In another post I asked for insight on a cracked base. Went ahead and warranty claimed that, after a lot of back and forth with KJ they sent me the new parts.
If you haven’t had to replace a top or bottom, band removal, etc. it’s a hassle.
Well, today I decided to get it wrapped-up with a new seal, etc. and hot burn to clean it up start using again.
The photos are what happened at 8-900 degrees. Y’all think this is due to band being too tight, or some other nonsense? I’m tired of my KJ after 8 years… Their CS is nowhere near what it was in the first couple of years I owned this and the thought of going through this all over again is frustrating.
by No_Innocents
18 Comments
Probably a combination of the bands too tight with the heat.
Heated it too quickly? The top of there is a very high temperature. I wouldn’t be comfortable taking ceramic straight there without a stop somewhere along the way. Also what’s with the moisture in the dial?
Condensation in your thermometer? At those temps? How fast did you heat it up? Looks like hot/cold shock or too much moisture left inside the ceramics.
Btw, there is no need in “clean burn” at those temperatures. 2 hours at 250 degrees Celsius does the same and MUCH safer for your bbq.
Yikes. Has to be a combo of thermal shock and either the top band or chimney cap being too tight.
I’d seriously question an 8 year old thermometer. It looks like that got super hot. I had one that got to the same color when doing a clean up burn, but when I caught it, it was probably around 1200 degrees.
I think it has to do with 800-900 degree temps. That is completely unnecessary for a clean burn. 650-700 is plenty good.
So sad to read this on a Sunday. Sorry for your loss. 🙏
I don’t know where people got the idea to do a hot burn to burn in new ceramics. All manufacturers recommend doing a slow burn to evaporate potential trapped moisture and get rid of any factory smells etc. They universally say to go to a max of 450 degrees for the first couple of cooks. Cleaning burns are not really required unless there is an insane amount of buildup.
Another possible reason for the dome to crack like that is by adjusting the bands too tightly. I’ve had customers come in with similar cracks who used a power tools to fasten the bands.
Still really sucks though
I would be fuming tbh
Moral of the story is it isn’t a pizza oven don’t go to 900 degrees
Edit – just saw all the condensation in the thermometer. That has to be part of the cause. Was it covered? Humid?
You got it too hot and I see you are running an aftermarktet chimney. To me, two cracks going to the chimney is telling. But bottom line, you got it way to hot. As others have said, nothing good can come from a cook that hot.
Email kamado they might replace it for free
Would it still work?
Do you cover it?
If you’re in Omaha area and this is a classic, I have replacement lid from my old one. I saved it my bottom shattered and bought new.
Frustrated Joe
Probably why the manual says to stay under 750… Surprised they are honoring a claim.
How not to Kamado 101.