i have rubbed both the night before and just before and i can not tell any real difference. both are great, both are awsome. it just really depends on your country state of mind.
matter of fact the last batch i did, i only put spicy brown mustard on the outside with no rub and have had more complements on that then any other i have ever done. do not get me wrong, i do not want to be mistaken, i simply forgot to put on the rub, it was not intentional. :oops: but i was cooking 7 or 8 things at once so i did not notice untill later as i was in my first (of several) round of cleaning. by then it was too late (several hours in to the smoke).
i also have never been one to mop. i just throw it on the grill and only open when i have to, like when flipping my fatties, getting my potatoes on and off, you know the good stuff. every so often i dont even open the door at all, just leave it sit.
as you can tell i was not one of them kids sneeking to the tree early xmas morning before mammy and pops were up, or looking in closets for presents. it dont bother me any to wait.