How to keep your smoker clean while cooking

Most smoked meats expel fat, which is a quick way to dirty a smoker. Since keeping a smoker clean is easier than cleaning it up, you can avoid the hassle with steam or sheet pans to contain any mess.

Print How-Tos > How to keep your smoker clean while cooking
  • Full-size and half-size steam pans

    Full-size and half-size steam pans

  • Double smoked ham in a steam pan

    Double smoked ham in a steam pan

Steam Pans

  • Steam pans are disposable foil pans often used in chaffing dishes. They come in full-size and half-size and can be purchased at warehouse clubs, restaurant supply stores and grocery stores.
  • Half-size steam pans are about 25 cm x 33 cm and fit in all Oklahoma Joe’s® Smokers. One can hold a pork butt, ham or whole chicken.
  • Full-size steam pans are about 20 cm x 33 cm and fit in the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland smokers, Longhorn smokers, and can handle longer foods, such as pork ribs or beef brisket.
  • Hams, like the one pictured, expel a decent amount of fat, making half-size steam pans best since they have higher sides.
  • Half-size steam pans are about 25 cm x 33 cm and fit in all Oklahoma Joe’s® Smokers. One can hold a pork butt, ham or whole chicken.
  • Full-size steam pans are about 20 cm x 33 cm, fit in the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland smokers, Longhorn smokers, and can handle longer foods, such as pork ribs or beef brisket.

Metal Sheet Pans

  • Metal sheet pans are most commonly used in bakeries and restaurants, but are also used for residential purposes, like roasting pans and cookie sheets. Since they’re reusable, they save money in the long run and can be purchased at restaurant supply stores, kitchen supply stores and general merchandise stores.
  • For optimal smoky flavour, place a cooling rack in the sheet pan to facilitate maximum smoke circulation around the meat. An added bonus? Cooling racks also keep the meat from sitting in rendered grease. A half-size sheet pan is roughly 48 cm x 33 cm and fits in Oklahoma Joe’s Highland Longhorn smokers. To lend perspective, one half-size sheet pan holds 2-3 chickens, 2 rib racks OR a whole brisket.

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