Cleaned my 780

[Timmy]

Took it all a part, had 1/4 grease in the bottom clear up under the fire pot. And the chimney was full of crap.

Bottom insulator, fire pot, hopper removed. TRAEGER cleaner sprayed in the bottom.

hopper removed first, no wires unhooked.

Bottom all cleaned out

Crud in chimney and on cap

cap cleaned off

Fire pot going back in

Crud scraped off cap

 

[Timmy]

chimney clean out with 12 gauge shotgun brass brush and pistol rod.

The little orange cover with the label fell out of the hopper from somewhere.

Bottom insulator hasn’t looked this clean since I got the grill! Lol

 

[Timmy]

Here is the grease that pooled going under the insulator tray.

 

[tommyb50]

Thats one thorough cleaning!
How do you remove the lower heat shield (insulator tray)?
Your grill looks new again!

 

[RemE]

Bravo, THAT is a deep clean, wow!

It's odd that so much grease collected in the belly.

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Here is the grease that pooled going under the insulator tray.

How does this happen? Is it an overflow? Of course I don't cook on your scale (who does?!), but all my grease flows nicely into the grease bucket.

 

[RemE]

How does this happen? Is it an overflow? Of course I don't cook on your scale (who does?!), but all my grease flows nicely into the grease bucket.

Considering he often uses every square inch of his grill when multitasking, something must have gotten past the drip system here and there.

 

[Timmy]

Thats one thorough cleaning!
How do you remove the lower heat shield (insulator tray)?
Your grill looks new again!

On mine there are 2 screw to take out, then work it out from under the front and back ledge and lift out.

 

[Timmy]

How does this happen? Is it an overflow? Of course I don't cook on your scale (who does?!), but all my grease flows nicely into the grease bucket.

I’ve come to the conclusion it’s user error in 2 ways, maybe simultaneously.
1. I try to keep the meat over the drip tray if this doesn’t happen it runs into the belly and pools. I’m usually pretty good at this and haven’t had much sneak past.

2. Improper placement of the drip tray.

I say number 2 because when I was done cleaning I put the drip tray back in and a few minutes later noticed it wasn’t over the drip channel properly although it was seated and steady.So grease would have ran straight into the belly. BUT during the cook the grease bucket did fill. So im not sure what happened. This is the first time since purchasing the grill this has happened. So now more learning, I will pay more attention when installing the tray.

 

[Timmy]

Bravo, THAT is a deep clean, wow!

It's odd that so much grease collected in the belly.

Ive never had this much in the belly. Maybe a half cup at most. It has never gone under the heat shield.

 

[tommyb50]

Thanks! I'll have to check mine out. Was going to remove mine the other day but didn't see how.

 

[Slimpicker]

Don't know if you think this is a good idea or not, if you get this much grease down there.... BUT:
I installed this under my heat shield and cut it close around the firepot, and nothing gets under my heat shield now, no ash, no nothing.

Amazon.com: Lynn Manufacturing Kaowool Ceramic Fiber Insulation, 1/2" Thick x 12" x 24", 2400F Fireproof Insulation Blanket, 3013E: Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: Lynn Manufacturing Kaowool Ceramic Fiber Insulation, 1/2" Thick x 12" x 24", 2400F Fireproof Insulation Blanket, 3013E: Home & Kitchen

smile.amazon.com

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Timmy, thanks for detailed report on the cleaning! I am going to bookmark this for when I have to do a thorough cleaning. The before and after photos are very helpful.

 

[Slimpicker]

Timmy, thanks for detailed report on the cleaning! I am going to bookmark this for when I have to do a thorough cleaning. The before and after photos are very helpful.

Send your donations to [email protected]

 

[Timmy]

Don't know if you think this is a good idea or not, if you get this much grease down there.... BUT:
I installed this under my heat shield and cut it close around the firepot, and nothing gets under my heat shield now, no ash, no nothing.

Amazon.com: Lynn Manufacturing Kaowool Ceramic Fiber Insulation, 1/2" Thick x 12" x 24", 2400F Fireproof Insulation Blanket, 3013E: Home & Kitchen

Amazon.com: Lynn Manufacturing Kaowool Ceramic Fiber Insulation, 1/2" Thick x 12" x 24", 2400F Fireproof Insulation Blanket, 3013E: Home & Kitchen

smile.amazon.com

The only thing I would be afraid of , is the insulation soaking up the grease. I’m not sure it can tho because it’s ceramic.