The very first fire

Burn off the factory residue

The manual: heat it up and keep the fuel red hot, lid on, for at least 30 minutes before the first cook, to burn off manufacturing residue. Weber gives no seasoning step.

1. Check all the hardware is tight.
2. Light a chimney of charcoal.
3. Spread the lit charcoal on the charcoal grate and fit the cooking grate.
4. Close the lid with the lid damper and the bowl vents fully open.
5. Keep the fuel red hot, lid on, for at least 30 minutes.
6. Start cooking, or shut it down.