question on cleaning the PBC

[viscera912]

good morning everyone

i read the post in 2014 about cleaning the pbc and have never used water inside my drum but yesterday i did a cook with chicken that was wet marinated by my cousin.  there was a lot of oil and drippings that got on the bottom of the cooker away from the foil that i usually place under the basket.  there is a black patch of this oil complete with red chili flakes and the sort.  im guessing that moisture won't be the best on the bottom there, any idea how to get that stuff out properly or will some water and wiping be enough? thanks

[muebe]

It is the moisture and the charcoal ash that can be really bad! Although all moisture being collected won't be good.

Truthfully though I have rinsed out my PBC before. I did it on a hot summer day and made sure it completely dried out.

And plan for a cook so a hot bed of coals will finish the drying process.

[smokeasaurus]

I have lined the bottom of my PBC with HD foil and it makes for easy cleaning and keeps your barrel bottom purdy......

[brentwoodkris]

I've thought about this too...but I figure I'll just weld in a new bottom if it ever gets to that point, which I think it will take MANY years to disturb this thick steel.

[smokeasaurus]

I've thought about this too...but I figure I'll just weld in a new bottom if it ever gets to that point, which I think it will take MANY years to disturb this thick steel.

Which is fine, but I sure don't like the sandy trail on the side of the barrel from pouring out the ashes. Just reach in and roll up the foil, add a new pc and you are back at it...just sayin............

[drholly]

I've thought about this too...but I figure I'll just weld in a new bottom if it ever gets to that point, which I think it will take MANY years to disturb this thick steel.

Which is fine, but I sure don't like the sandy trail on the side of the barrel from pouring out the ashes. Just reach in and roll up the foil, add a new pc and you are back at it...just sayin............

I'm with The Smoke on this...

[cgseymour]

Hello All,
I also put the foil on the bottom.
And on the occasions where my more graceful side emerges and I spill some --
I use the shop vac to remove the spilt ash.

Thank you

[brentwoodkris]

I've actually put a decent amount of thought into upgrading my filter on the shop-vac to the HEPA variety so I can just vacuum up the ash too...

[tekn50]

It sounds like its just oil from the cook.  Just wipe it out with some paper towels and it should be fine.  I use foil when I remember too.  Otherwise I use a piece of cardboard and scoop it out.  Don't sweat it to much, it takes a long time for metal to rust out.

[viscera912]

man that was quite a chore i didn't realize how much was caked up.  there is a moat type indention that runs the whole bottom edge of the barrel and at least half of that was full of this black caked up type texture.  i spent an hour or so cleaning that blasted edging with shop towels, wire brush, and old fashioned elbow grease.  no more wet marinated meat ever again in this cooker......