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Cleaning an electric smoker doesn’t have to be hard or cost a fortune. Proper maintenance reduces your work and keeps your smoker as clean as new.
Over the years, I tried almost everything people suggested to me. Believe me; there were some bizarre ones. What I’m trying to say is, not every method works. So, I rounded up the things that worked the best for me.
I own one from Masterbuilt, but you can clean almost all other electric smokers using the same way as long as it’s an electric smoker. So, let’s learn how to clean an electric smoker.
Things You Will Need To Clean Your Electric Smoker
There are many other chemical substances to clean a smoker. But I don’t recommend them because as quick and effective they sound, they can harm your smoker with harsh elements. I will suggest you –
- Oven Cleaner
Not all oven cleaners work on your smoker. Make sure the cleaner you choose is specially made to be effective on your electric smoker.
The process is the same as soapy water and vinegar. You don’t have to mix water with the cleaner. Just spray some, and wipe clean.
- Bristle Brush
You can’t use a metal brush to clean your smoker because it’ll scratch or damage your smoker.
Instead, use a plastic bristle brush. Bristle brush comes in handy when there is stubborn dust that won’t come off with mild ingredients.
- Wooden Grill Scraper
A grill scraper will also help you remove harsh residue. You can use either one depending on which one is available near at hand.
Using a wooden grill scraper doesn’t require a lot of effort to remove the dust from the cooking chamber walls.
- Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a combination of acids that happens to be great at cleaning dust and grease.
You must have heard of using apple cider vinegar for cleaning other things. Well, it works on your electric smokers too.
This ingredient is handy to clean the cooking chamber of your smoker. All you need is a spraying bottle, apple cider vinegar, and warm water.
Mix equal portions of vinegar and warm water and load it into the spray bottle. Now, spray the mixture into the cooking chamber and wipe it clean with a cloth.
- Soapy Water
Even if you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you must have dishwasher soap. It’s an easy and convenient one but only works if you clean your smoker after every use.
Take a cup of warm water in a spray bottle and add one tablespoon of grease-cutting dishwasher soap.
Mix well and spray it into the cooking chamber. Wipe the smoker with a clean cloth. You can use this technique to clean the exterior part, the thermostat, and the door too.
How To Clean An Electric Smoker – A Complete Guide
As I mentioned earlier, I own a Masterbuilt electric smoker. The following ingredients and methods are most compatible with my smoker. For your convenience, I’ll include how you can clean other electric smokers as well.
How To Clean The Interior Of Your Smoker
I’ve demonstrated every step separately to make you understand the process smoothly. Follow the steps to make your electric smoker clean without making it a labor-intensive chore.
The first step is to remove all the parts that can be removed. For a Masterbuilt Smoker, there will be smoking racks, an ash box, and a drip tray.
Smoking Racks
Smoking racks are where you place the meats for cooking. To clean the shelves, remove them from the chamber.
You can clean the racks using two ways. You either spray a soapy mixture, wipe them with a cloth, or wash them in the dishwasher.
If you’re washing the smoker after several uses, I’ll recommend soaking the racks in a sink filled with soapy water for at least 30 minutes and then washing them.
I highly suggest you clean your cooking racks after every use because the meat’s residue will get stuck permanently over time.
Ash Box
The whole idea of the ash box is to clean without effort. The ashes produced from burning the wood go to the ash box so it doesn’t scatter around your cooking chamber, making it easy to clean.
Remove the ash box, through away the ashes, and wash it using soap and water. Again, try throwing out the remains after every use. You’ll only make your work easier.
Drip Tray
The drip tray is placed directly underneath the racks to catch any oil or sauce dripping from the meat.
Remove the tray and wash it using soap and a washer. You can use apple cider vinegar if there’s any stubborn stain that won’t go away with soap.
If you don’t clean the tray after every use, it’ll rust over time. That’s not going to be a piece of good news for the meats waiting to be barbecued.
Cooking Chamber
Unlike other parts, you don’t need to clean the cooking chamber after every use. But the smoke does change the color from silver to black, so it’s better to clean the chamber now and then. Remove all the parts and make your cooking chamber empty.
If there’s mold or strong dirt inside, use a grill scraper or bristle brush to scrape the dirt off.
Then spray some soap or vinegar mixture into the chamber and leave it till the dirt loosens up. Wipe the chamber using a clean cloth, and you’re done.
Thermostat
Your thermostat also requires regular cleaning. It shows the temperature, so if it’s not clean, you won’t be able to monitor and control the temperature properly.
You can just wipe the thermostat clean with a wet cloth. The thermostat requires the least effort to clean.
Also Read: Best Electric Smoker For Brisket (Top 5 Picks)
How To Clean Exterior Of Your Electric Smoker
You probably use your smoker in the backyard all the time. I know I do. It can get filthy with all the dirt that the wind carries.
If you want to prevent the exterior from getting dusty, you can always use a protective cover. Cleaning the exterior is easier than the inside.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe the smoker clean.
- You can use oven cleaner if you want. But, it’s not necessary, to be honest.
- To clean the glass door, you can use a glass cleaner if you wish.
I’ll advise you to clean the exterior regularly if you often use it outside. If you only use your smoker indoors, it won’t need as much frequent cleaning.
Also Read: How To Season An Electric Smoker (A Comprehensive Guide)
How To Clean Electric Smoker Before First Use
A lot of users don’t think it’s necessary to clean an electric smoker before first use. I can’t entirely agree with them. Electric smokers are produced in mass, so there’s a chance that yours can contain residue from the factory.
