Primo Grills and Smokers OVAL XL, OVAL JR, KAMADO Owner's Manual

Owner’s Manual

Bonus: Primo Recipes Included

* * * Copyrighted Material * * *

Primo® Grills and Smokers Owner’s Manual

Copyright © 2009 by Primo® Grills and Smokers

Published by:

Primo® Grills and Smokers

5999 Goshen Springs Road

Norcross, GA 30071

USA

OFC: 770.729.1110
FAX: [phone]

www.primogrill.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying, recording or any information storage or

retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

For information please contact us at [e-mail].

MANUFACTURED IN THE USA

CONGRATULATIONS

We appreciate your choice of a Primo Grill and Smoker. Properly setup and
maintained, your Primo should provide years of worry-free outdoor cooking
pleasure. It’s important that you follow each step in this guide carefully to insure
proper use and maintenance.

SPECIFICATIONS OVAL XL OVAL JR KAMADO

Weight 192 lbs 95 lbs 140 lbs

Cooking Surface 400 sq/in 210 sq/in 280 sq/in

Rack Extensions up to 680 sq/in up to 360 sq/in N/A

Primo Grills and Smokers Warranty

Creative Ceramic Technologies, Inc. (CCT) warrants to the original purchaser of this
Primo grill and smoker that it is free of defects in material and workmanship at the date of
purchase for the following periods:

• Twenty (20) years for all ceramic parts

• Five (5) years for all metal parts (excluding cast-iron parts)

• One (1) year for all cast-iron parts

• Thirty (30) days on thermometers and felt gaskets

This warranty shall be limited to the repair or replacement of any part(s) which, under
normal use, Primo determines, after reasonable examination, to be defective. In order to
invoke this Warranty, Purchaser shall ship all defective parts at his/her expense to:

ATTN: WARRANTY REGISTRATION

Primo Grills and Smokers

5999 Goshen Springs Road, Norcross, GA 30071

Phone: [phone] | Fax: [phone]

Primo shall replace parts found defective as provided above with equivalent parts and
shall ship such parts at the Purchaser’s expense to the Purchaser’s designated shipping
address.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL NOT COVER THE FOLLOWING:

Any damage, failure, or operating difficulties caused by accident, abuse, misuse,
alteration, misapplication, vandalism, improper installation or improper maintenance;
cracks or chips in the exterior glazing after delivery to an authorized Primo dealer or
distributor; damage or failure caused by tampering with or altering the original Primo
design, except when directed or authorized by CCT; damage or failure caused by
Purchaser’s failure to follow federal, national, state, city or county building and fire codes.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PROVIDED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, THIS
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

• WARRANTY TO ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL

PURCHASER;

• WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A

PARTICULAR PURPOSE;

• ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR

CONSEQUENCIAL DAMAGES, EXCEPT WHERE SUCH EXCLUSION
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED BY LAWS OF THE STATE OR THE
ORIGINAL PURCHASER’S RESIDENCE.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

Greetings .................................................................................... 06

Kamado History .......................................................................... 07

The Primo Advantage ................................................................. 07

Safety and Maintenance ............................................................. 08

Standard Features ...................................................................... 09

Accessories ................................................................................ 10

GETTING STARTED

Primo Assembly.......................................................................... 13

Cradle Assembly ........................................................................ 14

Cradle Side Table Assembly ...................................................... 16

Table Assembly .......................................................................... 17

FIRST USE

Natural Lump Charcoal .............................................................. 19

Prepare to Cook ......................................................................... 20

Lighting the Coal ........................................................................ 21

Temperature Control: vent adjustment guide ............................. 22

Preparation Temperature/time Guide ......................................... 23

Meat Temperature Guide ........................................................... 24

First Cooking Experience ........................................................... 25

1st Primo Turkey, Chicken, Burger. Fish ........................... 25

1st Primo Steak, Rib Roast, Ribs, Vegetable ..................... 26

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ....................................... 27

Greetings

If you’re at all like me or the many Primo-istas I’ve met in the last year,
your new grill is going to change your life; or at least the hours of your
life that you spend at the grill!

Let me tell you right off the bat that I’m an odd choice to be writing this
introduction. I’m not associated with the company, I don’t know the
difference between North Carolina and Kansas City barbecue, and until
very recently I thought of grilling as strictly a “guy thing,” like
understanding fantasy football or not asking for directions.

