MES Window Cleaning Solution

Victor · Jan 5, 2014

Just like some of the others:

Let the glass cool to ambient outside temperature.
Use a razor blade to scrape off gunk. It's very easy, and very quick.
A couple of squirts of windex, and wipe clean with paper towells.
Now you have a perfect squeaky clean window.

It really is quick and easy, and with a minimal amount of chemical.

I clean my glass after every smoke.

Some of that other stuff is just too caustic for what I'm going to eat out of in my opinion. I'm asthmatic, so this is how we have to do it.

rlr324 · Jan 5, 2014

Lemon Juice. 2 liter bottle at Wally World sets you back $4.00...Just pour into a spray bottle, then hit with a green scrubber. I tried it after watching a chef at a Japanese steak house clean the grill using it. No chemicals, nice smell and a clean smoker. I use it to clean every part of my MES 30

the smoker dunn · Jan 5, 2014

Are you ready for this one? Hair conditioner. Really.

hillbillyrkstr · Jan 6, 2014

Pam is fine on the racks but don't spray the window!

To clean the window use the magic eraser but don't buy mr clean. The Brillo company makes the same product but it has a thin sponge attached to it (to hold some water since the eraser part holds NO water) and it has an angled edge to help get close to the border of the windows edge. This eraser/sponge comes in a two pack box and is sold at walmart. Next time I buy it I'll post a picture. Think its a bit cheaper to. It's the best product for the job period. Been using it on my mes since may.

hillbillyrkstr · Jan 6, 2014

I don't spray my racks with Pam or anything. Like another poster said I soak mine overnight in a plastic tube and then use scrubber sponges to clean them. Everything comes off pretty easy after the soapy water, over night soak.

hillbillyrkstr · Jan 6, 2014

I also disagree with anyone spraying chemicals on the window or any other part of the the smoker if you think that sh*t doesn't stick around and get in you, your crazy. Not even oven cleaner! NO CHEMICALS PERIOD!

Can't speak on the ash method as I've never tired it.

But forget about waiting for everything to cool down. That's crazy to. Throw racks in soapy water for soak minutes after your pull your meat. But first use the Brillo eraser sponge to clean the window. Dunk it in soapy water and hit it while it's still hot! It'll wipe clean with no issue! Dunk back in warm water as much as needed, and dry window when done.

echo · Jan 6, 2014

hillbillyrkstr said:
I also disagree with anyone spraying chemicals on the window or any other part of the the smoker if you think that sh*t doesn't stick around and get in you, your crazy. Not even oven cleaner! NO CHEMICALS PERIOD!

Can't speak on the ash method as I've never tired it.

But forget about waiting for everything to cool down. That's crazy to. Throw racks in soapy water for soak minutes after your pull your meat. But first use the Brillo eraser sponge to clean the window. Dunk it in soapy water and hit it while it's still hot! It'll wipe clean with no issue! Dunk back in warm water as much as needed, and dry window when done.

Soap is not better than any other chemical IMHO. Might not kill you, but doesn't taste too good if you get in a hurry and leave some behind. If I don't want to eat it it doesn't go in.

Cheap vodka works very well, wipe window with it after every smoke soon as food comes out. No need to rinse, anything not wiped out will evaporate fairly fast.

hillbillyrkstr · Jan 7, 2014

You clean your smoker with vodka??? Have to say that's a first.

jarjarchef · Jan 7, 2014

Vodka works very well. It is a food safe alcohol and no issues with chemical contamination..........

echo · Jan 7, 2014

jarjarchef said:
Vodka works very well. It is a food safe alcohol and no issues with chemical contamination..........

And fairly cost effective. Doesn't really take that much to cut the smoke.

jarjarchef · Jan 8, 2014

I own a couple smoke guns. One of them recommends to clean with a drinking alcohol like brandy. I figured since vodka was cheaper and clear, why not.

The great part about this thread is, it shows you several great ways to do the same thing. So it gives people many options from elbow grease to chemicals to food grade alcohol. And they all work!!!

old sarge · Jan 8, 2014

I agree with moses. A razor blade in a scraper handle works well for removing heavy residue. And should you want to use a cleaning solution, you will use far less. And afar less paper towells.

deuce · Jan 18, 2014

Dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle and one of those no scratch scrubbing sponges works great for me. I wipe with clean water when done. I figure if its safe enough for dishes it should be just fine in the smoker.

phillip p smith · Jan 30, 2014

bigtexun said:
Don't use chemicals... just use a scraper with a new razor blade and a little pressure. Once you find the right angle, the razor gets everything...

I have been using ash, works well. I tried the razor blade. Not much luck but I did not do it while the smoker was warm!! When is the best time to scrape it?

bigtexun · Jan 30, 2014

I've always done it while it was cold...

But what I was cleaning was a grill with a window, not a smoker..... My smoker has no window. So I suppose the nature of what you are scraping may be completely different. So my razor blade advice could easily be way off base. My grill with the glass ran at much higher temps, so it may have been nothing like the deposits you see in a smoker.

When I'm scraping something gummy, sometimes adding some oil helps, like left-over cooking oil...

phillip p smith · Dec 2, 2014

I found it!! Tried the cheapest Vodka tip and it worked--- "but" ---- Too expensive $7.00 compared to what I found out about Isopropyl alcohol. They produce one that is 90% isopropyl alcohol. Pour some of that on old newspaper, rub it on and VIOLLA the smoke smudge comes off!! It will take a couple of sheets of paper and alcohol to clean it down but it works!! Little less than three dollars for a USA quart. 32 0z. I love it!!

lanshark42 · Dec 3, 2014

I don't understand what all of the fuss is about. Between the smoke and condensation, within 5 minutes of beginning the cook, I can't see ANYTHING through the window of my MES.

mfreel · Dec 3, 2014

Ditto Lan. I've given up on it. As long as I know what the temp of the smoker is and the temp of whatever's getting smoked, I don't need to see it, anyway.

tropics · Dec 3, 2014

I've been using vinegar for mine with a cheap scrubby sponge. works great . Paper towel it when done you can do it hot or cold.

Here is todays smoke window was not cleaned after the last time and it still doesn't look bad

014.JPG

tropics
Dec 3, 2014

brazosbrian · Dec 4, 2014

Oh yeah? I just hum and dance around to create a little BBQ ambiance and my window just cleans itself! Just kidding ...thanks for all the info, folks! I'm going to try some of these solutions on my oven (kitchen) door glass window and all the grease/grime that builds up on my microwave vents... :)

Brian

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