Nowadays, more and more people choose to use electric smokers to prepare smoked foods because of its portability and ease of use. Perhaps you have just taken delivery of a shiny new electric smoker and are wondering what on earth you can possibly cook with it. Before using the smoker for the first time, you need to season it.
To keep your electric smoker in good working order for as long as possible, you should season it to remove any oils, dirt, or germs that may have accumulated during production. During the process of seasoning or curing, you are not really cooking anything in your electric smoker. Find out how to properly care for your electric smoker by reading our in-depth tutorial.
WHAT IS SEASONING?
You should “season” your smoker by firing it up while it is still empty and bringing the temperature up to its highest setting before you actually use it for cooking for the first time. Seasoning the smoker involves turning it on while it is still empty.
WHY DO WE NEED TO SEASON NEW SMOKERS? IS THERE A NEED FOR IT?
Before you put your electric smoker to use, it is imperative that you season it in the same manner that you would any other piece of tableware that you will put to use. During the production process, a great number of potentially harmful substances are included into the creation of an electric smoker. Products such as industrial oils, adhesives, paints, solvents, and others are included in this category.
There are a variety of chemicals that may be inhaled by smoking that are harmful to your health and affect the taste of the food you eat. The one and only drawback to this method is that you run the risk of being exposed to potentially dangerous quantities of carbon dioxide if the cooking surface is not properly seasoned.
The one and only drawback to this method is that you run the risk of being exposed to potentially harmful quantities of carbon dioxide if the cooking surface is not properly seasoned. Before you smoke any food, you need to start by seasoning the smoker so that any residue that may have been left behind may be removed.
When you season your smoker, it will also cure any paint or coatings that are on the interior of the cooker. This will prevent the metal from corroding in the future. If you do this, your smoker will be more long-lasting, and you will be able to make use of it for an extended period of time in the future.
If you smoke your food utilizing experienced electric smokers, you will be able to extract the most flavor from your meal. The flavor of smoked food is enhanced by the addition of a very thin coating of black smoke. The taste of your smoked meal will be improved with only a little coating of black smoke.
HOW TO SEASON NEW ELECTRIC SMOKER?
In the steps that follow, I will provide guidance that is rather standard for seasoning an electric smoker. However, they will apply universally to the vast majority of models, and these are the methods that I personally use to season mine.
Take out all of the elements that can be removed from the smoker, including the cooking grates, the wood chip trays, and the water pans.
UNPACK THE ELECTRIC SMOKER FROM ITS SHIPPING CONTAINER
If you are looking into purchasing an electric smoker, you should be aware that it will most likely arrive in the box in a disassembled state. Before reading the directions provided by the manufacturer on how to put everything back together, you need first open the box and remove everything from it. Even if you purchase a smoker that has already been put together, you still need to make sure that it is not compromised in any way.
WIPE DOWN YOUR SMOKER
Be sure that the smoker is not yet plugged in so that you may carefully clean and wipe the grates, as well as the wood chip tray and the water pan. This will allow you to use the smoker again later.
After that, wipe it clean with a towel that won’t scratch it and leave the lid open so that it may dry in the air. This will help to remove the dust from the space. However, take extra precautions to ensure that none of the surfaces are marred in any way.
USE COOKING OIL TO COAT YOUR SMOKER
Before undertaking this step, you should always be sure to examine the instructions that have been supplied by the manufacturer. Because the producers do not encourage using oils inside, some smokers believe that they should not be used there.
When it comes to cleaning the inside of your stove, you have two options: you can either use a cooking oil spray, or if you have a soft cloth, you can put a tiny bit of oil on it and use that. It is sufficient to apply simply a little coating; there is no need to worry about covering the whole body.
You shouldn’t have to oil the water tray, the chip tray, the grease tray, or the heating element. These should all be self-lubricating. Put each of the trays, the grates, and the water pan in the appropriate place. Cold water should be added to the water pan until the fill line is reached.
PLUG IN AND ACTIVATE A SMOKING DEVICE
Plugging in your smoker will allow you to start using it. To turn on most electronic devices, you have to first depress and hold a button or switch before you can flip it on. Nevertheless, there are a variety of beginning processes that may be used for various models.
The electric smoker will begin operating as soon as the power button is pressed, regardless of whether or not you have previously used it.
PREHEAT THE BARBECUE SMOKER
Because some smokers may withstand higher temperatures for longer, the manufacturer does not provide a temperature specification for this instance. Having said that, you want to examine whether the maker has offered any instructions.
It is essential to be aware that some have a temperature restriction of 275 degrees Fahrenheit, while others have a limit of 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
LEAVE TO HEAT THROUGH FOR 3 HOURS
As we looked at different brands, we found that each of them began to season for between two and three hours. It is critical to understand that regardless of the kind of seasoning you use, if you apply it for a period of three hours, the quantity applied will be in excess of what is necessary, and it is this fact that is crucial.
When the process is over, it may have a pungent odor, but the reason for this is because it has eliminated or burned off all of the potentially dangerous chemicals and oils. You will be able to eliminate the unpleasant odor that may cause the meat to get spoiled if you set the temperature on the electric smoker to a high setting.
ADD SOME WOOD CHIPS
If you are commencing the process after preheating for two hours, you will first fill the wood chip loader with between eight and ten of the wood chips. The electric smoker that will be used to cook the meats and veggies may be seasoned with these wood chips and cleaned with them as well.
Please keep in mind that the information presented here is only a beginning point, as obvious as that may appear. It’s possible that you’ll need to add more or fewer wood chips, depending on the kind of dish you’re preparing and the level of smoke flavor you want to achieve.
