For Models: ClassicJoe, ClassicJoe Stand Alone and BigJoe

IMPORTANT: Before and After Your First Cooking and for Seasonal Maintenance 

1. Check the tightness of the bands that wrap around the dome and base. Use a #6 Allen wrench and 10mm open box wrench and ensure that there is moderate resistance when turning the wrench. If the bands show any movement when lifting or lowering the dome, apply more tightening to the band(s) that moves.
2. Make sure that the top vent fits snuggly on the neck of the dome. If not, add one complete round of gasket material on top of the existing gasket. Replacement gasket kits are available at your local Kamado Joe Dealer.
3. If one or more of the bands around the dome and base are not centered on the gasket material, loosen the band(s) enough to push it back in place with a blunt instrument, then retighten.
   

IMPORTANT: Avoid the Possibility of a "Flashback"
When operating at high grilling temperatures, do not deprive the fire of oxygen by fully closing the top and bottom air vents, then suddenly opening the dome of the grill. This will cause a rush of oxygen into the grill that will come back out immediately as white heat that can cause a burn injury. Learn more about Flashbacks.

How to avoid a flashback: 

1. Reopen the top and bottom vents and allow 10 seconds to pass.
2. Lift the dome 1" for 5 seconds, then it can be opened fully.

Removing Ashes
Occasionally, you will need to remove the ashes underneath the fire box. You Kamado Joe ceramic grill includes an ash tool for removing ashes.

How to remove the ashes: 

1. Stir the charcoal in the fire box so any residual ash will fall through the fire grate.
2. Open the bottom draft door, and place a small container under the opening to catch the ash. For grill tables and grill carts, use a dust pan, paper plate or newspaper to catch the ash.
3. Insert the ash tool through the draft door and pull the ash out into the container.
4. Optionally, you can remove the cooking grate, fire ring and fire box from the grill, and use a small scoop to remove the ash, then reinsert the components.

Gasket Replacement
Depending on the use of your Kamado Joe grill, the gasket material will degrade and become brittle over time. The felt gaskets that meet between the dome and the base edges will need to be replaced every 1-3 years.

Replacing the gasket material: 

1. Heat the grill to 400°F (205°C) and allow it to cool until it is warm to the touch (this may take 1-2 hours).
   
2. Cut a slit across each gasket with a box cutter, and either pull the gasket material away from the ceramics or use a paint scraper to remove the material.
3. Carefully clean the area with an adhesive remover or solvent, preventing the solvent from dripping into the grill.
   
4. Pull 6" of the protective layer away from the new adhesive layer of the gasket material and apply.
   
5. Keep pulling away the protective layer until the new gasket material reaches the starting point.
   
6. Use a box cutter or scissors to cut the gasket material so it meets the starting point.
   
7. Check that the top vent fits snuggly on the neck of the dome. You may need to apply a layer of gasket material over the existing one.

Mildew
Mildew can occur if you do not use a grill cover or your Kamado Joe grill is outside and not used for an extended period of time. Moisture from rain or high humidity can be trapped inside the grill and you may see areas of mildew on the cooking grate or internal ceramics. This is very easy to eliminate, because your Kamado Joe grill can be operated as a self-cleaning oven. Do not use bleach or other cleaning products.

To self-clean your Kamado Joe grill: 

1. Preheat the grill to 600°F (205°C) and maintain the temperature for 15 minutes.
2. Close off the air flow fully and allow the grill to cool down completely, then brush the grilling grate and ceramics if needed, before the next cooking.

Common Sense Grilling 

1. Only use your grill outdoors.
2. Locate your grill on a stable surface.
3. Avoid touching the metal parts of the grill while cooking.
4. Be ready to extinguish flames.
5. Use cooking utensils that are intending for grilling.
6. Avoid loose clothing like shirt tails or apron strings near the fire.
7. Avoid the use of combustible liquids to light your grill (e.g. lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, etc..).
8. Only use lump charcoal as a heat source (not briquettes or wood).
9. Avoid moving a hot grill or a grill with charcoal that is still burning.