Are you a proud owner of a new grill but overwhelmed by the smoke billowing from it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at why your new grill may be smoking and provide some helpful tips on how to reduce or eliminate the smoke.
So grab your tongs and keep reading to learn more about why your new grill is smoking!
What is Normal Smoke from a Grill?
It’s normal to see some smoke come from a grill as it gets hot, which is why it’s important to know what kind of smoke is normal and what isn’t.
White smoke is typically the most desirable, and that’s what you should look for when grilling with wood or charcoal.
However, it’s not uncommon to see some bluish, gray, yellow, brown, or even black smoke at the beginning of a cook.
Gas grills are not designed to emit a lot of smoke, so if you see a lot of smoke coming from your gas grill, it’s likely that the manufacturer’s coating is burning off.
It’s also normal for new grills to produce some smoke as the factory oils and contaminants burn off.
What Causes Unpleasant Smoke?
While burning water-logged wood can result in a cooler fire and smoke, the most common cause of unpleasant smoke is due to food bits burning on the heating element or on the bottom of the stove.
This can be prevented by regular cleaning and burning off any grease or fat build-up to keep your grill running and smelling fresh.
Additionally, adding a whole, big, round log to the firebox of a grill can also cause smoke if it’s not properly seasoned.
So if your new grill is producing smoke, it’s likely that the manufacturer’s coating is burning, resulting in smoke.
Make sure to burn off any oils and contaminants from the factory it was made in before starting to grill and keep your grill clean for best results.
How Can I Prevent My Grill from Smoking?
In order to prevent your grill from smoking, it is important to keep it clean.
Grease and dirt can build up on the grill element or oven base, so make sure to check there is no residual fat left.
Additionally, you can fill the grill with wood chips or use the burn-down method for smokers, but be sure not to open the lid too often as this will release heat and smoke.
Finally, if you are using charcoal, experiment with how many coals you need to reach 225°F for a perfectly tender barbecue.
What is the Smoke from New Grills?
It’s normal for new grills to emit some smoke when they are first used as the manufacturer’s coating may burn off.
This is usually white smoke and nothing to be alarmed about. Excess grease buildup, however, can cause propane grills to emit black smoke, which is an indication that the food is not being cooked correctly.
To prevent this, it is recommended that you season your new grill by turning all burners on high for 15 minutes before cooking.
Additionally, cleaning the burner tubes and removing excess grease can help reduce unpleasant smoke and smells when grilling.
How Can I Keep My Grill Clean?
To keep your grill clean, it’s important to clean your grill grates after each cook while the grates are still hot.
Start by firing up the grill, closing the hood, and letting it come to full temperature.
After at least 30 minutes, scrape off all food remnants from the grates using a metal scraper, wood scraper, or grill brush to scrub away any stuck-on bits.
If your grill is really gummed up, you can also soak them in hot, soapy water. If you don’t have a handheld vacuum cleaner, wipe up the loose dirt and charred food with a couple of rags.
Additionally, scrubbing your grill grates with raw onion is another tactic you can try.
And while you may be tempted to use a heavy-duty chemical cleaner, doing so will harm the finish of the grill; Johnson recommends using an oven cleaner instead.
Finally, to prevent greasy messes from smoking from your offset smoker, line the smoke chamber with foil before cooking.
What is the Smoke Coming from the Control Valves?
The smoke coming from the control valves can be caused by a few different things.
If the gas valve is not properly seated on the burner tube, this will cause an increase in smoke.
Additionally, if the exhaust damper is not adjusted correctly, this can also cause an excessive amount of smoke.
In order to prevent smoke from the control valves, be sure to check that the burner tube is properly aligned and that the exhaust damper is correctly adjusted.
How Do I Burn Off Grease from My Grill?
To ensure your grill is free of grease and grime, you should preheat the grill for 20 minutes before use to burn off any residue.
After preheating, wait 10 to 15 minutes to let the grill burn away any remaining food and grease on the grates.
You can also use a premium nylon bristle brush on cool grates to brush off any burned-on food.
