Yes and no. A good smoker needs a layer of seasoning that can only be achieved with an initial coating and use. You don’t want to remove this protective layer. But you will get splatters of fat on your smoker. Running the empty smoker at a high temperature will burn off the residue you don’t want while maintaining the seasoning. You can clean out any noticeable deposits but don’t scrub with a brush. Do remove any racks and the drip pan or water pan and clean after each use.