i am getting a lot of black soot on the ceramic logs. Seems to be smoking a bit. Do you know how to prevent this?
1022378
Yes, please see my review on this item. If you are handy, or have someone that can help you will be able to solve the sooting problem for approx. 50 cents and 20 minutes of time. I hope this helps, I was extremely frustrated by this problem and felt the same way as many others and was glad to have found a solution (especially without expense). Best Regards!
1022379
You need to remove the logs and use only the lava rocks. This is the only way I got rid of the soot which was considerable, even coated my newly stained deck badly which really sucks. Wish I would have realized this before using the logs which instantly turned black upon using them along with soot floating off. I haven't tried different logs since the look of the flames with lava rocks only look great to me and my wife. I had to scrub my deck to get the soot off which wasn't easy. I think the quality of logs is low since I have been using a natural gas fire place in my house, two of them, for 18 years with no sign of soot or the logs turning black.
1022380
That's a good question, I have the same problem, but i think it is from lack of use. I have only used mine like 4 times....
1022381
You need to remove the logs and use only the lava rocks. This is the only way I got rid of the soot which was considerable, even coated my newly stained deck badly which really sucks. Wish I would have realized this before using the logs which instantly turned black upon using them along with soot floating off. I haven't tried different logs since the look of the flames with lava rocks only look great to me and my wife. I had to scrub my deck to get the soot off which wasn't easy. I think the quality of logs is low since I have been using a natural gas fire place in my house, two of them, for 18 years with no sign of soot or the logs turning black. You need to remove the logs and use only the lava rocks. This is the only way I got rid of the soot which was considerable, even coated my newly stained deck badly which really sucks. Wish I would have realized this before using the logs which instantly turned black upon using them along with soot floating off. I haven't tried different logs since the look of the flames with lava rocks only look great to me and my wife. I had to scrub my deck to get the soot off which wasn't easy. I think the quality of logs is low since I have been using a natural gas fire place in my house, two of them,... » Read More You need to remove the logs and use only the lava rocks. This is the only way I got rid of the soot which was considerable, even coated my newly stained deck badly which really sucks. Wish I would have realized this before using the logs which instantly turned black upon using them along with soot floating off. I haven't tried different logs since the look of the flames with lava rocks only look great to me and my wife. I had to scrub my deck to get the soot off which wasn't easy. I think the quality of logs is low since I have been using a natural gas fire place in my house, two of them, for 18 years with no sign of soot or the logs turning black. « Show Less
65084
I can show you pictures of my kitchen right now. It is covered in soot. Our insurance company came and are paying us a lot of money to completely clean and repaint our whole house and put in new ceiling tile as it is ruined. We had to turn off hte propane fireplace. It was a procom and we have had it 8 years. We are not buying procom again. WE are told propane is a dirty fuel and that is most of it. Only paint thinner or alcohol takes it off and it is still there. Paint won't even stick to it. Not to mention we have been breathing it in.
626475
You need to burn about five at a time, be sure the peat brick are not too far back in the firebox....move them as close as possible to the front without letting smoke into the room.
1677465
Same results. i use Kingsford, Walmart, Grocery store etc... Make sure it is actual charcoal and not the charwood. some places sell the wood pellets, which have a much lower heat.
1773932
I soak the wood chips ahead of time and then put some directly on the hot coals. The char baskets go on each side of the drip pan. What ever you are smoking goes directly over the drip pan.
2128637
I have not seasoned the smoker per say. I use lump wood charcoal for smoking. In the manual it says that it is not recommended and they say use briquets which I think suck. I buy a nice brand of lump charcoal and build a small pyramid by hand on the grate big chunks at the bottom so the small pieces don't fall through. Then I bought some sawdust / candle wax mixture firestarters and I use of couple of those to get my coals. Once I have a nice bed of coals going I add the body and the lid to make sure I have temp. Then I put in the water and the meat and it does the rest of the work. I make sure to not use anything that has any chemicals in it. My coals are lump charcoal and then I throw a few cherry chunks on there.
2039431
If they are heavily carbon blackened you will need to remove them. I used a combination of cleaner degreaser and some some Soft Scrub cleaner.
2128636
To season it i just did acouple of cooks with some fatty foods. Bacon or meat that you do not wish to eat just to seal up all the holes. To start the charcoal I use a chimney starter with some newspaper under it which lights it up real quick!
247751
I only used mine once. I don't recall a lot of smoke but I did place the unit beneath my stove vent and turned the fan on as I recall. The fan is loud and I recall leaving it on so there must have been some smoke/steam.
757855
I use propane also. There was a decent coating of soot built up after seasoning the cooker.One run with no oil and one with a good coating of high temperature cooking spray. This is normal for all the grills and smokers I have ever used.
126636
I have the same problem. Like you I tried sanding. It helped a little but not very much. You might just want to resign yourself to living with the stains, not the end of the world. I suppose you could get it replaced but that might be a big project. Wish I could be of more help. To prevent the stains from getting worse, use John Boos Mystery oil regularly, it's good stuff. You can let it sit overnight which will help it get absorbed by the wood.
694443
Mine has been disappointing about staying lit fully under ANY condiitons, and with wind it goes partially out and emits black smoke with a horrible oder even after having the wick proffessionally replaced.
2177911
Clean the burner mechanism with rag and water where the flame comes from.that clogs,and affects the built in thermostat and causes it to do that.if that don't work then u need a new one
252003
Not too sure, but have heard that you can try the magic eraser to remove soot from painted walls (dry! - no water). (or try rubbing alcohol on a clean rag) Hope that works.
2007489
My ceramic pot has the same small cracks and they don"t seem to affect the way it cooks. Try using a small amount of bleach and water mix on the stains.
1155430
Mine just blew up in the area where the cord goes into the porcelain part. There was a loud pop and smoke. The innards of the porcelain part are burnt. I just got this in June 2014. Has anyone else experienced this?
359494
Yes it will come out black at first ,but don't worry that's just the charcoal dust and it should clear up in a couple of minuets.