Here’s an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others.
I’m still fairly new to the KJ game, and was cooking smash burgers on my soapstone on Saturday for the first time. I didn’t have the soapstone on a grate as I’d earlier I’d was using both grates different levels I n the indirect side. Then when pushing down in the burgers I pushed straight through the soapstone. Cue some minor burns and a lot of swearing.
I know it does say to place the stone on a grate, but it didn’t say why. Now I know why. My own fault and a relatively expensive lesson! Now debating as to whether or not to get another one.
by Pad-Rock
14 Comments
I’ve never put mine on a grate
I don’t do smash burgers on the kj tho, that’s the Blackstone
Now you have two soap stones. If you reach out to KJ customer service they may send you a new one for free. Cant hurt to try.
Didn’t realize it needs to be in a grate either. Was it on X ring? Try their warranty department.
Also do you find the soapstone hard to clean? Feels like it carbonizes and is just always sooty.
I’ve only ever used it for searing steaks and I elate it on the accessory holder. Good to know
Curious if anyone has had experience with Amazon’s “add on warranty” at the end of purchase? I got the SS on super sale, so the 12 bucks for 2 years was a no brainer pretty much. It’s seen moderate use and is already pretty pockmarked on the one side with some dime sized chunks already chipping out of the center cook area – less than 3 months and 8 cooks.
I got new one as well from KJ for free
I’ve had mine for years. I use it as directed, below the grates. And I’m a believer of letting it cool down slowly as it is a somewhat delicate stone. So when I’m done, I clean the grate and remove, flip the stones over so the heat removes the build up, then I’ll shut the lid, close bottom airflow and open up the top. Come back the next day or whenever I cook again and remove. I think when it’s taken out while still hot or cleaning it while hot it can break .
They are useful so I’d personally get another one.
Not saying that’s the absolute way to do it but that’s what I do and it has been working fine.
Mine broke years ago…put the pieces together and wrapped in foil. Problem Solved 😉
This is also what the accessory rack is for. Make sure you’re also putting your heat deflectors on a support as well as a pizza stone if you use those.
It feels like if the stone broke from pushing down smash burgers, it had a crack and was going to die anyways regardless of the grate.
The soapstone is such a gimmick tbh. It’s not durable, it’s a pain in the ass the clean, takes forever to heat up, and overall too much maintenance/prep.
I got one when I first got my kamado thinking it will change my steak game. Surprise surprise…It didn’t. Last thing I wanted to do was to wait 30min to heat it up after a long reverse sear on my ribeye. I’m glad mine broke so I never have to use it again.
Hope ur burns are ok. I honestly thing it’s good riddance
And I was beating myself for burning too much coal for nothing.
Ouvh and thanks.
The soapstone is robust but it’s metamorphic so there is no structural strength across the longer span.
FYI:
Soapstone is a metamorphic rock composed mostly of talc with varying amounts of chlorite, mica, carbonates, and other minerals. Many people use the name “steatite” or “talcochlorite” and it is interchangeable with “soapstone”. Steatite (talcochlorite, soapstone, waxstone, ice stone, grease stone, tulikivi) is one of the most unusual gemstones.
Steatite is actually a dense talc, which is the reason why this gemstone is sometimes referred to as “talcochlorite”. The talc content of architectural soapstone is usually between 50 and 75 percent, which makes it soft and smooth. However, other minerals in the composition give the stone strength and durability.
But the main feature of steatite is different – this stone is so smooth to the touch that it feels as if it is greasy. For this property, steatite has been called “grease stone”, “wax stone”, “soap stone” and “ice stone”. Because steatite is composed mostly of talc, it is very soft.
Source: [https://soapstoneguide.com/guides/what-is-soapstone](https://soapstoneguide.com/guides/what-is-soapstone)
I prefer the cast iron grate and griddle, TBH.