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Taking the time to clean your pellet grill or smoker is necessary to get the best, most flavourful food. You don’t want accumulated grease, rust, or debris to stand in the way of your dinner plans.
If you carve out some time for maintenance, the process won’t take as long as it would if you put off cleaning. Plus, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you out and make the process quick and easy.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
Before cleaning your pellet grill, it is important to remove your pellets from the hopper and burn off any pellets that are left over in the auger. Wet pellets can cause an auger jam, so doing this step is crucial. Simply remove the pellets from your hopper, turn on the grill to 200°C/400°F and the remaining pellets should burn off in about 15 minutes. Shut down the grill and let it cool down before you start cleaning.
Before removing your grates from the grill, give them a scrub with a brush to remove any excess, stuck on particles or grease.
1. Take the grates out and spray them down with a cleaning solution, such as a cleaner and degreaser, or wash with warm, soapy water. If you use a cleaning solution, be sure to wipe the grates down and rinse thoroughly.
2. Next, scrub any visible debris from the heat shield with a scraper or grill brush before removing it from the grill.
3. Then, use a wet/dry vacuum to remove all the debris from inside the grill.
4. Grease can also accumulate inside the barrel, so we recommend inspecting and spraying that part of the grill with a cleaning solution and using a brush or cloth to wipe it out.
5. Be sure to clean any grease that has built up in the grease bucket and wash with warm, soapy water. Use a grease bucket liner while cooking to make discarding that grease build-up even easier.
6. Then, place the heat shield and grates back into the grill and you’re good to go!
We do recommend seasoning your pellet grill after cleaning. Seasoning your grill is not only great for protecting it against rust, but also for preventing your food from sticking while you cook.
While your grill is still off and cooled down, you will first remove each of your grates and then brush the Flame Broiler plate lightly with a high temperature oil, like canola or avocado oil. Then, return the grates to the grill.
Turn your grill on, set the temperature to 176°C/350°F, and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes before powering down. Always let your grill run through the entire shut down process, and as the surface cools, it will seal the oil.
1. Start by scrubbing the cooking racks while they’re still in the smoker, then remove them to clean with warm, soapy water or spray with cleaning solution, wipe, and rinse thoroughly.
2. Same process goes for the grease tray and water pan.
3. Then, you should remove the firebox housing to vacuum out any ash that might have accumulated during a long cook with a wet/dry vacuum before replacing the cooking racks, grease tray, and water pan.
4. You can also use a degreaser to clean the sight glass on your vertical smoker, and wipe down with paper towels or a cloth. It’s recommended to follow this step with a glass cleaner to eliminate streaks and smudges.
We recommend thoroughly cleaning your grill or smoker after about 18 to 20 hours of cooking time to prevent any build-up. It’s also a good idea to empty the removable ash tray (applicable on certain models) after each cook and inspect the grill. A quick clean-out of the firepot is always recommended to keep your cooking efficient as possible.
After all that, just one simple, extra step can make all the difference: using a grill cover.
Pit Boss covers are made with a heavy-duty polyester with PVC backing to help protect your Pit Boss from the elements. This is important no matter what climate you live in, since most of our covers offer UV protection and help keep out the rain.
Always wait until your grill has completely shut down and cooled off before covering.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
