breaking in a new charbroil off-set smoker

[wood fox]

Do i need do a break in fire in both the small firebox and the big
grill smoke box? I've been reading a lot on here see that it is important to get the heat to the far end of the smoke box.Could you use the charcoal pan ( that comes with it) as a block off plate covering the smoke hole and forcing the smoke to the far end of the smoke box.
I did asmall fire today had 220 at the firebox end and 190 at the chimney
end.

 

[adiochiro3]

I seasoned mine with fire in the firebox only. I coated the entire unit with olive oil on the inside before starting the seasoning burn. Then I built a large fire and got the whole unit up around 400 degrees using wood only -- full flame, vents wide open. I kept the temp up for over an hour you it had a beautiful black coating on the inside and on my new grates. Don't be shy -- you really can't overdo this step. Keep good leather gloves handy -- those handles, etc. get hot during this process!