wrote

A new smoker is a cinch. But if you have a used smoker, clean it
well. Nothing like starting a fire and smelling oils left behind by
fish cooked right on a cast iron grate.

Nasty.


Very true. And don't believe anyone who tells you that a lot of gunk built
up in your smoker is "seasoning". Its not. Its bitter, foul tasting, dirty
burning, taste tainting gunk. Smokers need to be cleaned periodically. Be
sure to rinse it well afterwards, especially if you carted it down to the
self serve car wash, otherwise the soap will tend to give off a nasty flavor
and smell the next time you cook. Or do as is suggested here and heat the
smoker up well after cleaning to burn off any chemical residue.

A dirty smoker is not a tasty smoker.

MartyB in KC
Robert