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**Histrix** · July 28, 2017, 05:57 PM

BBQ Bill if you scroll back to this post of mine you'll see a pic I took after cleaning the smoke buildup off just half of my control box - - https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...813#post339813

To clean that I just dabbed a piece of paper towel in my miracle cleaning fluid and then dabbed the surface of the box and let the miracle cleaning fluid do its thing for a few seconds before just wiping off with the same paper towel. No hard scrubbing. No toxic chemicals.

The name of that "miracle cleaning fluid"? CH₃COOH, aka Acetic Acid, aka Distilled White Vinegar. Readily available by the gallon and cheap.

I've not yet bothered to try and do more to the inside of the cookbox other than scrape out grease but if I were inclined to try and make the interior shiny as new I might get a good spray bottle, fill it with "miracle cleaning fluid" and spray sections, let it rest a few seconds and wipe with a paper towel or a non-scratching nylon pad.

**bbqncigars** · July 28, 2017, 06:07 PM

I'll have to do a test of straight vinegar vs. '50/50' that we use at work (50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% vinegar by volume).

**Histrix** · July 28, 2017, 07:03 PM

With straight vinegar (5% acid) it wiped off fairly easily. I did have to dab and wipe a few times but no hard scrubbing. Easy enough that I didn't have any interest in trying anything else but I look forward to seeing if peroxid helps cleanup.

**hogdog6** · July 28, 2017, 09:07 PM

BBQ_Bill. I use a citrus product that I get at a dollar store called Totally Awesome, mixed 50% with water and it is (even though the word is way over used) "Awesome". Spray it on, very little elbow grease and wash it out. Haven't fully read the label about food safe "will now you made me think about it" but being citrus based I assume it is. I pulled the fans off this weekend and it took the soot right off. I would be careful with it around the fan motors because it is a powerful degreaser. I also spray it it on the dead bugs on my truck before I spray it off at the car wash, the practically melt away.

**BBQ_Bill** · July 28, 2017, 10:24 PM

Thanks Guys!
LOTS of options to try here.

**lostclusters** · July 28, 2017, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by BBQ_Bill View Post

Howdy my "Smoking Brothers and Sisters!"

... completely removing the very stubborn smoke stains that adhere to every inside surface each time I use these two KBQs takes literally hours of steady work, and figuratively about a 5-gallon bucket of "elbow grease" to get there.

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The amount of time that I take to scrub these machines is because I want a certain "Level" of cleanliness and shine if you will, and to make that happen each time takes an incredible amount of work for this old man.

Anyone have anything they use and recommend?

The manual says nothing eats grease and soot like oven cleaner, the good stuff. I don't know that I would go all the way to five gallons of elbow grease. I am thinking some oven cleaner on the tough spots and a good power washing. Then a burn in like was done when it was new and that should be all that should be needed. Some discoloration is to be expected.

**BBQ_Bill** · July 29, 2017, 01:44 AM

On another note...
I took the day off to get ready for a party up North on Saturday with family.
Bought a Costco Prime Brisket at 18.2 pounds.
Cut that big hunk in half. (Point and Flat)
Put it in the Weber and seared it.
Spritzed, rubbed and allowed to rest awhile.

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Pulled a Choice 14.5 pound beef brisket packer from the 32°F hold but left this one whole. (As seen above)
Seared and then spritzed and rubbed it, and let it rest a bit as well.
After awhile in the KBQ, the briskets were starting to take on some color.
This is the flat from the Costco brisket below as seen in the KBQ after some color began to build.

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I also pulled the four Cross Rib Roasts that were Sous Vide (At 135°F for 48 hours) from the 32°F hold.
Proceeded to cut the vacuum bags open, and poured the liquid in the bags into a Mason jar.
The liquid from the four roasts/bags was right at one quart.
I then seared two of the 4 roasts on the Weber. (Photo below)

In this experiment, all four were Sous Vide at 135°F, but two were not seared as seen above.
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All four of these Cross Rib roasts were spritzed and rubbed and then put into the Deep Freeze for about an hour.
Fired up one KBQ and loaded it with the two packer briskets, and then after a bit, pulled the four approximately 37°F Cross Rib Roasts from the freezer placing them into the KBQ as well.
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Wood used for this smoke was white Oak.
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Before smoking, I inserted probes into the Cross Rib Roasts and set alarms on them for 140°F.
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Okay, the Roast results:
A bit over done as they probably hit around 150°F by the color I saw.
VERY tender, like a fine quality steak, however, they were a bit dry.
All four had good flavor with the seared ones seeming to taste a bit better.
They had a bit of a smoke ring with a very light smoke flavor.

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I heated the quart jar of meat juice from the vacuum bags in the micro wave to 180°F and let it sit a bit.
I then strained the large solids out with a somewhat fine strainer.

These juices were wonderful in flavor and when poured over the sliced meat, turned it into an excellent, moist entree.
The three "eaters" (not including myself) were two thumbs up on this experiment.

**Ernest** · July 29, 2017, 05:40 AM

BBQ Bill I use the heavy duty oven cleaner. Spray the KBQ while it's still warm. Walk away, feast. Come back and most of the stains go away with just hosing,

**lostclusters** · July 29, 2017, 09:34 AM

I was wondering if salmon and ribs can be done together at the same time or is this a possible smoker blonder? Also, got my KBQ Thursday and put it together the same day. I will be doing a burn in Sunday with just coal. How long should I run it at max?

**Ernest** · July 29, 2017, 12:21 PM

lostclusters no burn off necessary.
Never done ribs and salmon together but I'd think if you prevent one of these dripping on the other, you should be just fine.

**SteinerBBQ** · July 29, 2017, 02:18 PM

I've seen a number of you mention using heavy duty oven cleaner. The manual suggests using the lye kind. For those who have used cleaner are you using Easy-Off Oven Cleaner or is there another brand you'd recommend using? Thanks!