MES Window Cleaning Made Easy

[old sarge]

Twenty or so years ago, I bought my first gas grill and it had a window. After a few cooks, you could see nothing through it.  I used a razor blade scraper to peel/scrape off the majority of the caked on smoke and grease. 

 

[garymaxx]

I love my window. I smoked ribs yesterday for about five hours and still i could read my oven thermometer clearly. It takes about 10 minuets to clean with a razor blade scraper then I spray a little greased lightning on a paper towel and wipe away residue. Good as new

 

[gary s]

I am thinking that is the key, clean after every smoke so you don't get a build up 

gary

 

[alwaysbesmokin]

MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASER.  Been using it for several years now and it cleans better than any other product I have tried for my smoker.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I am thinking that is the key, clean after every smoke so you don't get a build up 

gary

Yup I learned that from all of my Wood Stoves door glass.

If you let the door cool, and then fire it up again without cleaning it, the discoloration becomes baked on. Then it's a real mess cleaning it.

However if you clean it before you fire it up again, it's real easy.

Bear

 

[red dog]

 
Bear, you must have a VERY SPECIAL edition of the window MES because mine is completely covered with condensation/gook (not the VC kind)/black crud after every smoke.  I'm using it a lot for pulled pork, chicken, and brisket and it ALWAYS is blacked out after 7 hours except for the chicken, which only takes about 1 1/2 hours.  I keep the vent wide open, never open the door, and don't use any water in the pan.  Mine is the new model with the controls at the front.

I rue the day I spent the extra money for the window, which is a great gimmick but totally useless IMHO.  I, as of now, refuse to clean the darn window 2 or 3 times a week.  Maybe a tear off, like in NASCAR???  

  There has to be something that doesn't result in this black spot of gunk on my driveway that looks like I park an old Harley over there.  Just a total waste of time and effort!

Maybe if you use it only once a month, you could put up with the mess but not every other day!

I have the Gen 1 and love having the window. I have done lots of smokes including longer ones and don't have any problem seeing through the window. I clean with simple green and paper towels about every third smoke.

 

[gary s]

Like I said I am an RF guy, no glass no inside to wipe down, But I do clean mine after every smoke, big controversy with stick burners

Gary

 

[sgwilliams]

I just got my MES 40" Gen II. I like it so far. Cooked a large rack of pork ribs that soaked in brine for a few days. Turned out awesome. Then a Whole chicken, which I changed the brine and it wasn't very good..needed more salt. During both smokes I used a mixture of Apple chips and Hickory chips as directed in the manual that come with the device. During both smokes the glass was covered with condensation and I only added water in the pan for the chicken. The meat was somewhat visible when the smoke cleared out a bit but the visibility was still iffy. It might have something to do with the 10 degree weather we have had too. I smoked them both outside in the snowy weather and it held temp just fine. The meat probe rocks!

For cleaning I used a non-abrasive scrub pad with dawn dish soap and warm water and it come clean. Then I did a final clean with windex and some paper towels, looked like new after both smokes. I'm going to try the magic eraser tho sounds like a good idea.

I've been a member here for a bit but haven't been involved much with the forums. I'm sure I'll annoy many of you know that I have my smoker. I have read a lot of the threads so far and this place is a wealth of information.

 

 

[rumrunner424]

I have been on these threads before trying to figure out how to keep my MES 40 window clean.  I have  tried the soap water, my own orange vinegar recipe, blades, windex and so on, they all do alright.

I use mesquite wood most of the time, cause my wife loves it. It also seems mesquite deposits the most too. I didn't clean the window the last 3 times and found it hard to see anything inside. So I decided to clean the window today. Cranked up the heat to 275, filled the water bowl and let it run for about 90 minutes, and then went it to check. Didn't see a whole lot of moisture  on the window, probably 'cause my vent was open all the way and the glass felt very dry and sticky to touch. I decided to wet the window a bit and hopefully help it to soak up moisture. Took one of those non-scratch scotch-brite pads and a bowl of water and as i tried to wet the glass  I found everything was coming off easily. In less than 3 minutes my glass was spotless. Did a second round, and wiped with some paper towel. My glass is like new.

 No more chemicals or blades. From now on, it will be just water and scotch-brite. I have a good lot of smoking to do between now and 4th. I will take before and after pictures next time.

 

[mummel]

I'm really glad I have the Cabelas model and dont have to bother with the window.  I know some guys swear by the window and each to his own, but for me, it so simple.  Pull tray, pull water pan, pull AMPS, and shut the door.  Thats it.

 

[dr k]

 
I have been on these threads before trying to figure out how to keep my MES 40 window clean.  I have  tried the soap water, my own orange vinegar recipe, blades, windex and so on, they all do alright.

