Pellet Grill Cleaning/Maintenance

[Geebs]

About a month and a half ago I purchased the CC Woodwind which I love. I have been smoking and grilling on it 2-3 times per week since I have gotten it. I did the usual lining with foil and will clean out the ash in the grill every few cooks as the CC has the ash dump. Recently I have done some burgers and brats and noticed that the lid has gotten a nice coating of seasoning but when doing burgers on high it is allowing grease to drip from the sides of the lid onto my deck. I was wondering if I need to be wiping the inside down or if this is normal. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[BandCollector]

Doesn't sound like it is normal to me. Grease dripping on your deck is not good.

I haven't run into this problem but wiping down the inside of the lid couldn't hurt. It's not that large of an area so give it a try and see what happens.

Is it definitely grease or condensation? Is it cold in Kansas?

John

 

[txcotton]

Hey Geebs, it appears that your lid (or the body of smoker) is bent or warped out of round. You can check by looking for smoke coming out around the lid perimeter. I too bought my pellet grill about a month and a half ago. I bought the Pit Boss brand "Classic 700" because I wanted the increased sq.in. of cooking surface without breaking the bank. I have used it to smoke brisket (7), turkey (2), and pork butts (3) so far. I have multiple smokers, a 30"x60" offset competition pit (home made & leaks, but wins), stand up 40" Mastercraft, Char-broil "Big Easy, and now this pellet smoker/grill. Your options are limited to fix. Either try to bend back the areas leaking (not suggested), return under warranty, or attach flat gasket cord around lid. I would suggest calling Camp Chef customer service first for possible return. Their Service Dept has great reviews. Hope this helps.

 

[Geebs]

I just sent them an email, so we shall see what they say. I have heard their customer service is good as well so Im sure they will have suggestions.

I thought about doing the gasket but I think that would get soaked as well and would only fix the problem for a small time.

 

[markh024]

I believe it's a combination of grease/creosote build up and then at higher temps its melting off. I actually wipe the area of my lid down every few uses, inside and out with a citrus cleaner. I also clean my internal temp probe as I noticed if I don't, my grill has a hard time climbing to higher temp settings. I have had the same sort of drip happen and will probably just get a grilling mat so I don't mess up my patio. I think the few little dribbles that happened can come off relatively easy. I really only use my STX to smoke as I have a Gas grill and a Weber Kettle for actual grilling.

 

[Geebs]

Good call Mark, I have been using my Woodwind for all my smoking in grilling as I enjoy the flavor more then the gas. I think I am just going to have to wipe it down everyother time or something. What kind of cleaner do you use?

 

[markh024]

Get mine at Walmart. $5-6 a bottle