Cleaning Tip

Habanero Smoker · July 25, 2007, 02:56:21 AM

The problem I had may not be one that any one else may encounter, but I thought I would post it just in case. The problem was due to not cleaning the bottom of the "V" tray properly.

During my last couple of smokes, I started noticing that grease was dripping down on the area were the heating plate is located. When I would remove the Bubba pucks from the generator, the one on the heating pad would be covered with a good coat of grease, and the second one would have some grease on it. The first time, I checked the "V" tray for problems with the vents, holes and/or split seam, but there wasn't any. The second time I concentrated more on the bottom of the pan, and was pretty sure I discovered the problem. At least I hoped I had.

The hole in the drip pan has a small lip, which I didn't think was too important. What had occurred over the years, was that carbon had built up on the bottom of the pan, until the lip could no longer be noticed. When grease went through the drip hole some of the grease would flow along the carbon build up, and then drip down when it got over the heating plate. After cleaning the carbon away from the drip hole, I did not have that problem for my next smoke. So hopefully that was the cause, and solution to the problem.

sherlock · July 25, 2007, 04:17:37 AM

Quote from: Habanero Smoker on July 25, 2007, 02:56:21 AM
The hole in the drip pan has a small lip, which I didn't think was too important. What had occurred over the years, was that carbon had built up on the bottom of the pan, until the lip could no longer be noticed. When grease went through the drip hole some of the grease would flow along the carbon build up, and then drip down when it got over the heating plate.

Please forgive my Newbie ignorance. It seems like you have been smoking for quite some time and are obviously an expert at it and I have have just received my unit yesterday and have NEVER smoked anything.

If I did, I did not inhale. Thats my story and I am sticking to it. ;D

I am thinking of the "drip pan" as being the flat metal pan in the bottom that sits under the water bowl just below the heating element. I know I have to be all screwed up in my thinking because grease can't drip UP to the heating element. ???

This sounds like something that I may not experience for years, if ever, but if you would, please contribute to the education of a TOTAL Newbie, and try to tell me where my thinking is incorrect.

Thanks

HCT · July 25, 2007, 04:22:27 AM

Good tip, something to keep an eye on.

begolf25 · July 25, 2007, 05:37:27 AM

Habs, thanks for the tip. Something to keep an eye out for.

Sherlock, Habs is referring to the V-shaped tray that goes above your water bowl.

smokin stu · July 25, 2007, 06:09:39 AM

This is interesting as my Bubba Pucks have been getting more and more stained as I continue smoking. Normal I thought. This last batch, one puck was coated in a grease layer cooked on. I did think this was weird as the grease should be heading towards the water bowl and even checked to make sure the slits in the V-Rack were clear. I don't like the idea of grease coming in contact with the bisquettes or the bisquette heating element. I'm going to check that lip your talking about and see if that is clogged up.

Mr Walleye · July 25, 2007, 07:19:22 AM

Great tip Habs!

I'll just add to it a bit. After several smokes I will spray my V-Pan with oven cleaner, both top and bottom, let it sit for several hours, then spray it off and scrub any residue off. Works great and returns it to shinny new!

Mike

Habanero Smoker · July 25, 2007, 02:48:34 PM

Quote from: smokin stu on July 25, 2007, 06:09:39 AM
This is interesting as my Bubba Pucks have been getting more and more stained as I continue smoking. Normal I thought. This last batch, one puck was coated in a grease layer cooked on. I did think this was weird as the grease should be heading towards the water bowl and even checked to make sure the slits in the V-Rack were clear. I don't like the idea of grease coming in contact with the bisquettes or the bisquette heating element. I'm going to check that lip your talking about and see if that is clogged up.

My Bubba pucks were like that, until the summer time. In the summer months I turn off my smoke generator after the smoke has been applied. Because the generator was turned off the grease accumulate on the puck, and did not burn off.

Sherlock;
Now I have and idea of the origins of your name. ;D Nice catch. I was referring to the drip hole in the "V" shelf.

Oldman · July 25, 2007, 08:02:02 PM

Good tip Hab.

I always use oven cleaner on my V pan and racks after each use. However, never use it on pan under the water bowl. The over cleaner will eat that metal.

Olds

oguard · August 05, 2007, 11:25:38 PM

Hey guys I was down at my local hardware store in search of some bbq cleaner.I found this great stuff made by Spray 9.I believe this cleaner got its start in the medical system as an anti-bacterial spray.This stuff turned my old looking Napolean grill into brand new again :o with no harsh chemical smell ,also used it on my charcoal Weber and it did wonders.Next is to try it on the Bradley.In my opinion this product is one of the best I've used.It was about $6 a spray bottle.

Mike

Habanero Smoker · August 06, 2007, 03:07:58 AM

Wow! Spray 9 is still on the market; then it must be good. :) I'll give it a try.

oguard · August 06, 2007, 08:12:33 AM

It is up here in Canada.It is in a black spray bottle with orange writing.

Mike

smokin stu · August 06, 2007, 05:23:04 PM

Anyone ever just throw the BS trays an V-tray into a self cleaning oven when its time to clean the oven?

Will the BS stuff make it I wonder?

Habanero Smoker · August 07, 2007, 03:42:57 AM

My trays have lost all the chrome coating so I figured I had nothing to loose. So I put them in my electric oven and used the self clean (I wouldn't do that with the Jerky racks). It didn't help any with the clean up, but again I have no coating on them so that could be part of my problem. I'm not sure what metal they are made from. The color look almost like copper, but it's not.

I would be careful about try to clean the "V" tray that way. It's so thin I would be concerned that it would buckle, and split at the seams.