Burner Smudge

[Drunkensatyr]

Looking for any input on what you do to minimize smudge or make it easier to clean. Currently I am using Pam for Grilling on the outside of the boil kettle, But there HAS to be a better way.

 

[Craig5_12]

How much "smudge" are you getting? I'm assuming you mean a bunch of black crap built up.
1 major factor for lots of build up is improper air/fuel ratio. Say if you have NG burners and are running propane out of them.....

 

[FlyGuy]

An old boy scouts trick is to apply a light coat of dish soap to the bottom of the pot. When it blackens, the soap will wash it right off leaving a clean bot underneath.

 

[Drunkensatyr]

It isn't insane, but I am sure the ratio is off. It is a propane set up, just a cheap one that frustrates me AFTER brew day is done.

 

[Craig5_12]

Sounds like you could use FlyGuy's method and a pressure regulator

 

[the_bird]

Isn't soot a sign that you aren't getting the right oxygen mixture with the propane? The flame should be blue. I'm wondering if you're getting incomplete combustion.

 

[ill.literate]

An old boy scouts trick is to apply a light coat of dish soap to the bottom of the pot. When it blackens, the soap will wash it right off leaving a clean bot underneath.

Was going to suggest this too. We use this trick on our pots and pans when doing wilderness camping and cooking over a fire.

But at the same time you should probably adjust the burner.

 

[Drunkensatyr]

Well, let me change the post a bit here.... What brand burners do you all use...Running to Academy this evening before tomorrows brew session. Looking at the King Kookers. I don't think the burner I have even HAS a brand on it. *shrug* Bought it for the 38qt. SS cook pot, burner was just an extra.....but with as much cleaning as I'm having to put into the pot each time.... It is time to get off my cheap arse and just get a nice burner. Believe me I have adjusted, torn apart, cleaned, twisted, pulled, shouted, kicked this burner so many times that if it doesn't work right now, then it is time to start using it only for the Cast Iron crawfish pot!

 

[kladue]

If the light blue colored flame that starts at the burner rim touches the bottom of the pot it will soot up the bottom no matter how clean the flame looks. Try lowering the burner or do a short test run with a reduced flame level that only lets darker/clearer flames touch the pot and you should not have any soot buildup. If you have soot buildup on the pot you also have a lot of carbon monoxide being generated by the incomplete combustion of the gas, be carefull.

 

[Drunkensatyr]

OK, got the King Kooker last night. that did the trick.

 

[clayof2day]

I have this problem with my Sunjoy burner that I got from Sam's club too.

I looked at my Bayou Classic and noticed that the air intake is much bigger on that burner (never had any problems with it blackening). I'm almost positive that its an air/fuel ratio problem, but have no idea how to fix it. I've been using my stainless Sunjoy burner because my Bayou Classic has a hard time staying lit at the low levels it takes to just maintain the boil.