Cleaning creosote from ambient temp probes

[Lynn Dollar]

Mine are getting crusty. I've tried soap and water. Some very fine steel wool. There's gotta be something that will cut through the creosote ? Grok AI says alcohol or vinegar/baking soda, anyone tried that ?

[captainlee]

Isopropyl alcohol works well on pine tree pitch which we have lots of here. I'm sure it's worth a try.

[Donw]

I use Barkeeper’s Friend on a rough sponge, then a little elbow grease with steel wool, and finally followed by a cloth with vinegar to rinse, remove specks, and polish.

[Mosca]

I’ve always used a scrubbie pad and dish soap. It works fine. If you want to go stronger, SOS Pads would probably do the job, too.

[HawkerXP]

+1 for SOS.

[TripleB]

Alcohol.

[Ace]

+1

[Davek8282]

And what kind of whiskey do you recommend or should I be using tequila or gin. Do you use it straight or mixed

[Smoke em if you got em]

Yep, I concur. Alcohol. Drink until you don't care how those probes look.
Your Welcome.

[klflowers]

SOS pads

[Lynn Dollar]

I'm finding that laying the probe down, where its supported. Then scrubbing with the fine steel wool is working. Before, I held the probe in one hand and scrubbed with the other. Was not getting enough pressure.

Alcohol on a paper towel is helping also.

[bep35]

SOS Pads have always done it for me. I clean them after every use. Have fun!

[WI Bubba]

I just use the green Scotch pads. If it don't have one of those handy, some 400 grit sandpaper also works well.

[Lynn Dollar]

I've now found the green scotch pads with alcohol work better than steel wool. We don't have any SOS pads or I would try those.

[Alan Brice]

Mr. Clean white foam scrubbies. Very delicate, clean like no tomorrow.

[Lynn Dollar]

Are those what is called the " magic eraser " ?

[SheilaAnn]

Lynn Dollar yup

But dont do yourself any favors by going generic. Not worth it.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

Dish soap and the scouring pad side of a sponge.
I also wash them after they come out of the smoker, and are still warm.

[CRO]

I use a damp green scotchbrite to clean only the probe with a slight rinse. Then quickly dry.
For the cooking probe, make sure the tip is free of creosote. That is where the temp is measured from.

[briano52]

I do the same and use Dawn dish soap on the scrubby. Also, spraying PAM pre-cook on any metal I want to clean later (like a rotisserie basket) makes the after-cook cleanup a whole lot easier.

[Spinaker]

I just spray them with oven clean and let them sit for a while. Then I will rinse and wipe clean.

[labbq]

Now I feel like I should clean my ambient temp probe… for the first time