How to Clean Pellet Smoker -- Lone Star Grillz Pellet Smoker Edition

[@thegalleryBBQ]

Ill be re-viewing this video in 2 months when my LSG pellet grill gets here. Nice work as usual!

[@PelletsandPits]

Dang.. u got the whole family 😂😂😂😂

[@TheFoodExperience]

Great video Neal! Hopefully a lot of folks will get something from this. I always keep my pellet girl clean. The burn pot gets cleaned in between every cook in addition to inside the barrel and the diffuser / deflector plate. I never thought of using avocado oil spray. I just scrape it with a paint scraper and call it a day. That's actually a very good idea man. Even I took away something from this video. Thanks again for all that you do.

[@PelletsandPits]

Yeah bud...I do the same thing on my Pit Boss as well...make cleaning so much easier...I do not use foil...just a good seasoning on the metal

[@russsauers]

This is a great video. I never thought about using taking the dust to mix with the gunk. No need for a vacuum! Thanks for this video.

[@PelletsandPits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great job Neil and Amy, looks like a simple clean up and back to cooking. Thanks for sharing, Fred.

[@bbqjones]

Just got my Lonestar Pellet smoker order in earlier this week!

[@PelletsandPits]

Hey thats awesome....long wait but well worth it...

[@jaybooth4815]

Really nice video Neal! I’m a stickler for cleaning my grills after every cook. I also clean the temp probe on my Memphis pellet smoker. Great idea to spray the grill down with avocado oil too. Cheers brother!

[@PelletsandPits]

That's a good idea! Thanks Jay...

[@jakespencer8077]

Great video. The last cook before I clean after the food is taken off I run it on high for about 15-20 minutes and I found that it makes the cleaning much easier with my Pit Boss Pro. My Eggs get a clean burn every once in a while.

[@PelletsandPits]

Great tip!

[@bobbicatton]

Nicely done, Neal. You make the process look much less intimidating. I like that you didn't need to vacuum it👍😊

[@PelletsandPits]

Thanks Bobbi...I just cant see sucking fats mixed with pellet dust in a machine...Maybe when its this cold...but when its warm and the fats are soft etc...

[@curtdunlap6818]

Goo job. I'm one of those guys who neglects his pellet smoker grill. I know I'm bad! 🥺 If it is not used often, that ash will settle as you noted and attract moisture which rusts whatever it is in contact with. Good attention to detail, Neal.

[@PelletsandPits]

I appreciate that...its amazing how still people will say I am over doing it...cleaning to much....let the grease stay...I just shake my head for the same reason you just mentioned...

[@rmodes01]

Nice job Neil I agree a little maintenance goes a long way especially to make things last. I also clean my thermometer with some simple green let it soak with a wet paper towel on there and wipe it off. Good video very thorough.🍻

[@PelletsandPits]

Great idea...clean thermometer is a definite...

[@colleenmckeeman1342]

Thanks for this video, I am buying a Camp Chief today!

[@tim71ford]

My dream grill brother! Thanks for sharing!

[@PelletsandPits]

It’s worth it for sure… thanks for commenting

[@frankmarullo228]

Neil the questions from Amy about the grease you use on the seasons of the smokers was AWESOME I never would had thought of that. But I bet it does have something to do with it sticking. ( I guess she is the BRAINS of the outfit ! ) LOL Thank you Frank from Montana.....

[@PelletsandPits]

ahhahahah I agree....she is definitely the brains...

[@waynehullihen3066]

I think Amy is awesome. I love it when her fingers come into the shot and food disappears.

[@jjlatch76]

Will you do a cleaning video on your chopping block and other tools used in your videos.

[@PelletsandPits]

I can look into that...thanks for the idea...

[@ccretired]

Nice video, I learned somethings, Thanks Neil, and great questions Amy.

[@PelletsandPits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gharv1313]

Awesome tips Neal! Cheers 🍻

[@PelletsandPits]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nickp5511]

Nice video! This is the grill I’m looking to buy. I like the Yoder 640 also but this one seems really nice:)

[@georgeaye8905]

Super helpful!

[@PelletsandPits]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aldickey570]

Nice job brother! 💪🏿💪🏿

[@PelletsandPits]

Appreciate it!!

[@praetorxyn]

How often do you do deep cleanings like this? I cook in a kamado, so while I clean out the ash after every cook, about once or twice a year I will do a "clean burn" where I just get a fire going at about 600 - 650 degrees, and just let it run til it stops making white smoke. It just burns up all the fat, and any gunk left on the grates is just turned into a fine powder that will brush right off. It's like a self-cleaning oven, but more fun. The design of the LSG looked like it would make it way easier to clean, so that's why if I get one, that'll be the one.

