HOW TO CLEAN A SMOKER

If you have a smoker, you can appreciate the “more flavor for less work” benefits it offers. But any type of cooking appliance can suffer from grease and food residue buildup over time, and a smoker is no different. This grime accumulation, paired with improper or infrequent cleaning techniques, can hinder your smoker's signature flavor-maximizing abilities over time.

It's best to clean your smoker pit with a strong, yet non-abrasive cleaning product. Most of the time, standard soapy water just isn't strong enough to clean the grease buildup that accumulates inside a grill.

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner's formula removes baked-on grease, food, and carbon deposits from a wide variety of grill surfaces. This powerful, U.S. EPA Safer Choice Certified cleaner is clean rinsing, so you can use it to deep clean the exterior and interior of your smoker without worrying about lingering chemical residues.

DIRECTIONS FOR CLEANING A SMOKER:

Make sure your smoker has had plenty of time to cool down before you begin cleaning.

Routine Maintenance

1. Remove ashes after each use. Ash holds moisture and can cause rust.
2. Wipe up spills quickly. Use a warm, damp cloth as soon as it's safe.
3. Brush grates before each use. Keeps cooking surfaces clean and ready.
4. Scrape out buildup. Use a putty knife to remove grease, food, and carbon.
5. Treat rust spots early. Buff with steel wool and re-season with high-temp oil. Vegetable oil works in a pinch.

Deep Cleaning

1. Start with a clean burn. Load the coal basket, light the fuel, and open the vents. Monitor the smoker, then let it cool completely.
2. Remove and soak parts. Take out racks, drip trays, and other removable pieces. Soak foldable grates in Simple Green for 5 minutes before washing.
3. Scrape out buildup. Use a putty knife to scrape debris down to the bottom. Sweep out all residues.
4. Clean the interior. Spray Simple Green inside the smoker, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth and let air dry.
5. Wipe thermometer & grease chute. Spray Simple Green Cleaner on paper towels and wipe these key areas—blocked chutes can cause grease fires.
6. Remove rust. Use a wire brush and fine sandpaper on rust spots. Touch up exterior areas with high-temp paint if needed.
7. Clean the exterior. Spray Simple Green on the outside, let it sit briefly, then wipe clean with a damp cloth or paper towels.
8. Re-season the smoker. Coat interior surfaces with beef tallow or high-temp oil, then heat the smoker to 350°F for a few hours.

TIP:

• Don't worry about discoloration – The inside of your smoker will darken over time. This patina helps prevent rust and improves performance.
• Check your thermometer – Test accuracy by placing the stem in boiling water. Adjust it using the nut on the back if needed.