Mold in my PBC, how best to attack?

[Michael_in_TX]

Thank you all for your input....

This is what I am now planning to do, although it may need to wait a day or so until this cold front passes through. I'm going do an initial burn with at least 1.5 chimneys of charcoal. We'll see what that does. I am most interested to see if it will get the mold/mildew near the rebar holes as those are furthest away from the fire.

I will then use some form of mildew/mold disinfectant. (I like the one Panhead John suggested.....it doesn't require a pressure washer.) Then, I will follow up with a second burn....mostly to evaporate the water and as a "second pass."

[rickgregory]

[Polarbear777]

Do not scrub it or scrape it until you burn it first. That stuff floating in the air as you scrub means you are inhaling it. Kill it before doing anything else.

burn, then wire brush and wipe or spray etc.

[gcdmd]

Excellent advice regarding the inhalation of mold and other junk.

[HawkerXP]

Come on.. you knew this was coming.

PBC, PBJ, PBC!

[fzxdoc]

I have a healthy respect for mold spores. I'm with Polarbear777 on this--don't interact with the mold until it has been dealt with remotely.

When I think mold, I think chlorine bleach. I'd bleach it well first using bleach solution in a spray bottle or a powerwash mold treatment like Panhead John showed us, rinse, then fire the PBC up ala cashelton .

I've only had mold once--in my gasser on the Grill Grates only. It was a recurring problem no matter how much I cleaned them and cleaned the gasser. It went on for months. We live in a dryish climate and I use the gasser often, as in once or twice a week and always clean it thoroughly after each cook. Never could figure out why the GGs would get reinfected with mold time and again. The solution was replacing the Grill Grates. It's been a couple of years and no GG mold problems since.

Kathryn

[Panhead John]

Good to hear you figured out the problem Kathryn. That is strange about recurring mold on the GG’s. And there is definitely some bleach in the Mold Armor I recommended.

[Dr. Pepper]

I'm wary of using cans/bottles filled with multiple chemicals on a cooking area. Bleach is very safe, and it's what is used in hospitals, during Ebola outbreaks (really, true this), etc. Dilute your bottle of store bought bleach to 10%. It doesn't have to be stronger than that.
And, now you can feel safe having your Ebola stricken friends over for some Q.

[Dadof3Illinois]

I get this in my PBC every time I put the cover on it for extended periods. As others have said, just hit it with some bleach water or any commercial mold spray. Keep it wet for an hour or so then just wash out or burn it out.

[Spinaker]

Bake it out, but do not go too crazy. You do not want to warp the barrel or get it so hot that it cracks the paint. Just fire it up like you normally would, but leave the lid cracked so it burns hot but not blazing.

For the future, store it clean. Always clean out the ash from the inside of the barrel. Ash collects moisture and is corrosive. So make sure to clean it out as best as you can. Then store with the rods out and bottom damper open. This will allow for airflow through the barrel. I stuff a balled up thing of copper wire, (Similar to an SOS scribbling pad) in my bottom damper to keep the critters out. It still allows the air flow, but the critters hate the copper and they won't chew through it. (My Plunketts guy taught me that one)

[Michael_in_TX]

For the future, store it clean. Always clean out the ash from the inside of the barrel. Ash collects moisture and is corrosive. So make sure to clean it out as best as you can. Then store with the rods out and bottom damper open. This will allow for airflow through the barrel. I stuff a balled up thing of copper wire, (Similar to an SOS scribbling pad) in my bottom damper to keep the critters out. It still allows the air flow, but the critters hate the copper and they won't chew through it. (My Plunketts guy taught me that one)

One thing that has been perplexing me is why did I get mold this time? This is the PBC's third humid summer....and I've always used the cover.

I think it may be a combination of things. This past year, I got a little lax with cleaning out all of the ash the morning after a cook. Also, I moved the PBC to a portion of the patio in which the bottom of the barrel was blocked by plants/brush/the garden. It also was in perpetual shadow. As I always kept it covered, this produced a damp environment that would hang around for awhile.

I think I am also going to replace the PBC's cover as it is showing signs of mold, too. Annoying as the stock PBC cover is the best and longest-lasting cover I've ever had.

[Spinaker]

Yeah, I actually use a Weber Kettle cover for mine. My bottom damper is a little exposed to the open air, I think. So I get a little bit better airflow. You are also on the coast, so I am sure it is more humid down there than up here in MN.

[Michael_in_TX]

Yep, we're a wetland....also known as a swamp.

[rickgregory]

I've not tried this, but you might want to consider tossing in a bunch of silica gel packets. They absorb a LOT of moisture, are food safe, pretty cheap and reusable (dry them out in a low oven).

https://www.amazon.com/silica-gel-pa...ca+gel+packets

PS: NOT as a fix to the mold, of course, but to absorb ambient moisture once it's clean again.

[TripleB]

Everybody is wrong. You need to toss it out. Put it out on the street with the next trash pickup. But if you could just send me your address and let me know when you're putting it out. Just want to make sure everything is all right

[Spinaker]

nice play

[FireMan]

Burn, baby burn! If you spray it "will run away" from you. Mold tries to escape. Heat will provide a gradual death.

[DavidNorcross]

I have this as well from time to time. Fire fixes it for sure. I also with the advice on cleaning post cook.

[bbqLuv]

Not on my Traeger, never may that happen, regular maintenance.

[johnec00]

I had a serious mold problem in my original version PBC after it was stored for quite some time with the PBC cover on. It's probably a bit extreme, but here's what I did. I now store without a cover and with the lid off. So far, so good.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/charcoal-drums-barrels-and-bullet-smokers/pit-barrel-cooker/1034893-pbc-rehab