While I'm being assistant SDBBQ, I'll add that drill brushes are great for cleaning leather seats in your car and cleaning soap scum in the shower. I bought a set that has color-coded brushes that range from soft to stiff. Apparently the stiff ones are good for paint removal. I haven't tried that.
You should look into dedicated Ash vacuums, they can be really affordable at the low end, it’s basically a shop vac which is specifically designed for the tiny particle size of ash which is what your shop vac couldn’t keep up with
@Smoking Dad BBQ Just a thought: I just wonder if you don't fatigue the metal by tightening the bolts every year? Maybe the bolts don't get loose, but the metal stretches? Maybe you should mark the bolts to see is they are loosing up or just streching.
Ashes (at the bottom of kamado) are great insulant and they protect ceramic. Also they add accumulation capacity. I would recommend to clean, but not so thoroughly as you did on video. Thanks for great video!
I've also found cleaning the outside of a Kamado when it is still hot (not astronomical; maybe 150-250 F) makes it A LOT easier. Just like hot vs cold water for cleaning dishes.
❤ great video James I remember the first one you put in this was a great review. I’m gonna get started cleaning up my Kamado before I do those chicken wings. Thanks again. Talk to you soon. In the next. Live video.
Great video. It is definitely time to do this here in the SF Bay Area if it ever stops raining. My two cents USD: Krud Kutter is my go-to. It's not "organic" but it's reasonably benign and it cuts through grease better than anything else I've used, including that orange stuff. Also I really, really recommend a small ash vac for regular cleaning. Shop vacs aren't built for the dust that results from Kamado Joe cooking. Ash vac were originally designed for cleaning fireplaces. Mine is battery powered, so no outlet required or cord to get in the way.
Hi James. I never smoke just one pork butt. I always do 3 which means that meat hangs sits on the grate past the drip pan and lands on the SloRoller. It’s covered in grease, especially the base. What’s the best way to clean those components? Thank you!
Hi James my felt gasket behind the band keeps coming out and makes the band touch the ceramic base near the hinge. Will using gasket sealant to keep the felt gasket in place solve this issue? Using kj classic 3. Thank you
Hey there! In the video you mentioned in Allen wrench and a regular wrench that you got with your Komado that you used to tighten the strap. I do not remember getting those tools. Regardless I cannot find them. Can you tell me what the size of the Allen wrench and the regular wrench are? Thank you very much for all of your information and help. Always enjoy watching your videos and always learn something. Doug
Great tips on keeping your grill ready and clean every spring. I haven't done a clean burn in years because of cooking my gaskets over time doing the clean burns. I found putting just a little more charcoal in the basket and letting it go full out after my cook usually keeps the grease burn out of the unit. I have cast iron deflectors that I usually put AL foil on to help the clean up too. I live in a dry climate and don't have to worry about rust or mold during the winter. I also cook weekly in the winter too. I found the KickAsh basket and ash pan work great in making it easy to clean up after a cook in my Green Egg.
James is totally correct. Don't let your clean burn get out of control, my last attempt I got distracted and the kamado got up to 800-900 degrees. The metal firebox ring warped and it's impossible to unwrap it. I ended up using stainless zip ties to secure it. Don't make my mistake...listen to James!!😂
Hi James…I bought a big Joe 3 shell for a hell of a deal and I’m now outfitting it. I looking at top vents…in your opinion which is better…kontrol tower? Old school cast iron? Or the after market Smokeware?
they are all good so its more a matter of what look and or function you prefer... i would put daisy last just because it moves around when you open the dome. long term, the SS doesn't have paint so it will look more similar to what it does now but performance wise they each have some usability advantages and disadvantage vs one another
Question? I tend to do my slow/low cooks so with that said, my grill is a bit of a mess at the moment so this video was quite helpful with regards to doing a clean burn if you will. Once I get the grill cleaned out in the next few days, do you recommend maybe just bringing the grill up to a 5-600 degree burn once done cooking for 30-45 min every couple of cooks to help burn off some of the grease and what not? I have a kick ash basket but am about to order the ash can now. Makes so much more sense! Thanks in advance!
Loved your channel and videos! But please can you make your video shorter and more concentrated, best with key points on screen, I must say I skipped all to get to the main point (unsuccessful most of the time)
What’s the main point? The hinge adjustment, the bands, the calibration, the cleaning the control tower top, cleaning the dome, the inside? There’s a lot to cover
James, been following you for a few years now. Love the content. I don’t own a Big Green or Kamado Joe but feel I’d be comfortable around one. A lot of the content in this video I can use with my bbq. But I think you hurt a lot of fellow Canadians feelings by using the US $1 bill. Kidding! Keep up with the great content.
