- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Kamado Joe temperature help
Posted on 4/16/21 at 10:47 am
Posted on 4/16/21 at 10:47 am
I’ve had an Akorn for 5-6 years now and I upgraded to a Kamari Joe. Normally I’d throw about 1/2 -3/4 chimney full of coals in the smoker, light 5-6 in the chimney, and within 20 minutes have 225-275 smoker temp.
This is my 2nd run using a full chimney in a circular pattern and I lit 5-6 coals plus several chunks of apple wood. It’s been over an hour and I’m barely at 200. I pulled out a thermo probe to check the provided thermometer and it’s correct.
Does the ceramic hold a ton of heat? I’ve got a good smoke coming out, just the temp will not rise.
This is my 2nd run using a full chimney in a circular pattern and I lit 5-6 coals plus several chunks of apple wood. It’s been over an hour and I’m barely at 200. I pulled out a thermo probe to check the provided thermometer and it’s correct.
Does the ceramic hold a ton of heat? I’ve got a good smoke coming out, just the temp will not rise.
This post was edited on 4/16/21 at 10:48 am
3
Posted on 4/16/21 at 10:52 am to The Goon
quote:
This is my 2nd run using a full chimney in a circular pattern and I lit 5-6 coals plus several chunks of apple wood. It’s been over an hour and I’m barely at 200. I pulled out a thermo probe to check the provided thermometer and it’s correct.
Does the ceramic hold a ton of heat? I’ve got a good smoke coming out, just the temp will not rise.
Assuming you are using a "Kamado Joe" and not a Kamari Joe, just fill the fire box with coal and light it. I use a looflighter, but a torch will also work. Additionally, ONLY USE LUMP CHARCOAL. Never briquettes.
I typically light the coals in several places and then open the vents and take the top cap off (the removal part) and let it go. I can get to 400 degrees in about 15-20 minutes. If you are smoking, fill the firebox with lump and strategically place wood chunks in there. Again, do the same thing. Both vents wide open and/or the bottom vent wide open and the top cap off.
You also could be running into an issue where your deflector plates may be choking off some air, if they are in too snug. Simply light the coals and wait about 5-10 minutes before adding back in your deflector plates. But don't wait too long to add. Quick temperature change on ceramic could crack those plates.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 11:10 am to BugAC
Thanks.
I’ve used Kingsford for years, but in a drier climate. I’ll suffer through the briquettes and try lump coal next.
I lit the coals at 900 and now I’m finally at 225.
I’ve used Kingsford for years, but in a drier climate. I’ll suffer through the briquettes and try lump coal next.
I lit the coals at 900 and now I’m finally at 225.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 11:24 am to The Goon
quote:
ONLY USE LUMP CHARCOAL. Never briquettes.
This
Ditch the briquettes. Especially if you have been using "Match-Light". Get a decent brand of lump for next time and never go back. Try Royal Oak (make sure the bag says LUMP). Most Home Depots carry them.
And yes, that's one of the nice things of a Kamado smoker; they are well insulated and retain heat for long periods of time compare to sheetmetal smokers.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 11:57 am to The Goon
quote:
I’ve used Kingsford for years, but in a drier climate. I’ll suffer through the briquettes and try lump coal next.
Briquettes typically are less flavor neutral than lump and have filler that leads to ash and airflow problems. Not to mention, higher heat capabilities are not achieved with briquettes compared to lump.
I'd suggest shop vacuuming your grill after this smoke to remove the ash/debris from the briquettes.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 1:48 pm to BugAC
quote:
Briquettes typically are less flavor neutral than lump and have filler that leads to ash and airflow problems.
It’s definitely the ash. Temp started to drop and I took the rack off to look. Ash was blocking the airflow.
With the Akorn, coals sit on a grate where the ash and spent coals can fall. The holes on the bottom KJ plate get plugged fairly easily with the briquettes.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 2:45 pm to The Goon
It can take a while for a ceramic cooker to come up to temp, but over an hour is a bit excessive. As suggested, get some lump, and add your briquettes to the lump for long cooks, once the fire and ceramic cooker have heated up. Ceramic cookers basically act as outdoor ovens and should require little finessing once you have your temp dialed in.
Posted on 4/16/21 at 2:54 pm to jmon
3 things make a fire - oxygen, heat, and fuel
cut one of those and your temp will not get to where you want
I bet the ash from the lump is cutting off airflow.
Ditch the briquettes, use lump charcoal. Royal Oak is priced well and easy to find and works good.
one of the biggest mistakes with ceramic cookers is not cleaning the old ash out of the bottom blocking airlow and not leaving enough space between the pieces of lump charcoal.
cut one of those and your temp will not get to where you want
I bet the ash from the lump is cutting off airflow.
Ditch the briquettes, use lump charcoal. Royal Oak is priced well and easy to find and works good.
one of the biggest mistakes with ceramic cookers is not cleaning the old ash out of the bottom blocking airlow and not leaving enough space between the pieces of lump charcoal.
This post was edited on 4/16/21 at 2:59 pm
Posted on 4/17/21 at 10:34 am to The Goon
Get yourself an ash basket. Keeps the charcoal off the floor of the cooker to allow for better airflow and makes cleanup easier.
Posted on 4/17/21 at 3:49 pm to The Goon
quote:
I’ll suffer through the briquettes and try lump coal next.
Briquettes can ruin a porcelain style smoker. The smoke can enter the pores of the smoker and give everything a flavor from the briquettes. Also never use lighter fluid when starting your fire.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News