My new WSM

[bigfred]

Ok,I just finished assembling my new WSM.What exactly is the seasoning process.I'm assuming it's just lighting up some charcoal and letting it cook without anything in it.Is this right? 

 

[fpnmf]

It does not need seasoning...

It will run a little hot for the first few smokes..

Cook some butts...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/135116/how-i-start-and-use-my-wsm

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch?search=a+tale+of+two+butts

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/94076/wsm-mods

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/85924/the-minion-method-explained-w-tutorial

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/tipsfaq.html

Use the handy dandy search tool for plenty of wsm info..

  Have fun!!

  Craig

 

[seenred]

That will usually do the trick.  Most of us will coat the interior surfaces with a light film of vegetable oil or cooking spray before the burn in.  Actually on my last 3 new rigs I did a real hot burn-in, empty, for an hour, to burn off any manufacturing residue.  Then I put the oil or cooking spray on and did another hour at about 250* to season the surfaces.  That's probably overkill, but I like to be sure. 

Congrats on that new WSM!  Those are real nice rigs...Good luck, and have fun!

Red

 

[fwismoker]

Ditto on the seasoning... it really doesn't need it since it has finish on the metal already.  If you're talking cast iron, UDS barrels....you definitely need seasoning.     Enjoy some delicious Q!

 

[dward51]

The WSM is not painted, it's baked on porcelain enamel (think ceramic) coating and does not "need" seasoning before use.  It will not hurt it though if you put a light coating on.

Best thing to do with a WSM is use it.  They tend to run a little hotter than normal when new until you get some smoke buildup on that shinny hard coating.  Not a huge amount of higher temps, but you will notice it once you have run it a few times.

 

[fpnmf]

From Weber....

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]No, you don't have to season your new Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker before you start cooking with it.[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]Why do the "big boys" rub down the inside of their pits with peanut oil or bacon grease and fire them up to season them? Because their pits are made of raw steel, and much like a cast iron skillet, that raw steel will rust without a protective coating of seasoning.[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]Your shiny, new Weber Bullet is made of steel with a porcelain enamel finish inside and out. If the custom-built pit is like a cast iron skillet, the WSM is like a piece of Le Creuset cookware—it doesn't need seasoning and will provide many years of excellent service without rusting.[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]But Wait...I Heard The WSM Runs Hot When New. That Means I Should Season It, Right?[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]According to Weber, a Smokey Mountain Cooker may run up to 50°F hotter when new. The shiny interior surfaces reflect heat back into the cooker, resulting in higher than normal cooking temperatures. After 2-3 uses, a layer of smoke and grease builds up on the interior. As a result, it becomes less reflective and absorbs more heat, which radiates out of the cooker and results in lower cooking temperatures.[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]However, it should be noted that not all new WSM owners notice this 50°F difference. Besides, 50°F is just not that big a deal. If your new Weber Bullet is running 275°F instead of 225°F, you're still operating at a good barbecuing temperature. Anything in the range of 225-275°F, or even as high as 300°F, is fine, especially during the first 2-3 runs with your new cooker.[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]But Wait...Shouldn't I Burn-Out The Scary Manufacturing Residue Before Using My WSM?[/font]

[font=Arial,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif]Do you see  any scary manufacturing residue inside your new Weber Bullet? The worst I've ever seen is dust from the cardboard packaging. Grab a slightly damp cloth and wipe it off.[/font]