Cleaning your smoker?

[backcountry]

Do you guys clean out the inside of your smoker? I noticed that mine has a lot of "oil" inside it from all the use I've got out of it. Does this just add to the flavor or should I be cleaning it out after every smoke? I always clean the grills, but not the inside of the cabinet.

I'm even noticing my water tray has a coating of dark "goop" from all the drippings. Can this effect flavor?

 

[coffee_junkie]

I never clean out the inside of my smoker, I do clean the grates before each cook. I foil the water pan for each smoke so I don't have the goop that you speak of.
I was told to never clean the smoker, there is no reason to.

 

[geek with fire]

I wack the box a couple of times with the handle from an old hammer. Brush the grates and sweep up anything loose. Anything that is still stuck on is "seasoning".

 

[tntxajun]

I use preventive cleaning in all my units by lining the base with HD foil.
Depending on usage I replace as warranted. On my offset its after each
smoke because I get alot of spill-over from my drip pan.

On my gas vertical, my pans catch most of the drippings and probably replace once a month. I coat my burner with vegetable oil about twice a month and air hose the burner cavity also about twice a month.

I also clean my grates after each smoke by putting them in the diswasher
with the addition of 'Barkeepers friend', I knock off any of the larger chunks
and let the washer do the work.

In my opinion, it prolongs the units serviceability, keeps critters, flies and spiders from enjoying the aftermath of one of my smokes. I live in the country and have frequent coon, possum, dogs etc, wanting to investigate
the remaining assortment of enticing aromas.

I never have an end of season as I will smoke year round and it really has to be nasty-nasty for me not to smoke something every week. So its clean for me and keeping fresh foil aids the clean-up easily.

Jack~

 

[backcountry]

Thanks for the input guys! The "seasoning" will stay! I always thought it was good, but wanted to check.

I'll start running some foil in the water pan from now on too, thanks for that tip!

 

[tntxajun]

Should have mentioned this as well in my original post.
Strongly suggest removing ahes from your smoker ASAP because moisture and ashes will combine to quickly cause rusting, no matter how well
seasoned your smoker is.
Again Hd foil to collect ash is quick and easy and I do air hose any remaining ash sediment from the interior.

Jack~

 

[mballi3011]

I clean all my grills once a year. Change out any wore out or broken pieces and new lava rocks on the grills abd it's gitty up for that year. I do clean the grates and water/ drip pan out before every use but thats it.