How to Clean Your Smoker? 8 Easy Steps

One of the problems that come with owning a smoker is that you have to clean it. Some may say that it isn’t necessary, but it’s not true that the grime and grease add to the taste in a good way.

However, it’s also not necessary to give everything a thorough cleaning constantly. So you need to learn how to clean your smoker properly without going overboard.

Here’s a list of guidelines that can help you out:

  1. Every now and then, clean the outside of the smoker. It looks better for your backyard. It’s especially important to wipe it down when it’s wet due to rain, as rust can be a problem.
  2. The racks should be cleaned regularly as well. The dirt and grime on the racks aren’t really good for the taste of the meat you place on them.

This can be done in several ways, starting with a tough scrubber to get rid of the grease. Just do this while the racks are hot so the grease can be easily removed.

An alternative method is to just soak the racks in your drain with some dish-washing soap and baking soda for a few hours.

  1. What about the inside of the smoker? It’s important that you don’t go overboard, because you need that natural smoke protective coating. That should be untouched.
  2. However, you certainly need to get rid of any food deposits inside. You do know what happens to food bits, right? They rot and you get bacteria, and that’s not a good thing for something in which you place food that you eat. You don’t have to scrape to the metal, but any loose food bits needs to be removed right away.
  3. You may also get some tar deposits in your smoker, depending on the wood chips or pellets you use. You have to get rid of them too. When you smoke food using a water bath, the tar can combine with the moisture. You end up with black tar droplets that can find its way dripping down to your meat.
  4. Rust is the main problem, and this is another reason why you need to get rid of any large buildup of grease. The grease can keep in moisture in the smoker, and that moisture can lead to rust.
  5. The ash in the firebox should be removed as well, as it can also lead to rust issues. Over time, ash absorbs water and that’s a precursor to rust.
  6. What do you do when you already have some rust issues? When you find rust, you need to deal it with it immediately. Use a wire brush to gently get rid of the rust. Then once the areas are clean you need to paint them over. Since we’re dealing with your smoker, you need heat-resistant paint.

That’s all there is to it. Why do you think smokers are so popular? They provide you with an easy way to produce tasty meats—and they’re easy to clean as well.

How to Clean Your Smoker

June Brandt
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