Kamado Joe Classic III User manual

KAMADO JOE CLASSIC III OWNER’S MANUAL

A GUIDE TO

KAMADO COOKING

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Finding the SparkTable of Contents

What flame does to food is something hard to describe. Almost magical,
fire brings out sweetness, heightens flavor, deepens complexity. The

Warnings

Parts List & Tools Required

Grill Set-Up Instructions

Internal Assembly Instructions

The Art of Kamado

The Fundamentals of Fire

The Fundamentals of Smoke

The Fundamentals of Distance

The Fundamentals of Surfaces

The Technique of Grilling

The Technique of Searing

The Technique of Baking

The Technique of Roasting

The Technique of Smoking

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pursuit of this taste sparked my passion for grilling 20 years ago—and
began a search that would lead me to the kamado tradition. I tried
everything from high-end gas grills to traditional charcoal briquette
grills; the smoky taste of the charcoal intrigued me, but I kept exploring.
Eventually, I discovered the same tenderness and flavor that American
soldiers first tasted in Japan on the kamado decades ago.

After years of cooking on a kamado grill, I decided to make my own
and make it better. We focused on super-premium materials and
cooking innovation; the result was Kamado Joe. Our grills are the best
kamado-style cookers in the world, and beyond that, one of the best ways
you can cook. With six kids in my family, I spend a lot of time cooking. And
thinking about cooking. So what I love most about the Kamado Joe is its
ability to make dinner something we all do together. After we launched
Kamado Joe, we heard the same thing from people like you. You like the
superior flavor of the food you’re grilling—but more than that, you love
the experience of firing up your kamado, pouring a drink and letting the
cares of your day fade.

Classic Air Lift Hinge Adjustments

Safety Information

Cleaning & Care

Warranty & Registration

Quick Start Guide

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Whether this is your first kamado grill or your fourth, I hope this guide
inspires you to light it up, gather friends and family, try new foods and
chase that wonderful, wood-fired flavor. Just like thousands of others
have before us.

Fire it up!

Bobby Brennan

4 WARNINGS 5

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WARNINGS

WARNING

• This manual contains important information necessary for the proper
assembly and safe use of the appliance.

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions before assembling and using
the appliance.

• Keep this manual for future reference.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in fire, explosion or

burn hazard which could cause property damage, personal injury or
death.

CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD

• Burning charcoal or wood chips gives off carbon monoxide, which has no
odor and can cause death.

• Use only outdoors where it is well ventilated.

WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS

• WARNING! This barbecue will become very hot. Do not move it during
operation.

• WARNING! Do not use indoors!

• WARNING! Do not use alcohol, gasoline or other similar liquids to light or
relight the barbeque.

• WARNING! Keep children and pets away from grill at all times. Do NOT
allow children to use grill. Close supervision is necessary when children or
pets are in the area where grill is being used.

• Do not use the barbecue in a confined and/or habitable space e.g.
houses, tents, caravans, motor homes, boats. Danger of carbon monoxide
poisoning fatality.

• Always use grill in accordance with all applicable local, state and federal
fire codes.

• Before each use check all nuts, screws and bolts to make sure they are
tight and secure.

• Never operate grill under overhead construction such as roof coverings,
carports, awnings or overhangs.

• Grill is for OUTDOOR USE ONLY.

• Maintain a minimum distance of 10 ft. (3m) from overhead construction,
walls, rails or other structures.

• Keep a minimum 10 ft. (3m) clearance of all combustible materials such as
wood, dry plants, grass, brush, paper or canvas.

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WARNINGS

WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS

• Never use grill for anything other than its intended use. This grill is NOT
for commercial use.

• Accessory attachments not supplied by Kamado Joe are NOT
recommended and may cause injury.

• Use of alcohol, prescription or non-prescription drugs may impair user’s
ability to assemble or safely operate grill.

• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible at all times while operating grill.

• When cooking with oil or grease, have a type BC or ABC fire extinguisher
readily available.

• In the event of an oil or grease fire do not attempt to extinguish with water.
Immediately call the fire department. A type BC or ABC fire extinguisher
may, in some circumstances, contain the fire.

• Use grill on a level, non-combustible, stable surface such as dirt, concrete,
brick or rock. An asphalt surface (blacktop) may not be acceptable for this
purpose.

