To clean your Pit Boss pellet grill, start by removing the pellets. Then, burn off any residue and clean the grates with a grill brush and degreaser. Next, remove debris from the burn pot, clean the exterior, and do a burn-off. Finito!
If you’re a true grill master like me, you know that deep-cleaning your pellet grill is just as important as cooking up a storm on it. But you have to be careful. Pit Boss pellet grills have electrical components and pellet fuel that should not get wet. But don’t worry, pellet grills are not as dreadful as they may seem. And I’m here to show you how to do it the right way.
In this guide, I’ll take you through each step, from removing the pellets to doing a burn-off, and share with you the tools and materials you’ll need.
To make sure you have everything you need to keep your Pit Boss grill in tip-top shape, I suggest having these tools on hand.
Once you have these all set, let’s dive in and clean the Pit Boss pellet smoker grill like a pro!
Before starting your grill cleaning process, it’s crucial to remove any remaining pellets from the hopper and burn off the rest in the auger. You don’t want to deal with the headache of a jammed auger.
Here’s what I recommend: remove the pellets from the hopper and crank up the heat to a toasty 400 degrees.
Let those pellets burn off for approximately 15 minutes.
Once you’re done with that, turn off the Pit Boss grill, remove the plug from the power outlet, and let it cool before moving on to the next step.
Next, give your grates a good scrub with a grill brush while still in place. I suggest getting the POLIGO Safe Grill Brush for the task if possible.
After scrubbing the grates, take them off the grill and spray them down with a cleaner or degreaser.
I suggest picking up a bottle of the PIT BOSS 67290 Smoker Cleaner for this job.
Let the cleaning solution sit for about a minute before wiping them down and rinse off with water.
It’s also a good idea to wash the grates with mild detergent and water to ensure no cleaning solution is left behind.
Remove the heat deflector plates and use a shop vac like the DeWalt shop vac to remove any loose debris or ash, including inside the burn pot.
If yours isn’t removable, you should still be able to clean them with the shop vacuum.
When you’re done deep-cleaning with the shop vac, spray the grill’s interior with a degreaser or cleaner. For this, follow the same steps as you did with the grates in Step 2.
Start by locating the RTD temperature sensor if you think your grill has this feature. This is typically found on the inside of the grill at the side of the cooking chamber. It looks like a metal rod with a wire attached to it.
Remove the sensor by gently pulling it out from its housing. Be careful not to damage the wire or the sensor while removing it.
Now, clean the sensor using a soft cloth or brush. Do not use any water or cleaning agents, as they can damage it. Simply wipe away any dirt or residue that has accumulated on the surface.
Inspect the wire attached to the sensor for any damages or cuts.
Once you’ve cleaned the sensor, reinsert the sensor back into its housing.
Finally, plug the grill back into the electric outlet and turn it on to ensure the sensor works correctly. Don’t forget to turn off and unplug the grill to continue the rest of the cleaning after you’re done with the testing.
Gently remove the internal temperature probe from its housing. Be careful not to damage the wire or the probe.
Clean the smoke residue and other debris from the probe with a soft cloth or brush. Ensure not to use any water or cleaning agent.
Reinsert the probe back into its housing and ensure it’s secured in place.
Repeat the steps in Step 3 to clean the exterior of your pellet grill. Spray it with a degreaser, let it sit for a minute, and wipe it dry with a towel.
I also recommend changing out your liners when they’re about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way full. So you can remove them without spilling.
You should also wash the grease bucket with hot soapy water. Even if you use a grease bucket liner, it’s a good idea to give the bucket a good wash when you clean the grill.
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After a thorough cleaning, it’s a good idea to do a nice burn-off. This will help you get rid of any cleaning residue that may remain.
To do this, fill up the hopper with wood pellets, and crank your pellet grill to a high temperature.
Now let it burn off for about 15 minutes. And that’s it; you now have a perfectly clean wood pellet grill!
As a general rule, I recommend cleaning your Pit Boss smoker after every 3-5 uses. I know the frequency of cleaning your grill will depend on how often you use it. However, if you use your grill frequently or for long periods, you may need to clean it more often.
Some areas of the grill that should be cleaned regularly include the cooking grates, grease tray, fire pot, and drip pan. You should also check and clean the temperature probe and RTD sensor periodically.
You should not get the electrical component of the pellet grill wet during cleaning. Moisture can cause damage to the pellet grill’s electrical components.
So, when cleaning a Pit Boss grill, I always want to make sure I avoid using excessive water or any cleaning agents that contain water. Instead, I use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the pellet grill’s exterior and clean the cooking grates, grease drip tray, and other components.
If you do happen to get water on the grill, make sure to dry it off thoroughly before using it again. Allow the grill to air-dry, or use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe down any wet areas.
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your Pit Boss pellet grill to ensure its longevity and continued performance.
If you followed every bit of the instructions, I’m sure by now, your Pit Boss grill is clean and ready to cook up some world-class barbecue. By following a regular deep-cleaning schedule, you can maintain your Pit Boss pellet grill’s performance and prolong its lifespan.
Remember, the clean grill will produce better-tasting food and prevent potential safety hazards.
So, don’t forget to do this regularly to keep your pellet grill running efficiently and prevent future problems.
