I was gifted a WSM 22.5" back in May, and -well- now I'm addicted to smoking. I have a few briskets under my belt, a pork butt, and some other minor things as I've had time. But my question is, how well does the thing need to be maintained post cook? The charcoal grate is rusty from when I first got it. Is it necessary that be replaced? How well do the cook grates need to be cleaned before each new cook? Do the inside walls need to be completely de-caked with any kind of regularity, or does that count as seasoning (i.e. Is it safe)? Does the base need to be completely clear of sludge? I'm not sure how it even got on there with a water pan and 3 grates between it and the meat. I did a little cleaning this morning since I'm returning it home, but am including some pictures in hopes that perhaps y'all can point me in the right direction.
WSM Maintenance
Moderator: TBBQF Deputies
- jwh
- Cowboy
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 11:59 am
- Location: DFW
- Contact:
WSM Maintenance
Josh
- jwh
- Cowboy
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 11:59 am
- Location: DFW
- Contact:
- bsooner75
- High Plains Smoker
- Posts: 8537
- Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:34 pm
- Location: Little Elm, TX
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
Charcoal grate will be fine. I'd just hit the bottom the best you can to get the sludge out but no need to just out the tooth brush.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- OldUsedParts
- Deputy
- Posts: 21616
- Joined: Sun May 15, 2011 7:09 pm
- Location: Montgomery, Texas
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
Josh, all I can say is if you consider that dirty then I'm in trouble
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"
- jwh
- Cowboy
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 11:59 am
- Location: DFW
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
Well, I didn't know if it was considered dirty or not, which is why I had to ask. :)
Josh
- jwh
- Cowboy
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Mon May 08, 2017 11:59 am
- Location: DFW
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
Thanks for the pointers.
I got the sludge removed from the base with a crow bar and hammer.
I got the sludge removed from the base with a crow bar and hammer.
Josh
- OldUsedParts
- Deputy
- Posts: 21616
- Joined: Sun May 15, 2011 7:09 pm
- Location: Montgomery, Texas
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
Wiffy told me if she ever saw me again with that crow bar and sledge, she would put me under a "peace bond"
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"
- bsooner75
- High Plains Smoker
- Posts: 8537
- Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:34 pm
- Location: Little Elm, TX
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
When I said "hit" o didn't mean crowbar and sledge :)
It's fine…just cook! I just clean to avoid grease fires. If it seems to be getting to that point clean it out. Oh and occasionally scrape the creosote build up off the dome.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It's fine…just cook! I just clean to avoid grease fires. If it seems to be getting to that point clean it out. Oh and occasionally scrape the creosote build up off the dome.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
- Rustler
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:02 pm
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
I have a 18.5 WSM and it looks exactly like yours....I say smoke on! Only thing I clean well is.the water pan since it collects so much grease (I line mine with foil to help) because if it sits with the grease too long you'll get mold. The rest is seasoning! A little rust, flakes on the inside won't hurt a thing!
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
-
- Pilgrim
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:59 pm
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
jwh wrote:I was gifted a WSM 22.5" back in May, and -well- now I'm addicted to smoking. I have a few briskets under my belt, a pork butt, and some other minor things as I've had time. But my question is, how well does the thing need to be maintained post cook? The charcoal grate is rusty from when I first got it. Is it necessary that be replaced? How well do the cook grates need to be cleaned before each new cook? Do the inside walls need to be completely de-caked with any kind of regularity, or does that count as seasoning (i.e. Is it safe)? Does the base need to be completely clear of sludge? I'm not sure how it even got on there with a water pan and 3 grates between it and the meat. I did a little cleaning this morning since I'm returning it home, but am including some pictures in hopes that perhaps y'all can point me in the right direction.
You'll be fine after acquiring a 1"x3" stainless steel brush for the grates, a 3" plastic scraper, and a straw whisk broom for the inside of the cooker. Oh yeah, and a small dose of elbow grease.
- Scott P
- Cowboy
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:36 pm
- Location: Porter, TX
- Contact:
Re: WSM Maintenance
I scrape the walls and dome down to remove that build up. I don't it often, usually after it rained and I forget to open up the WSM to dry it out. Then I am removing fuzzy stuff and build up.
Buddha Belly BBQ Team
18" WSM
22" WSM
26" Kettle
Genesis II S-310
Large BGE
18" WSM
22" WSM
26" Kettle
Genesis II S-310
Large BGE
Return to “BBQ Pits - Offset and Vertical Smokers”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 68 guests