Creosote build up (like concrete) in the smoker

[TwoHoneys]

I have ongoing issues with a creosote-like build up in my smoker. I usually burn rolled-up cardboard and burlap or worn-out cotton t-shirts in the smoker, but the build up these things leave behind makes it almost impossible to open or close the lid. I have to scrape it out with my hive tool almost every day...and it's tough, stubborn gunk.

My 85-year old uncle never has this problem. But he pours used motor oil on old rags and then burns that stuff...which, even though it seems good for the smoker seems as if it must be terrible for the bees.

Am I the only person with this creosote problem? And what can I do to eliminate it?

-Liz

[bud1]

crack yo top open and pump her up keeping it blazing and this will burn out yo creasote

[tefer2]

Hand held propane torch and a scraper! Like Bud said, burn it out.

[TwoHoneys]

Bud, your posts always make me smile...even before I have any idea what you'll say.

I'll try leaving the top cracked open and burning that stuff off.

I DO burn it with my propane torch (when I remember to do it), but it takes forever to get rid of the creosote only to have it back again within a week.

Perhaps steering clear of cardboard and using cotton or pine straw would help, too, yes?

-Liz

[Cedar Hill]

    I've burned rolled up cardboard for over fifty years in my smoker, trick I learned from a French beekeeper during a visit.   The creosote accumulation can be burned off by "firing up the smoker briefly" at the end of each session.   I also have a wine cork attached to my smoker so that I can terminate its use immediately afterwards which probably also helps.    Cardboard is very handy, clean and free. It can be stored flat behind a truck's seat for use anytime.   OMTCW

[Dr. Cricket]

A periodic cleaning with oven cleaner will help too.

[D Coates]

A periodic cleaning with oven cleaner will help too.

Dang.  I'm waaaaayy to busy/lazy to consider that.  It's a smoker, if it's smoking it's working.  The creosote is easy to break off with a hive tool or put an extra sheet of newspaper in there at the end and pump a few times to get it blowing fire like a blowtorch.  Either way the creosote is knocked down for another year or so. 

I use a wine bottle cork to plug my smoke up too.  They're free, it takes a few months to wear them out, when you do drop them in the smoker as fuel, and lastly if you loose them they're 100% biodegradable.

[RHBee]

Don't worry about it. Just as long as the lid will close.

[ForrrestB]

Hand held propane torch and a scraper! Like Bud said, burn it out.

+1

[Lone]

Hello there TH,
I don't think anyone has mentioned this, but when you use burlap (what we call hessian) in the smoker, it leaves behind a slightly sticky but stubborn, hard residue.  It is a pain, but call it a bad habit or access to a heap of free potato sacks, I still prefer to use hessian as smoker fuel.  I don't know what the substance is, but I doubt that burning it at normal temperatures will remove it.  All we do is chip away at it with a little knife as needed (especially to clean around the lid and in the spout).  When we have a burst of energy we give the smoker a good clean with whatever abrasive material is on hand.  If you want one less job to worry about then stop using burlap.  If you are masochistic like we are, then get a sharp pair of scissors and cut up half a dozen sacks into little squares for two years' supply of smoker fuel   :laugh:

Lone

[10framer]

i burn pine straw.  after every session i pop the top and shove my hive tool into the smoker then pump it till makes a bit of popping sound then let it burn down.  cleans the smoker and should take any bad stuff off the hive tool so you start out clean the next time.

[TwoHoneys]

Thanks for all your suggestions, friends.

Lone, I think you may be right on the nose about the burlap. I get my burlap from my favorite coffee shop, but sometimes after waiting only 30 minutes after using the smoker, I find that the lid is cemented shut and I have to use my propane torch to loosen it up. I think the burlap's still worth it, though. :)

-Liz

[Joe D]

When I get through using the smoker, I have a cut off barrel, burn barrel, that I dump what is left in smoker into.  I may clean the top of smoker a couple times a year. 





Joe