Cleaning OTG after smoking

[SoupDogg77]

Hi everyone, my apologies if this has already been covered before. I got a Weber kettle in December, I've used it a few times for smoking, and it's time I want to give it a good cleaning. The interior around the lid has a gummy look/feel to it and the top vent (flower) is very difficult to adjust due to the substance built up. I've almost warped the handle trying to open/close the top vent. Does anyone have some advice on a product or method to go about making 'er all pretty again?  Thanks in advance.

[MikeRocksTheRed]

This should give you all you need to know. I usually don't clean the rim of the lid though...leave it carbonized and junked up since it helps the lid seal better.

[MacEggs]

I personally do not go crazy cleaning the inside ... Aside maybe removing the sweepers once a year to clean off the crud build-up.
I don't like to clean-up all of the seasoning that I have worked so hard to get built-up .... Contributes to flavour.

For the outside, just a bucket of hot water, some Spray Nine, 0000 steel wool, and a hose handy to rinse. 

Good luck!

[SoupDogg77]

Thanks for the tips, I am honestly pretty new to charcoal grilling and smoking only been at it for like 3 months. Forgive me if these are things I should already know. I've seen people talk about seasoning a grill but I guess I'm not sure what it means. I assumed it meant that the walls of your grill have grease and such built up a little, not gross but you'll have a nice BBQ aroma when you lift the lid off. Then I read something about mold and I assumed that you need to clean it often. My concern right now is just to get my top vent to move easily rather than requiring a pair of pliers to turn and the metal bending. I'm okay with leaving the rim a little gunky as I agree the seal seems to be better.

[AZ Monsoon]

Dental floss works well for the vents. Shoot it with some degreaser, let it soak for a little while and then go at it with the dental floss.

[TheDude]

Dental floss works well for the vents. Shoot it with some degreaser, let it soak for a little while and then go at it with the dental floss.

Good idea.

[TheDude]

Thanks for the tips, I am honestly pretty new to charcoal grilling and smoking only been at it for like 3 months. Forgive me if these are things I should already know. I've seen people talk about seasoning a grill but I guess I'm not sure what it means. I assumed it meant that the walls of your grill have grease and such built up a little, not gross but you'll have a nice BBQ aroma when you lift the lid off. Then I read something about mold and I assumed that you need to clean it often. My concern right now is just to get my top vent to move easily rather than requiring a pair of pliers to turn and the metal bending. I'm okay with leaving the rim a little gunky as I agree the seal seems to be better.

No need to apologize. We're all here to learn.

[CharliefromLI]

I have seen barkeepers friend recommended a few times here so I grabbed a can. Stuff works pretty good and for price it's a steal. I clean a lot of grills to sell but on my cookers I just keep grates clean and make sure sweeps turn free. A cheap plastic putty knife will remove a significant amount of gunk.

Lately I've found the best weapon against grease is using a drip pan when cooking indirect. Beat the mess before it happens.

[ramsfan]

Get one of those black plastic handle grips from Weber that fit on the tab of the lid vent. Once installed, that will provide a nice, big, easy grip to turn even the most "gunked up" lid vents. Also, don't clean the inside. You want it seasoned good with smoke, soot, and carbon. It also helps keep it sealed better around the edge. Keep the cook grate clean though.

The mold you are hearing about is only going to occur on the cook grates where bbq sauce was left behind. It's the sugar in the bbq sauce that causes it. Each time you build a hot fire inside, it's killing all the germs and bacteria. If you want the outside looking clean and sharp, get some of that Weber exterior grill cleaner. It comes in a spray bottle and works like car wax cleaner. It will give your kettle finish a great shine.

[SoupDogg77]

Thanks guys, I think I'm just going to try and figure out the daisy wheel vent on top and let the inside stay seasoned, that makes sense. I'll try the floss as well as soap and water, wasn't sure if it was that simple. Feels like I'd need to get under there. I'd love to find a rubber grip if they sell one, esp for when I'm cooking.

[CharliefromLI]

Thanks guys, I think I'm just going to try and figure out the daisy wheel vent on top and let the inside stay seasoned, that makes sense. I'll try the floss as well as soap and water, wasn't sure if it was that simple. Feels like I'd need to get under there. I'd love to find a rubber grip if they sell one, esp for when I'm cooking.

If vent is concern. Grab some greased lightning degreaser spray inside and out and let soak. Once it moves turn a bit spray and soak again. If it won't move. Gently tap handle tab sideways LIGHTLY with hammer.

You can slightly warm up gently to get things moving too.

[addicted-to-smoke]

... I'd love to find a rubber grip if they sell one, esp for when I'm cooking.

@SoupDogg77 Weber calls it a "handle for lid damper" available separately: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/handle-for-lid-damper-molded-black-p-2127037.html Sooner or later all of mine get these. Funny how a little thing like that makes it a lot easier to turn on a hot grill, because you can then turn it slowly instead of hitting the tab sideways quickly to avoid a burn!

[Saugust]

Something I try to remember to do is open all the vents on my grills back up after they've cooled off. This helps the air flow through and prevent mold build-up. I'm blessed to be able to store all of my grills inside a work room attached to my garage, so I have no fear of rain. But it works just the same if you have a cover(s).

[TheDude]

Thanks guys, I think I'm just going to try and figure out the daisy wheel vent on top and let the inside stay seasoned, that makes sense. I'll try the floss as well as soap and water, wasn't sure if it was that simple. Feels like I'd need to get under there. I'd love to find a rubber grip if they sell one, esp for when I'm cooking.

Contact @zavod44 He can make you a wood one. Replace your plastic handles, while you're at it.

[Troy]

Something seems odd about your top vent being so cruddy after only 3 months.
Do you mind posting some pictures?

I'm just curious as to what's going on. The top vent on my dedicated smoker gummed up too, but that was after a year of weekly overnight smokes (8+ butts a week)