New Smoker Assembled...Next Step?

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smokinwoodside

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 6, 2009
12
10
KY
Greetings folks. Perhaps you can help. I just finished assembling a new Brinkmann side pit charcoal smoker. For the last smoker I had, I ignited a decent size mound of charcoal in the main body as well as the side pit to melt the glue and "condition the metal," as I was told. Is this the best method? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Yes this si right, burn it hot for several hours, use wood too if you can and you'll be good to go.

Is this a Smoke N' Pit? If it is, the next thing you need to do is to go to Ace Hardware and get a new set of real wheels to replace thee plastic ones!
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Why not? It can't hurt. And without doing so, you won't get the temps required to burn off manufacturing residue. It IS steel - certainly it can handle one 3-hour burn.
 
I would spray down the inside with Pam as well then light her up! This will season it for you.
 
The one I have which sounds like the one he may have has a removable charcoal grate that runs down the center of the main chamber for grilling.

x2
 
I have a pretty good size offset, and I sprayed down the inside of the entier smoker with PAM (firebox and all) plus I sprayed the OUTSIDE of the firebox...seemed to really seal in the pain and I didn't lose the paint on the firebox after just a few smokes, like what's happened to others that have reported here...

I also agree with Rick that it's not necessary to start a fire inside the smoking chamber - weather it hurts or not isn't really the question...meaning, I don't know 100% one way or the other.

To season mine, I did a burn for about 7 - 8 hours, maintaining 250° for the first 4 hours, and then getting it up to 300 for the last few.
 
I think that spraying it inside and out is a great idea. This time we'll probably get a cover for it to help preserve the condition as well. Happy Smoking :)
 
I can remember when I finished putting together my SNP, I was burning within 30 minutes. It took a while to season, but it was fun playing in the fire
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. You have been given a lot of good advice, hope everything goes well. Just remember have fun with it!
 
So you maintained a constant fire in the SP for up to 8 hours? Sounds like a good day ;) I am in the process of doing all of this now.

The discoloring happened to my last smoker after using it only a couple times as well. It was a Chargriller. Good smoker but couldn't hold the temp very long and required me to keep a constant vigil over it. Not that I'm complaining. It's always a great way to spend a day or 2. She burned through the wood and coals quickly though. I don't want to make the same mistake with my new Brinkmann.
 
Sorry I'm late with these replies. Work has been a killer this week during the day (I'm supposed to be working now but am too psyched to get my smoke on). All I want to do smoke some meat dammit! Can't wait for Labor Day weekend. I'm gonna try to get in 3 days of ribs and a couple shoulders. Anyone else smoking this weekend or next? If so, what's going on the racks?
 
If you haven't already done so I think it would perfectly fine to start a fire in the main chamber to season it. Seeing that it was designed for that anyway. If I'm correct you can grill and smoke on that model so I don't see any harm in it.

As for what's going on the smoker this weekend. Unfortunately I'm going out of town this weekend on trip that I really don't want to go on but I have to go.
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Hey good luck with your new toy.
 
This weekend (few friends coming over): ABTs, Butt, my great uncle Joe's bean recipe on the smoker. Burgers & Dogs & Veggies on the grill.

Next weekend (big family get together): Ribs, another Butt, Chicken, sausage, & more of Joe's beans, maybe some sort of hot wings on the smoker. Probably some more ABTs, too. Burgers, dogs, corn, on the grill.

I will be firing things up early the two Saturdays in a row!
 
Although it very well would not hurt the smoker to burn some charcoal in the main chamber I see no good reason for it. Unless you will be using as a full time grill also. I wouldn't dirty up the main chamber for no particular reason. Just my opinion.
 
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