Paint grates or leave alone?

[T-doh]

I'm planning my first smoker build, gonna be a "mini" offset for my patio, don't need a big smoker yet so this should be perfect. I'm making my cooking grates out of angle iron and expanded metal. Just wanting to know if I am suppose to paint the with high temp paint or just leave alone? Thanks yall

 

[Will work for bbq]

No paint on the grates.

 

[BruceB]

Are you talking about the grates you would put food on? If so, NO, you don't paint the cooking grates.

 

[caseydog]

Don't paint them. Season them and keep them seasoned with fat and/or cooking oils to prevent rust.

CD

 

[J-Rod]

NO paint inside cooker or on grates. The grease and smoke will seal everything up real nice.

 

[T-doh]

Thanks guys! I didn't think I needed to paint was just concerned with rust..

 

[caseydog]

Thanks guys! I didn't think I needed to paint was just concerned with rust..

I store my grates indoors between cooks.

The important thing, though, is to keep the grates lubed up. Wire brush them after a cook, but don't wash them -- leave the fat on them. If they dry out, spray some PAM on them, or rub them with a rag soaked with cooking oil.

CD

 

[T-doh]

Thanks cd!