So, you’ve just purchased a Bradley Smoker! Welcome to the wonderful world of smoking. Before you use your new smoker, you need to season it. Continue reading our guide on how to season your Bradley Smoker in 7 easy steps.

Seasoning your new smoker prepares it for cooking by burning off any residues left over from the manufacturing process, like machine oils and dust. The good news is that this is a one time process that only takes about two hours!

If you’ve already looked through the manual, you may have noticed that there is mention of “seasoning the smoker” prior to actually smoking your first cut of meat.

Pro Tip: Make sure both the water pan and smoker is empty before starting to season!

Seasoning Your Smoker as a First Step!

It might look like a frustrating process to season your smoker at first. I get it. There is a large assortment of ribs, pork butt, or brisket sitting in the fridge ready to go in the smoker, but now you find out that the smoker needs to be seasoned.

Come on! Well, don’t fret, seasoning the smoker does not take long and within a few hours it will be ready for all your food smoking dreams!

Learn How to Season!

The Bradley Smoker is a brand new product and the interior walls should be completely clean. Therefore, seasoning the smoker will coat the walls and interior of the smoker with a thin layer of smoke build up. This produces a contained smoke environment that will provide an enhanced smoke flavour to whatever you’re smoking.

Over time, the smoke buildup on the walls will increase. As a result, it will go from being shiny aluminum to a charred black coating. This is a welcome development as it not only shows that you are a veteran smoker, but then your meat will have a superior smoke flavour too!

So, how do I season the smoker? It is pretty simple actually. Follow these step-by-step tips on how to season your Bradley Smoker in 7 easy steps!

1. Make sure that you have finished putting the smoker together according to the manual.
2. Fill the metal bowl with water and place it inside the smoker where the bisquettes fall off the burner.
3. Put all the smoker racks in place inside the smoker.
4. Set the top vent to half open.
5. Place 8 wood bisquettes in the hopper. It really does not matter what flavor of wood you use.
6. Turn on the smoker and set to a temperature of 250 F.
7. Close the door and let the smoker go for 2 – 2 1/2 hours.

In Conclusion

That’s it.

Seasoning the smoker is that simple. After you’ve let the Bradley Smoker run for 2 – 2 1/2 hours, it is ready to go. The walls, the interior and the racks have all been seasoned. Seasoning a new smoker burns off all the oils and contaminants that are picked up or leftover after manufacturing. It’s a MUST do process, before cooking your first delicious meats!

Now it is time for your first smoke. What will it be? Ribs? Brisket? Salmon? Oh the possibilities are endless!

Make sure to head on over to our blog for more spectacular food smoking tips and tricks!

Also, check out our Bradley Smoker Recipes!

Happy Smoking!