[@PelletsandPits]

I would say that this is my 3rd time...the first time was to see how everything breaks down and actually how the cleaning process would go...to soon but just out of curiosity...the 2nd was I had cooked more stuff and still didnt know about the amount of ash in the unit...I already had the mind set of a deep clean...once again it didnt need it...but already there...for the video I knew I had cooked back to back to back about 6 cooks of fatty meats...this was worse than the other 3 but....once again still could have gone longer...I did this one with the idea of a video in mind...It has to be the metal the use and the design BUT I like it even more after the cleaning process....just efficient and takes no time at all...

[@Popeye67]

Outstanding video Neal! Just bought a used LSG pellet. The guy that owned it before me apparently never cleaned it out. There was carbon buildup inside the entire upper part of the pit! Food grade mineral oil was recommended on exterior. How often do you apply oil to the outside? Thanks

[@PelletsandPits]

Hey great news...honestly I have only added once...I keep it under a covered porch though....I also wipe off several times a year ...just hot water..

[@Popeye67]

Great video! Question : have you ever had a grease fire with the Lonestar PG as a result of previous cooks using the direct sear plate ? I’ve had grease fires with other pellet grills, so grease management is a concern before I would spend the money to buy this grill . Also, does it actually impart more smoke on your protein compared to other PG’s on the market? Thanks.

[@PelletsandPits]

Well typically I know if im going to open sear...and clean before hand....so COULD it...probably...but if maintained properly...I dont see it being a problem..we have several cooks on here with open flaming...havent had a problem As for flavor...really depends on what your comparing too...what pellet choice...etc.. No doubt the color is darker..do doubt it smokes more... We tested this vs the Traeger and found not much difference based on standard featues

[@ManCaveMeals]

Excellent how-to video.... I need to do the outside seasoning on my paint soon..... do you ever use foil on your heat shield?

[@PelletsandPits]

Absolutely not...the thickness of the metal and the fats that drip down helps season it...plus I cant 100 percent say yes or no..but it has to impart more flavor...

[@ManCaveMeals]

@@PelletsandPits I had a sheet of foil on mine simply because I sorta do that out of habit with my other pellet grills. I just took it off and did a cleaning like you just described using a putty knife. In some weird way, that cleaning session felt a little therapeutic :) I didn't bother an get the shop vac out... I really hate cleaning the filter out on the shop vac after it gets choked up with ash! Cheers brother!

[@marksironi3324]

Regarding the "underneath should not matter", people need to keep in mind that a pellet grill is essentially a convection oven. The fan is going to circulate the ash all around that bottom chamber. Coating the bottom with oil is a good idea, probably contributing to your easy cleanup. Regarding the Lone Star Grillz, I'm considering ordering one this year to replace my aging Mak 2 star (now 11 years old). The only flaw I see is having the seal on the chamber instead of the door. Seems like it will be hard to keep it clean as things go in/out of the smoker and I know grease can cause it to come off the grill. There must be. a reason why they did that.

[@PelletsandPits]

Many people either replace it IF it fails or just dont use it..the ones who say the dont use it say the smoke still doesn’t leak..I have added seal gaskets to many grills wether it came like that or not...IF thats your only hick up....its a no brainer..Chris can do many custom things if needed...that might be worth a question for him...maybe a seal up grade...not sure...but it doesn’t seem to affect anything if and when it fails..

[@marksironi3324]

@@PelletsandPits I'm finding these days I use my smoker less but smoke more. Fuel cost is the same whether the chamber is empty or full (in fact my Mak uses less pellets when the chamber is full). So we tend to fill the smoker and vacuum seal/freeze all the cooked meat. Then whenever we want bbq we can just pull single serving bags out of the freezer and reheat with a sous vide. The Mak is a great pellet grill but it's a bit small, I'd like something bigger. And I really like a couple of things about the LSG; the way it produces constant smoke like an offset and the ability to mix in wood chips with the pellets.

[@charlesbroome2779]

great job!

[@PelletsandPits]

Ty

[@r8drvader]

Hey there, I have a quick question. I am currently looking to upgrade my smoker, from a beginning level (landmann) smoker, to something like a all AMERICAN MADE smoker, would you have any recommendations or thoughts about the Lone Star Pellet smoker, or the Yoder YS640S, or any other all AMERICAN MADE smokers.

