Mold in smoker

[cayotica]

That's okay my new MES (40") is still in its box going on 9mths now. My 30"er was just too dang narrow.

 

[inkjunkie]

I did give it a quick cleaning....and sealed the drain with steel wool so hopefully it will still be sorta clean. When I opened it up to put the grates back in after I moved it pretty much all the "seasoning" had removed itself...

 

[Deguarddog]

One mans mold is another mans "Flavor Enhancer", sorry

Remove the food that the mold is thriving on

Spray are with straight vinegar.

an hour or 2 later spray out with hose.

Bring temps up on smoker as high as it will go for 1 hour

Let the smoker cool to warm and Rinse again

Bring temps up on smoker as high as it will go for 1 hour again

then re season with wood only, after all moisture is gone.

make sure to wear the proper equipment



Hope this works

 

[Deguarddog]

I have a Weber bullet that I have not used for about six months. I am planning on smoking ribs and chicken tomorrow. Tonight I looked inside my smoker and there is a lot of mold growing around the charcoal ring. The food grates have been out of the smoker since the last time I used it.

Should I just run the smoker at high heat for a little bit to burn off the mold before putting my meat on? Or should I clean the mold off first before starting my fire?

Just to start off, I have 19 years of training on hazardous materials. That being stated, heat your smoker up. It will be empty so crank it on high. Next, let it cool down and spray it down with ammonia or a good cleaner/degreaser. Scrub it out thoroughly and then rinse it out with a hose.

DO NOT USE BLEACH! Bleach does not cut grease and is toxic and corrosive. If you don't get all the seasoning (grease) off of the interior of your smoker, it will be contaminated by the bleach. Washing it won't matter because the grease will coagulate and remain in your smoker.

Household ammonia is a solution of NH3 in water (i.e., ammonium hydroxide) used as a general purpose cleaner for many surfaces. Because ammonia results in a relatively streak-free shine, one of its most common uses is to clean glass, porcelain and stainless steel. It is also frequently used for cleaning ovens and soaking items to loosen baked-on grime. Household ammonia ranges in concentration by weight from 5 to 10% ammonia.

 

[dr k]

Just to start off, I have 19 years of training on hazardous materials. That being stated, heat your smoker up. It will be empty so crank it on high. Next, let it cool down and spray it down with ammonia or a good cleaner/degreaser. Scrub it out thoroughly and then rinse it out with a hose.

DO NOT USE BLEACH! Bleach does not cut grease and is toxic and corrosive. If you don't get all the seasoning (grease) off of the interior of your smoker, it will be contaminated by the bleach. Washing it won't matter because the grease will coagulate and remain in your smoker.

Household ammonia is a solution of NH3 in water (i.e., ammonium hydroxide) used as a general purpose cleaner for many surfaces. Because ammonia results in a relatively streak-free shine, one of its most common uses is to clean glass, porcelain and stainless steel. It is also frequently used for cleaning ovens and soaking items to loosen baked-on grime. Household ammonia ranges in concentration by weight from 5 to 10% ammonia.

TSP trisodium phosphate is a great alkaline degreaser like ammonia but is an odorless dishwasher surfactant, food alkalizer and food emulsifier. It rinses clean with wet paper towels. 1lb box at Home Depot is $4 and 2 tsp in a cup of water in a spray bottle works great on smoker windows. I spray the top of the window and wipe the bottom as I work my way up, pitching papers towels in a garbage can as I go.

 

[MeatCowboy5]

mold only grows on things that are organic ..

or have organic materials in them .. since you see it growing on metal ..

more than likely there are some food particles stuck on there somewhere ..

you can wipe it clean with any household cleaner ..

do not do it inside your house ..

oh .. i am certified in mold remediation ...

hope that helps ..

Thanks for posting this. I have mold and bugs in my smoker right now as I did NOT clean it out last weekend.

I’m running it at 275 for 4 hours and then plan on brushing it all down and wiping with soap and water...

Is there a specific brush I should use?

Thanks -

MeatCowboy5