Grand Cafe CSM07ALP Operator's Manual page 22

Question:
The Regulator and Hose supplied with my smoker
grill does not fit the older LP Gas tank I've used for
years. Why not?
Answer:
The U.S. Government regulates gas appliances and
LP Gas tanks. When regulations are changed the LP
Gas tank fittings are altered to insure compliance. If
your LP Gas tank does not fit the Regulator and Hose
supplied with your new smoker, the tank is outdated
and must be replaced. Note: Effective April 1, 2002 all
LP Gas tanks sold must include an "OPD" Overfill
Prevention Device. The OPD tanks are identified by
their triangular-shaped valve wheel. This internal
device prevents the LP Gas tank from being overfilled.
Tanks without an OPD valve can not be refilled.
Question:
What causes smoker parts to rust and what affect
does it have on my smoker?
Answer:
Rusting is a natural oxidation process and may
appear on cast-iron and steel parts. Rust will not
affect the short term performance of your smoker.
To slow the rusting process on steel Cooking Grids
(select models) we recommend greasing the
Cooking Grids before and after each cookout. Use a
brush to apply a thin layer of cooking oil or vegetable
shortening onto each Cooking Grid. We do not
suggest spray type oils unless they are specified for
high-temperature cooking. Be sure to coat the entire
cooking surface including edges and any areas with
chipped porcelain.
Question:
Which is a better cooking surface to smoke with;
porcelain coated steel / cast-iron cooking grids or
stainless steel grids?
Answer:
They all have their advantages. For traditional
smoking and searing meats, cast-iron or steel grids
offer better heat conductivity. To protect against the
natural rusting process, steel or cast-iron cooking
grids offer a porcelain finish which requires routine
maintenance to keep the grids well seasoned.
Question:
Some stainless steel smokers specify 304 grade
construction while others do not mention a grade at
all? What is the difference?
Answer:
All stainless grades are not created equal. The 304
grade, also called 18-8 stainless steel, is prized for its
excellent resistance to rust and corrosion and good
performance at high temperatures, which makes it
ideal for smoker construction.
304 grade stainless steel is by far the most popular
stainless steel and contains 18-20% chromium and
8-10% nickel, making it non-magnetic.
Some stainless steel smokers are constructed of Type
430 stainless steel which contains 16-18% chromium
but generally less than 1% nickel. It is magnetic with
less corrosion and rust resistance and designed for
limited temperature use. Beware of stainless steel
smokers that offer no claim of grade because what
looks shiny on the sales floor could become a problem
on your patio.
How can you tell if a product is made of 304 grade
stainless? Take the simple magnet test. If a magnet
sticks to the stainless steel it is 430 grade. If a magnet
does not stick you can trust its 304 grade quality.
You may also review FAQ's, Troubleshooting
and Care & Maintenance Tips online at
www.grandhall.com.
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