One of the best things about my job here at Cookshack is talking to people who have been smoking in the same oven for ten or even twenty years. These folks are a wealth of information from everything from cooking tips to general upkeep on just about any type of smoker and today I want to share some of the things I have learned...

I have learned that covers are very important, especially if your oven stays outside (on the patio for example). Protecting your oven from the elements when not in use can add many years to your oven’s life.

I have learned that you need to put a little lightweight oil on the door’s hinge pins every 5-6 months. It says to do this in the operator’s manual but what it doesn't say is that the top of the hinges are welded in order to keep the pin in place, so you may need to tilt your oven back just a little and apply the oil to the side of the hinge in order for the oil to penetrate to the pin. Keeping your hinges lubricated will just about insure that you will always have a door on your smoker – which, after all, is pretty important!

I have learned that my dishwasher in the kitchen is my best friend when it comes to cleaning up after a smoke and that you never want to use that heavy duty, extra-strength oven cleaner stuff. While it probably won’t harm the interior of your oven, it will ruin your grills and if any gets on your heating element, it will severely shorten its life expectancy as well.

And finally, I have learned there is no better resource on this planet than the Barbecue Forum on Cookshack’s website. I can’t tell you how much I have learned from people all around the world who love BBQ and want to share what they have learned with others. The thing I like best about the Forum is people will not only tell you how they take care of their smoker but in many cases provide pictures.

Making good barbeque and wowing your friends and family is fun and we want you to enjoy this experience for a long, long time. So, if you have a question, go to the forum and look around. If you don’t find the answer there, don’t hesitate to call us here at Cookshack (800) 423-0698. We’ll keep you cooking.