Do you own a pellet grill but are unsure about maintenance? A clean pellet smoker ensures the best-tasting food possible.
If you find yourself a huge fan of BBQ, you’re not alone. Grills and smokers bring out some of the most delicious flavors in my opinion. To be a good grillmaster, you also have to know how to take good care of your tools.
Knowing how to clean a pellet smoker properly is a key skill for anyone who enjoys BBQ.
It’s easier than you think to get your pellet smoker back into tip-top shape, and I’m going to share all of my tips so you can handle it all on your own!
Benefits of Keeping Your Pellet Grill Clean
Why should you frequently and thoroughly clean your pellet grill? Here are the benefits of a clean grill.
- Better Airflow: Debris can reduce the airflow of your pellet grill. Good airflow allows for better temperature control, resulting in your food cooking evenly!
- Longer Life: You spent good money to have the smoker of your dreams, so you want it to last a long time. Properly maintaining can prevent early replacement.
- Best Flavor: Old food and wood can hurt the flavor of your food. It’s similar to cooking on a dirty stovetop or microwave.
- Keeping Healthy: Grease can cause build-up on your pellet smoker. As it is repeatedly heated, it absorbs CO2, posing carcinogenic health risks.
- Low Repair Costs: A dirty pellet smoke can cause parts to break down and require replacement sooner. Keeping it as clean as possible when not in use can reduce the cost and frequent need for repair.
Equipment Needed:
- Putty Knife
- Nylon Scrubber
- Paper Towels
- Clean Rags or Sponge
- Small Vacuum or Shop-Vac
- Heavy Duty Grill Cleaner
Instructions on How to Clean Your Pellet Grill:
Unplug the Grill – Before beginning the cleaning process, make sure the pellet grill is completely cool and unplug it.
Remove all the Parts – Anything inside of your smoker that can be removed, take those things out first. This includes the grill grates, drip pans, and deflector plates. They will be scrubbed down separately.
Clean the Lid – Using a putty knife, carefully scrape any buildup from inside the lid. Spray it down with a heavy-duty cleaner and allow it to penetrate any leftover residue for 3-5 minutes. Wipe with a clean rag.
Scrape the Barrel – Using the same putty knife and nylon scrubber, carefully loosen all debris on the bottom and side of the barrel.
Vacuum – With a small handheld vacuum or shop vac, vacuum out the entire barrel.
Clean the Barrel – Spray all exposed areas on the inside of the barrel with heavy-duty cleaner and allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Vacuum Again – Once all the extra gunk is loosened, you may have to vacuum again. If not, go ahead and skip this step.
Clean the Removable Parts – Now, you can carefully wipe down the deflector plate and scrape the debris off the grates and drip pan. Spray with cleaner and wipe clean.
Clean Thermometer and Grease Chute – Wipe the thermometer with fresh paper towels. This is an important component because it determines how hot the grill gets. Thoroughly wipe out the grease chute as well since this connects to the drip tray and can cause spillage if not cleaned.
Reassemble – Place the clean grill grates, drip pan, and deflector plate back into the pellet grill.
Clean the Outside – Spray the outside with cleaner and wipe down with a clean rag. After this step, your pellet grill is ready to use again!
Most Popular Brands of Pellet Grills:
Here are the most popular brands of pellet grills, as well as some examples of what customers are buying right now!
Victory 35” Pellet Grill: This is BBQ Guys exclusive, and it has a larger-than-average pellet hopper and an adjustable exhaust cap to prevent rain from entering the chamber.
Weber SmokeFire EX 4 Pellet Grill: I love that this pellet grill has a removable drawer that catches ash and grease.
Pit Boss Deluxe Wood Pellet Grill: This pellet grill is one of the most affordable on the market!
Yoder Smokers Pellet Grill: A state-of-the-art pellet grill that the professionals swear by. They have a lot of versatility and several models to choose from.
Recteq Wood Pellet Grill: This grill has over 1250 sq ft of space and reaches temperatures of up to 700 degrees F.
Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill: With WiFI connectivity, a touchscreen display, and a 10-year warranty, the Timberline is in a league of its own.
Recipes to Make on Your Clean Pellet Grill:
Now it’s time to start your journey as a grillmaster!
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