One thing I've found. Where the paint comes of due to expansion of the metal firebox in particular. Hit the bare metal with a spritz of spray cooking oil. Seasons the bare steel almost like cast iron. It has definitely slowed the rust spread IMHO. Your milage may vary

Thanks for the video, I generally don't get too detailed into cleaning my smoker. Knock off the loose stuff to keep it from falling onto the food. I kept the old pan from my last smoker and have it setting on the bottom of the cooking chamber inclined on one end to divert any liquids to the drip hole on yonder end. One last thought, your rusty fire box. Many people use spray oil to season the metal, which seems to work great, and something I may switch over to doing. Right now, I have been using Rust Oleum engine paint rated at 2000 deg F, I don't know about the 2000 deg, but it will withstand very high heat (grille paint is just a waste of money) it lasts a long time, but will have to be reapplied once in awhile.

Great video! I got an OKJ Highland last Christmas (thank you Sweety!)...after about 8-10 cooks it's due for some cleaning...this info helps! Fwiw... I use a floor sweep broom to dust out my fire box and have been seasoning the outside of it (esp the fire box) w/veg oil every cook...seasons the outside like a cast iron pan=no/minimal rust so far...it looks kinda ugly b/c dust pollen etc clings to it but it so far has proven good at protecting the metal.

Ry. I just bought a Oklahoma Joe's highland offset smoker. I just put it together. Coated it in a light coat of vegetable oil and did a first burn. I am really excited with the new grill. Thanks for your channel

Thanks for the video! Im eagerly awaiting the delivery of a Longhorn and am very excited to be stepping up from my Weber kettle after many years of good service.

Nice job, I go one step further by wiping down the pit inside and out with left over used peanut oil to keep it rust free, looking new. Thanks for the video!

I've been looking all over tonight for a simple and straight forward grill /smoker cleaning video. I've seen some crazy things tonight lol this is the most practical advice and great tutorial for cleaning a smoker. Thank you for sharing. ~J. Taylor

Great video, Ry! Quick tip- Try using an old cheap paint brush (or a $3 one from Lowes) to sweep out the ashes of the firebox. I use a paint scraper for the first part, then for the fine stuff I use the brush. Looking forward to another cook! I would love to see a video on smoked salmon or something a little out of the ordinary.

I do basically the same to the interior of mine except, I put the cooking grates in the dishwasher. They come out like new every time!

Good Advice!

I use the plastic bristle brush as opposed to wire for fear of the wire bristles getting in the food...just a precaution. Good Smoking!!

Really like your videos and they were invaluable in choosing an OK Highland so wanted to say thanks and keep them coming!

You did not have foil in the bottom of the cook chamber. Makes cleaning so much easier.

Thanks Ry, was wondering about cleaning, as I've just had mine for 4 or 5 cooks. I am thinking about purchasing that baffle plate though.

Good vid but you need to Paint the outside with 2000 degree black paint , Walmart sells it for $6.98 a can . I paint mine once a year to keep it from rusting !!!! Outside Only !!!!!

I do a quick scrape push it all out of the drain hole then hit it all with a torch

Man there is one sitting at Lowe’s and it’s my birthday. Call my wife Ry please!

Sweet i just purchased a display model at Lowe's and they had the wrong price on it that was for a bandera smoker lol....i like good prices at Lowe's when they screw up.... great video on the Joe man

I was wondering how you cleaned this smoker. Thanks

Nice trick with the fan. I bought a fire bellow after I discovered how fast the fire caught when I inadvertently blew it with a leaf blower

only issue i see is using the wire brushes all ways wipe it down with paper towel or rag after and vac it out , i would toss that dang brushs away and use something way safer do not want to eat wire of any kind so i use stainless steal ball or foil ball to clean grates but i have a stainless steel grates and i remove them and clean them out of grill makes it easier then in grill and wipe off and now i not using foil to cover the drip tray hate to have aluminum foil gases in my food due to drip tray is a hot spot in grill closes to flame best to scrap it down and do a light scrub with steel pad and done takes me about 45 min to do a cold grill and including vac. it out and changing the drip pans and ready to cook the next day or time love it i have a 30-06 smoker made all in usa its pellet grill made from smoking gun jerky Inc. in Lincoln NE. it rock solid no weak spots and works like a stick burner. for great flavors i know wood burners so this is right on the spot as well but pellet...

