How to Season the Rider DLX Pellet Grill

There are three basic steps to get your pellet grill ready for its first cook -  Inspection, Seasoning and Shutdown. We recommend that you keep your Grilling Guide handy while seasoning your new grill.

INSPECTION

Ensure all components are working properly.

Before you cook for the first time, it’s important to make sure your pellet grill is running properly. That begins with a quick inspection of your grill’s components, following these steps.

WARNING: To prevent personal injury, do NOT touch the auger, ignitor or fan while inspecting.

  1. Remove the warming rack, grates and baffle.
  2. Plug the grill into a GFCI-protected outlet and press the Power button on the Pit Control Panel.
  3. Look down into the hopper to ensure that the auger is clear and check that the ash cup is tightly screwed on.
  4. Turn the control knob to the LOW grill setting and allow to run for 3 minutes.

HOT TIP: The letters “PRE” on the display panel will change to the actual temperature reading when your grill is preheated. If using the grilling settings (orange temp settings), you maybe have to allow 5-10 additional minutes for the grill to reach grilling temps. Reference temp readout on the Pit Control Screen to monitor.

  1. While the pellet grill is running:
  2. Look into the hopper to confirm that the auger is turning.
  3. Listen for the blower fan and feel for air moving out of the firepot.
  4. Check that the ignitor is glowing red inside the firepot.   
  5. After 3 minutes, turn the control knob to the Shutdown position.

Drain pellets

The display will change to “Cooling” and the grill will automatically power down when the shutdown burn is complete.

SEASONING

Protect interior walls with a cooked-in surface treatment.

Your pellet grill needs to be seasoned before you cook with it for the first time.

Why do you need to season a pellet grill?

Seasoning your pellet grill before cooking will burn off any manufacturing residues, protect your grill surfaces and create the beginning of a cooked-in surface treatment that will deepen cook after cook, adding to the flavor of your smoked food.

Should you season grates before grilling?

No. You don’t need to season the grilling grates. However, you can add a layer of protection with a light coat of vegetable oil. The Rider DLX Pellet Grill is equipped with cast-iron grates that are coated with porcelain to prevent them from rusting and make them easy to clean.

How long does it take to season a pellet grill?

Seasoning the Rider DLX takes roughly an hour to complete and you'll need enough wood pellets to run the grill for at least 30 minutes.

How do you season a new Rider DLX Pellet Grill?

Follow these simple steps and you’ll be ready to enjoy your new grill before you know it.

  1. Lightly coat the interior surfaces with vegetable oil.
  2. Fill the hopper with Oklahoma Joe’s® wood pellets and press the Power button on the Pit Control Panel.

Pit Control Panel

HOT TIP: Filter and discard pellet dust to avoid pouring it into the hopper as it can cause the auger to jam. Our Pellet Bucket Kit includes a wire-mesh filter that sifts out wood dust.

  1. Turn the control knob to the LOW grill setting and ensure that your pellets are igniting.
  2. Wait for preheat cycle to complete, about 5 minutes.

HOT TIP: The letters “PRE” on the Pit Control screen will change to the actual temperature reading when your grill is preheated. If using the grilling settings (orange temp settings), you maybe have to allow 5-10 additional minutes for the grill to reach grilling temps. Reference temp readout on the pit control screen to monitor.

  1. Look for smoke exiting the exhaust stacks and watch for the temperature to rise.
  2. Run for 30 minutes.

SHUTDOWN

Clear the auger and fire pot with a shutdown burn.

Proper shutdown after seasoning and after every cook is very important to keep your Rider DLX Pellet Grill operating in peak condition for the long haul.

  1. When seasoning is complete, turn the control knob to the Shutdown position. After 3 seconds, the Shutdown process will start by flashing the message “DRN HOP” on the Pit Control Screen, indicating that it’s time to drain unused pellets in the QuickDraw Hopper into the pellet storage bucket, included with your Rider DLX.

rider dlx pellet hopper

HOT TIP: Pellet grills with software versions previous to 04 or 05 (as displayed at Startup) will NOT flash a “DRN HOP” message, you still need to drain unused pellets immediately before starting the shutdown process.

  1. Next, the Pit Control Screen will flash the message “Coo ling”, indicating that it has begun the shutdown burn and cooling process. The grill will then continue to feed pellets to the fire pot and burn through all remaining pellets, cleaning the system for your first cook.
  2. The grill will automatically power off when the shutdown burn is complete.

Now that you have inspected, seasoned and properly shut down your Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX Pellet Grill, it’s time to learn How to Use Hardwood Pellets.

For pellet grill recipes and answers to your most frequently asked questions, go to Oklahoma Joes.com.

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