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Spring Grill and Smoker Cleaning.....

Discussion in 'Food Talk' started by knoxville36, Feb 28, 2020.

  1. Feb 28, 2020 at 6:35 PM
    #1
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    Yep, that time of year..... I have the Yoder in the garage doing some deep cleaning. I also ordered the new WiFi/Bluetooth controller and installed. Drank a few beers, just cleaning away. It is amazing how much nastiness and grease gets stuck inside the smoker!

    I need to sand and do some touch up painting tonight, then move to the gas grill and the Camp Chef flat top.

    DB56F8E9-6A2F-4AFF-A2D3-D78DBAAEEFE4.jpg
     
  2. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:20 PM
    #2
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    I only clean the grates, f the rest, just grill!
     
  3. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:42 PM
    #3
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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    I need to do the same.
     
  4. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #4
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    Still rolling stock baby....
    Cleaning?

    Oh no no no that's seasoning there you are removing, that's like freaking gold in the BBQ world...
     
  5. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:02 PM
    #5
    Slayer

    Slayer Member

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    This is Correct !!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  6. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    haha. Do not completely disagree. There was like 1/2 inch mayor of sludge on the bottom that I had to use the scraper to get up. It was pretty bad. That is really all the cleaning I did. I did wipe down and clean the outside but not too much more.
     
  7. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:19 PM
    #7
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I normally subscribe to this school of thought, but the last time I was grilling and the lid slammed down a little harder than I intended, that "seasoning" showered the hotdogs I was cooking for my kid. I'll at least wipe down the inside and knock the loose shit off at some point.
     
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  8. Feb 28, 2020 at 10:05 PM
    #8
    Green Thunder

    Green Thunder Smooth in the Cruise

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    I generally agree with this too. Although there have been a few times where too much moisture after a smoke got into the grill. I did a hot burn to make sure nothing got moldy.
     
  9. Feb 28, 2020 at 11:24 PM
    #9
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    Do the Yoder's not have a grease drain?
     
  10. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:02 AM
    #10
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    yes they do have a drain and there is a lot of grease in it. I believe what happens is the grease drips down on some of the burnt ash that is in the bottom. It was almost like a very moist saw dust. If I would vacuum out more often it would help. The grease at the bottom is when I am not smoking and have the diffuser plate removed so the grease goes to the very bottom.

    if the diffuser plate is in, it is slanted and catches all grease and drains really nicely.
     
    realtorblake[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:28 AM
    #11
    Hammerdog

    Hammerdog YCMTSUP

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    Cleaned my Pit Boss up this week to, followed by a 450 degree 30 minute run to burn away any goop. Then grilled me up some ribeyes to start the season off right!
     
  12. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:35 AM
    #12
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    Awesome!!! That is what I plan on doing later today or tomorrow.
     
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  13. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:38 AM
    #13
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    I got the first light coat of paint on today. Wait a while and go back with a little heavier coat on the front. I have a stainless steel protection plate to install on the front to keep the grease from running down and causing the paint to chip off on the front.

    I will probably burn in the paint later tomorrow and the family is asking for fajitas tomorrow night for dinner.
     
  14. Feb 29, 2020 at 7:16 AM
    #14
    johnxmccoy

    johnxmccoy New Member

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    I have a Pit Boss pellet grill and the owners manual suggests cleaning it.
    Not so much the grates, but thermometer probes, ash where the pellets burn and any grease runoff.
     
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  15. Feb 29, 2020 at 7:32 AM
    #15
    Hammerdog

    Hammerdog YCMTSUP

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    Yea, I left mine dirty in the fall. First thing me I cleaned mine after two seasons other than a high heat burn off. I haven’t used the probes yet. I’m a rookie, I have only cooked ribs and steak on mine. I haven’t tried anything I need to use the probe for.
     
  16. Feb 29, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #16
    TXMiamiFan

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    Ha! To a certain degree. I have soot build up on the lid and can’t see thru the window LOL

    I have also had fires on my gas grill due to grease build up. So by “cleaning” I don’t mean back to factory conditioning :cool:
     
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  17. Feb 29, 2020 at 2:10 PM
    #17
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    So I got the grill all cleaned up and put the grates back in and fired it up. I am testing the new controller and make sure everything is running as it should. One thing I noticed is that the Yoder has always been really stable as far as temperature goes but it runs about 15 to 25 degrees cooler than what the screen is set for. If I set it for 250. It usually hovers around 225 or so. I verify with my Tappecue probes, Thermoworks thermopen.

    The good thing about the new ACS controller is you can calibrate the temperature and many other things. I was able to get the probe to match perfectly to what the set temperature is. The new controller seems to be more accurate and is stuck between 242 to 258. I have 6 probes in the grill right now on the top and bottom rack and there is no major differences in the pot. The upset right side of the rack seems to be the hottest spot and runs 5 to 8 degrees warmer than other locations.

