Yo guys, help me out. Last year I bought a Kamado Joe at the end of the season. I've only used it 3 times so far. I took it out of the shed again today and noticed a few things.
1: The base doesn't stay together properly, even when I tighten the screw. There is no hole in it, so it should be clamping?
2: When I place the shields with the metal ring over them, there is a gap between them and the wall. See the green and red sides.
3: Does it matter where the wheels with the handbrake are located? I have both wheels on the right. I'd like to know if this is normal or not, thanks!
by Mr-Roberinho
7 Comments
I don’t have that base but I can help with the other 2 issues.
The gap in 2 is normal.
The brake wheels can go anywhere. I have the ones on my Classic III stand on the front because that’s where it’s easiest to access them if I need to move it.
My base has the same issue with the top not going in hole at the bottom, has always been that way on 1 part and hasn’t caused any issues but I don’t move my kamado much.
Loosen the screw on the base push the rod over and line it up with the hole and insert into the hole then tighten the screw against the rod resting in the hole
Wheel locks go wherever you prefer and can access them.
Your fire box gap. There is supposed to be a gap… yours is a little off center but 100% ok to be that way.
Consider tossing the charcoal base “disc with all the holes” in favor of a charcoal basket, either OEM or after market. The basket works much better and easier to clean up after.
I’ve had my stand separate like yours. There should be a recess in the upper part for the set screw to screw into, but that would mean another manufacturing step. Use ratcheting strap to pull the pieces together and a Vise Grip to tighten the screw (sad that it’s not a hex head). If it keeps happening, make a small (real small) horizontal trough on the upper rod for the screw to set into using a file.
I keep the breaks in the front, but I don’t move my KJ around much. If I did, I might put them in the back. When moving, I always drag it by pulling the hinge as it’s much easier to navigate bumps safely.
If I had my old workshop, I’d just weld the top to the bottom and spray the welds with Rust-Oleum.
I mean. The wheels is an easy fix. Just rotate the grill. I had mine on the front until they disintegrated. Now I have a set that has brakes on all 4.
Number 1 I’m not sure. I have the same stand and don’t have that issue. Have had my grill for about 8 years.
For the stand: get someone to help you lift the grill out of the stand. Then try rotating the top portion to see if it will fit better in a different orientation. If it doesn’t you might have to use a little gentle persuasion to get it to fit and clamp properly. On mine I started with the mallet and then realized that if I rotated the stand it fit really well.
The petals: this isn’t really a big deal, but if you want it perfect you can try shifting the base one way or another and the reinsert the petals to get it more centered. I used the packing foam to keep them about an inch from the outer wall. That let me figure out the spacing. Then you just have to get the ring installed without messing that up