First, make sure to thoroughly clean the smoker parts with soapy water and a soft cloth.
After you’ve gently washed down the interior with soap and water, rinse it well, wipe it down to prevent water spots from forming, and allow the smoker to air-dry.
Evenly coat along the entirety of the smoker’s interior, racks, AND EXTERIOR with a very THIN layer of cooking oil. Use a spray bottle for fastest results
Assemble your smoker.
Fill a chimney full with lump charcoal, not briquets, and then carefully light the charcoal.
While the chimney is heating up, add a good sized load of unlit charcoal to the firebox of the smoker. Once the chimney is totally ignited, carefully transfer the hot coals and dump them into the firebox.
Ensure that the vents are completely open to allow for optimum airflow.
Allow the smoker to reach around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours. This will ensure any leftover production chemicals and solvents burn off.
Close the vents and let the charcoal snuff out and the smoker to completely cool before emptying ash and then using smoker for the first time.