I clean the racks after every smoke. The side racks get a run through the dishwasher maybe every 3 months or so. I always do the foil on the smoke box and bottom, which just lifts right out when I am finished. I use a paper towel to wipe down the bottom to get a juice that might have gotten under the foil. Every now and then, but not often, I will wipe the inside of the box with a paper towel and soapy water.