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outdoor cookingRacks of ribs awaittheir turn in thesmoker whileswimming in Butt andRib Bath. Photo byKeith Stephens.Winter of Discontent?Keep Your Grill or Smoker Happy This Winter During HibernationBy Jeff WilliamsIf your grill or smoker could talk, you’dprobably need to cover your kids’ ears.For all it does for you and your family, itlikely gets very little respect. It endures rainand snow while you wait for the weather toclear. It’s always there for you – how aboutshowing it a little love?Taking care of a grill or smoker is prettyeasy and it can prolong its life, which savesyou money. Although grills in Arkansas canbe used just about all year, we’re nearingcold weather, when most grills hibernate.Now’s the time to make sure it sleeps welland wakes up rested and ready next spring.Here are some tips for care and a fewideas to make grilling and smoking gosmoother.SeasoningNot salt and pepper – oil. Season yoursmoker before you use it, just as you woulda fine Dutch oven. Clean it well, removerust, coat with olive, vegetable or other oil,and add coals; reseason as needed. Followmanufacturer’s directions. Of course, thisisn’t necessary if yours is enamel, stainlesssteel or ceramic.Fire It UpDo you use a chimney to start coals?Try this: Use a sheet of newspaper in thebottom and drop in a few pencil-size sticksbefore adding briquettes. The sticks helpair circulate and they burn hot and fast sothe briquettes catch quickly.Falling DebrisHave you ever noticed that black stuffthat chips off the inside of your smoker/Does this look familiar?grill lid? Guess where that falls? Use aputty knife to scrape it off; reseason ifnecessary.Brush It OffGet a grill brush and use it. The blackcrud on the grills comes off easier rightafter or just before cooking while thecoals are warm.Curling IronGrates (the racks that hold coals)don’t last forever, and they tend to warp.Extend the life and keep them straighterby turning them over every so often.Cover It UpIf you’ve invested several hundreddollars (and it could be much more) inyour grill or smoker, spend a few moredollars to protect it with a cover. Don’tbuy a flimsy model because it will teareasily and you’ll have to replace it afterone season.Alternative FuelStuck in a charcoal rut? Try cookingwith wood. If you have hickory, oak,pecan or other suitable trees in your yard,simply use limbs that fall. Keep a stackhigh and dry, and make sure the woodhas time to dry. You’ll be surprised howeasy it is to grill a few chicken breasts orsmoke a turkey using only wood in youryard – as long as it’s the right wood. Andit’s free!Keep It CleanPerhaps the biggest mistake backyardcooks make is leaving ash in the bottomof the grill or smoker. Air is crucial forgood coals and a pile of ash stops air flow.Try using a small brush/dustpan combination,often found at auto parts stores.NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2011ARKANSAS WILDLIFE31