Smoker Maintenance

[smokinsteve362]

Okay guys,

Don't laugh - I'm still new at this - I got my 1st smoker last October and after going thru the first season I thought I might see what was necessary to start the busy summer season. Over the winter I didn't use it much - I only smoked about 2x per week on average - but I'm thinking I'll be doing a lot more this summer. My question is this: On the inside of my smoker all over the lid is this really thick, gooey, sticky, black stuff. I'm thinking that it's probably the actual condensed smoke or oil from the wood that is stuck on the inside of the lid. My problem and question is that it is starting to drip occasionally and is also ending up sealing the lid to the base. When the smoker is hot it actually gets to the consistency of a little thicker than molasses. Do I need to clean this occassionally? If so, how and what do I use to make this happen. My smoker is the smaller offset from Wal-Mart (the $70 on sale one). They have 2 sizes at WalMArt and mine is the smaller one - I'm sitting on the edge of my seat eating some of my latest pork roast I just finished smoking this morning.

Thanks,

Steve 

 

[SmokinAl]

It sounds like what you have is creosote build up. I would try to scrape it off with a spatula or putty knife. I wouldn't use any soap or cleaner on it. Maybe someone with a better idea will be along shortly.

 

[ravanelli]

Did you season the smoker when you first got it?  By that, I mean did you rub the inside of the lid with any oil and just smoke it empty for a couple of hours?  The reason I ask is that I have a horizontal offset as well, and I noticed this but not nearly to the extent you have, and when I first seasoned my smoker I saw the same dripping but once it got seasoned up it stopped.

Possibly someone else can better explain the chemistry behind all of this, but what I would do is wipe down the inside buildup as much as possible with a disposable rag, and re-season it.  If you still have problems maybe post some pics.  

I agree with Al that soap or cleaner is not good.  Good luck!

 

[smokinsteve362]

About a month or so ago I tried a razor blade scraper on a small area and it came in sheets - kinda like scraping fresh paint - but I was concerned I might have been scraping the paint off as well because when it came off I had bare metal under it. It wasn't real difficult or real easy to get it off but, like I said, I was worried about taking it down to bare metal. Does anyone else have this stuff? I use primarily mesquite although I have been using some apple and hickory ocassionally too.

Steve

 

[smokinsteve362]

I did season it......used a scrap towel and rubbed canola oil all over the inside of both chambers, including the fire chamber. I'll try to take some pics and post them a little later.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[realtorterry]

I believe the smoker you have is the char-broil gourmet. I have the same one too. I don't get that build up though especially not on the lid? I have had build up in other areas though. I have scraped it with a wire brush, but not down to metal. If you do though I would just get some high temp spray paint & go over it. Is your stack fully open?

 

[smokinsteve362]

This is a sample of the stuff that I got off the lip where the lid contacts the base when the lid closes as well as a little off the top. It came off like dried oil.....and when the smoker is cold it's serious tough to get off but when the smoker is hot it comes right off.

  

 

[richoso1]

It sounds like what you have is creosote build up. I would try to scrape it off with a spatula or putty knife. I wouldn't use any soap or cleaner on it. Maybe someone with a better idea will be along shortly.

Use a plastic putty knife, it won't dig into the metal. Save the planet... it's the only one with Q.