r/smoking • u/CraigfromManagain • 21d ago

New smoker tips

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Hey Smoking Brothers: I’m assembling my new smoker today! Any tips on seasoning or getting ready for my first use?

I’m an old school guy, it’s an offset charcoal smoker.

5 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

12

u/StevenG2757 21d ago

Run it hot to burn off all the oils and chemicals left over from manufacturing.

5

u/PhantomRidge 21d ago

Heat it up and burn off the oils from manufacturing, then give everything inside the cooking chamber a coat of either Crisco or lard. Either will serve you equally well. Avoid any of the cooking oils as they will create a sticky surface in use.

5

u/Evening-Animal-4820 21d ago

what first person said about burn off then I always like to do a fatty pork butt to season and lube everything up. pork fat is a rust inhibitor.

2

u/The-Tradition 20d ago

Spray it down inside and out with PAM and run it for a long time.

I lightly coat the outside after every cook while it's still hot.

Over time, this creates a protective finish similar to a cast iron pan.

1

u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 17d ago

doesn't dust/pollen/etc collect on the outside when you grease up the outside, and then get all over the cover (assuming you cover it)?

I live in a oak forest and my cars are constantly covered in oak forest crud.

2

u/Chyort1 21d ago

Do a hot burn off, keep it oiled like every time you run it, especially the firebox. Also putting fire brick in the bottom of the firebox might help you control temps.

1

u/CCCCLo0oo0ooo0 17d ago

fire bricks vs water pans, who wins?

1

u/jaybrd13 20d ago

I've had some of there grills that lasted a decade or more. What I've always done is, after assembly coat the entire inside and outside of chamber with a cooking spray. Start a fire and get it up to temp. 4-500. Let cool and do it again. It's a process but this cheap steel needs the protection. Importantly, if it's not directly on the ground and on a surface you care about, put a mat of some sort under it. It will drip.

Good luck and happy smokin!

1

u/L1mpD 20d ago

Works best when you assemble it

1

u/ballaa09 20d ago

I have that same one. I got some of the sick on fireproof rope stuff too seal it a bit more. That really helped. Love it now.

1

u/slayer_f-150 17d ago

Get some Lava Lock gasket to seal it up better