how to break in a new BBQ?

[jimbo74]

so we recently got a new BBQ and i got it all put together, what should i do as far as break in?


this is what we got



it is a dual grill, gas on the left side and charcoal on the right

also has a sideburner


there is a smoker attachment, but i don't have that yet, and not sure when i will get it

[Cheesemaker]

Should break that in with some chicken on the propane side, a nice london broil on the briquet side, and a really cold beer in your hand. 

As long as the grills aren't cast iron, just oil up and grill.  But if they are cast iron, you want to season them.  I got the Chargriller Pro Deluxe model, and it has the cast iron grates.  If you need anything they have a website selling anything you need too.

[jimbo74]

i think it might have cast iron grates? not sure though, they aren't raw iron. they are at least coated with some ceramic or plasticlike stuff?

ok, from their site it say porcelin grates?


Every grill lover's dream! Charcoal and gas grilling all in one grill! The Char-Griller® Duo provides 1,260 sq. in. of BBQ grilling and smoking space. Add the side fire box for great Texas style smoking.
876 square inch main grill area
Porcelain cooking grates for even heating
Large round legs for sturdy support
Easily add coals without removing the entire grate
Adjustable grate height for temperature control
Stainless steel heat gauge
Easy cleanup with the easy dump ash pan
Keep your food warm with the added chrome-plated warming rack
12,000 BTU Side Burner
40,800 total BTU's
Electronic ignition on gas side
Side fire box for that Texas Smoke Flavor (optional)
Heavy steel construction provides years of durability
Powder coat finish for long lasting color
Uses Char-Griller cover model number 8080
Duo in picture shown with the option of Side Fire Box

[Shamb]

 I have this exact same grill/bbq. You while love the way it cooks, i've had mine for around 2 years now. I've got the smoker box attachment, if you've ever checked out my BBQ thread on chit chat then you can see what it'll cook. I've cooked just about anything and everything in it and it performs very well.

There's directions on how to break this specific BBQ in. For the propane side you will crank the head to as high as it will go for 3-4 hours.. it does have some "packing grease" that will need to be burnt off. Coat the entire thing with bacon grease. I went to a local butcher and purchased a pound of platter bacon. Used all the bacon grease to coat everything on the inside of both the Propane side and BBQ side. As for the BBQ side load it up with two full stacks of briquettes and let them burn for atleast a couple hours.

This does not have cast iron grates unfortunantly but they still work great and you can still season them. If you get a smoker box those will be cast iron grates but I took them out because I only use the smoker box for wood/coal to get my main box up to temp. If you have anymore questions let me know, i've dialed mine in well over the past few years.

[Shamb]

 btw that side burner is perfect for starting your briquettes, the stack fits perfectly over the burner. I get the largest weber makes.

[Toymin8r]

Break it in with a case of beer and some sort of dead animal.   

[junya92toy]

Cook with it

[BLACKDOG]

I have the same grill as well, can't do much better for the price.

I pretty much echo everything shamb says as far as prepping it for cooking.

[BadnewsBob]

I have some deer burger in the freezer invite me over and cook it for us.

[jimbo74]

wish i had some deer burger

i think i will be trying to break it in the right way this weekend

going to buy a spray bottle so i can just have oil in it, to coat it on the insides at all times


i have been reading reviews and it looks like people love this grill but it has issues with rusting

i still also need to get a good set of utensils including a grill brush

[Cheesemaker]

The only rust issue I have with mine, is the smoker box.  Because of the heat cooking at the metal.  When I get time, I'm gonna take it off and wire wheel it, and paint it with some high heat paint. 

[Shamb]

 Yea my smoker box is the only thing that has rusted. I plan on doing the same this summer, take it down to metal and hit it w/ some high heat primer.

I also gotta replace the ignitor to the side burner, it's burnt up.

I recommend getting a "rib rack" as well if you plan on cooking rib's for a large group of people, they fit in there vertically so you can fit more ribs and keep the temp circulating. I can easly fit two rib racks w/ 8 to 10 racks of rib's. Otherwise your luck to get 3 racks in there.

If you look in my BBQ thread Cheesemaker shares some great mod's for it as well.