The next step is to begin adding ten to twelve wood chips to the chip tray around an hour before the cleaning is scheduled to be finished. After twenty minutes, add another ten to twelve chips to the tray. Continue until all of the chips are used. A trace quantity of ash will start to gather in the tray after some time has passed. These ashes are what form ash, which is one of the most important sources of smoke that is utilized to season the smoker.
After a further 20 minutes has passed, you are free to add another load of wood chips provided that it is not already at capacity. After then, there will be nothing further that has to be done on your part till the seasoning process is finished in three hours.
Take care not to load the woodchip loader with more woodchips than it can handle at once. The remaining part of the work that has been gathered from the third stack has to be removed before the cinders can be completely removed from the ashtray. This will be the last stage in the process.
FINISH THE SEASONING PROCESS
You are now able to switch off your brand-new electric smoker after it has been operating for three hours at a temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit. When you open it, the inside chamber will quickly become filled with smoke that is very hot.
The next step is to pour the ashes out of the chips tray, and then use a dry towel to wash off the bars within the tray after it has cooled down to room temperature.
How to Season your Electric Smoker
TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST PUFF ON YOUR BRAND-NEW ELECTRIC SMOKER
Here are some things to keep in mind before lighting up that freshly seasoned smoker of yours for the very first time.
- It is recommended that you begin with less expensive and more manageable pieces of beef to save money.
- For your first smoke, a pork butt or a whole chicken are both wonderful alternatives to choose from.
- The first few cigarettes you smoke will always be a learning experience for you. Electric smokes, to their credit, are very forgiving devices.
- You might try smoking cheese for the first time if you also acquired an attachment for cold smoking. This accessory is available for purchase separately. Depending on the kind of stove you have, maintaining a temperature that is low enough to smoke cheese may need some fiddling, but doing so will help you get more familiar with your cooker. Cheese is easy to smoke, may be done so in a short amount of time, and results in flavorful smoked cheese.
- Remember to take into consideration the amount of moisture. If you put a pan of water in the smoker, you may prevent the meat from drying out while you smoke it by placing the pan inside the smoker. Utilize the water pan that comes with your electric smoker if it has one. In the event that it does not, you may be able to improvise by using a little cake pan that has been filled with water or anything else of a similar kind.
In addition, before beginning the cooking process, you will need to ensure that you have all of the necessary equipment prepared. This might involve making a number of more purchases.
Anyone who intends to smoke needs to have a trustworthy meat thermometer on hand at all times since the one that often comes packaged with smokers is not accurate enough. It will provide you with an exact readout of the current stage at which your meat is. Also, doing so will guarantee that you do not accidentally poison your visitors, which is particularly important if you are preparing chicken.
FAQ’s
What is the most effective oil to use while seasoning a smoker?
There is no hard and fast rule that states you have to use a certain kind of oil when you are attempting to season your smoker. The majority of consumers choose for the least expensive oil that meets their needs, such as canola or soybean oil that is derived from vegetable oils. The smoker that you have access to also permits the use of the following oils.
- Peanut oil
- Canola oil
- The drippings from bacon
- Oil derived from corn
- Sesame oil
- Oil extracted from grapeseed
How long does it take to season an electric smoker?
The manufacturers of electric smokers provide comprehensive instructions with each and every device that they offer. Please be sure to read the directions in order to find out the precise timing for the seasoning. After a period of three hours, you should be able to season the majority of electric smokers.
What should you smoke with an electric smoker for the first time?
Providing you have an electric smoker, you should be able to smoke almost any cut of meat you choose. To get a feel for the process, it’s best to start with less expensive slices of meat the first time around. To begin, you should smoke a piece of chicken or pig butt.
What kinds of wood pieces may be used in the seasoning process of an electric smoker?
You are free to use wood bits of any kind into the seasoning process. You will have a better chance of achieving the taste you are after if you do this. Hickory wood, oak wood, and maple wood are the three most common kinds of wood that are used for smoking.
Should you season with wood chips?
After use passive heating for two years, I recommend switching to using wood chips even if there is a lot of resistance to this idea. It helps build a solid basis for when you really light up for the first time.
Should the inside be washed before the seasoning is applied?
Washing the inner is a fantastic method for getting rid of any dust and oil that may still be present in it. There are a lot of individuals that have second thoughts about taking this action because they don’t think it’s essential. That is the action that will provide you the most beneficial outcomes, therefore I strongly suggest that you do it.
Can i use pellets instead of wood chips?
Pellets are a fantastic option for seasoning an electric smoker, but you shouldn’t use them for the very first time when you first have the smoker since it might contaminate the pellets. If pellets are utilized in the meal, this might result in an unpleasant flavor and leave a residue on any metal surfaces that the food comes in contact with.
Is it necessary to reseason my electric smoker?
If you scrape off the coating that was produced as a consequence of the first time seasoning, there is a risk that the seasoning procedure may need to be repeated. Reseasoning allows you to get rid of the distinct taste that is left behind by some forms of smoking meat, which is another benefit of this process.
How should an electric smoker be stored in the most efficient manner?
If you want to get the most out of your electric smoker, you should always make sure to preserve it in a dry and cold environment. Corrosion will be prevented on the metal surfaces, and the smoker will keep its previously excellent operating condition.
Conclusion
The first time you take your brand new electric smoker out of the box and light it up is an exciting and uplifting moment. I have no doubt that your mind is racing with thoughts for what else you would want to smoke, and that you have already sampled the excellent meat you smoked.
Correctly seasoning your electric smoker doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Keeping it in top shape can help you grow tasty and nutritious meats and veggies.
