What to clean the "Black Stuff" with on the Dome

Unknown

Does anyone recommend a specific cleaner to clean the dome of the Egg to remove the black drainage from the top after a long smoke?[p]
Metro

Spring Chicken

METROFIRE,
If you are dead set on cleaning it, just fire up the Egg and let it burn @ 750° or 800° for about an hour. That should burn most of it off. But it will not get back to the white (New) look at those temperatures. Or, you can just leave it be like most of us and wait until your next high-temperature cook and kill two birds with one stone.[p]Spring Chicken
Spring Texas USA

Unknown

METROFIRE,
As far as I know, there is No cleaner that can get the stuff off. Ceramic is a pourus material and any cleaner will get into it and you will taste it with your food. Heat is the only way I know to get rid of it. I don't clean mine, I don't think it is necessary. [p]Jerry

mollyshark

Spring Chicken,[p]I agree. Let it go nuclear and burn for a while. Then take a wire brush and brush off all the black pieces that potentially could fall into your food. This is like a self-cleaning oven. It vaporizes all but some small bits and you just get rid of those. Other than that, don't touch it!!!! (yowza..sounds like looking for work! He must be younger than us, Spring!)

Smokin' Todd

METROFIRE,[p]I agree with both. High heat is the way to go for maintenence. But if the "black stuff", which is completely harmless by the way, is a problem for you wait to see what comes about from infrequent use!
There was a time when I didnt use mine for months...it looked like it had a serious infectious virus and/or disease! All i did was did a high heat burn and all when away.
And like one response I dont do anyting about the "black stuff" It adds character! DOnt even worry about it. Use the fuel for for great BBQ meat!
ST

Spring Chicken

mollyshark,
I'm beginning to think everyone is younger than me, but you just graduated from High School, didn't you??? As for cleaning the Egg, I tried the brushing approach one time and a lot of it came off, but a lot stayed on and looked splotchy. So I said I'll just wait 'til I can afford a real steak and follow with cleaning burn. That was two years ago and it still hasn't been cleaned. [p]Sorry to hear about Polly Vinyl.[p]Spring Chicken

Borders

METROFIRE, I use "simple green" and the rough side of a kitchen sponge to get this residue off the outside of the dome. That doesnt get it all, but gets most. That stuff gets cooked on like the enamel. Let me know if you find the silver bullet.
Scott

GrillMeister

METROFIRE,[p]Are you talking about the black stuff that drips on the OUTSIDE of the egg? I think the folks here are talking about the black stuff on the inside.[p]I do know what you mean though. I just finished a 21 hour smoke session for 30 lbs of pork butt and I have black stuff dripping down the sides from the daisy wheel cap forced out by the E-Temp Pitminder. I usually use hot water, but I'll try the Simple Green idea.[p]Off to Tokyo then Seoul. I'll be glad when my travels slow down so I can get some egging in.[p]Cheers,[p]GrillMeister
Austin, TX
Home of the Texas Eggfest

Spring Chicken

GrillMeister,
Good point, Ed. I tried everything including wire brushes on my electric drill to get rid of the accumulation of outside tar around the neck. Nothing worked. WooDoggies suggested I try regular spray-on oven cleaner. Did and it wiped the stuff right off. I used the non-toxic kind. Use gloves for sure. I don't think I would use it inside the Egg.[p]Good seeing you here in Spring Texas USA. Hope you have a nice trip.[p]Spring Chicken

WooDoggies

METROFIRE,[p]A small amount of oven cleaner applied to the glazed surface will take the black stuff right off. Be careful not to get it on the band as it might eat the paint.
If it's getting flaky inside the dome, hit it with a wire brush or a crumpled piece of aluminum foil... no need to go nuclear.... a little elbow grease and 3 minutes and you're done.[p]John

RRP

Scott,
I'm with you on your take - he's asking about the exterior not the interior. What I use is as close to a silver bullet as it comes. It's a Rutland product called concentrated Brick & Stone Cleaner made for "hard to remove baked-on soot and creosote deposits..." Most of the time I can spray it on - let it sit and then wipe clean with a paper towel. Sometimes I'll use an old toothbrush - but that's the extent of any scrubbing needed.

RRP

I buy this from Menard's
[ul][li]Rutland cleaner that I mentioned[/ul]

Unknown

Spring Chicken,
I plan to leave the inside alone, haven't touched it since I bought the Egg 4 years ago. The "Black stuff I am referring to is on the outside from a Daisy Wheel sweat. I did not want harm the green glaze Thanks for your insight![p]Egg ON![p]Metro

Borders

RRP,
I actually have some of that stuff. I'll give it a try. Thanks, Scott

Unknown

RRP,
Got the Rutland cleaner on Sunday and it worked like a "silver Bullet". Thanks! New felt seal scheduled for the large this weekend.[p]Metro