Black tar-like substance on the egg

aymobley

Hi everyone:

Every time I do a low/slow cook and open the lid to check temp, a black, tar-like substance drips down the outside of my egg from the daisy wheel.  Any idea how to prevent this, or clean it off without damaging the finish?  I’ve tried windex with a microfiber cloth, and it simply won’t come off.  I’m picky and like my egg to look tidy. Thanks!

Woodchunk

Creosote. Just wipe it off with a wet paper towel

DoubleEgger

Simple Green is my go to cleaner for the egg. 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

DoubleEgger said:

Simple Green is my go to cleaner for the egg. 

Agree. And TSP/water if they catch on fire and turn black (don’t ask how I know). 

Ive also been digging the Zep 505 degreaser and cleaner from home Depot. 

aymobley

Thanks guys.  Simple Green it is.

GATraveller

Meat sweats. 

SmokeyPitt

I can see why this would bother you since the egg is in the living room. 

WeberWho

I've always have used oven cleaner. Some don't agree with it. Never been an issue after years of use. 

RRP

Don't know where you live but if in the colder states there are products sold in fireplace shops for smoke and creosote removal from fireplace glass doors which are very effective, yet not harsh chemicals. One such product is made by Rutland and oftentime is sold at home improvement stores.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

SmokeyPitt said:

I can see why this would bother you since the egg is in the living room. 

SmokeyPitt said:

I can see why this would bother you since the egg is in the living room. 

That stuff is hell on carpet. And don’t even get me started about upholstery. I’ve had my eggs outside ever since “the great sofa incident of 2006”. 

berndcrisp

Woodchunk said:

Creosote. Just wipe it off with a wet paper towel

When the egg is warm.

JMCXL

I clean mine when it is hot with wet paper towels

Teefus

I've found that only occurs when the daisy wheel is cold and there's a fair amount of moisture in the cook. Even on a low and slow, I heat things up to at least 300* and then throttle back to my cook temp. It gets the daisy wheel warmed up and none of the condensate forms. Admittedly, this can be tough to do in the winter on a real low cook (smoking salmon for instance). It wipes off with a wet paper towel.

yljkt

I gotta hear how you got the S.O. to allow the egg indoors...

fishlessman

my egg would look like a crusty black lava rock if it wasnt exposed to rain sleet and snow

Woodchunk

berndcrisp said:

Woodchunk said:

Creosote. Just wipe it off with a wet paper towel

When the egg is warm.

Correct, I try to remember to watch for it if I open the dome during a cook, and then just wipe it off with the wet paper towel

SmokingPiney

I've had my Egg 3 years now and this has never happened to me. I store the daisy wheel inside the Egg - pitch it in right after the cook when I shut down. Maybe this is burning off the gunk? 

westernbbq

Burn that stuff off

nolaegghead

Black tar heroin?  Could have been hidden in the ceramic in a Mexican smuggling operation.

westernbbq

nolaegghead said:

Black tar heroin?  Could have been hidden in the ceramic in a Mexican smuggling operation.

I almost went there!  Black tar uncut Nicaraguan....with a street value of...oh nevermind....