Need tips to clean my smoker - I'm new to the arts

[mrmcfartypants]

Hey all,

I have done a little bit of browsing, and I'm excited to start collaborating and sharing ideas on these forums.  But before I can do that, I need some help cleaning a propane smoker that was just given to me.

The previous owner clearly never cleaned this thing, and I spent about 2 hours trying to get this thing cleaned up.  It still feels sticky and greasy, so I'm looking for tips to properly clean the smoker.

Below is a link to an album with pictures of the smoker:



Also, if anybody has any tips or can point me to a beginner's tutorial on how to properly use a propane smoker, it would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[addertooth]

Scotchbrite pad, Simple Green cleaner, and for final touches use the Mr. Clean Magic eraser.  You can return it to show-room clean by this method.  Getting your smoker spotless is viewed as a mistake by some.  They feel a smoky coating improves the flavor of the food.  I leave a layer of smoke on my surfaces, but clean off all the oils and meat-chunks.   Oxidized oils give a rancid flavor, and chunks-o-meat are bad news, as the raw meat (freshly put in the smoker) sits for a while in the "danger zone" (40-140 degrees F.). 

 

[mrmcfartypants]

 
Scotchbrite pad, Simple Green cleaner, and for final touches use the Mr. Clean Magic eraser.  You can return it to show-room clean by this method.  Getting your smoker spotless is viewed as a mistake by some.  They feel a smoky coating improves the flavor of the food.  I leave a layer of smoke on my surfaces, but clean off all the oils and meat-chunks.   Oxidized oils give a rancid flavor, and chunks-o-meat are bad news, as the raw meat (freshly put in the smoker) sits for a while in the "danger zone" (40-140 degrees F.). 

Thanks!! I'll give this a shot and post pics with the final result!