    Picture attached of when the grill was coming up to temp. The pot is averaging 248 now, the other probe 243.

    A92E0064-36A3-4A76-AF47-50EEF6308765.jpg
     
  18. Feb 29, 2020 at 10:51 PM
    #18
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    I had a Rec Tec 680 for about 5.5 years that I really liked. Unfortunately, the 5 yr warranty was expired when the computer board took a dump due to a dirt dobber nest on the control board. Going to see what they will do for me on getting it up and running again. The control board being exposed under a shelf is a design flaw imo.

    Meanwhile, I got busy looking for a new pellet smoker a couple of weeks ago. Based on my research and having 5 guys that I know having one, I ordered a Pitts & Spitts 1250 today. I should have it next week. I will be ready for the next "false Spring"! Going to have the Rec Tec fixed up and ready for son when he and his wife transfer from the USCG Corpus Christi Air Base to USCG Ellington Air Base in a couple of months.

    Pitts_and_Spitts0304_280x420__86355.1561585880.500.659.jpg
    maverick_1250_open.jpg
     
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  19. Mar 1, 2020 at 5:25 AM
    #19
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    man that is awesome! I also looked into the Pitts & Spitts smoker also. Came down to it and the Yoder. A somewhat local Ace Hardware is a Yoder dealer and I got to see it in person so I ended up going with the Yoder.

    I also had a RecTec for a very short time that I gave to my sister and her husband. It did a very good job also. Did not have to use RecTec support but they are top notch and really stand behind their product. They may not send one for free but I am guessing they may help you out somehow.

    I also looked at Memphis Elite but could not justify more than double of a Yoder or Pitts @ Spitts. I really like the Pitts & Spitts Maverick 1250. You did the right thing since they are based from right there in Texas.

    I really have no idea how or why but my Yoder turns out some amazing food! It is much more moist and just tastes better compared to some other pellet grills I have tried and sold.
     
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  20. Mar 1, 2020 at 5:36 AM
    #20
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    I get what yall are saying about cleaning a grill.

    if it’s gas then you need to constantly keep after it. I have seen gas grills turn into balls of inferno due to never being cleaned.

    pellet grills/smokers still need cleaning a vacuum after every other cook and use the drip pan of it has one and cover it in foil

    charcoal grills maybe it the underside of the lid with a wire brush and knock off some of the spot build up, do a hot burn with the grates on to clean those

    on my egg I just let hit 800 - 1000 and cook a pizza I get a good heat clean and pizza as well it’s a win win lol
     
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  21. Mar 1, 2020 at 5:53 AM
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    Kanobi13

    Kanobi13 New Member

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    20200228_174430.jpg mine was ready to go cleaned before storage!!
     
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  22. Mar 1, 2020 at 7:52 AM
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    Hammerdog

    Hammerdog YCMTSUP

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    Got me some steak and some venison that I’m going to grill up later this afternoon!
     
  23. Mar 1, 2020 at 5:52 PM
    #23
    Slayer

    Slayer Member

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    Storage?
    what's this storage thing you speak?

    grill me a Rib-Eye steak almost every Friday.. all year
     
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  24. Mar 1, 2020 at 6:12 PM
    #24
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    haha, same here. Doesn't matter how cold or hot my grills are getting used about 3 days a week.
     
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  25. Mar 4, 2020 at 2:46 PM
    #25
    OONIGHTTRAIN

    OONIGHTTRAIN New Member

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    hey knoxville, is that the 640s? if so, i have the same one.. good to see im not the only one that has the finish peeling off the front from grease.. how does yours do as far as temp differences from side to side?
     
  26. Mar 4, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #26
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    it is a 640 I got about 9 months ago. I just upgraded to the new ACS. Just recently have I been messing around with the temps and testing. Now that I have the ACS I calibrated the temps. I put 2 probes at 11" and 22" from left to right and let it run for about 2 hours. I got it to where the pit would say 244 to 255 and the 2 probes were pretty much the same. The grill is naturally hotter in the right side by the vent from what I know and can tell.

    other than that, mine is pretty consistent. I have the damper pulled all the way out, then push in about 6".

    It is much more accurate than the other pellet grills I tried and had.
     
  27. Mar 4, 2020 at 5:27 PM
    #27
    knoxville36

    knoxville36 [OP] New Member

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    Yes the front will peel off. I sanded and repainted this past weekend. I bought the stainless steel protection plate and took delivery today. I am hoping that fixes that problem.
     
  28. Mar 5, 2020 at 8:25 PM
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    OONIGHTTRAIN

    OONIGHTTRAIN New Member

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    i have the 640s for about 8 months now.. seems to be getting worse as far as temp differences from left to right though.. ive tried the damper out all the way and pushed in 5" which is what they recommend. it still does a good job but, smoking more than one thing makes it hard because you just cant put everything right in the middle obviously. overall im happy with it, i had a green mountain, it sucked bad! it had major temperature swings up and down, i returned it after a few weeks..
     

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