Almost a Disaster

[classicrockgriller]

I want to start by telling you that I clean my V-tray regargless of how dirty after each smoke.

Last nite while this http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=17579.0 was smoking I

got a weird feeling and went out and looked at the smoker. Everything seemed normal and the

smoke was going good. I was smoking 4 meatloafs (about 10 lbs worth) and a 3lb chuck roast.

As i was shutting the door I happen to glace at my V-tray. I got out a flashlite and took a closer

look. I ran in the House and got another V-tray and switched them out. This is what was there:



Wasn't anybody's fault. The stuff I was smoking was so juicy that the V-tray got stopped up

and the hole was clogged. It actually had more liquids in when I took it out, some drained out

during the nite.

So on a LONG smoke do yourself a favor and take a peek at your V-tray every now and then.

I was reading Pachanga's post on Smoking 4 briskets and he stated that 1/2 thru the smoke

or so, he scrapes down his v-tray so that everything drains properly.

[Sailor]

Good advice.  And you may have just saved yourself a fire.  Not sure what temp you were smoking but with that grease on the V tray was sure a good fuel source.

[beefmann]

good point to bring up, i have had similar issues and scrap off the v tray when it gets  that way

[classicrockgriller]

was smoking at 240*

[Mr Walleye]

Good catch Sonny.  ;)

I always keep a 1 inch putty knife by my smoker for that reason. Anytime I have the door open I always check the V-pan and give it a quick scrape when necessary.

Mike

[oakville smoker]

Nice save

[classicrockgriller]

I found the problem I think.

This is the V-tray all cleaned up.



I got the V-tray from my other smoker and compared them. The one I used yesterday is on top.









I'll make that hole bigger before I use that tray again.

[KevinG]

That's not right, mine didn't come with any money.

[classicrockgriller]

That's not right, mine didn't come with any money.

That was the rebate amount.

[KevinG]

I just checked mine, and it's like the smaller one in your first picture.

[Mailman]

Thanks for post. really I have never checked mine. All I know is its a pain to clean up. I usually use SOS pad. Still its nasty to clean.

[classicrockgriller]

Thanks for post. really I have never checked mine. All I know is its a pain to clean up. I usually use SOS pad. Still its nasty to clean.

That one I posted at the start of the pic, I sraped it off and sprayed it with Dawn Power Dissolver and let it sit about 15 minutes

and everything brushed right off. No SOS died in this cleaning.

[StickyDan]

Good post CRG.  If you remember, I actually had a grease fire a while back while doing bacon wrapped chicken on high heat.  Although I don't think it started because the hole was clogged but rather because I was using high heat with greasy bacon.  Luckily I was sitting by the smoker when it started.  I noticed a change in the smell of smoke.  I was lucky enough to be able to put it out by closing the door and the vent.  Scared the crap outta me though. Think I might get myself a scrapper just in case.

[DTAggie]

Stretch that hole

[moodyfisherman]

How do you stretch stainless steel? Is the tray with the bigger hole a  newer tray?