New Owner Cleaning Tips - PitBoss PB820FBC

Atraina · 2026-08-11T20:48:25-0400

sparkyv said:
Howdy from Deepinnaheartta, Texas.
I wouldn't spend much time cleaning it; I'd scrape and vaccum up what I could, and I'd just fire it up, raising the temp incrementally until everything burns out. There's not much that can be done about the rust...maybe I'd patch it with some SS plate or steel once it completely rusted thru. Basically, I'd just use and enjoy it!

Sounds good - I appreciate the tips! I was able to burn mostly everything off yesterday when burning the old pellets through

Upinmygrill · 2026-08-11T20:50:47-0400

Welcome! Looking really good. Nice find!

Atraina · 2026-08-11T20:54:48-0400

Upinmygrill said:
Welcome! Looking really good. Nice find!

Thank you! Can’t wait to get something on it.

JerryT · 2026-08-11T23:32:37-0400

Atraina just think of it like a good old fashioned iron skillet. You have to season it. You do that with a thin coat of oil and when you do the burn off the oil burns off but leaves a thin waxy layer which makes it seasoned. But just like an iron skillet, if you wash it off or scrub it off you’ll need to season/burnoff after applying oil again or it will rust for sure.

Hotlap · 2026-08-12T02:18:13-0400

Congrats on your (new to you) smoker from CA central coast. Smoker looks great except I’d replace the rusted grates so rust doesn’t get into your food and your cook won’t stick to the grates. Pit Boss has them and honestly, I’d replace all three for a fresh start and longevity. Enjoy, a pellet smoker is like nothing else out there

Atraina · 2026-08-12T06:38:19-0400

JerryT said:
Atraina just think of it like a good old fashioned iron skillet. You have to season it. You do that with a thin coat of oil and when you do the burn off the oil burns off but leaves a thin waxy layer which makes it seasoned. But just like an iron skillet, if you wash it off or scrub it off you’ll need to season/burnoff after applying oil again or it will rust for sure.

That makes sense - thank you!

Atraina · 2026-08-12T06:42:17-0400

Hotlap said:
Congrats on your (new to you) smoker from CA central coast. Smoker looks great except I’d replace the rusted grates so rust doesn’t get into your food and your cook won’t stick to the grates. Pit Boss has them and honestly, I’d replace all three for a fresh start and longevity. Enjoy, a pellet smoker is like nothing else out there

Thank you! I’ll likely replace them if the oil doesn’t work well enough. Really appreciate you reaching out.