Clean top of unit?

[Paul Case Luca]

Okay here is an odd one.

I was making baked beans in the smoker.

I noticed black drops of "soot" like substance in the beans that cooked solid and was firm...like pealing candle wax off a birthday cake.

I can only assume it was residue from the top of the unit ...

Anyone else experience this? I am thinking I need to clean the top of my unit once a year and then re season as a simple fix.

On another note... I have broken yet another auber probe at the jack location where it plugs into the auber itself. These seem finicky and not rugged to my liking... And practically speaking it just sits there and was unplugged maybe twice so not as though it sees a lot of use. .... Ugh.

 

[SuperDave]

Polish,
Winter smoking can create more condensation in your smoker and leave dripping creosote on the ceiling of the smoker.  If you ran your finger against the ceiling, it would be like sticky oil.  I use a putty knife and scrape it real good and then wipe it down with a rag and hot water.  The rag will be headed to the garbage after the exercise. 

 

[jcboxlot]

To bridge on this question, since I have build up too.

Can or has anyone tried oven cleaner and running it at 250?

The racks, racks, box clean up well in the dishwasher, but the box does get quite dark.

I have also noticed the drips on the top, esp around top hole.

John

 

[DivotMaker]

Sucks about the probe, Steve!  I can't explain that.  Needless to say, mine get plenty of exercise, and I've never had any issues.  Just unlucky with your, I guess.

As far as the top of the smoker, Dave's right about more creosote buildup up there.  I get the same thing on my old Weber gasser grill.  Looks like black cellophane coming off of it!  I do an Easy-Off cleaning once a year.  Soak it with the no-odor stuff, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and hose the whole inside down.  The downside is you have to re-season.  The upside is a clean interior, and you get to smell the re-seasoning smoke!