How to Season a Smoker or Grill – It’s Easy to Do

This post will provide details on how to season a smoker or grill to give you many years of service and great tasting food.

People often wonder why it’s important to season (or cure) a smoker or grill, especially when it is new. One of the main reasons is, if you don’t the food will not taste as good as it could. In fact, the food might even taste a bit strange.

That’s because when you use a smoker or grill for the first time, it has a “new” flavor. This new flavor comes from the metal and other materials used in the manufacturing process.

If you want to get rid of this new flavor and replace it with a better flavor, you need to season a smoker or grill.

And, as you continue to use your smoker or grill you need to re-season it to get rid of unwanted odors and flavors caused by debris buildup on the inside.

The steps it takes to season a smoker or grill are not hard to perform. But they are a little different depending on the type of smoker or grill you have.

I have outlined the steps for you. So, keep reading to find out what they are.

Related article: Best Smoker and Grill Combinations

Seasoning Basics

Seasoning is a straightforward procedure performed by oiling and heating a smoker or grill to let oil soak into the metal surfaces.

It is easy to do. In most cases, you simply need to rub some oil on the inside surfaces. Then you turn on the heat and let the oil smoke for a while.

This process “seasons” the smoker or grill and helps to create a better flavor for your food. It also protects the interior surfaces from rust and corrosion.

The following video gives you an overview on how to season a smoker or grill.

The basic steps in the process are given in more details below.

Clean

Clean the smoker or grill thoroughly before seasoning. This removes any dirt, grease, or residue that might be on the surface.

Be sure to remove the cooking racks and grates beforehand. Use a mild dish soap and water to clean.

Apply Oil

Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the interior surfaces of the smoker or grill. This includes the cooking grate and racks. You can use any type of cooking oil with a high smoke point, but vegetable oil or olive oil works well.

It isn’t necessary to apply oil to the water pan, chip tray, or grease tray. And, applying oil to electric heating element should also be avoided.

Heat

Preheat the smoker or grill to a high temperature, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use the maximum temperature setting available if the smoker or grill can’t be set that high. This is not uncommon for electric and gas units.

Maintain this temperature for a couple of hours to burn off the oil (oil will no longer smoke). The time will vary depending on the type of smoker or grill you have.

Adding heat allows the metal to absorb the oil and create a protective layer to prevent rust and corrosion.

Cool

Turn off the heat and allow the smoker or grill to cool completely. Remove any ashes before use.

How to Season a Charcoal Smoker or Grill

Follow the steps provided below to season a charcoal smoker or grill.

1. Clean the interior parts and surfaces with mild soap and water.
2. Coat the interior with a layer of cooking oil. 
3. Open all vents and light about 10 pounds of charcoal. 
4. Let the charcoal burn until it is white-hot.
5. Spread out the charcoal across the charcoal grate or basin.
6. Close the lid and and allow to heat for an hour or two until the oil stops smoking and a protective coating forms.
7. Let the charcoal cool completely before removing ash and use.

How to Season a Wood-Fired Smoker or Grill

Use the following steps to season a wood-fired smoker or grill.

1. Clean the interior parts and surfaces with mild soap and water.
2. Coat the interior with a layer of cooking oil.
3. Open all vents and build a wood fire, ideally with the type of wood you will cook with.
4. Let the wood burn until it is white-hot.
5. Spread out the wood along the basin.
6. Close the lid and and allow to heat until the oil stops smoking and a protective coating forms.
7. Let the wood cool completely before removing ash and use.

How to Season a Pellet Smoker or Grill

Season a pellet smoker or grill by following the steps given below.

1. Clean nonelectric interior parts and surfaces with mild soap and water.
2. Coat the interior with a layer of cooking oil.
3. Fill the pellet hopper with wood pellets.
4. Plug your smoker or grill into a power outlet.
5. Make sure the flame deflector is in place over the fire pot.
6. Turn on the power and prime the auger (with the lid open).
7. Set temperature to 350°F (or highest setting).
8. Allow to heat for an hour or two, or until the oil burns off.
9. Turn the power off but leave it plugged in until the fan stops.
10. Unplug from power source after the fan stops. 

Pro tip: Unplugging too soon can lead to a fire in the pellet hopper.

How to Season a Gas Smoker or Grill

Follow the steps given below to season a gas smoker or grill.

1. Clean nonelectric interior parts and surfaces with mild soap and water.
2. Coat the interior surfaces with a layer of cooking oil.
3. Light the smoker/grill.
4. Set to a high temperature.
5. Close lid and heat for an hour or two.
6. Turn off and allow to cool.
7. Don’t forget to turn off valve

For the last 30-45 minutes you can add wood chips or chunks to a pan to get a wood flavoring.

How to Season an Electric Smoker or Grill

An electric smoker or grill can be seasoned using the following steps.

1. Clean nonelectric interior parts and surfaces with mild soap and water.
2. Allow the smoker or grill to air dry.
3. Coat the interior surfaces with a layer of cooking oil.
4. Plug your smoker or grill into an electric power source.
5. Open the top vent.
6. Set the smoker to the maximum temperature.
7. Allow to heat for up an hour or two.

Tips and Best Practices

If you’re new to smoking or grilling, the process of seasoning your smoker or grill can seem a little daunting. But with these simple tips, you’ll be able to do it like a pro in no time!

One of the most important things to keep in mind when seasoning your smoker or grill is to make sure that you do it before its initial use.

When the times comes to season your smoker or grill, there are a few things that you’ll need to do.

First thing, you’ll want to use a stiff brush when you clean.

The next step is to let it dry it completely before you start the seasoning process.

After you apply oil, use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe off any excess.

Finally, you should prevent to the risk of getting burned or starting a fire. Do this by letting your smoker or grill cool completely before removing ashes or using it to cook.

Types of Oils to Use

There are many different types of oil that can be used for seasoning a smoker or grill. The most common type is vegetable oil, but olive oil also works well.

You can also use other types of oils such as peanut oil, grapeseed oil, or canola oil. Some people prefer to use bacon grease or other animal fats, but these are not recommended because they can create a sticky residue that is difficult to clean up.

No matter which type of oil you choose, make sure that it is cooking grade and has a high smoke point. This will ensure that the oil doesn’t start smoking at low temperatures and create an unpleasant taste in your food.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don’t need to use a lot of oil when seasoning your smoker or grill. A thin oil coating is all that’s needed to create a barrier against rust and corrosion.

Re-Seasoning

The protective coating can wear out if you use your smoker or grill on a regular basis. It is important to re-season it every once in a while. This will help to keep it in good condition and ensure that your food tastes its best. 

The same process that is used to season your brand new smoker or grill the initially can be used for re-seasoning. Remove debris with a stiff brush before re-oiling.

Season a Smoker For Longer Life

Seasoning is an important step that shouldn’t be skipped! You need to get the most out of your investment.

If you take the time to season a smoker or grill properly, it will last longer. The oil and the heat will combine to seal the metal surface and stop rust and corrosion in their tracks.

The result is a smoker or grill that will give you numerous uses for many years to come.

What About the Outside Of My Smoker or Grill?

There is no harm in applying oil to the outside of your smoker or grill when you season the interior. Look at it as an opportunity to rust-proof the metal surface.

Oiling the outside will not affect how you food tastes. But, keeping rust away certainly will increase the chance of your smoker or grill lasting a long time.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it – everything you need to know about how to season a smoker or grill! 

The process is simple. All you need is some cooking oil and a little bit of patience. 

Follow these tips, and your smoker or grill will be ready for to provide you with several years of delicious meals.

For information on how to turn your kettle grill into a smoker, please read our BBQ guide.