"curing" a steel smoker

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lujack

Newbie
Original poster
Oct 12, 2013
4
10
Richmond Virginia
I've owned a large steel offset smoker for 10 years.  Originally painted with so called "high heat" paint.  The paint on the firebox and part of the center barrel has "cooked off" a long time ago and now I'm fighting rust.  I've tried unsuccessfully to seal it with vegetable oil but it doesn't last.  Any suggestions?
 
 
wire brush and reapply rustoleum high heat paint. The technology of the high heat paint is much better now. I would say 9-10 years on the old stuff was pretty good.
 
Thanks but I wasn't clear enough.  Had the smoker for 10 years.  Had the problem for 9 years.  Have tried brushing rust off and repainting with paint you suggest (three times).  Still have the same problem.
 
I'm no expert on this like DaveOmak, but I am confident you can't just season the exterior with oil once or even during the occasional smoke and expect it to last. You would have to repeat many times to build up the thick carbonized coating you find on Black Iron Pans and still keep it out of the rain...JJ
 
It is a bit more in the process. You would need the high heat primer. But the high Heat Automotive is rated for 2000 degrees. Used on headers and other auto parts. Not sure how hot you run your pit, but temps are below.

AU_12oz_HHFltBlk_L.ashx


Temperatures of flames by appearance
The temperature of flames with carbon particles emitting light can be assessed by their color:[7]

Red
Just visible: 525 °C (977 °F)
Dull: 700 °C (1290 °F)
Cherry, dull: 800 °C (1470 °F)
Cherry, full: 900 °C (1650 °F)
Cherry, clear: 1000 °C (1830 °F)
Orange
Deep: 1100 °C (2010 °F)
Clear: 1200 °C (2190 °F)
White
Whitish: 1300 °C (2370 °F)
Bright: 1400 °C (2550 °F)
Dazzling: 1500 °C (2730 °F)
[h3]Source(s):[/h3]
wikipedia
 
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That's what I'm talking about.  Thanks for taking the time and doing the research for me.  I appreciate it and will give it a try.
 
The Paint is a good idea. You may also consider multiple coats with the proper curing time in between. Seem like many manufacturers of smokes advertise 3 coats of high temp paint...JJ 
 
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