Cleaning the racks

[gregbooras]

Cleanup is really easy for me, I spray with pam and then smoke as normal.

Once the smoking is done, give to the better half to clean

Greg

 

[NDKoze]

I found the perfect size tub in Wallyworld's storage bin section.  It holds the #3 racks with about 1" extra on all sides.  Will hold all the racks soaking in some dishwashing detergent to soften the caked on particles for removal without a lot of work.  It was about $4.  By the time the smoker cools down I have usually lost interest in the idea of immediate cleanup.  By the time I get around to it (usually just before the next smoke) it is usually a PITA task.  This simplifies things a lot.  Soak and sponge wipe.

Bill, I would love to see a pick of the container that you got. This sounds like a great idea.

 

[Carp210]

I like to spray with Pam and when the cook is done soak grates to soften.  Last night I stood the grate up in the kitchen sink and put wet paper towels with hot water to help with the clean up.

 

[prudentsmoker]

I have mentioned here before that I had great luck with Dollar Tree Awesome Grill and Oven cleaner. Regarding grills not fitting in the dishwasher- I could get the grills from my Oklahoma Joes to fit if I used an s-hook suspended from the top rack. It put it in at a 45 degree angle, but it did fit.

 

[coachB]

Gregg,  update correction necessary on the Walmart storage tub.  I had not yet used it when I posted (got it yesterday).  I went to get the #'s off the unit and at the last minute decided to check it out before posting again.  The measurements listed were for the tub cover and it actually turned out the interior was 1/2" too short.  I brought it back and picked up a Rubbermaid underbed storage tub.  The dimensions are 29 x 18 x 6.  The racks fit fine in this one.  It is a dark gray color and the cost was just under $11.  It is a better unit than the Walmart house brand.  I was wrong on the original unit's cost too.  I bought several different tubs at the same time and had the prices confused.  The original unit was actually just under $6.

As far as pics,  I am a senior citizen dinosaur.  No smartphone.  No digital camera.  No idea how to post pics if I was able to take them. Not even very computer literate.  I can surf and do a letter,  but actually utilizing a computer's capabilities is totally foreign.  I was OK with the digital age through CD's, but when it hit MP3's they lost me.  When I was in college the only computer around was the university's, and it was a NYC block underground.  Today what a person carries in a notebook computer has more computing power than the university's did back then.  One of the problems of not having kids or grandkids to keep you up to date.

 

[NDKoze]

No problem. Thanks for the update.

 

[1stlink]

Gregg, I copied the mortar tray idea from Dave's post. Home Depot has several sizes pretty cheap. I set mine in a seldom (almost never used as we use a shower) bathtub and soak with dish soap for a day or so. Drain & rinse, like new.. 

Outdoors would be even better but not an option for me.  ???

 

[RSNovi]

I gave mine a quick scrubbing in the sink and let the dishwasher do the rest.  They came out clean!  My wsm racks never came out this clean.

That's how I do it too.  Works well.

 

[tsax6010]

I usually try to remember to spray my racks with Pam first, but sometimes get so caught up in prep work that it slips my mind.

While researching ways to clean up my stainless steel grill grates I came across a lot of sites suggesting the same thing and gave it a try. Put grates in a large plastic garbage bag and add a cup or 2 of ammonia. Tie up the bag super tight - it is actually the ammonia gas that goes to work on the cooked on gunk. Put the bag out in your yard for at least 24 hours. For the most part the grates should just rinse clean.

I tried this with various stainless parts in my grill including grates and flame tamers and it worked wonders. Really stubborn spots I use Barkeepers Friend on.

 

[Mr. D]

For my SI3 racks I use the dishwasher, easy button.

 

[kz0m]

Model 3D racks didn't fit in the sink or dishwasher.  I tried a dish bus tub, only half fit.  Finally decided to try something else, a washer pan from home depot shown here:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Washing-Machine-Pan-34067/100080446

I can fit over 6 racks in this pan, probably more.  I give the racks a good soak with water and they just need a small scrape with a wire brush.  May not be practical in winter cold areas but it works great to get racks cleaned up.  Pam would make the job even easier.  I'm working on another rack cleaner project and will post when it's finished, if it works ;-))

Carl

 

[Durangosmoker]

I'm of the soak in a mortar tub school, and I've also found that a Magic Eraser works wonders for cleaning the racks. Mine look practically brand new.

 

[mizzoufan]

dang, you guys are making me reconsider my idea of eventually upgrading to a #3 (probably 3D).  I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't put the racks and side rails in the dishwasher.  I guess I could try the threat that I won't use the smoker anymore unless my roomies do the cleanup, but I'm not sure they'd believe me.

 

[NDKoze]

I put my #3 racks in my dishwasher all the time. They stick out just a little bit (maybe 1"-2", but as I close the door of the dishwasher they slide up the door wall and the door closes without issue. I run the dishwasher on the Heavy Duty with high heat dry and my racks come out very clean.

 

[pargol4]

Am I doing something that I'm not supposed to do? If/when they get really bad, I just throw them in the oven on the self-cleaning mode. One time through and they are like new.

 

[barelfly]

@pargol4

I put mine on my grill after I use them. Burn the crud off and hit them with the brush. Not self clean, but gets some hot temps on them and they are good..

 

[EFGM]

Actually both good ideas, I usually scrape mine to get heavy stuff off, the reuse about 3-4 times, then put them in the dishwasher. About once a year I will take them to the car wash but not sure why. I have started using the heavy aluminum pan covers (2) to foil the bottom and I get at least 3 uses out of them, sometimes 4. Having the real estate of a #4 allows me to use a inside drip pan as well. Got that trick from Super Dave if I remember correctly.

 

[LarryD]

dang, you guys are making me reconsider my idea of eventually upgrading to a #3 (probably 3D).  I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't put the racks and side rails in the dishwasher.  I guess I could try the threat that I won't use the smoker anymore unless my roomies do the cleanup, but I'm not sure they'd believe me.

The 3 series racks fit just fine in my dishwasher which is how I do it...  i wouldn't mind having a container to pre-soak them sometimes when they're really cruddy.

 

[Pork Belly]

I occasionally scrub my racks with a stiff wire brush, not much else is needed other than a wipe down.

 

[nvw-ssv]

#3.5 racks fit on the bottom dishwasher rack if I remove the silverware tray on the door.  I usually soak in the mortar tub and then run a pots/pans cycle high heat.  they sparkle like new.