Thanks for the "torque measurement" on the band. I've been afraid I'd over torque it & break it. I'm headed outside after the video and give it a little more tightening. I did recalibrate my temp gage while super heating the KJr to clean out the underside of the dome. Cleaning the dome really helped. My food was starting to taste a little like house fire.
Hi James, great vid! I've recently cleaned my Kamado Joe Classic 2 using these instructions and noticed a slight change since. I use your double indirect method with the sloroller(deflectors on the basket wings) and normally get a nice amonunt of embers falling down to take advantage of your ash draw hack. My last 2 cooks (Beef ribs and pork shoulder) haven't really yielded any and can't supplement any smoke. Can you think of anything I need to do? Loved the ashdraw hack to get that extra smoke an I can taste the difference without it!
My air lift hinge droops like 6” when fully opened but also still doesn’t stay closed down on my joetisserie. It’s frustrating. I would love for mine to only drop 1/2” to 1”!
@@SmokingDadBBQ I did reach out to KJ support and went through everything they wanted me to do. They're shipping me a new hinge but said it could be months before it ships.
Hey James! I just did you pulled pork recipe yesterday and it went great! On this video, I'm curious about the kickash bucket. Is it compatible with the KJ basket? Also, if you want to add wood chunks mid-cook do you just kind of shove them in there with an ash tool? I've been using your ash drawer hack, so I'm curious how that changes with the bucket. Thanks for the help!
It burns great but it’s a little harder to load them in. I use my high heat gloves and shove them in … that’s what I did in that clip shown here where the wood combusts almost immediately
Have they changed the Kontrol tower top so there isn't paint inside anymore? I have gone over 600 maybe twice since I bought my grill 3 years ago, and the paint has bubbled up and mostly flaked off.
Thanks for the tips. Do you still recommend taking the firebox apart to get the ash behind it that falls through the air holes or do you think the shop vac is a better option?
id rather not do that often so shop vac or leaf blower as messy as that is before cleaning the outside can clear out behind the firebox if you've got a bunch of build up there without having to remove it all
Thx for video James. Did I understand correctly that you now keep that stainless steel wing box inside the fire box? I must say not including it makes it really easy to clean the whole firebox but you’ve learned it’s better to keep it in?
No I don’t. I use the kab can instead. Just took a moment to appreciate stock is better than other kamados but I prefer the can to get all the ash and not have the build up shown after doing a 6 month test with them back in
One way to keep your outside clean on the komado is after every cook or weekly before you put your cover on is to wipe it clean with a car multi cleaner. I’ve even polished mine and waxed it…. Looks brand new and I cook on it 2-3 times a week. KJ Big Joe series 1.
@@briansymes2936 did you use automotive compounds and waxes? I was getting ready to roll the dice and “see what happens”. Mine has a little bit of spider webbing so I was going to treat it the same as car paint but didn’t know if the heat caused any issues.
@@sethmiller8231 yes I use a multi cleaner for grease oil etc then either a quick detailer spray or carnauba. Wax maybe every 2 months or so. As long as it’s cold when you apply it it’s fine.
While I'm being assistant SDBBQ, I'll add that drill brushes are great for cleaning leather seats in your car and cleaning soap scum in the shower. I bought a set that has color-coded brushes that range from soft to stiff. Apparently the stiff ones are good for paint removal. I haven't tried that.
Thank you so much! I've been thinking of brushing up my BJ 2 after a long use and this video comes out! Perfect timing!
You should look into dedicated Ash vacuums, they can be really affordable at the low end, it’s basically a shop vac which is specifically designed for the tiny particle size of ash which is what your shop vac couldn’t keep up with
What about grills that are full of rust? Any tips on how to make them look new?
Good Job!
It hit 89 degrees all week here in Texas.. my grilling season ends around Memorial Day 😂😂😂 after that I’m the one getting cooked
@Smoking Dad BBQ
Just a thought:
I just wonder if you don't fatigue the metal by tightening the bolts every year?
Maybe the bolts don't get loose, but the metal stretches?
Maybe you should mark the bolts to see is they are loosing up or just streching.
They are stretching or the tabs a folding in a little each year i am sure but given lose isn’t an option not sure there is any alternative
For us true nerds, can you determine or recommend the torque for the various nuts/bolts ? Would be very helpful...best...Joe
If you have a torque wrench, go 10-12 foot pounds or 120 inch pounds as a general guide
If the paint is starting to come off on the inside of the control tower is it better to clean it or just replace it?
Ashes (at the bottom of kamado) are great insulant and they protect ceramic. Also they add accumulation capacity. I would recommend to clean, but not so thoroughly as you did on video. Thanks for great video!
I've also found cleaning the outside of a Kamado when it is still hot (not astronomical; maybe 150-250 F) makes it A LOT easier. Just like hot vs cold water for cleaning dishes.
