Water pan cleanup

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indyadmin1974

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
May 26, 2007
736
20
Clemmons
So a few months ago I accidentally on purpose threw out my water pan because it got caked in grease and other nasty crap. I could not get it clean to save my life (large chunks of junk baked on - probably because of the lack of liquid at some point).

So I bought a replacement pan and the same thing happened again but this time I'm determined to get it clean. I'm thinking letting it sit in vinegar for 24 hours or so.

Anyone have any suggestions?

In addition does anyone have any suggestions on keeping the water pan from getting all funky? I've tried foil, but even the heavy duty stuff seems to break up after awhile and it's more of a mess than nothing at all.
 
I don't know about getting it off once it is caked up badly, but I have an MES and I have used a putty knife before and it scrapped off easy, but I cleaned it each time.

I have started using foil and while it doesn't get everything it much easier to clean up.
 
I spray mine with a cooking oil and then cover it entirely with foil. Clean after each use. Not a problem unless the foil breaks then you end up with stuff in the pan. If it gets really bad.... I leave it out in the yard and let it sit a few days. Something about the heat of the sun and the dew in the morning that takes that stuff right off. I learned that from my Grandmother. If she had a pan that ended up coated with something she couldn't get off..... leave it outside where the dew and sun can get to it. Loosens it right up.
 
Hmmm...never tried the cooking spray...maybe next time. I do have some easy off grill cleaner (never made the connection!) I will try to let the easy off work and if that doesn't work, I'll leave it outside (I like that tip!)
 
I guess I don't understand, if you properly wrapped it it wont have to be cleaned, mine dont. just throw away the foil after cooking and replace
 
quit useing water and fill it with sand-cover the sand with foil-better temps and no more mess.
 
I really don't worry to much with cleaning the water pan. Every now and then I will scrape the bottom and wash the inside of the pan really well. So thats it my water saga.
 
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