While the smoker is still warm (but not too hot – no trips to the ER please) dab the damp paper towel into the ash. But we have taken the effort to look into other brands, and they all say to season for between 2 hours and 3 hours. It’s important to note that you only have to season a new smoker so don’t worry about this if you’re buying one that is used. And make sure to also check out our list of useful electric smoker tips and tricks! But once the inside walls have been coated with oil, put everything back inside the smoker. I'm a self-proclaimed BBQ nut, and the founder and chief editor here at Food Fire Friends. The answer isn’t immediately apparent with some manufacturers saying yes, and some saying no. Your email address will not be published. Fill one chimney with charcoal and light them using a fire starter. Luckily electric smokers are very forgiving. This is vital for a new electrical smoker. If your smoker has a viewing window, clean it while the smoker is still warm by following these steps: Now that your smoker is seasoned and ready to go, here are some tips for your first smoke. You want the vapors of the burnt off residue to escape the smoking chamber, not hang around forever. Therefore, to “season a smoker” is to remove all the rust, dust, chemicals, or small metal pieces left inside the smoker. An additional benefit is that the thin layer of black smoke will enhance the smokey flavor imparted to your food. What’s the Difference? Heating the Smoker. To start seasoning, reassemble the smoker and screw in the gas tank. Put water pan in place but leave empty. But for whatever make and model you have, just set it to the maximum temperature possible. Return all racks to the smoker. Wipe the interior with cooking oil. Vertical water smokers, propane smokers, electric smokers and the like typically can be used without a lot of preparation, but it is still a good idea to fire it up at least once without food to get the hang of using it and to help burn off any residue … So here we are. You can smoke a turkey in an electric smoker, charcoal smoker or whatever type of smoker you happen to have, but we love our Traeger wood pellet grill. You have to cure your smoker to et rid of the foreign scents and chemicals. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully as you finish putting your new smoker together. How to Season a New Smoker. See comment below. **Note** This email might be in your 'Promotions' folder. Most new electric smokers will come with an instruction manual. This includes all racks, the water pan, drip tray, and wood chip tray. Do you have an electric smoker, or are you thinking of getting one? You will need to cure your salmon at least 4 hours, even for thin fillets from trout or pink salmon. I just want to make brisket! The theory behind using wood smoke during the curing process is that you’ll beat the grease to the punch by creating a protective patina of smoke and soot. Make sure you click the button in that email so you can start receiving emails from us. Easily save as PDF or print for future use. Learn why you need to season that brand new smoker, and exactly how to do it the right way on ANY type of new smoker. SmokedBBQSource is supported by its readers. Step 1 Of 7. Not only are they potentially hazardous, but they also will make your food smell bad. Starting up your electric smoker for the first time. Check your email, and click "Confirm" and well send you a copy of the smoking chart. It is a good idea to start with cheaper cuts of meat that are not so fiddly. and to infuse the metal with smoky residue that will make your metal box or cylinder worthy of being called a smoker.. All smokers MUST be seasoned be fore you use them the first time and/or after they have been cleaned by a chemical or degreaser. Once upon a time, it was a given that you got your car rust-proofed to keep it from turning to Swiss cheese. The following instructions are somewhat generic but will apply equally to almost any model. You should have received an email from us asking you to "Confirm your subscription". Oklahoma Joe’s Smokers says, “Seasoning a new smoker before initial use is crucial to laying the foundation for great BBQ results”. Curing your smoker will rid the unit of oil produced in the manufacturing process. Now as the founder and editor in chief of Smoked Barbecue Source I get to grill, barbecue and write about meat for a living! Plug your smoker into a power outlet – It is … The king of the cookout classics, a fantastic homemade burger can turn a good barbecue into a great one. A good quality meat thermometer (the one that comes with the smoker is usually a unreliable) is essential for anyone who plans to smoke. Yes, despite all the chemicals I listed in the previous section, nothing is done to protect the inside of your electric smoker from the moisture that wants to eat it. I would just crack straight on with seasoning. But seasoning your electric smoker is not a time consuming or complicated process. For the most popular brand, Masterbuilt electric smokers, this will be 275 degrees Fahrenheit in most cases. To season a new smoker or even reseason an old smoker is to get rid of oils, chemicals, cleaning compounds, etc. Technically, we can do both! I love cooking outdoors over live fire and smoke whatever the weather, using various grills, smokers, and wood-fired ovens to produce epic food. So what’s the right answer? Some assembly required. Set smoker temperature to 275°F and allow the unit to run for three hours. How to season your electric smoker. Seasoning also helps to cure the paint in the smoker and will work towards ensuring protection from rust and the weather. An electric smoker doesn’t cost nearly as much as your car, in fact you can get some reasonable electric smokers for under $200. If they aren’t already, fully open the vents and leave it that way for the entire seasoning session. Be sure to mention them in the comments section below. Refer to the manual of your smoker to check. However, don’t remove the coating of black smoke. But, if you leave it running for another hour and add wood with 45 minutes to go, you’ve followed Masterbuilt’s directions, too. And since you’re here, why not search the site for even more articles on smokers and what you can cook on them? Before the end of the cooking cycle, you can introduce wood to infuse smoky flavor and kill the metal smells. And it will ensure you don’t poison your guests – especially if you are cooking chicken. In … Then spray it in the smoker and wait for a while. Hot Tip. My goal with this site is to help as many people as possible enjoy and be good at doing the same. 2. If you run your smoker empty for 2 hours, you’ve satisfied the “requirements” laid out by Char-Broil. Remember earlier when I said, “Some assembly required”? Season a New Smoker. But if you ask around most seasoned owners do the following: Once the smoker is seasoned, there is no need to scrub the inside of your smoker. A coating of carbon from the smoke prevents moisture from getting at the metal. If you have an electric or gas smoker, leave it running for at least an hour. 1. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Yes, an article dedicated to this topic may seem unnecessary to some, but not everybody is aware this process needs doing, or how to do it. First, remove anything from your electric smoker that can easily be removed to make oiling the inside easier. It will give you an accurate reading of where your meat is up to. Generally, all the consumers choose either a Mesquite wood chip or Maple wood chips in the process of seasoning electric smoker. You fire up the smoker with no food inside. There are a few different items that you will need to properly season your smoker. As you might expect, the quality. How to Season a Pellet Smoker. Do not add water or wood chips, and certainly do not add any food! Again, this is Masterbuilt’s advice. Thanks for sticking out this guide on how to season an electric smoker till the end – it’s not the most glamorous topic, but it is an essential process you want to make sure of! Let’s have a closer look at how to season your new electric cooker. Masterbuit recommends adding a load of chips when the timer has 45 minutes remaining. Here is … Plus, I’ll cover the wood chips versus no wood chip debate, including a solution! Dampen a couple of paper towels, and scrunch them into balls. To last manual for specific instructions that may be able to improvise with a pan! Your particular type of smoker Smoked meat last – if at all water-proofing! You if you have all the equipment you need as simple as doing a ‘ run. Meat without keeping an eye on them always … smoking a Turkey Breast in an electric smoker, don! Process of seasoning your electric smoker for the first time toy, you may want to gently down... Fat Side up or down fill it up 275°F and allow the unit this,. Time using it leaves a residue of unpleasant chemicals you do not want in your cooker when it comes preparing! To it whenever you need Ready before the cook Traeger smoker! this Traeger Smoked salmon is the instant-read... 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