Weber BarbecuesWeber Smoque™ Cleaning and Maintenance Guide

Smoking is about patience, precision, and flavour. To keep those long cooks running smoothly, your Weber Smoque Pellet Smoker needs a little care between sessions. Think of it as part of the craft - just like trimming a brisket or rubbing down a rack of ribs. A clean smoker runs safer, holds temp better, and makes every cook taste just that little bit sweeter. 

The good news? The Weber Smoque is built to make cleaning simple. With smart design, an enclosed grease and ash system, and tools included in the box, looking after your smoker is as straightforward as scraping, sweeping, and emptying. Here’s how to keep it ready for your next low and slow session.

Every time you fire up the Weber Smoque, take a few minutes to reset it for success. This not only keeps it safe but also makes sure your food is cooked evenly without flare-ups or unwanted flavours. 

Before each cook: 

1. Use a stainless steel grill brush to clean the cooking grills. The Weber Grill Brush is perfect for this. 
2. Remove the grills and use the included cookbox scraper to clean the grease sheet, pushing any excess grease into the grease funnel and catch. 
3. Take out the grease sheet and funnel, then scrape the cookbox to move debris into the drip pan. Remove and replace the drip pan with a new disposable Weber Drip Pan. 
4. Reinstall all components properly into the cookbox. 
5. Fill the hopper with Weber All Natural Hardwood Pellets, check that the power cord is securely connected, and you’re ready to cook. 

Beyond the basics, your smoker needs regular care to keep it at its best. Build this into your smoking routine and you’ll enjoy consistent performance every time. 

• Before every cook: Clean the grease sheet and empty the grease pan. 
• After long cooks (12 hours or 9 sessions): Remove the cooking grills and SmoqueVent™ system, then scrape the cookbox and clear the burn pot of ash and debris. 
• After each cook: Run a full shutdown to clear out any remaining pellets and ash. 
• Pellet care: Purge and empty the hopper and auger tube every 4 weeks if used regularly, or every 2 weeks if not. 

Important: Always allow your smoker to completely cool and unplug it from power before cleaning. Never spray your Weber Smoque with a garden hose or power washer — this can damage the electronics. 

Every now and then, your Weber Smoque deserves a more thorough clean. After all, a smoker that looks after you with steady heat and clean smoke deserves the same in return. Once you’ve finished a cook, shut it down properly, let it cool completely, and unplug it. Then it’s time to give the inside a deep clean. 

Step by step: 

1. After proper shutdown and full cooldown, unplug the smoker. 
2. Open the lid and use your cookbox scraper or grill brush to scrape down the inside. 
3. Brush the cooking grills while they’re in place, then lift them out and set aside. 
4. Use the included cookbox scraper to clean the grease sheet and Flavorizer bar, pushing any excess grease into the grease funnel and catch. 
5. Take out the grease sheet, unscrew and remove and the funnel. 
6. Clean the heat diffuser with the scraper before removing. 
7. Loosen the wing screws and remove the burn pot. Empty out ash and pellet debris, give it a wipe, then reinstall. 
8. Scrape out the cookbox itself, directing grease and debris into the drip pan. Replace the disposable drip pan.  
9. Reinstall the internal parts in the reverse order and you’re ready for the next smoke. 

Tip: Replace your disposable drip pan frequently. Fresh pans help prevent grease build-up and keep your cooks safe. 

The hopper and auger tube are the heart of your pellet supply, feeding fuel steadily into the fire. Keeping them clear means your Weber Smoque can keep doing what it does best—holding temp and delivering clean smoke. 

• If you smoke regularly: Empty and clean every 4 weeks. 
• If you smoke less often: Clean every 2 weeks.
• In high humidity: Check more often, as pellets can swell and cause jams.

1. After cooldown and unplugging, place a bucket under the pellet chute. 
2. Pull the pellet release handle to empty the hopper. 
3. Remove the EZ Access Maintenance Panel by unscrewing the two screws. 
4. Disconnect the wire clip from the motor, remove the six screws from the mounting bracket of the auger/motor assembly, then slide and twist the auger out from the auger tube. 
5. Clear out any debris or residual pellets from the auger and tube.
6. Reassemble, reconnect, and close everything back up. 

One of the best parts of pellet smoking is experimenting with flavours – like hickory for bold brisket, apple for sweet ribs, or cherry for poultry. If you want to swap pellets between cooks, here’s how: 

1. Place a container or bucket beneath the pellet chute. 
2. Pull the pellet release handle to empty the hopper. 
3. Store unused pellets for future use in an airtight container to protect them from moisture. 

Pro Tip: Break a pellet in half before use. Fresh pellets snap clean, while stale ones crumble. Crumbling pellets can affect temperature stability and smoke quality. 

Don’t forget to purge pellets from the auger tube periodically or before long-term storage. This helps keep the system clear and ready for your next session. 

Finishing a cook is just as important as starting one. Proper shutdown empties the auger, clears the burn pot, and ensures the smoker is safe, cooled, and ready for next time. 

1. When your food is done, unplug any probes, remove your food, and close the lid. 
2. Push the control dial, scroll to the fire icon, and select “StOP.” Press the dial to confirm. Here’s a shortcut: press and hold the main dial for 3 seconds, then confirm. 
3. The display will show shutdown in progress, with a countdown timer.
4. Once the process is complete and the smoker has cooled, unplug it from power.

The Weber Smoque is built tough for our backyards, ready to live outside all year round. But like any centrepiece, it deserves a bit of care to keep it looking as good as it cooks. 

• Stainless steel surfaces: Wipe down with a non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner and a soft cloth, following the grain. The Weber stainless steel and metal protectant helps keep that clean finish for longer. 
• Porcelain-enamel, painted, and plastic parts: Wash with warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly to keep them looking fresh. 
• Tough conditions: Living by the coast, near a pool, or in harsher weather? Give your smoker a more regular wipe-down and apply stainless cleaner weekly to help prevent surface rust. 

A Weber Premium Barbecue Cover will keep your Weber Smoque or Smoque XL looking great. It keeps the elements at bay, so when it’s time to fire up again, your smoker is ready to look the part as well as perform.

The Weber Smoque is designed to make smoking easier, but it’s still a hands-on craft. Regular cleaning means: 

• Better flavour with no old grease or ash interfering. 
• Consistent performance thanks to clear airflow and a clean burn pot. 
• Longer lifespan with components that stay protected from grease and buildup. 
• Safer smoking by reducing the risk of flare-ups. 

Think of it as sharpening your knives or oiling your cast iron - it’s part of respecting the gear that helps you cook at your best.

Your Weber Smoque Pellet Smoker is built tough for our backyards, but like any great tool, it works best when you look after it. Keep it clean, run shutdowns properly, and care for your pellets, and it’ll reward you with years of flavour-packed cooks. 

Clean smoker. Steady smoke. Legendary results. Your next brisket, ribs, or pulled pork is waiting - make sure the Smoque is ready for it.