low heats I use would burn off any bacteria that would be on the racks.

I agree with Kevin, but I'll add:

I foil the water pan for easier cleaning.

I replaced my drip pan with foil.

Now & then I clean around the heat sensors on the back wall, and clean off the little fat piles from the bottom, before they start little boy scout camp fires all over the place.

I also clean my window in the door & the light lens every time I use it.

Bear

 

[scarbelly]

I agree with Kevin, but I'll add:

I foil the water pan for easier cleaning.

I replaced my drip pan with foil.

Now & then I clean around the heat sensors on the back wall, and clean off the little fat piles from the bottom, before they start little boy scout camp fires all over the place.

I also clean my window in the door & the light lens every time I use it.

Bear

I do the same with my SmokinTex 1400 - I also put foil on the bottom to catch the drippings that dont make it into the drip pan

 

 

[alaskanbear]

Have to agree with Bear, once again dammit, as a little steam foir an hour or so is all that is required to maintain that perfect seasoning of your smoker.

Rich

 

[sqwib]

I agree with Kevin, but I'll add:

I foil the water pan for easier cleaning.

I replaced my drip pan with foil.

Now & then I clean around the heat sensors on the back wall, and clean off the little fat piles from the bottom, before they start little boy scout camp fires all over the place.

I also clean my window in the door & the light lens every time I use it.

Bear

Ditto, kevin/Bear/tiki guy

Also, I know a lot of folks spray the sides with cooking oil after a cleaning to reseason, but this is not needed and I would advise against it on this type of smoker. Not sure what the MES says on the directions, but the GOSM's don't recommend spraying the sides.

Never cleaned the 3405 (3 years) except for wiping out the bottom and cleaning the grates and waterpan.

I guess the only time to clean it totally was after a bad smoke where you got a lot of a sooty buildup on the sides.

Now I do steam clean my reverse flow.

 

[missed-em]

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate the info