Kamado Grill Use & Care Guide
Kamado grills are not just a trend; they are here to stay. And anyone that has a Kamado grill knows how good they are. These grills are an absolute joy to grill on and are equally pleasurable to use at the dinner table. They offer smokers and grills the same experience without taking up a ton of space or adding a lot of extra weight.
However, kamado grills have their own unique care requirements that you should know about before using them. Want to know more about how Kamado grill owners can take care of their new or existing ceramic grill so it will last them for years to come?
Seasoning a Kamado Grill
Seasoning a Kamado grill is the first step to ensuring that your grill will provide you with years of service. Kamado grills are made out of ceramics, and they need to be seasoned before you can use them properly. By seasoning your Kamado, you can protect it from rust, add flavor to your food, and keep the grill looking nice for years to come.
First, clean the inside of the cooker with a damp cloth. Then, spray on an even coat of oil. You should use a non-stick vegetable oil like almond, peanut, or canola. This will keep moisture from seeping into the ceramic body of your cooker and causing rust.
Once you spray on the coating of oil, let it sit for at least 15 minutes to penetrate the surface of your grill. If you have time, leave it outside to help draw out any impurities that may still be in the ceramic body.
Next, place your grill on high heat until it reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it sit at this temperature for at least an hour while still spraying on oil every five minutes or so until no more smoke comes out of your grill. Finally, remove your grill from heat and let it cool off before using it for the first time.
Cooking on a Kamado Grill
The Kamado grill is a high-end grill that uses a ceramic body to create an effective, long-lasting, and extremely durable cooking machine. Ceramic is a porous material that can withstand extremely high temperatures, but it also absorbs heat very well.
The ceramic material makes the design of a Kamado grill different from most other types of grills. This could be what makes it so popular among backyard grillers and restaurant owners that have to compete for customers in an already crowded marketplace.
Fuel
Choosing the right fuel for your Kamado grill is an essential step in its use and care. All Kamado grills are designed to work with charcoal briquettes of either lump or pressed charcoals. These fuels produce a more consistent heat than most other types of charcoal, like those made from wood, and are therefore easier to control over time.
We strongly recommend using only lump charcoal or briquettes made from 100% natural hardwood.
Lighters
There are a few different ways to light your charcoal chimney, but the most important thing is only to use a lighter designed explicitly for your ceramic grill.
Lighting your charcoal may seem intimidating if you're new to Kamado grilling, but it's pretty simple (and safe). You can use an electric starter, a charcoal chimney starter, or even branded fire starter cubes/matches to light your coals.
Never Use Lighter Fluid
Kamado-style grills are excellent smokers, but they require special care to function properly. If you use lighter fluid or other accelerants, the ceramic might be irreparably damaged, and your warranty will be void.
As if that was not enough, lighter fluid will not only change the flavor of your food but will also leave an aftertaste that can ruin your food. Our experts highly recommend to never use lighter fluid on your kamado grill so to protect your grill and food.
Preventing Flare-Ups
"Flare-ups" occur when the fire burns too hot, and an excessive amount of smoke and flames come up through the top vent. This can happen if you leave the bottom vent open or add too much fuel, which causes a fire.
When this happens, wait until all flames have died down before closing the lid. Then open it just a couple of inches and let some air in – this is known as "burping" the grill. This prevents oxygen from getting into the fire and causing another flare-up.
How to Clean a Kamado Grill
There comes a time when you have to clean your Kamado grill. Whether it's because of a spill or overuse, cleaning Kamado grills is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the longevity of your grill. Cleaning your Kamado grill isn't too difficult, but you will need some tools and supplies.
Today, we're going to teach you how to clean your Kamado grills in such a way that will not only keep your grill functioning as it should but also extend its lifetime.
Removing Ash
Removing ash from your Kamado grill is a simple process. The best way to do this is by using a brush that is designed for cleaning grills. These brushes are typically wire bristles and can easily pull the ash from your grill.
The best time to clean out ash is when you're done cooking for the day, which typically means when the grill has completely cooled down. Or at least the next day, when you've given the grill the night to cool off. Some even clean it the day before your next cookout.
Cleaning Outside the Grill
There are a few different ways to clean the outside of your grill. Remove any loose ash or debris with a stiff wire brush. Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth or sponge, then rinse it off with water from your garden hose. Dry any areas cleaned with water with a clean rag or paper towel, then polish off any remaining moisture by rubbing dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Remember — use only non-abrasive cleaning products!
Cleaning Inside the Grill
Cleaning the inside of your kamado grill is easy because it works like a self-cleaning oven. First, preheat your grill to 600 degrees for 30 minutes. Allow the grill to cool completely before removing the internal components. Use a soft bristle brush to remove any residue that might have collected at the bottom of the grill. Dry any cleaned areas with water and clean rag or paper towel, then finish with a dry clean cloth or paper towel.
Remember — use only non-abrasive cleaning products!
Kamado Grill Maintenance
Kamado grills are designed to be simple and durable. Simple means that there are fewer moving parts, and fewer places for food to get caught or for the heat to escape. Durable means that it is made from materials that will not rust or warp.
There are certain rules you need to follow when maintaining your charcoal grill. Kamado Grills do tend to be rather delicate and need to be looked after and maintained properly.
Tight Bands
Your grill's bands slow down the process of deterioration by keeping the ceramic lid and bottom in place. Over time, you may need to tighten these bands to keep them from becoming loose.
The latch is connected to a small metal band that wraps around the bottom and the lid. The band is tightened by two small nuts on each grill side. Check the nuts every time you use your grill. You will need to tighten them occasionally.
If they are loose, it could cause the grill to leak. If you have difficulty tightening or loosening the nuts by hand, use an adjustable wrench or pliers.
Gasket Replacement
The gaskets on your Kamado grill will degrade over time. This degradation is normal and should be expected. Depending on the amount of cooking you do, it may need to be replaced every few years.
If the gasket material is not replaced, smoke will leak out of the sides of the grill, and the temperature will be unstable, causing fluctuations in temperature. You will need to purchase a gasket replacement kit to replace the gasket.
We recommend calling your dealer and placing an order for any missing or broken parts.
Storing the Grill
When you’ve spent all that time cooking on your Kamado grill, you want to make sure it is fully clean. However, one of the most important maintenance tasks after cooking and cleaning the grill is storing it properly.
When storing the grill for an extended period, avoid leaving it in a damp or humid environment. To protect your grill from the harsh elements, damaging rust, and keep it clean during outdoor storage, we recommend using a grill cover.
As a grill can be a big investment for proud grillers, we recommend utilizing a grill cover to protect your newest outdoor addition.
