I need some addvice on cleaning my GOSM

[lennyluminum]

I have had this smoker for about a year now and have not cleaned it out yet. Well today I got home and opened her up to hind that the last time I smoked something ( bout 2 weeks ago ) I left the drip pan full of water and drippings. so now there is mold all over the racks and in the pan and on the floor. I was thimking of using some bleach based cleaner and my pressure washer but I'm not sure it that will kill my smoker. Do you all clean your somkers after each smoke? How should I go about cleaning this mess? I have the pan and racke soaking in water and Dawn dish soap right now.

 

[richoso1]

If you have a big block, the grease pan on he floor can be removed and cleaned. I usually use foil on mine. The racks and water pan can be pressure washed, if you use any type of cleanser, be sure you rinse well and let the items air dry. I clean my racks often with balled up foil, then pressure spray them. I also foil my water pan. I don't use cleaner solvents. I hope this helps you.

 

[lennyluminum]

I also use foil on my water pan. The prob;em I have is that there is a lot of grease and mold on the floor of my smoker from the dripping. I dont have a big block so there is no drip pan to remove. would it be ok to use a cleaner inside of my smoker or should I just turn it on and crank it up on high for awhile?

 

[richoso1]

If you crank it up, it may not burn off as you wouild like. Use a cleaner, rinse well, dry well, and treat the smoker as if you were reseaonng it. You should be good to go after that. Can you line the bottom with foil?

 

[beer-b-q]

If you use a pressure washer on the inside I would cover the burner with a plastic bag to keep water out of it...

 

[forluvofsmoke]

I have run into the exact same situation a few times myself. I used a wooden spatula (flat straight-edged spoon) to scrape the bulk of the nasties out while its cold, then dish-soap/water and cloth to finish and plenty of fresh water rinse. And a couple hours of re-seasoning as Rich mentioned.

The mold takes quite awhile to form, depending on humidity and ambient temps. I guess if it goes that long between smokes, you may need to do the cleaning within a few days after to prevent the nasties from getting out of hand. Scrape out when cold, or tip and drain into a catch pan while warm, then wipe out with a dozen or two of paper towels, especially where heavy grease has accumulated. No chemicals used so no rinse & re-season required.

I have gone a week between uses alot, and just do a dry scrape and no soap clean-out, wash the grates with dishwater when it's warming up for a smoke and she's ready to rock & roll.

Eric

 

[richoso1]

Thanks my friend, I forgot about the burner. The only cleaning I do around the burner is with a wet/dry vac.

 

[lennyluminum]

Thanks guys I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[pineywoods]

I have covered my burner with a plastic bag and used the pressure washer on the rest of it. Then just reason it

 

[ron50]

I've dealt with the same thing. Just scrape off what you can, then wash it down (dont soak) with soap and water. Let it dry thoroughly then run a full basket of charcoal and get it nice and hot. let it cool down, scrape off any residue then reseason and ur fine.

 

[orville]

Dry scrape is the best. I light my Smokehouse every Wednesday at 6 am and it burns till noon on Saturday. Around 4pm on Saturday I dry scrap it and then set a hot burn with dry oak to clean it out. The Smokehouse can hold 3000 lb of meat and that is a lot of grease. It takes a lot of time and meat to season a good Smokehouse and I don’t want to start over. The only problem I have is all the cats that show up Saturday night. LOL

 

[coffee_junkie]

cover the burner with a bag and some duct tape, take it to the car wash, use the engine degreaser then rinse with high pressure. That said I have never cleaned my GOSM, I just clean the racks when I am done with the copper scrubbers you get at wally world for $2. I also cover the water pan w/ foil, I figured that out really quick.

 

[cman95]

I use a shower cap over my air cleaner when I wash my motorcycle, yes it has a carb.(old school) So I also started using shower cap on my burner in GOSM. Elastic keeps it tight.

 

[richoso1]

Whenever I dry scrape the cabinet pf my GOSM, i use a plastic putty knife so I won't scratch any of the metal. It takes a little longer, but it gets the job done.

 

[mballi3011]

I spend a whole day usually in the spring time to clean out all the smokers and grills that I have. I to use a pressure washer and cover the burner and let it rip. As far as mold growing in it I just scap it our and wash the bottom of the smoker out with soap and water then just rinse it out and start a good fire and it to will dry out and kill any mold.