I have been using my smoker for a few years and it has developed a large ammount of "tar" on the inside. Is this just added seasoning to my food or am I looking at a fire hazard?
The build up of smoke residue is normal and usually doesn't cause much of a problem other than sometimes flaking off and getting on the food. It actually helps seal up the smoker where the sections fit together, making it a bit more efficient. That's my theory, anyway.
It wouldn't hurt to clean the residue off occassionally, especially if the smoker will be idle for a long period. Any grease in the residue could become rancid over time. After it's cleaned, wipe the inside surfaces with a thin film of vegetable oil to help protect the metal. This also helps stabilize the temperature.