❤ great video James I remember the first one you put in this was a great review. I’m gonna get started cleaning up my Kamado before I do those chicken wings. Thanks again. Talk to you soon. In the next. Live video.
Great video. It is definitely time to do this here in the SF Bay Area if it ever stops raining. My two cents USD: Krud Kutter is my go-to. It's not "organic" but it's reasonably benign and it cuts through grease better than anything else I've used, including that orange stuff. Also I really, really recommend a small ash vac for regular cleaning. Shop vacs aren't built for the dust that results from Kamado Joe cooking. Ash vac were originally designed for cleaning fireplaces. Mine is battery powered, so no outlet required or cord to get in the way.
What brand plaid coat is the first one?
Hi James. I never smoke just one pork butt. I always do 3 which means that meat hangs sits on the grate past the drip pan and lands on the SloRoller. It’s covered in grease, especially the base. What’s the best way to clean those components? Thank you!
What’s the advantage of using your double indirect method?
It removes about 200f of stone temp sitting below your food. Increases convection,
Burns more wood / fuel… last weeks video expands more on it
What size is the allen wrench? Mine did not come with tools that fit. The allen wrenches I received fit the stand bolts. Thank you.
Hi James my felt gasket behind the band keeps coming out and makes the band touch the ceramic base near the hinge. Will using gasket sealant to keep the felt gasket in place solve this issue? Using kj classic 3. Thank you
Hey there!
In the video you mentioned in Allen wrench and a regular wrench that you got with your Komado that you used to tighten the strap.
I do not remember getting those tools. Regardless I cannot find them.
Can you tell me what the size of the Allen wrench and the regular wrench are?
Thank you very much for all of your information and help. Always enjoy watching your videos and always learn something.
Doug
I have a multi tool but it’s not labelled but the largest size fits
Thank you..
I will see if I can find something that fits.
As always, appreciate your assistance
Do you have a link to the ash drawer that you're using?
What height is the shelf your BJ3 sits on?
So many great practical tips!
Cheers Al
James how on earth is your kj cover looking so good. Mine after 1 year bleached as hell and looking terrible. Am I live in England = no sun!!
Same here, looks a right mess.
Same, I'm in sunny Los Angeles, the covers seem to last a year or two
Great tips on keeping your grill ready and clean every spring. I haven't done a clean burn in years because of cooking my gaskets over time doing the clean burns. I found putting just a little more charcoal in the basket and letting it go full out after my cook usually keeps the grease burn out of the unit. I have cast iron deflectors that I usually put AL foil on to help the clean up too. I live in a dry climate and don't have to worry about rust or mold during the winter. I also cook weekly in the winter too. I found the KickAsh basket and ash pan work great in making it easy to clean up after a cook in my Green Egg.
I’m a fan of the kab combo too
As much as I like DeWalt, I feel like as a Kamado Joe Team Red member you should be using the red tool brand too, Milwaukee 😜
😂
I had no idea the thermometer could be calibrated like that.
James is totally correct. Don't let your clean burn get out of control, my last attempt I got distracted and the kamado got up to 800-900 degrees. The metal firebox ring warped and it's impossible to unwrap it. I ended up using stainless zip ties to secure it. Don't make my mistake...listen to James!!😂
Hi James…I bought a big Joe 3 shell for a hell of a deal and I’m now outfitting it. I looking at top vents…in your opinion which is better…kontrol tower? Old school cast iron? Or the after market Smokeware?
they are all good so its more a matter of what look and or function you prefer... i would put daisy last just because it moves around when you open the dome. long term, the SS doesn't have paint so it will look more similar to what it does now but performance wise they each have some usability advantages and disadvantage vs one another
I just spent 45 minutes using the drill to clean our KJ. the *MOST FUN* I've ever had cleaning!!! thanks for the Tip, James!
Question? I tend to do my slow/low cooks so with that said, my grill is a bit of a mess at the moment so this video was quite helpful with regards to doing a clean burn if you will. Once I get the grill cleaned out in the next few days, do you recommend maybe just bringing the grill up to a 5-600 degree burn once done cooking for 30-45 min every couple of cooks to help burn off some of the grease and what not? I have a kick ash basket but am about to order the ash can now. Makes so much more sense! Thanks in advance!
Loved your channel and videos! But please can you make your video shorter and more concentrated, best with key points on screen, I must say I skipped all to get to the main point (unsuccessful most of the time)
What’s the main point? The hinge adjustment, the bands, the calibration, the cleaning the control tower top, cleaning the dome, the inside? There’s a lot to cover
James, been following you for a few years now. Love the content. I don’t own a Big Green or Kamado Joe but feel I’d be comfortable around one. A lot of the content in this video I can use with my bbq. But I think you hurt a lot of fellow Canadians feelings by using the US $1 bill. Kidding! Keep up with the great content.
