Cleaning smoker

[Kirbygw]

Is there any downside to not periodically cleaning the interior of a Masterbuilt smoker? I keep the grates and drip pans in lean and the glass door. Cleaning the goo off the walls, ceiling and floor is certainly a PITA.

 

[PolishDeli]

No need to clean it, unless you really want to. Or unless it gets particularly disgusting and infested.
Out of curiosity: how were you cleaning it?

 

[Lonzinomaker]

I clean mine by scraping with a stainless 2" spatula when the ceiling starts flaking onto the food. And I keep foil on the woodbox and floor that I change when dirty.

 

[Kirbygw]

No need to clean it, unless you really want to. Or unless it gets particularly disgusting and infested.
Out of curiosity: how were you cleaning it?

I use a combination of Dawn power wash spray and Awesome. Spray, let it soak in then wipe with wet microfiber cloth.

 

[cansmoke]

Whatever you do or don't do, DO NOT power wash it. I messed up two units that way as water got into the electronic controls.

 

[SmokinAl]

When I had one I would just knock the loose stuff off & vacuum it out with a shop vac.
Al

 

[normanaj]

All you need is a plastic spatula,a stiff nylon brush and a vac. Knock off the gross filth and build up and then vac.

 

[forktender]

Whatever you do or don't do, DO NOT power wash it. I messed up two units that way as water got into the electronic controls.

If the unit is unplugged and given ample time to dry out completely and a little care is taken to tape off the controls, he'll be fine. I pressure washed mine dozens of times with zero problems to date.

I don't recommend pressure washing the unit to people that don't take the extra steps to prevent water damage and use extreme caution while preforming the task.

I made the mistake of smoking fish in mine, and had to pressure wash it to get the fishiness smell out of the unit. Now I have a single dedicated smoker for seafood and fish, I don't care what people say, fish leaves an aftertaste and smell in smokers. They may not be able to smell or taste it, but I guarantee some judges can and do smell and taste it. I love seafood and fish just not on my brisket or ribs.

 

[cndmorin]

I clean anything removable after each smoke. The grates, water pan and the drip pan I spray with dawn power wash and then put in the dishwasher. Before each smoke i rub the grates with olive oil to prevent sticking and I line the water pan and drip pan with aluminum foil. This makes clean up easy.
As for the insides of the smoker, once a year at most is all I do. I use a mixture of warm water and vinegar and scrub with a scotch brite pad and wipe with a wet dish towel.