I cook on my fire almost exclusively. HOWEVER, in the interest of not knowing what has taken place before I got there I always make a good HOT fire once before using it. Once I get that thing lit the grate is lowered as close to the fire as I can. Then I stoke the fire and brush the life out of the grate. Re-oil with a nice coat of oil and let that burn off. Then the next fire is ready cook but gets the same brush and oil treatment. DW tells me that I if I keep going with my passion for fire cooking I am going to end up on the BBQ circuit.