The process isn’t challenging, but it takes a long time. The time shouldn’t matter because you don’t have to sit with your smoker while it’s being cleaned.
- Turn the power button on,
- Set the temperature to its highest, and set the timer for 3 hours.
- It’ll remove any unhygienic residue inside the smoker and make your smoker clean.
- Once it cools down, wipe it with a damp cloth,
- And your smoker is ready for some meat.
Also Read: Best Insulation Blanket For Smoker (Pit Boss, Traeger Grills, Masterbuilt, Camp Chef & Z Grills)
How To Clean Creosote From Electric Smoker
Smokers use smoke and heat for cooking food. You have to smoke the food, but you can’t keep it there for too long. The smoke that stays too long or becomes too dense can result in a substance called creosote.
The best way of cleaning creosote is to heat up your smoker. Heating an empty smoker will remove any residue like creosote and make your smoker as clean as new again.
Always remember that prevention is better than cure. If you keep your smoker clean, the chance of creosote ruining your smoked meat taste is meager.
How To Prevent Mold In Electric Smoker
There’s always a barbeque season. People don’t use their smokers all year long. When the smoker sits unused, there’s a chance of mold growth.
To remove mold from a smoker,
- Heat up your empty smoker at the highest temperature for about 40 minutes.
- High heat will melt the mold.
- After cooling down, give your smoker a thorough cleaning.
- Vinegar helps to kill molds.
Some people think bleaching can kill molding, but that’s hardly the truth.
The only way of stopping your smoker from molding is to clean it regularly. Especially the interior.
If you’re about to use the smoker after a long time again, make sure to clean it before storing it. Give your smoker a full cleaning before storing it away for a long time.
How To Power Wash An Electric Smoker
You can power wash your smoker. But it doesn’t mean you should. Power washing may be an effective cleaning method, but it washes away all the flavors and seasoning from your smoker as a side effect.
So, I will discourage you from power washing your smoker. It may be a shortcut to washing, but it has its downsides.
Why You Should Clean Your Electric Smoker
This may sound obvious, but you should know why you need to clean your smoker and how frequently you should do it.
When you keep using your smoker without cleaning it, the cooking performance disappoints you over time.
Not to mention; eventually, it’ll cost you money and labor to replace your old smoker with a new one.
If you are using a smoker for quite some time and it’s not serving you as it used to, then maybe a smooth and good cleaning is what your smoker needs. Also, you must know what elements you can use on your smoker and what you can’t.
In other words, cleaning and maintaining your smoker keeps it clean and ensures that it lasts a long time. The later you clean your smoker, the harder it will be to clean. I’ll discuss later in a chapter how frequently you should clean your smoker.
How To Maintain Electric Smoker After Cleaning
If you want your smoker always working as if it were new, you have to maintain it after cleaning. Your responsibility doesn’t stop with cleaning.
Maintenance is just as essential as cleaning. Here’s what you do to maintain your electric smoker after washing.
Clean After Every Use: As I’ve already said, like a million times, clean your smoker after every use. If not the whole smoker, at least the parts that get dirty after each use.
The cooking racks, for starters. The drip tray also needs regular cleaning, so does the thermostat. As for the ash box, at least empty it if you don’t want to wash it.
The exterior and the cooking chamber don’t require regular cleaning but clean them when you feel like they need cleaning.
No Abrasive Chemicals: There are cleaners with strong chemical elements. They might be useful for cleaning stains quickly but will damage your smoker in the long run. So I strongly recommend you use mild elements like the ones I’ve mentioned above.
Cover Your Smoker: Keep your smoker covered when not using it to protect it from dirt.
Oil Before Cooking: Even though your meat will contain oil and marinating ingredients, you must oil the racks separately before putting the meat in. It’ll prevent the meat from getting stuck on the racks making it easy for you to clean later.
Dry All Parts: After you clean the removable parts of a smoker, dry them all before putting them in.
What temp kills bacteria on an electric smoker?
Temperatures between 195o to 205o can easily kill dangerous bacteria. Preheat your smoker at more than this range just to be safe.
How do you remove black smoke from glass?
Use a vinegar-water solution to remove black smoke from the glass. If the stain is too stubborn, use only vinegar.
Is vinegar or bleach better for killing mold?
Vinegar, without a doubt. Bleach actually increases mold instead of killing it.
Will Heat kill mold?
High heat kills most types of molds. In some cases, you’ll need to use chemicals to remove them.
Can I use a hose to clean a smoker?
Yes, you can use a hose to clean your smoker. But remember to keep the water power low, or you’ll remove all good flavors from your smoker.
Is it necessary to clean my new smoker before use?
It’s always better to disinfect your smoker before first use, even though many people prefer to skip this step.
At what temperature does meat stop absorbing smoke?
There’s no time limit of when the meat will stop absorbing meat. It differs from smoker to smoker and meat to meat.
Is white smoke bad
White smoke is a sign of bad flavors. But electric smokers smolder to smoke food, so it’s alright to experience white smoke with an electric smoker. However, it’s not the best you can do with your smoker. Thin blue smoke indicates good flavors and taste.
Bottom Line
Don’t you want your smoker to always serve you the same? Especially when you’ve invested a fair amount of money on it? I guess you do. It’s your primary responsibility to take care of your smoker after using it.
If you want your smoker to treat you with juicy smoked foods, you have to treat your smoker with cleanliness. Follow the instructions I’ve left for you, and your smoker will be forever grateful to you. Happy smoking!
