Seasoning new smoker?

[StanSulli]

Hey,

I'm crossing the divide tomorrow and picking up a new smoker, yes, a PROPANE smoker. Always been curious about them.

It's this model; http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbu...CH=RV-_-rv_search_plp_rr-_-NA-_-202904343-_-N

I already read the manual online. Here are Masterbuilt's instructions for seasoning and they confuse me a bit;

"Apply cooking oil to the cooking grates and inside of the door only

Put 2 cups of soaked chips in the flame bowl and fire up the burner

Burn for 30 minutes at 400 degrees F

Shut down and cool off completely

Reapply oil and burn for another 20 minutes."

First of all, I'll be using wood chunks, not chips. I've never used chips and don't have any.

Second, I'm okay with cooking oil on the grates and the door. But why not coat the walls too? The instructions plainly state oil on the grates and door ONLY. And I wonder why.

I also wonder why 400 degrees for 30 minutes? Why not somewhat lower and somewhat slower?

Hey, they made the durned thing so I'll probably follow their instructions (except for using chips).

But I do wonder why the other stuff. What do you guys think?

Thanks.

*

 

[DaveW]

Reading the instructions in the manual linked at HomeDepot, it could just be a language thing. "Using a napkin or cloth, rub a light coat of cooking oil on cooking grates and inside smoker door. " One school of thought would be that the entire inside of the smoker is "inside smoker door"

 

[ChuckO]

But I do wonder why the other stuff. What do you guys think?

Can't really answer any of your questions, but congrats on your dual fuel smoker. Look forward to seeing some cooks out of it