The bottom of the big pan will always blacken, as you are making a wood oven on the top of the stove - so will the under side of the drip tray. For easy clean up, line drip tray with foil. If not lined, when cool, wash or wipe the blackened wood ashes into the sink. Use a soft scrub or Comet powder with a green and yellow scrubby to rub over the blackened parts. The black will not come off, but the residue from the wood chips and the cooking will.
All parts can go into the dishwasher.
Use foldaway handles if lifting the smoker when hot. If you have other questions, please call our toll free number. No more freezer burn - to keep fish fresh with no freezer burn, fill bag with water surrounding fish. Freeze in the bag and the fish will remain fresh with no freezer burn when defrosted. This will give the food extra steam when cooking.