As expected, I should've cleaned it yesterday, to use today :(

[addicted-to-smoke]

This is the inside of my WSM. The spots are greenish mold. It always has a Weber cover on it. Luckily I had the foresight not to store the cook grates in it (an additional problem with my kettles.)

I've got a full chimney's worth of charcoal going full blast in there now. I'll see what happens.

[addicted-to-smoke]

... and it basically had no effect. Maybe another day I'll load up the 18 kettle and put this middle section it for a bit.

[LightningBoldtz]

Is that a result of leaving the vents closed up on it?

[1911Ron]

Interesting, I will be checking back to learn of any new progress.

[firedude5015]

Happened to an old smoker I had. left it under a cover, vents closed for a couple months. I took it to the carwash and washed it with some bleach cleaner and rinsed it real good.
must have killed the mold cause it didn't kill me lol I guess we use our kettles enough to prevent that.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Is that a result of leaving the vents closed up on it?

Oh, is that what causes it? I close mine up, but I suppose I should be treating them like a "toilet seat," leave it up/open to help prevent it?

[addicted-to-smoke]

Happened to an old smoker I had. left it under a cover, vents closed for a couple months. I took it to the carwash and washed it with some bleach cleaner and rinsed it real good.
must have killed the mold cause it didn't kill me lol I guess we use our kettles enough to prevent that.

I'll have to try that, thanks.

[crowderjd]

Wow.  I have never seen this.  I took a look on the inside of mine over the weekend (haven't used it in a while) but it looked good.  Do you think it is just from all the moisture in the southeast?

[LightningBoldtz]

Check this article out

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/mold_in_your_smoker.html

[MikeRocksTheRed]

I think it would be easiest to just hit it with some easy off, let it sit a bit, then scrap with razor blades.  But since I don't have a WSM I'm not really sure if the weber kettle cleaning technique applies to the mid section of the WSM or not....is that the same porcelain/ceramic as kettles?

[addicted-to-smoke]

Yeah Mike it's the same.

Check this article out

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/mold_in_your_smoker.html

I will, thanks again.

[LightningBoldtz]

I think it would be easiest to just hit it with some easy off, let it sit a bit, then scrap with razor blades.  But since I don't have a WSM I'm not really sure if the weber kettle cleaning technique applies to the mid section of the WSM or not....is that the same porcelain/ceramic as kettles?

Referring to Easy-off - I try to avoid that stuff at all costs,  it is extremely bad to you personally and the environment.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Hmm, the Amazing Ribs article says don't use a cover unless you have a WSM. Well ... yes, and if I don't cover my machines water gets in. No thanks. So yes I'll use my covers. Also, I like my handles to not age in the sun and rain. And my paint not to fade!

Of course, if I could always store everything inside it wouldn't be a problem. I can get it clean eventually but don't understand yet how to prevent it besides opening vents up (with cover on) and removing the door, IF that'll work.

[WNC]

I've had a similar problem with mine. I had it stored under the house where no sun hit it, vents open, no cover, occasional mold.

After having to clean it a couple of times, I started moving it to a spot where it wouldn't get rained on, but did get hit with the afternoon sun. No more mold issues!

We've moved, so it now lives in the basement, vents open, no cover and it's not molded since.

I think having it get some sun and heat up goes a long way in keeping the mold out. I also leave the water pan out to promote more air flow.

When I did have to clean it, I'd scrape off the mold and clean it with whatever household cleaner we use on our counters, and then burn a good fire.

[kettlecook]

Turning the middle section upside down will keep the water out, covered or not. We have a good bit of humidity here in middle TN and I've never had mold with the cover on. As already posted, keep the bottom vents open. One more thing: don't forget about the water pan after a cook.

Regarding your grates, keep em clean but not too clean. If you do keep em too clean then keep some veggie oil on em. Even the best cared for grate will eventually probably rust, especially if you cook with a lot of high heat. So last time my Performer grate rusted I went with the same kind that my big kettle has, STAINLESS. And I'm glad I did since I'm now torching it really good when using my Kettlepizza.


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