[@PelletsandPits]

Well I do have thoughts...but honestly I only have experience with the LSG...so it would be dishonest if I spoke about the others...

[@seapanther53]

I've had issues with my Traeger rusting on the inside. Have you experienced that with the Lone Star?

[@PelletsandPits]

NO...i have not had problems with my Traeger as well....newer ironwood xl

[@butchwhicker3985]

Good video on cleaning a pellet grill. I was wondering if you have ever cooked on the asmoke as 350 grill. It is a small grill with a low price. I have one and I like it. I don't have room for a full size grill so I have never used one of the bigger grills. Just wondering what your opinion on this grill is. Thanks

[@PelletsandPits]

I have not...the smallest one I have cooked on is the Pit Boss Portable Battery Powered we have some videos on it... great little unit

[@nikdelarosa3898]

Checking back on my comment in your other video. You mentioned to comment back once you reach out to Chris. “What about if it rains while you are cooking? Does water get in the smoke stack or it the a way to raise so it still vents but is protected? Looking to get this answered before my purchase.”

[@PelletsandPits]

Maybe it did not go through...He said yes rain can get it...but the grease channel is on that side and it would drain along with the fats. He said he has cooked many many times in downpours and never had an issue...so little of an issue that he doesn't address it

[@hablep]

The sound of that metal scraper seems rough on your seasoning. Have you tried a plastic putty knife?

[@PelletsandPits]

Yeah...this is not normal store bought metal..its extremely thick...seasoning is just fine...of course you dont want to DIG the corners of the metal into the metal...so some awareness so caution should be done....but its only metal and will season next cook if something did happen

[@kellyrogers3967]

I always vacumn my traeger

[@PelletsandPits]

I actually just bought a cheap paint brush...remove the units...and just brush the ash in the pot...takes no time at all..really good design...the tray on the other hand I am not a fan of....I think food should not stick as much...like in this video...should scape right off

[@michaelmiller8914]

I see what you did, but not sure why. Would it have been more beneficial to have cleaned components outside the grill? Then cleaned the little tidbits after? Just a question of curiosity.

[@PelletsandPits]

Well my options are… clean on butcher counter and wipe away grease, fats, and pellet debris, second option is to do this in my yard. Then you run the risk of walking in it and tracking it on the bottom of shoes. My thought was if done in the smoker the pellet ash clings to the grease. Making it easier to remove. Doesn’t mean I’m right… just my thought

[@michaelmiller8914]

@PelletsandPits I understand all those thoughts of the scenarios you pointed out. I now understand better why you did it that way. I have an area where I can discard those things and not pose an issue. Thanks Neil and Amy. Love your channels!

[@whatsapoop]

@@PelletsandPits That's where a firepit becomes real handy. Had one for years, even have a custom stainless steel grate made for it so we can cook on it, real wood beats charcoal all day, works great. Any cleanup like this is done right in the pit, not on a table or cutting board and DEFINITELY not in the yard for the reasons you stated. Greasy paper towels, small amounts of oil from pan frying, etc. all get burned with the next fire. Bulk used oil used for deep frying is cooled and kept in old jug and used to start fires. No waste, no mess, no fuss, no problems.

[@lorenloken1715]

Any thoughts on using tinfoil to cover he plate. If you are not going to use the sear option?

[@PelletsandPits]

Nope...I think its extremely easy to clean with out it...I think the fats that render down etc...help season it as well...

[@walterrucker3172]

Do you season the inside of the chimney? Thank you

[@PelletsandPits]

Nope...any reason why I should...

[@johnnyhubbard1297]

What grill is this exactly?

[@PelletsandPits]

Lone Star Grillz 42in Pellet Grill

[@dahuj9423]

No you do not scrape the heat shield i into the pit…it’s dry area and you can clean out the ashes to use in your garden. Also no reason to clean it that often. You also lost me in the last video when you said, can add wood chips to the pellets bin 🧐 … why? Not enough wood in the 5:10 pellets???? Just saying.

[@PelletsandPits]

You can absolutely clean it the way I did...ahahahha clean it a few ways...as for the LSG....its one of the cool selling points and after using it....I completely agree with...Chris owns this company and has developed a special size of wood chips that fits his auger....this help with more wood flavor...you can mix up to 50% pellet/wood chip...as far as I know its the only one on the market doing this...does it make a difference...100 absolutely

[@nicholasdemarest4254]

Cordless shop vacs and scraping is key I have a rec tec. Stop wasting time scrape and let natural fats do there thing

[@PelletsandPits]

😂😂😂😂😂😂. Ok