Where did you getvthe baffle? Mine didn't come with that . Also the red handle latches. ? I'm sure it helps I also had to put heat tape on mine because of warping. Where did you find the latches and baffle?

Thanks for the info. I never thought of using a small fan to increase air flow. Pure genius! Thanks.

Where did you buy the clamps you used to hold down your lid and keep it from leaking smoke

That ash would be great spread on your garden.

Where do I purchase the baffle plates

I clean my smoker probably contra to the norm....I remove the grates, tuning plates and leave the bare smoker...then I hose them down tremendously, and let them dry in the hot sun, then I begin the scrape.....and I use hot water and detergent on the grates and plates and clean them then dry them..then I put it all back together and fire the smoker up to about 500 degrees, for about two hours, then i let it cool and then I spray it with olive oil on the inside..let it sit and then fire it back up for about another two or three hours.....but thats me...

thanx for the tips on cleaning

You didn’t use degreasers. Is it necessary to use degreasers? Do you recommend using a shop vac for the ashes as well?

Are those baffle plates necessary to have in your smoker. I have recently purchased the highlander and wanted to see the necessary mods needed to make it a more efficient smoker.

What are you using to scoop the ash out? I got my smoker today for my bday

Where did you get the baffle plates

Great vid. So what if there is rust inside? Just sand it down, and reseason It with oil?

Thanks Ry, great tips.

What firebox basket is that? I like how simple it is.

Where do I get the baffle plates?

Where did you get the baffles plates? Or did you make them or have them made?

does the baffle plates came standard with the smoker?

Hey Ry! Do you still have your OJ Offset? I'm thinking of buying the highland, I was just curious how well your's held up over time.

thanks for the cleaning tips! What did you use to line the lid? I need to to stop the smoke and heat from leaking out of the lid

is the old ash good for grass? i would imagine since its carbon it would be a good grass supplement?

Where did you get your baffle (not sure how to spell it) plate? I’m a new subscriber

Great Video 🥁🇺🇲🦅

Where can I find that kinda baffle plate at?

Hey man was wondering if you seasoned your smoker? I noticed you are having a big problem with "carbon flakes" I call that creosote. A good way to prevent this is seasoning your smoker.

what exactly is that port for your chords to go through? Id love to get one.

My highland didnt come with baffle plates. Any suggestions on where to get some? Tried amazon, no go

I have heard to use sand under the charcoal grate on the bottom of the firebox, to keep it from rusting. Any truth to that? It’s supposed to dampen the heat and spread it out evenly to keep from catching a hot spot and from burning out the bottom. That’s all “supposedly” and basically the question i have as to reality.

I put foil in my fire box then just tilt it towards the coffee can. Boom all done

Absolute legend ry big love from the united kingdom

Where did you purchase your baffle plating?

Nice!!

where did you get your fan at?

$299 at Lowe’s. Spend another $100 to make it usable. Not sure why they cant listen and offer a smoker that is a good product out of the box.

Hi Ry, love the channel! I just got my oklahoma joe highland smoker put together and I'm almost ready to fire it up and get to smoking. I wanted to ask you if you thought I should do a burn in it to burn off all the glue and stuff from the factory before I do a seasoning burn. Or should I just go ahead and rub it down with oil and season it for the first burn?

Soak your cooking grates in vinegar and baking soda

Hi Ry, thanks for the cleaning tips man. How many smokes did you do before you cleaned it?

Whole ash bucket

A weed burner and propane tank does a better more fun job burn everything off

About 6:15-6:30 "They are coated in grease that is flavor." Yes, it is...so why are you cleaning flavor out? The greasier the pit the better the flavor. I'd never eat BBQ from a clean pit like you have goetten yours. (This coming from a pig farmer.