Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: 2-Wheeler on May 05, 2008, 03:43:10 pm

Title: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: 2-Wheeler on May 05, 2008, 03:43:10 pm
After about 2 years now, the original smoker has got so caked in black goo that it almost refuses to open any longer. What is the best way to clean that nasty thing? 

Thanks for any tips.
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: Robo on May 05, 2008, 03:55:20 pm
I take a propane torch and burn the creosote until t won't stay lit.  Let it cool and it just ashes off.  Still looks nasty, but the build up is gone and the lid closes normally.

rob...
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: doak on May 05, 2008, 08:53:40 pm
Robo, do you take the bellows off?
I do. :)doak
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: Robo on May 05, 2008, 09:41:29 pm
No I don't remove the bellow.   Most of the creosote on mine drips down the front of the smoker (opposite side of the bellow).  With the propane torch,  I can keep the flame pretty close.  I clean mine every once in a while before it gets too much build up, so I don't get a roaring fire going anyway.
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: jimmyo on May 05, 2008, 10:50:18 pm
I use a tooth brush size wire brush once in a while.  altough ANYTHING done with FIRE is always better.
Jim
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: 2-Wheeler on May 05, 2008, 11:59:05 pm
Thanks.  Did someone say to use FIRE?

http://python.myserverplus.com/~beemaste/forum/index.php/topic,13021.msg90682.html#msg90682 (http://python.myserverplus.com/~beemaste/forum/index.php/topic,13021.msg90682.html#msg90682)

Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: doak on May 06, 2008, 12:31:03 am
This is how I get mine open when cold.
lay it down on the ground, on it's side between your feet.
With the side that has the seam on it facing up.
With the top away from you and the snout to the left.
put a little pressure on it between your feet, take a 1/2 inch wood chisel and put between the rim of the top and the ridge around the barrel and give a twist.
It opens easy after it warms up.
I'll get a picture of this tomorrow. ;)doak
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: desmondmegan on May 09, 2008, 11:56:03 pm
i used a knife and scraped it clean.. don't sound as fun as fire...
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: beewhisper on May 16, 2008, 10:09:41 pm
I use oven cleaner. It works great. It cleans it up like new condition.
                                                                           Beewhisper.
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: JP on May 17, 2008, 12:22:25 am
How to clean a smoker?  Throw away their cigarettes and hide all of the ashtrays! :-D


...JP
Title: Re: how to clean a smoker?
Post by: Michael Bush on May 17, 2008, 07:43:19 pm
>I take a propane torch and burn the creosote until t won't stay lit.

Ditto.