Smoker Maintenance

[srivera1965]

Howdy smokers!

Just wanted to chime in and ask a question about smoker care/maintenance:

I own an Oklahoma Joe Smoker and was wondering if I ever need to "season" it after I clean it out. If yes, what is a good way/technique for seasoning?

 

[jethro]

I guess it would depend on what you mean by clean...My cleaning in the UDS consists of burning off the grates with a real hot fire (in another grill) and sucking out the inside with the shopvac. Thats it... but If you powerwashed it I would say you should probably give the inside a spray of pam and do a burn to re-season but I have never got that ambitious on any of my smokers.

 

[sqwib]

If its pre seasoned, the best way to keep it seasoned is to use it often.

A smoker is one of those things that get better with age, sort of like a cast Iron pan or old coffee pot that has never been washed only rinsed.

A lot of folks will wipe down the inside with oil or spray with Pam, just go light on the oil.

You can actually get a good season with just using wood.

If you want to re season get a fire going in the box as if you were smoking, spray the inside smoke chamber lightly with oil I will sometimes just mist some oil inside the firebox under the reverse flow plate, just don't use a spray oil like Pam in the firebox the propellant makes it extremely flammable, use a spray bottle with canola oil.

I will also mist some water in the smoke chamber.

I never used oil to season my GOSM.

On my Reverse Flow I seasoned 3 times with Cherry Wood then on the 4th run I seasoned it with Cherry wood and Bacon Grease, only because I had a bunch of bacon grease to get rid of.

I will season the outside of the firebox when its still warm to keep from rusting and spray the inside as well.

If you smoke a fair amount don't re season you will build up too much oil, you are seasoning every time you cook.

Others may have some input.

You don't want this

 

[srivera1965]

Great tip...even better pic! LOL

Thanks!