If you leave the grease on too long, it can become rancid, vaporize with heat, and leave an unpleasant taste or smell in your food.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to give your grill a good cleaning after each use and keep it clean for optimal performance.
What is the Best Way to Prevent Grease from Smoking?
To prevent grease from smoking, it is best to use oils with high smoke points, such as vegetable and canola oil.
Additionally, you should line the smoke chamber of an offset smoker with foil and make sure to empty and wipe the grease catch pan or cup before each use.
Also, always keep the inlets and exhaust dampers open slightly, and wrap the drip pan in foil to keep it tidy.
Finally, keep your grill clean by seasoning it with oil and heat to create a protective barrier that prevents rust.
Following these tips will help you avoid unpleasant smells and smoke from grilling.
What Should I Do if My Grill Starts Smoking Unusually?
If your grill starts smoking unusually, there are a few things you should check.
- First, check the temperature – it should be between 225° to 250° F for optimal smoke production.
- You should also check the vents to make sure they’re not clogged and that air is flowing properly.
- Additionally, check the grease trap to make sure it’s not overflowing.
- Lastly, make sure the fuel source is properly connected and working correctly.
If you’ve checked all these areas and still find that your grill is producing an unusual amount of smoke, contact a professional for help.
Check the temperature
Checking the temperature is an important step to take when troubleshooting a grill that is smoking unusually.
A good indicator of when the grill needs to be adjusted is when the temperature begins to drop or become unusually high.
By making sure the grill is at the right temperature, you can minimize smoke and ensure that food is cooked evenly.
Additionally, it is important to make sure that your grill’s thermometer is calibrated correctly and hasn’t been exposed to temperatures outside its operating range of 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C).
Check the vents
Before checking the vents, it is important to make sure that the temperature of the grill is set correctly.
If the temperature is too low, the wood won’t smoke and you should turn it up until it does.
Additionally, inspect the hose and connection points for any potential gas leaks.
Do not work on this grill if it is plugged in. Once you have confirmed that the temperature is set correctly and there are no gas leaks, check the vents to ensure that they are open and clear.
Low smoke, high smoke, 175°F, 200°F, 225°F—the burner must still be hot enough to ignite new wood.
The top vent may be sitting improperly and affecting the performance of your grill, so inspect it carefully and see if there are any blockages or obstructions.
Check the grease trap
Checking the grease trap is an important part of maintaining your grill and keeping it from smoking.
It should be inspected at least twice a year to ensure that the build-up of grease is under control.
If you find that there is a large amount of grease, it’s best to give the grill a good cleaning and preheat it for 15 minutes before you start cooking.
This will help reduce the intense smoke that happens when ignited and will also help to prevent any unpleasant smells or smoke from occurring when cooking your food.
Check the fuel source
In addition to checking the temperature, vents, and grease trap, it is also important to check the fuel source.
If you are using a gas grill, make sure that the gas supply is open, but do not turn on the control knobs or light the grill.
Inspect the hose for dirt and debris that may be blocking the grill’s burners.
Additionally, ensure that your grill is not plugged in when working on it, and keep electrical supply cords and fuel away from heated surfaces.
To produce the best flavor from your wood pellets, it is important to learn what kind of ash wood can produce when grilled.
You can also avoid burning your food by learning how to prevent ash from building up and smoking excessively.
How Can I Stop Smoke Signals from Coming from My Gas Grill?
To fix gas grill smoking, start by checking for grease buildup and cleaning the grill thoroughly. Ensure the burners are not clogged and the gas connections are secure. Adjust the air vents to regulate the flow of oxygen and prevent smoke signals. Consider using a smoker box for flavor without excess smoke.
Are There Any Tips and Tricks to Avoid Unpleasant Smells and Smoke From Grilling?
To prevent unpleasant smells and smoke from grilling, it is important to ensure that the temperature of the grill is monitored, the vents are well adjusted, the grease trap is regularly emptied, and the fuel source is checked.
Additionally, you should keep your grill clean by burning off the grease before cooking and using thin wispy blue smoke to infuse flavor without smothering your food.
Following these steps will help you to enjoy a tasty meal without having an unpleasant odor from your new grill.