Cleaning Smoker Racks

[grimpuppy]

Since I have had my smoker the only complaint I have had is cleaning the racks. I have the Masterbuilt XL so the racks are pretty good size. I started out in the kitchen sink. I only have a single sink so this resulted in a huge mess on the counter, in the sink and the floor. Next I decided a bucket of hot water and the garden hose. Worked OK, but rinsing with cold water wasn't ideal and still a mess to clean up. Next Step was to use the pressure washer. This worked pretty good but would be better if I had hot water and still have to hose off the driveway when done.  So I though where can I use a pressure washer with hot water? Then it hit me, the car wash. I loaded up the racks and went to the car wash. The clamps on the wall for your floor mats were perfect for holding the racks while  washing them. Overall it cost me $3.50 but it was well worth it. Cleans them fast and no mess to clean up when done! Anyone else have any tricks to clean your smoker racks?

Racks.JPG

• grimpuppy
• Jul 3, 2013

 

[xwagner]

I remember trying to clean the grates on my range top. I even tried clamping on my workbench and hitting them with a conical wire brush in a power drill -- nada. THEN I hit up on the idea of putting the @#(*@# things in the oven on the "SELF-CLEAN" cycle -- worked great!!!!!

 

[jtupper]

Wow never thought of oven cleaning them. Great Idea!!!

 

[roadkill cafe]

Place them in a large, plastic trash bag and spray them down with Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner. Close end of bag by twisting and either tuck underneath or weight down on top. Let set overnight (or longer) then remove and hose off. I hit them with a sponge and a little Dawn real quick to make sure nothing is left behind. Done, no scrubbing and sparkling clean.

Word of Caution: If you have sensitive skin, wear gloves as this is oven cleaner after all and is caustic.

Steve

 

[berninga87]

I don't clean mine very often..just when they really get gunked up. Then I wait for a night when I'm using the charcoal grill and throw them over HOT coals when Im done griling. That burns everything so It's crispy enough to get off with a wire brush. If you smoke over 200 degrees and preheat, I wouldnt worry about any nasties on the grates, unless you just prefer them clean after every smoke, which is fine too.

 

[dcarch]

If you have a lot of hardened, thick, aged, baked-on greasy parts to clean:

Home Depot sells large plastic cement mixing tubs (cheap) and Drain cleaners.

Get a tub and one gallon of drain cleaner. You can add some water to thin out the drain cleaner. Cover all the parts in the tub with drain cleaner liquid and let them soak overnight.

Next day wash everything off. 

Wear eye and hand protection, please!.

dcarch

 

[dcarch]

Sorry, Need to be clear:

No aluminum parts!

dcarch

 

[flyinlizard]

 I take my grates out before pre-heating and spray them with cooking spray.  Cleanup is usually just put them in the dishwasher.

 

[acidsorm]

I place mine over top my fire pit and wave my tiger torch over it a few times. Turns everything to dust