New Guy with a clean up question

[SmokinBuddy]

I've been lurking and getting recipes and advice for months.  Thanks to all of your regulars who are so willing to share and to help others.

I've got a digital Bradley, and it is the greatest thing going.  I just have one little cleaning problem and I thought I'd ask before I screwed up.

The door gasket on my smoker gets sticky near the bottom of the door when the smoker has cooled off.  I can guess what the causes are, but what do I use to clean it safely?  I certainly do not want to add any chemical odor to the smoke box, and plain water doesn't seem to cut the 'grease'.  The damper has a similar sticky problem.  I'm about to try a little Dawn and water to cut it.
Any other suggestions?

Thanks and Good Smokin'.
Buddy

[Mr Walleye]

Hi Smokin' and welcome to the forum!

I always use a spray bottle of Mr Clean and water for wiping up any spills around the smoker. Once my smoke is complete I just spray a rag or paper towel and wipe off the door seal and the mating serface on the cabinet. Then I usually leave the door open for a few minutes. By doing this I have never had a problem of the seal sticking.

Good luck

Mike


Opps....
I missed your other question.... the damper

Some people put a longer screw on it and a spring on the shaft of the screw. This way you can give it a little lift when it's stuck to break it loose. I just backed of the screw a little bit and I have no problem breaking it loose if it sticks. Of course the other solution would be to take the screw out every few smokes and clean it.

[Habanero Smoker]

Hi SmokinBuddy;
Welcome to the forum.

Denatured or rubbing alcohol works great. It easily dissolve the smoke tar and any other build up on the seal and vent. Just make sure that your smoke generator is turned off, and the cabinet has cooled off some.

[SmokinBuddy]

Thanks Guys.  Those sound like excellent ideas.
I'm smoking some spanish mackeral my wife caught yesterday.  I'll try the clean up tips in the morning.

[Ontrack]

Welcome to the forum SmokinBuddy. I had the same deal as you, and tried several things to clean off the "gunk", with little success. I started searching my basement shelves to find something that would do the job and not kill me, and came up with, as that expert before me said, denatured alcohol. Very easy and does a great job.

[iceman]

I like to use Muratic Acid. I love the sizzling sound it makes when it eats up the door gasket. And it really gives the next smoke a ZING on the taste buds. :o ::) :D ;D JUST KIDDING!!! Denatured alcohol is what works for me or a real expensive whiskey but we won't go there. :)
Anyhow, welcome to the BS family SomkinBuddy.

[SmokinBuddy]

I like to use Muratic Acid. I love the sizzling sound it makes when it eats up the door gasket. And it really gives the next smoke a ZING on the taste buds. :o ::) :D ;D JUST KIDDING!!! Denatured alcohol is what works for me or a real expensive whiskey but we won't go there. :)
Anyhow, welcome to the BS family SomkinBuddy.

Really funny, Iceman.  Even I know that muratic acid is to be used only in brine.  ;)

Thanks again.

[Wildcat]

Brines my sidewalks pretty well!  ;D  Welcome to the forum SmokinBuddy.

[LilSmoker]

I like to use Muratic Acid. I love the sizzling sound it makes when it eats up the door gasket. And it really gives the next smoke a ZING on the taste buds.

Hahaha! like your style Pat, that's almost as good as your membrane removing method!

On a serious note............Hi and welcome SmokinBuddy, yeah the denatured alcohol does a great job, or a regular wipe with some soapy water will stop the sticky build up.

LilSmoker

[Habanero Smoker]

Come to think of it, the acid would accelerate the penetration of the brine. I'll have to try that in my next brine.  ;D

[iceman]

Come to think of it, the acid would accelerate the penetration of the brine. I'll have to try that in my next brine.  ;D

YIKES!!!!  :o :o :o That would be like taking a swig of the Habanero extract I use in the Sop'n Sauce.  :D

[Mr Walleye]

Ice...ya mean you haven't tried that yet?  ;)

I always taste all my spice independantly!  ;D

Mike

[SmokinBuddy]

Since you all have been so helpful, I'm going to ask another question......
What is FTC?

There I've said it. I'm not too proud.  I'd rather be informed.

Buddy

[Artmiester]

Welcome to the forum SmokinBuddy!
Gettin' in kind of late on the cleaning thing but the Iceman touched on it with the spirit treatment. A cheap vodka works great and leaves NO aftertaste. Just a little on a paper towel and VIOLA, clean and dry as a whistle. You can also wring out the paper towel in a shot glass for a tasty treat if you like. :D

Foil, Towel, Cooler works for me. I wrap the brisket, ribs, shoulder, what have you in cling wrap first (cuts down on leaking of the sacred juices) and then a double wrap of foil right from the smoker followed by wrapping the foiled delectible in a beach towel and tossing it in a cooler. I've got a couple of "little playmate" coolers (Igloo) that just fit an 8# peice of pleasure which precludes the need for "preheating" the cooler which others do. In a larger cooler I've used an electric heating pad to extend cooking time. Either way it works great for extending cooking times or lengthening serving times for late guests.
Try it, you'll like it! ;D ;D

[SmokinBuddy]

Thanks.  I had the general idea of FTC but I could not make out the words.