• Grill MUST be on the ground. Do not place grill on tables or counters. Do
NOT move grill across uneven surfaces.

• Do not use grill on wooden or flammable surfaces.

• Keep grill clear and free from combustible materials such as gasoline and
other flammable vapors and liquids.

• Do not leave grill unattended.

• Do NOT allow anyone to conduct activities around grill during or following
its use until it has cooled.

• Never use glass, plastic or ceramic cookware in grill. Never place empty
cookware in grill while in use.

• Never move grill while in use. Allow grill to cool completely (below 115°F
(45°C)) before moving or storing.

• Do not store grill with hot ashes or charcoal inside grill. Store only when
fire is completely out and all surfaces are cold.

• Never use grill as a heater. READ CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD.

• The grill is HOT while in use and will remain HOT for a period of time
afterwards and during cooling process. Use CAUTION. Wear protective
gloves/mitts.

• DO NOT bump or impact the grill to prevent personal harm, damage to grill
or spillage/splashing of hot cooking liquid.

WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS

• Be careful when removing food from grill. All surfaces are HOT and may
cause burns. Use protective gloves/mitts or long, sturdy cooking tools for
protection from hot surfaces or splatter from cooking liquids.

• Do not touch HOT surfaces.

• Grill is HOT during use. To avoid burns, keep face and body away from
vents and when opening lid. Steam and hot air are expelled during use.

• When cooking above 350°F (177°C), carefully open the grill (or burp the
grill) each time you lift the grill dome to prevent flashback – a surge of
white-hot heat caused by a rush of oxygen. Partially opening the lid 2-3
inches (5-8cm) and allowing heat to escape for about 5 seconds should
prevent this.

• Air dampers are HOT while the grill is in use and during cooling. Wear
protective gloves when adjusting.

• Grill has an open flame. Keep hands, hair and face away from flame. Do
NOT lean over grill when lighting. Loose hair and clothing may catch fire.

• DO NOT obstruct flow of combustion and ventiliation.

• Do not cover cooking racks with metal foil. This will trap heat and may
cause damage to the grill.

• Never leave HOT coals or ashes unattended.

• Fuel should be kept red hot for at least 30 minutes prior to use.

• Do not cook before the fuel has a coating of ash.

• Use protective gloves when handling this grill or working with fire. Use
protective gloves or long, sturdy tools when adding wood or charcoal.

• Never use charcoal lighting fluid, gasoline, alcohol or other highly volatile
fluids to ignite charcoal. These fluids can explode and cause injury or
death.

• The maximum amount of charcoal for the Classic III is 6 lbs. (2.7 kg).

Never overfill charcoal grate. This can cause serious injury as well as

damage to the grill.

• Dispose of cold ashes by placing them in aluminum foil, soaking with water
and discarding in a non-combustible container.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

ASSEMBLY8

ASSEMBLY

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Grill Set-Up

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1. CLASSIC III CART (1) KJ-XXX

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2. LOCKING SWIVEL CASTERS (2) KJ-CL23
NON-LOCKING SWIVEL CASTERS (2) KJ-CL23

3. KONTROL TOWER TOP VENT (1) KJ-KT

4. CLASSIC III DOME (1) KJ-CD23RCI

5. CLASSIC III BASE (1) KJ-CB23RCI

6. ASH TOOL (1) KJ-P23HB

7. GRILL GRIPPER (1) KJ-GG

8. ACCESSORY RACK (1) KJ-XR

9. HALVED COOKING GRATES (2) KJ-HCG

10. DIVIDE & CONQUER FLEXIBLE COOKING
SYSTEM (1) KJ-FCR

11. SLōROLLER HYPERBOLIC CHAMBER (1) KJ-HBI

12. STAINLESS STEEL CHARCOAL BASKET (1)K5-XXX

13. STAINLESS STEEL FIREBOX COVER (1) KJ-SSFBC

14. FIREBOX WALLS (5) KJ-MPFBSIDE23

15. FIREBOX BASE (1) KJ-MPFBBASE23

16. SLIDE-OUT ASH DRAWER (1) KJ-AC23

UNBOXING YOUR GRILL
1 Cut the plastic bands and remove the top and side panels of

the shipping container.
2 Lift off the top piece of the grill cart and remove the plastic
from the top of the grill.
3 Open the dome of the grill and remove the components from
the inside of the grill. Handle the internal ceramic parts with care

KAMADO JOE GRILL WITH CART
1 Once the internal components of the grill have been removed,

lift the grill out of the container and set it aside. Due to the weight
of this grill, we highly recommend two people perform this task.
Do NOT lift the grill by the side shelf tabs. Use the rear hinge
and the front lower vent opening as lifting points.

