Before you cook food in your vertical smoker, it is important to “season” your smoker. Seasoning seals the paint and interior of your smoker to enhance flavoring, durability, and overall performance. This is also referred to as the “break-in” process.

If your smoker requires any touch-up paint on the inside of the cabinet, the only time you should apply paint to the inside is before the seasoning process. Paint should not be applied to the interior of your smoker after your smoker has been used. Paint toxins may contaminate your food.

To season your smoker, simply use it as you normally would; only do not cook any food. You will need to follow all of the operating procedures in the next few sections of this manual. Using your desired flavoring woods and marinades, burn your smoker at low temperature (around 125°F [50°C]) for 45-60 minutes. Let the smoker cool, and clean out the used water and wood.

Once seasoning is complete, your...