Pre-Seasoning Electric Smoker – Masterbuilt Seasoning
Have you ordered an electric smoker and you are just ready to receive it. But wait! Are you planning to use it immediately without pre-seasoning electric smoker?
No man, it’s not a good idea. You need to season it properly before using it for the first time. I can understand you must be very excited to smoke your favorite ribs. But let me tell you just give your time to read this article and you will not regret it when you will get the perfectly smoked food you ever desired.
Whether you are a seasoned smoker or new to the art of BBQ, seasoning your electric smoker is a crucial step that should not be overlooked. In this blog post, I will delve into the importance of seasoning an electric smoker and explain the benefits it provides.
I will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly season your electric smoker, so you can get the most out of your BBQ experience. So, let’s get started and learn why seasoning your electric smoker is so important.
What Is Pre-Seasoning Electric Smoker?
Seasoning an electric smoker is the process of preparing the smoker for use and removing any residue or manufacturing oils that may be present on the cooking surfaces or inside the smoker. This is typically done by heating the smoker to a high temperature and allowing it to burn off any residue or oils that may be present.
Seasoning ensures that the smoker is ready for use and produces the best possible results with your food. Without seasoning, the smoker may produce unwanted flavors or odors that can affect the taste of the food being smoked.
In addition, seasoning an electric smoker can help to protect the cooking surfaces and extend the lifespan of the smoker.
Overall, seasoning is an important step that should not be overlooked in order to achieve the best results of smoking. By taking the time to properly season your electric smoker, you can ensure that it is ready for use and produces delicious, high-quality food every time.
Do I Need To Clean Out What The Manufacturer Left Behind?
It is generally recommended to clean out any residue or manufacturing oils that may have been left behind by the manufacturer before using an electric smoker for the first time. This is typically referred to as seasoning the smoker, and it will make your smoker ready to use.
To clean out any unpleasant chemicals or manufacturing oils that may have been left behind by the manufacturer, as these smokers are manufactured in factories where they are exposed to dirt, oil, paint, solvents, cleaners, adhesives, and so on.
you will need to heat the electric smoker to a high temperature (around 300°F) and allow it to burn off any industrial nastiness that may be present. This process is typically referred to as “burning in” the smoker and helps to remove any unwanted flavors or odors that may be present.
After the smoker has been heated to a high temperature. Allow it to cool down, it is generally recommended to wipe down the cooking surfaces and interior of the smoker with a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining residue or oils. It is important to make sure that the smoker is completely dry before using it to smoke food.
Benefits Of Pre-Seasoning Electric Smoker:
There are several benefits to seasoning an electric smoker:
Removes Residue:
Seasoning an electric smoker helps to remove any residue or manufacturing oils that may be present on the cooking surfaces or inside the smoker. This helps to prevent any unwanted flavors or odors from being imparted to the food being smoked.
Improves Performance:
Seasoning can help to improve the performance of the smoker by ensuring that it is properly heated and prepared for use. This can help to ensure that the food is cooked evenly and to the desired level of doneness.
Protects The Cooking Surfaces:
Seasoning the cooking surfaces of an electric smoker can help to protect them from wear and tear, and extend their lifespan. This can help to save money and ensure that the smoker continues to perform at its best over time. This process will keep the inner part of the smoker moist free and so rust-free.
Enhances The Flavor Of The Food:
If you season your smoker properly, you won’t need to compromise on the quality of the food smoked. By removing any unwanted flavors or odors, the natural flavors of the food are able to shine through, resulting in a more delicious and enjoyable eating experience.
How To Season An Electric Smoker
I have mentioned here some very generic steps, I used to season masterbuilt electric smoker. You can follow these steps to season any model of electric smoker:
Clean The Smoker:
First of all, assemble all parts of your smoker properly and make sure nothing is left behind. Also, check if is there any part that is damaged or missing.
If everything is perfect then make sure that it is clean and free of any debris or dirt. This can be done by wiping down the cooking surfaces and interior of the smoker with a clean, damp cloth.
Some people recommend washing it with soapy water. You may clean it by washing it, but I don’t recommend it. As I feel that there is no need for it. A new smoker is already clean. And by the pre-seasoning electric smoker, we are already burning away any leftover chemicals or oils from it.
Coat of Cooking Oil:
Now apply a thin layer of cooking oil on the interior walls of the electric smoker with a help of a small piece of soft cloth. Make sure that no area is left and that you have applied it on every inch of it. Just apply a thin layer of it, not a thick coating.
Don’t apply it to the heating element. Don’t apply oil on the water pan, drip tray, and racks, just place them back in the electric smoker after applying oil on the walls properly.
Leave Wood Tray Empty:
While seasoning, don’t fill the wood chips, just leave the water tray and wood tray empty.
Open All Vents:
Completely open all vents of your smoker, and let them open during the whole seasoning process. As we want all unpleasant residue just escape from our smokers.
Preheat The Smoker:
For my Masterbuilt electric smoker, I will set the temperature of the electric smoker to around 275°F. If you have a higher maximum temperature, set your smoker on it. Here we want our smoker to have a maximum temperature. This will help to burn off any residue or manufacturing oils that may be present on the cooking surfaces or inside the smoker.
Leave It for 3 Hours:
Now with the same settings leave your smoker for a minimum of 3 hours. Even if you are using any brand. Make sure to season it for 3 hours. Maximum seasoning is still better than the minimum.
Should I Add Wood Chips During Smoking:
Well, there are different opinions on it.
Char-broil believes that there should not be any wood chips during seasoning. Whereas Masterbuilt recommends adding wood chips 45 minutes before the seasoning ends.
Well, it is clear that none of the brands recommends keeping wood chips for complete 3 hours during seasoning. So you may follow any method. Or you simply follow the manual of your own electric smoker.
Allow The Smoker To Cool Down:
Once the smoker has been heated to a high temperature and allowed to burn off any residue or oils, turn off the heat and allow the smoker to cool down. This will typically take about 20-30 minutes.
Wipe Down The Smoker:
After the smoker has cooled down, wipe down the cooking surfaces and interior of the smoker with a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining residue or oils. Make sure that the smoker is completely dry before using it to smoke food.
Begin Smoking:
Once the smoker has been seasoned and is completely dry, you are ready to begin smoking food. Set the temperature to the desired level and add the food to the smoker according to your recipe.
Conclusion:
Well, pre-seasoning electric smoker is an important step that helps to prepare the smoker for use and ensure that it produces the best possible results with your food. By removing any residue or manufacturing oils that may be present, seasoning an electric smoker helps to prevent any unwanted flavors or odors from being imparted to the food being smoked. In addition, seasoning an electric smoker can help to improve its performance, protect the cooking surfaces, and enhance the flavor of the food.
Overall, by taking the time to properly pre-seasoning electric smoker, you can enjoy the best possible cooking experience and produce delicious, high-quality food every time.