2 Remove the plastic wrapping from the base of the grill cart.
3 Lock the casters on the bottom portion of the grill cart.
4 With the same lifting technique used previously, lift the grill

into the cart. Adjust the grill in the cart so the lower grill vent is
facing the front of the cart. The front side of the cart is the side
with the two locking casters.

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Tools required for assembly: Phillips screwdriver

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ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY

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Internal Assembly

A key innovation to the internal architecture of your Kamado
Joe is our AMP FireBox. Together with the Divide & Conquer
Flexible Cooking System and Slide-Out Ash Drawer, they create
the perfect internal conditions needed for more functional,
flavorful results. Building a better grill starts with a few easy
steps and the parts below.

ASSEMBLY

1 Open the dome

and place the Slide­Out Ash Drawer
in the bottom of
the grill so handle
aligns with lower
vent opening.

2 Place the base
of the FireBox over
the Slide-Out Ash
Drawer aligning
the opening of the
base with the ash
drawer handle.

®

3 Begin building the

FireBox Walls. Place
each piece on top of
the FireBox Base.
Note: the pieces will
lean against the inner
wall of the base
of the grill.

PARTS

Stainless Steel Ring x1

FireBox Walls x5

Charcoal Basket x1

FireBox Base x1

Slide-Out Ash

Drawer x1

4 Using the hole
in each piece, pull
towards the center to
fit under the outer rim
of the Stainless Steel
Ring. Repeat step for
each piece until
FireBox is secure.

Divide & Conquer

5 Set the Stainless
Steel Charcoal Basket
on top of the base.

®

x1

Fully Assembled Grill

6 Place the Divide

®

& Conquer

on top
of the Stainless Steel
Ring. Note: the flexible
cooking system rack
should fit on the
indents of the ring.

*See page 30 for SloRoller Hyperbolic Chamber installation instructions.

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The Art of Kamado

FIRE TAMED THE WORLD—BECAUSE
WITHOUT FIRE, THERE IS NO COOKING

Meals began and ended around a fire. Over time, cooking
progressed from a simple skewer to a spit to early ovens. These
earthenware cooking vessels channeled and controlled the
fire’s heat for better flavor. Slowly, the rudimentary cooking
vessels evolved around the world, becoming the tandoor oven in
India and the charcoal-fueled mushikamado in Japan.

After the Second World War, American soldiers discovered
the superior, wood-fired flavor of the kamado and brought the
grill home to the States. Since then, the kamado grill has been
refined as a versatile ceramic cooker that continues to impress
with the incredible flavor and textures it produces. From rich,
smoked meat falling apart at the bone to crispy pizzas to juicy,
caramelized steaks seared over a hot flame—meals prepared in
the kamado taste elemental and true.

Our ancestors understood what we often forget: that time is
the best ingredient. Thousands of years ago, people gathered
around the kamado while their food cooked; today, despite our
sprawling kitchens and double ovens and induction stoves,
the kamado is still bringing people together around the fire.
More than a way of cooking, kamado is a way of connecting.
Connecting with the elements. With our hands, with our food.
With the people we love. It’s not fast food. Like any art, it takes
time. And the result is a meal that rewards us with unmatched
flavor—and the satisfaction of time well spent.

FUNDAMENTALS TECHNIQUES

Good kamado cooking begins with
a good foundation. Learn how to
master the elements and control
your grill—and you’ll be on your
way to incredible flavor.

— PG.10

FIRE

— PG.12

SMOKE

— PG.14

DISTANCE

— PG.16

SURFACES

Knowing these few quintessential
methods will expand your grilling
possibilities. They’ll equip you for
any recipe you want to tackle.

— PG.18

GRILLING

— PG.20

SEARING

— PG.22

BAKING

— PG.24

ROASTING

— PG.26

SMOKING