I use mesquite wood most of the time, cause my wife loves it. It also seems mesquite deposits the most too. I didn't clean the window the last 3 times and found it hard to see anything inside. So I decided to clean the window today. Cranked up the heat to 275, filled the water bowl and let it run for about 90 minutes, and then went it to check. Didn't see a whole lot of moisture  on the window, probably 'cause my vent was open all the way and the glass felt very dry and sticky to touch. I decided to wet the window a bit and hopefully help it to soak up moisture. Took one of those non-scratch scotch-brite pads and a bowl of water and as i tried to wet the glass  I found everything was coming off easily. In less than 3 minutes my glass was spotless. Did a second round, and wiped with some paper towel. My glass is like new.

 No more chemicals or blades. From now on, it will be just water and scotch-brite. I have a good lot of smoking to do between now and 4th. I will take before and after pictures next time.

That's how I clean the microwave.  Put a wet paper towel on a plate.  Microwave for five minutes.  Let it sit for ten minutes and everything wipes out.

-Kurt

 

[brickguy221]

 
I have been on these threads before trying to figure out how to keep my MES 40 window clean.  I have  tried the soap water, my own orange vinegar recipe, blades, windex and so on, they all do alright.

I use mesquite wood most of the time, cause my wife loves it. It also seems mesquite deposits the most too. I didn't clean the window the last 3 times and found it hard to see anything inside. So I decided to clean the window today. Cranked up the heat to 275, filled the water bowl and let it run for about 90 minutes, and then went it to check. Didn't see a whole lot of moisture  on the window, probably 'cause my vent was open all the way and the glass felt very dry and sticky to touch. I decided to wet the window a bit and hopefully help it to soak up moisture. Took one of those non-scratch scotch-brite pads and a bowl of water and as i tried to wet the glass  I found everything was coming off easily. In less than 3 minutes my glass was spotless. Did a second round, and wiped with some paper towel. My glass is like new.

 No more chemicals or blades. From now on, it will be just water and scotch-brite. I have a good lot of smoking to do between now and 4th. I will take before and after pictures next time.

I've used a Gray scotchbrite Pad on the window for over the 2 years that I have had a MES. When done smoking I wipe glass immediately with just a plain paper towel. As soon as it cools a bit. I spray Simple Green on the window and spray water immediately behind it. Then use the Gray Scotchbrite pad to loosen the stain and wipe off with paper towel. then spray with water and wipe off two times and done. Whole process takes 3-4 minutes at most.

The first time I used my new BT, I used Todds pellets and 5 x 8 tray instead of wood chips and needed no Simple Green nor Scotchbrite Pad. Just water only using the process I outlined above.

Smoking ribs right now as I type this with Todd's "Pit Master Mix" in his 5 x 8 tray. Also smoking four 1 1/2 lb each Hormel Pork Loins. I will see how easy the glass cleans this time. If it still cleans easy, then the wood chips I used to use made the glass way-way worse in getting stained as well as harder to clean.

PS: My new BT temp is still cycling perfect as it did previously when seasoning and trying it the first time......just like a car going down the Interstate highway on cruise control. Largest temp variation is 3-4 degrees max over and under the set point.

 

[craigdchang]

I have used just a regular scotch brite sponge and water. The key is to wipe it down while the smoker is still warm. In fact I wipe it down as soon as I take the meat out. You may have to wipe it down several times.

 

[torp3t3d0]

When ever my MES window gets crude up I just go to Sam's club and buy another MES 40.....that's the easy way out!!!

(run silent....but run deep)

Pete

 

[mummel]

Just get one without a window and spend your pennies on MEAT.

 

[brickguy221]

 
Just get one without a window and spend your pennies on MEAT.

lol ... I can't do that as I like being able to see what is taking place thru my window. 

 

[Bearcarver]

 
lol ... I can't do that as I like being able to see what is taking place thru my window. 

That makes a lot more than the 2 of us!!

Bear

 

[butt rub]

I don't and never use something that has chemicals, magic eraser does have chemicals.

There are some things that you can let go till you get a chance to do, the window is not one of them.

As soon as you are done smoking turn off system, open door let cool a few minutes then take clear water and clean.

I have done this since I have been smoking and the glass is clear.

 

[the sandman]

I use those majic erasers to clean the whole inside. Work great.

 

[mcan56]

This is how Magic Erasers work. It's not chemical, it's essentially a web of really strong melamine foam fibers that rolls up dirt like a rubber eraser.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/magic-eraser.htm

I think that sounds like a great plan. I forgot to foil the cover over my chip tray, so hopefully this works there too :/