Smokeware Cap- Clean it before it gets awful!!

FATC1TY

I wish I had taken pictures of it.. But as a public service announcement, do not let it go!!

I cook outside alot, and granted I live in Georgia, with temperate weather, and I have a covered porch, I fire up my egg no less than 3-4 times a week, year 'round. 

Between plenty of low and slow, and plenty of high heat cooks, my Smokeware cap became so crusted with junk I had to put gloves on to turn it and hold the base to adjust it sometimes. The top looked bronze and brown, despite not being in the elements all too often on my uncovered section of the patio.

Tonight I decided to clean it up.. took me 10 min to separate the two spots, and almost a quarter inch thick build up inside of it.

FWIW- 4 soaks of oven cleaner, 45 min a pop, hot soapy water, a nylon brush, steel wool and scrub pads... it looks closer to new outside, and I can turn it now with a finger. 

Was hoping to not have to buy a new one, and see some shine again!!

DO NOT LET THEM BUILD UP! I tossed mine on my 400 degree egg after a 1000 degree clean burn of everything. Talk about letting something go, and assuming it would function right!

NPHuskerFL

I find upkeep is simple after it's clean like you've done.  I clean mine approx every other or so cook.  And anything above 350℉ (unless it's crazy pouring) I leave the cap off which helps immensely.

bgebrent

I have 2, gen 1 and gen 2.  I've never cleaned either one (3+ years).  They look like @fishlessman's egg but work just fine.  I'm a minimalist.  I think Blake may have issues... . And we are neighbors brother.

NPHuskerFL

bgebrent said:

I think Blake may have issues...

bgebrent

NPHuskerFL said:

bgebrent said:

I think Blake may have issues...

That's the Blake I know.  Always delivers.

EggHeadinFlorida

Thx for the tip!

wish they designed the finger tab to adjust the cap was made longer. That little SOB gets hot with hi temp cooks. The silicone sheath does nothing for insulation. 

NPHuskerFL

EggHeadinFlorida said:

Thx for the tip!

wish they designed the finger tab to adjust the cap was made longer. That little SOB gets hot with hi temp cooks. The silicone sheath does nothing for insulation. 

You leave the cap on ^^^ North of 300-350?

RRP

EggHeadinFlorida said:

Thx for the tip!

wish they designed the finger tab to adjust the cap was made longer. That little SOB gets hot with hi temp cooks. The silicone sheath does nothing for insulation. 

I had a sliding problem with my bottom vent tab so using a piece of dowel and a drill I made this simple alteration. You could do the same with the SmokeWare tab.

EggHeadinFlorida

NPHuskerFL said:

EggHeadinFlorida said:

Thx for the tip!

wish they designed the finger tab to adjust the cap was made longer. That little SOB gets hot with hi temp cooks. The silicone sheath does nothing for insulation. 

You leave the cap on ^^^ North of 300-350?

Yea.. not supposed too? When I say hi temp cooks I'm at 4-425ish degrees 

NPHuskerFL

@EggHeadinFlorida Sure you can but, it's easier to just pull the cap on cooks above 300℉-350℉+ and then just dial it in with the lower vent.  

nolaegghead

I have two of these Smokeware caps that ended up so crusty I could barely operate them.

So I threw them in some PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) - basically a mixture of Oxyclean and TSP.  This stuff is used to clean the funk out of brewery equipment. 

Anyway, Soaked them overnight, little mechanical scrubbing, soaked for a few more days, bit more scrubbing and they look like new.  And more importantly, they work easily.

This route is really a time thing, not too much scrubbing and the PBW is about the least toxic cleaner that will do it.

EggHeadinFlorida

NPHuskerFL said:

@EggHeadinFlorida Sure you can but, it's easier to just pull the cap on cooks above 300℉-350℉+ and then just dial it in with the lower vent.  

