Little Chief Smoker - Cleaning

[will_e_fish]

Yeah what they say some things should not be cleaned for that brokein, cured, or mojo feeling.
However if you have a feeling it needs a change or some freshness I have used oven cleaner and for that really tuff stuff that wont come off amonia soak for overnight with steelwool or sos pad gets it pretty new & lot a work. I clean racks,foil the bottom & ( drip pan) everthing else is good

[jokester]

First of all you should never clean the inside of your smoker,when you first get it you need to burn a few pans just to season it, then you cover the drip pan with tin foil and change that every few batches just keep it out in the garage or in the shed out of the weather. also I saved the box it came in and cut out the bottom and a place for the exhaust hole so that I can take it on and off the purpose for this is added insulation it really helps keep the heat in.
The only thing I clean is the racks spray them with pam before every use.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Ditto that! You hit the nail on the head!

-jokester

[reeldick]

I don't think they even clean the big professional smoke house rooms. They do clean the racks.

[sunshinefisherman]

Ditto on not cleaning the inside, I put the racks in the dishwasher each time and then spray them with pan spray before use.

However. . .

I saved the box it came in and cut out the bottom and a place for the exhaust hole so that I can take it on and off the purpose for this is added insulation it really helps keep the heat in.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Several people I know (myself included) have damaged their smokers by trying to enclose or shelter them. The most common failure is that you will melt the electrical cord end. Replacements are expensive, last time I checked they were $16.
Please read the instructions, I believe that they caution you about this.

[cotalot]

Cleaning Bad - Seasoned Good!

I have a Big Chief and I leave mine in the box, except in the summer.
I cut flap for access to the pan opening area in the box. The box makes good insulation in the winter and I leave the top flaps of the box open while smoking. I've never had a problem with overheating and wrecking anything. I'd never try it with the boxes top flaps closed!

[WishinIwasfishin]

It's like washing your favorite coffee cup......NEVER!!!!!!!!!!
I wash the racks after each use but thats it. I usually smoke, with a box around the Lil chief to keep it warmer and put in spot out of the wind.

[DownTime]

Ditto,I'm on my third little chief and never cleaned the inside of any of them.Just the racks. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

JB

[Ivana Fishalot]

Originally posted by jokester:
CLEANING YOUR SMOKER :shocked: ???? That's like washing your favorite fishing hat! NO NO NO!! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] Takes the mojo out of it! IMHO! :grin:

-jokester

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">THAT, my friend, is the EXACT reaction I had when I read the title of this thread. The stickier and more stained, the better.

[Mikeymoto]

Its just like seasoning a cast iron skillet, never wash it. The easiest way I've found to clean the racks is soak them in hot water with powdered dishwasher detergent either in the sink or a rubbermaid type of container. Soak overnight and they will wipe clean, it not a quick trip through the dishwasher should take care of the residule.
MM

[WheresMyBobber]

I have to differ with the crowd on this one. I spray the racks with Pam (or something like it) every time I smoke fish, and wash them afterwards.

I also like to clean the inside of my smoker once in a while, and have found that all you need to do is take your garden hose on the strongest jet setting and you can spray most of the residue off the inside without using any soap or chemicals. It won't be as clean as new, but pretty darn clean for what you're trying to accomplish.

[Grandpa Lynn]

Can anybody give me any good ideas on how to clean up the inside of my Little Chief Smoker, after it's been used a few times. It's starting to get pretty bad..

As discussed the other day, it works ok, if you have someway of helping to keep the heat in..

Thanks,

[jokester]

CLEANING YOUR SMOKER :shocked: ???? That's like washing your favorite fishing hat! NO NO NO!! [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] Takes the mojo out of it! IMHO! :grin:

-jokester

[ajfishfinder]

I don't know what your idea of pretty bad is??? If it gets to thick with creosote for the racks to fit, then it is time to clean or replace it. Otherwise I wouldn't touch it. If you must, use dishwasher soap. It is a mild caustic and will eat the aluminum if you over do it. Just disolve some in hot water and spray or wipe it on. Let it sit awhile then rinse well. You should heat it to cook of any residue prior to your next use. Once dry you can also spray it with pam to help it clean up easier next time.

[fishnagain]

First of all you should never clean the inside of your smoker,when you first get it you need to burn a few pans just to season it, then you cover the drip pan with tin foil and change that every few batches just keep it out in the garage or in the shed out of the weather. also I saved the box it came in and cut out the bottom and a place for the exhaust hole so that I can take it on and off the purpose for this is added insulation it really helps keep the heat in.
The only thing I clean is the racks spray them with pam before every use.

[ 02-18-2004, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: fishnagain ]

[salmurai]

The "bad" is good. Leave it alone. Clean the racks but leave the rest alone. It is merely "aging". They ain't supposed to look clean and shiny!

[Claybear]

I clean my racks but the shell? Thats a no no in my book.

[Troller]

I dont clean my smoker at all. After alot of use once in a while I will check to see if any big sheets of char are going to fall of. If so I just bang on it a couple of times. It would be like cleaning your favorite cast iron skillet with soap and water. All that work to get it seasoned would be washed away.

[Smj]

Keep the lid clean. I found out the hard way when I used the smoker for the first time after it sat for awhile. The gunk that builds up on the lid all flaked off, I just told myself (and others) "It's PEPPERED"

Smj

[Grandpa Lynn]

Thanks to everyone for your replys.. I was just putting it away after smoking a fish on Tuesday, and noticed how "gunkie" it was getting.

Grandpa

[lost_sailor]

That's all "flavor" - I soak the racks in detergent and hot water and wipe them clean after each use. I have never even considered cleaning the smoker!

[fishnagain]

quote

Several people I know (myself included) have damaged their smokers by trying to enclose or shelter them. The most common failure is that you will melt the electrical cord end. Replacements are expensive, last time I checked they were

I have had mine for 4 years and have used the box for insulation and never had any problems with the cord. I just make sure that the smoker is not sitting on it at all.and it should'nt be a problem.

[Go Fish]

I now use the smoker my dad used to smoke smelt, salmon, and whatever else 30 years ago. The only thing that has ever been cleaned are the racks!!! May have a peice or two of foil strategically added to cover holes. I also use the original box for insulation. Fire it up, load it up, and smoke away. when finished cool it off clean the racks and put it away for another day!

[Sublime]

All these fry sneakin in with no stories?

[Tinned Fish]

That melted cord thing - that's just the nature of the Little Chief Smokers. Box or no box. Mine melted the very first day I fired it up (no box). Now it has a snug, form-fitted plug! &lt;grin&gt;

It's a feature.

TinnedFish

[float2ber]

Pam on the racks. Once in a while I use a putty knife to scrape off the thick residue, but otherwise leave it alone. I made a wooden box/lid to fit over mine to contain more heat in cold weather. I just read a thread on ifish about using charcoal in the chip pan for added heat. Sounds like an idea worth trying to decrease smoking time.