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–+ servings
a masterbuilt electric smoker with the door closed full of smoke and a pork butt

How to Clean an Electric Smoker

Mads Martigan
Learn how to clean an electric smoker the right way to keep it in its best working order and also avoid damaging any parts of the smoker.
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Servings 1 Clean Smoker

Equipment

  • Bristle-free grill brush
  • A wooden or plastic grill scraper
  • A metal grill scraper or spatula

Ingredients
  

  • Newspapers or tarp to cover the ground and work surfaces
  • Sponge or cloth you don’t mind getting messy
  • Soapy warm water in a bowl or bucket
  • Optional: Spray grill cleaner that’s rated for stainless steel
  • Optional: Glass cleaner for the exterior of the glass window
  • Optional: Vegetable oil and a paper towel

Instructions
 

  • Cover the work area with newspapers or a tarp
  • Take Out the Chip Tray/ Smoker Box only when it is cooled and empty
  • Clean the Shelves, Drip Pan, and Water Pan. Scrape the drip pan with a metal scraper.Every other part can go into a bowl that has warm soapy water in it. Use the grill brush to get rid of any grease and grime in each part.
  • Clean the inner wWalls of the Smoker with a soft bristled brush or cloth and BBQ cleaner. You can use your scraper to get off any thick grease, just be gentle with it. Go through every side of the smoker and scrape off the grease. You’re not looking for a spotless clean, you just need to get rid of any caked on grease and debris.
  • Clean the inside and outside of the glass door. If there is a lot of thick grease on it you’ll have to use a wood or plastic scraper to get it off – definitely don’t use metal, and also be very slow and careful during this step. Avoid using glass cleaner for the interior surface of the glass.
  • Clean the outside. Use a damp cloth to clean the exterior surfaces of your smoker. This gets rid of the dust and any cobwebs you might have.
  • Check the door seal. Wiping this down and getting rid of the grease in the door seal will help you maintain the temperature inside of your smoker.
  • Dry it off with paper towels or newspapers.
  • Put it back together and start It. This includes the trays, pans, racks, and smoker box.
  • Turn it up at the highest setting for about half an hour. This will get rid of the soap and water and it saves you the headache of trying to dry it by hand and help eliminate the possibility of mold forming.
  • Oil it Up. To prevent sticking on your shelves, oil them after the smoker cools down. We recommend a high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed oil. You can also wipe a VERY thin layer on the inner walls of the smoker.
  • Turn off your smoker and let it cool.

Notes

What to Avoid When Cleaning an Electric Smoker
During this process, there are things to avoid. These pitfalls can damage your unit, hurt you, or ruin the cleaning process.
  • Never use abrasive chemicals or steel wool. If the chemical isn’t specifically for BBQ’s, stainless steel, or glass, don’t use them on the surface.
  • Avoid powder based abrasive products like Bar Keeper’s Friend and Ajax.
  • Make sure things are cool before you touch them. This is a no-brainer, but keep it in the back of your mind during the process. Assume everything is hot until proven otherwise.
  • Don’t use a metal scraper on the glass. This will scratch and chip the window.
  • Don’t forget to dry after cleaning. Failure to fire up the machine and dry the interior will result in rust, mold, and nasty bacteria.
  • Don’t put it off too much. Cleaning your smoker too much is never a problem. Cleaning it not enough can lead to malfunctions and lots of problems in the long run.
Video courtesy of The Smoking Beard
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