How do you keep it clean?

[pug mom]

Last year for our anniversary my husband and I got each other a Smokin Tex 1400 Electric Smoker and we absolutely love it. Over the past year we have smoked chicken parts, whole chickens, turkey, a ham, brisket, pork butts and even cheese. Right now we have it stored on our front porch, but we are going to move it to the deck we are building in our back yard.

Here's my question: The area of the ground in front of the smoker gets dirty due to drips from when we sauce the meats and/or when we take the meat out. Cleaning the cement in front of where the smoker is now is really easy - we just use a high pressure hose. But, we can't use that on the Trex deck we are building. So, how do all of you who have smokers on your deck protect the deck from getting greasy and food stained? Do you put a mat down? I would appreciate any help you can give (and really appreciate any specific product recommendations!)

Thanks a bunch!

 

[kruizer]

I would get a big drip pan for the front of your smoker.

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Carpet Sample squares, or a rubber car mat. Heck..thick cardboard. <I lean towards some thing I can just toss away> If you see a stack of carpet samples going out to the trash from a store with carpet; chances are they're just old, not stained or musty etc, just grab em and keep em in the basement or garage.

 

[PAS]

Aldis has grill mats for cheap!

 

[KrisUpInSmoke]

I would try something like this.

KALASONEER
Gas Grill Mat (36'' x 72'') , Grilling Gear for Gas / Electric Grill – Absorbent Grill Pad Lightweight Washable Floor Mat to Protect Decks and Patios From Grease Splatter and Other Messes ( 3' X 6' )

 

[flatbroke]

Use a horse stall pad. Tractor supply.

 

[chopsaw]

All good ideas . Water heater dip pan works good also . Get them at Lowe's , home Depot . I bought a plastic laundry basket and cut the sides off . I put the solid bottom under my Blackstone legs to catch drips

 

[oldsmokerdude]

Another vote for a grill pad. While they are more expensive than some of the other options, if you buy a decent one you can leave it in place and it won't detract from the look of your new deck. The mat can be removed to the driveway or something for cleaning periodically with your pressure washer or a brush and bucket of soap.

 

[scottma]

I remember seeing a review of a grill mat on amazon and the person showed pics of when they moved it after some time the Trex decking was totally stained from it and they were unable to get the stain out. So just be careful when buying one.