I've tried going capless and playing with lower vent and couldn't get a stable temp. Tried wide open bottom and adjusting top vent, same thing. Maybe I don't have the patience lol? I rely on the Guru 99% of the time for temp control. I know it's not good, but it's what im accustomed too.

i think it's bad a*s for someone to hold a constant temp on their Egg from the vents. 

NPHuskerFL

@EggHeadinFlorida Whatever works better for you I guess.  I personally only use my Stoker on L&S overnight cooks or L&S cooks I don't feel like babysitting.  OTT I don't use it.  It's a nice gadget to own but, definitely not a need.  Surely you were able to dial it in sans the controller prior to buying it...no?  You just need to get back to basic temp control...I have faith you can do it

thetrim

@NPHuskerFL Go ARMY Beat NAVY

SSQUAL612

Learned that the hard way myself.  Soaked mine in degreaser and boiling water and took some scrubbing but it's adjustable again.  Will definitely start soaking after each cook. 

fishlessman

im sticking with the daisy i have to hit it with a firebrick to make it obey from time to time but thats it

ColtsFan

I haven't cleaned mine once! Seals up nice and tight

SSQUAL612

Mine was fused together and couldn't adjust at all...no option other than clean it or chunk it and go back to Daisy Wheel which is what I'll be doing if this is that big a PITA.

ColtsFan

I'm sure that will happen to mine. I should probably be proactive

YEMTrey

I just put my daisy wheel in the Egg during cool down and let it clean burn there.  No issues at all.  

saluki2007

Another reason no one needs a SW cap.

SSQUAL612

saluki2007 said:

Another reason no one needs a SW cap.

When it's clean it sure dresses up the Egg.  Kinda like a dog with sunglasses...it just looks cool. 

SaintJohnsEgger

Its not difficult. They even have a video on their website showing how to clean it - https://smokeware.com/blogs/smokeware-journal/56606147-how-to-clean-a-dirty-smokeware-chimney-cap

Don't be hating on SmokeWare.

Meeeshigan22

saluki2007 said:

Another reason no one needs a SW cap.

I don't know who this "no one" is, but if mine walked away I'd buy another instantly.

bgebrent

Love my SW caps.  All the tops and topless work.  Personal preference. Never clean the stuff.

JMCXL

I am crazy, about 14 months ago I got one and I have never used it.  I know how to adjust the factory cap and I am concerned about the learning curve with the SW.  Thoughts??

Killit_and_Grillit

JMCXL said:

I am crazy, about 14 months ago I got one and I have never used it.  I know how to adjust the factory cap and I am concerned about the learning curve with the SW.  Thoughts??

@JMCXL oh I would definitely not use it. Trash it. Better yet, mail it to me and I'll dispose of it for you. 

xfire_ATX

fishlessman said:

im sticking with the daisy i have to hit it with a firebrick to make it obey from time to time but thats it

Mine got bad recently- I had to put it in the egg to get it warm enough to spin.  I did a 600 degree clean burn recently and left it in there- nice and clean now.

EggHeadinFlorida said:

I've tried going capless and playing with lower vent and couldn't get a stable temp. Tried wide open bottom and adjusting top vent, same thing. Maybe I don't have the patience lol? I rely on the Guru 99% of the time for temp control. I know it's not good, but it's what im accustomed too.

i think it's bad a*s for someone to hold a constant temp on their Egg from the vents. 

I don't use any top if i'm not doing low and slow- read that on here and have gone with it.  My neighbor goes the other way and controls from daisy- both work.

yljkt

JMCXL said:

I am crazy, about 14 months ago I got one and I have never used it.  I know how to adjust the factory cap and I am concerned about the learning curve with the SW.  Thoughts??

I just got one for my medium. It was a 2 cook re-learn. 

tarheelmatt

bgebrent said:

Love my SW caps.  All the tops and topless work.  Personal preference. Never clean the stuff.

You have to actually cook to make them dirty. 

tarheelmatt

I don't see the point in them. I stand with my homie @saluki2007.