Thanks for the "torque measurement" on the band. I've been afraid I'd over torque it & break it. I'm headed outside after the video and give it a little more tightening. I did recalibrate my temp gage while super heating the KJr to clean out the underside of the dome. Cleaning the dome really helped. My food was starting to taste a little like house fire.
Great video as always, good for you on shedding those “winter plaid dad jackets!”
Great video James, you convinced me to get a kamado and I’m loving it! any idea when the kick ash can will be back in stock for the big Joe 😢?
Great video. Could you please link the hex tool tighten the metal bracket? I can’t find it.
Hi James, great vid! I've recently cleaned my Kamado Joe Classic 2 using these instructions and noticed a slight change since. I use your double indirect method with the sloroller(deflectors on the basket wings) and normally get a nice amonunt of embers falling down to take advantage of your ash draw hack. My last 2 cooks (Beef ribs and pork shoulder) haven't really yielded any and can't supplement any smoke. Can you think of anything I need to do? Loved the ashdraw hack to get that extra smoke an I can taste the difference without it!
Maybe too much charcoal preventing coals from falling
@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks! Will try less this weekend.
My air lift hinge droops like 6” when fully opened but also still doesn’t stay closed down on my joetisserie. It’s frustrating.
I would love for mine to only drop 1/2” to 1”!
have you tightened the nut at the back of the dome?
@@SmokingDadBBQ I did reach out to KJ support and went through everything they wanted me to do. They're shipping me a new hinge but said it could be months before it ships.
Hey James! I just did you pulled pork recipe yesterday and it went great!
On this video, I'm curious about the kickash bucket. Is it compatible with the KJ basket? Also, if you want to add wood chunks mid-cook do you just kind of shove them in there with an ash tool? I've been using your ash drawer hack, so I'm curious how that changes with the bucket. Thanks for the help!
It burns great but it’s a little harder to load them in. I use my high heat gloves and shove them in … that’s what I did in that clip shown here where the wood combusts almost immediately
Have they changed the Kontrol tower top so there isn't paint inside anymore? I have gone over 600 maybe twice since I bought my grill 3 years ago, and the paint has bubbled up and mostly flaked off.
yes the new ones dont have the paint inside up top
Thank you SD. Appreciate your videos.
My Joe is totally caked. I have a nice layer of creosote. Hopefully a clean burn will help.
It will
every time I do a clean burn after a couple low cooks my neighbors blow up my phone asking what smells so good lol
Haha 😂
Thanks for the tips. Do you still recommend taking the firebox apart to get the ash behind it that falls through the air holes or do you think the shop vac is a better option?
id rather not do that often so shop vac or leaf blower as messy as that is before cleaning the outside can clear out behind the firebox if you've got a bunch of build up there without having to remove it all
Love the `plaid on plaid` joke :)
Thx for video James. Did I understand correctly that you now keep that stainless steel wing box inside the fire box? I must say not including it makes it really easy to clean the whole firebox but you’ve learned it’s better to keep it in?
No I don’t. I use the kab can instead. Just took a moment to appreciate stock is better than other kamados but I prefer the can to get all the ash and not have the build up shown after doing a 6 month test with them back in
I’ve learned so much from you. Thanks James.
One way to keep your outside clean on the komado is after every cook or weekly before you put your cover on is to wipe it clean with a car multi cleaner. I’ve even polished mine and waxed it…. Looks brand new and I cook on it 2-3 times a week. KJ Big Joe series 1.
@@briansymes2936 did you use automotive compounds and waxes? I was getting ready to roll the dice and “see what happens”. Mine has a little bit of spider webbing so I was going to treat it the same as car paint but didn’t know if the heat caused any issues.
@@sethmiller8231 yes I use a multi cleaner for grease oil etc then either a quick detailer spray or carnauba. Wax maybe every 2 months or so. As long as it’s cold when you apply it it’s fine.
@@briansymes2936 ill dm you when I get around to it
Another great video James, thanks for sharing!
Cheers
Is it possible to replace the felt gasket on a Joe Jr. with a wire mesh gasket? Thanks
i would use the rutland gasket, thats what i am going to put on mine this spring
@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks, will you be doing a video for it?
Great tips, James!
Glad it was helpful!
Hey man any links to that drill brush? I don’t want to end up with a wire one and rip my paintwork to bits, great video as usual
Grill cleaning brush kit - amzn.to/3l1h2ey & degreaser - amzn.to/3nS8qci
Hi James, the link to the brush kit isn’t working
@@RandomProjects2112 just google grill brush kit on Amazon. Looks like the one I ordered is gone but I got a bunch of options when I checked just now
Wow! Smoking Dad puts out a vid suggesting using a drill brush and in minutes Amazon runs out of them!