the "basting advice" I am no expert , but what it really does is prevent the ( pelicule) spelling ? that white crap from forming! when you let the salmon air dry with a rum/sugar coating ( or probably any coating really) the salmon tends to smike and finish with a nice brown glossy finish. I have never been afraid of fish I caight, I am more worried about fish that has been handled by the big C boats in reality, more disease comes from red meat animals raised in feed lots and no one has been able to make the question ( why did that happen stick)