Cleaning your Pit

Adam · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 19

Kind of a newb question and I couldn't find much discussion and a definite answer on it in the search...

How should I be cleaning my pit once I'm done cooking? Generally I let the fire burn down and out overnight then empty the ashes in the morning but don't do much of anything else. Should I be cleaning my cast iron grates? What about all the grease on the bottom of the smoker and on the baffler and tuning plate, , should I be cleaning that as well or does that "season" the pit?

Thanks!
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Char Griller Smokin' Pro

k.a.m. · Posted: May 12 2009 Post subject:

Adam, I don't have a char griller but I have an offset. I always clean out the bottom and burn off my grates with my weed burner the day after a cook, my grates are expanded metal not cast.Then I rinse her down warm her up and spray everything down with Pam. If you use it a lot then less cleaning might be okay, I just don't like opening my cookers and finding science projects growing if ya know what I mean Smile

c crane · BBQ Fan Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 156

Clean it??????? What'sw that!!!!

Mike Lawry · Posted: May 12 2009 Post subject:

I get kinda lazy on the clean up, but , I do my best to have a clean smoker. I pressure wash mine when needed. Usually after every smoke seccion.

Mike Lawry.

jujuboy77 · BBQ Fan Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 253 Location: Adams TN

Does burning it out once a year count as cleaning???? Embarassed

i brush my grats every use and i keep my fire box clean but i usually dont do much more. my pit drains correctly so i dont get alot of build up in the bottom and i burn out about once a year when i paint.
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Jp
oklahoma joes longhorn smoker

stringbender128 · Posted: May 12 2009 Post subject:

Wash out the bottom of the pit and the charcoal holder/smoker baffel to remove grease because when you use the char -griller as a grill, it WILL create a grease fire, and the heat from that will remove the exterior paint in a hurry. The cast iron grates should never see a grill brush, as that will remove the seasoning. Just keep the grates oiled down, as well as the interior parts you cleaned and it will be fine.
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Peoria Custom Cookers 24x48 Backyard Cooker
Weber Genesis S-330 Gasser