Primo® changed all that. It isn’t just the look and feel of the thing,
although the simple lines and the heavy ceramic heft have grown on
me, like a piece of art that is both prosaic and exotic. I love introducing
my friends to the Primo® by having them just lift the dome – all that
weight in your hand, yet balanced and manageable because of the
clever engineering of the hinge – then let it close, and the dome stops
with a satisfying thump, decisive and secure, on the felt gasket. Right
away the serious heft of the Primo® lets you know you’ve left the land
of “Webers” far behind.

But I’m not a Primo fan because it looks good. I’m a fan because Primo
makes me look good. Even for a grill novice like me, the Primo method
of grilling/smoking makes it easy to cook everything from perfectly flash

-seared tuna to 20-hour low & slow genuine barbecue, succulent,
smoky and falling-off-the-bone tender. I’ve always been a serious chef
inside my kitchen; Primo lets me take my culinary adventures outdoors
and it has become my partner-in-creation, inspiring me to try everything
from grilled pizza to cold-smoked cheese; from sour dough bread to (I
kid you not) fried eggs for breakfast. Why stop with burgers when the
Primo beckons me to ever new possibilities? It is a cooking phenom!

And then there’s the big secret that Primo has let me in on after all
those years: Grilling and smoking isn’t hard (so much for the “mystery
on the deck!”); in fact, it’s really fun. Perhaps this is why I’ve become
such a Primo fan. It’s just fun to use.

In this over-hyped world, where gizmos and gadgets are hawked 24/7,
it’s rare to come across a product, and a company, that is actually
better than it claims to be. The guys at Primo have made an amazing
product. They stand behind it with integrity, and with pride. Get to know
your Primo, and you’ll understand why.

Happy Grilling!

Maria Nation - Massachusetts (aka Grill Girll on the Primo Forum)

From Maria Nation, Massachusetts

Primo Owner!

6

Kamado History

The modern kamado-style grill is based on
ancient Japanese technology used over 2000
years ago. Originally composed of clay, the
kamado was typically built into the earth floor
of pit homes—small houses built into the
ground.

By the early 1600”s advancements in the

kamado design and function included high­end, portable kamados which attracted the attention of those in the elite
and urban communities, and soon became common-place in their
households.

By literal translation, the word “kamado” in Japanese means “oven”,
“stove”, or “kitchen”. But it represents more than just perfection in
functional design and exquisite, flavorful food. Historically, the kamado
was and still is a symbol of family and home.

The Primo Advantage

Primo combines the concept of traditional kamado-style (round)
cookers, and charcoal grills with an innovative design, premium quality
ceramic materials, and a sophisticated, modern look, creating a best in
class, all-in -one cooking machine. What makes a Primo better than
other ceramic grills and smokers on the market today? The key is in the
composition and patented oval shape.

Ceramic Composition. Primo uses only the highest quality ceramic for

increased efficiency and durability. Meals prepare faster while moisture
and flavor remain locked inside, leaving food juicy and tender, not dry.
And the outer surface stays at a safe, warm-to-the-touch temperature.

Oval Shape. But it’s the versatility of our patented Primo Oval™ shape

that really sets us apart. Enjoy more features and options such as
reversible cooking grids, rack extensions* to increase total cooking
surface, or a drip pan rack* to catch meat juices. Add a firebox divider*
and cook directly over the heat on one side and smoke on the other.

We hope you enjoy your new Primo. Bon appétit!

*optional accessory

Introduction

7

Introduction

Safety and Maintenance

• When transporting your grill, never lift it by the hinge. Have at least

two individuals hold the bottom and back of the grill. Lower it into
your table or cradle with one hand on the inside of the grill grasping
the bottom vent.

• Primos should only be used outdoors in an area where there is ade-

quate clearance for ventilation. Keep the space around your grill
clear of hanging tree limbs or other flammable objects.

• Lighter fluid should never be used in a Primo. For best results, use

Primo natural lump charcoal, which is free of tars and other harmful
chemicals, so it won’t compromise the taste of your food.

• For safe use on wooden tables or any surfaces other than a cradle,

always set your Primo on the ceramic feet provided with the grill.

• The constant opening and closing of the grill may cause tension in

the hinge over time. Apply a very thin layer of lubrication to the
moving parts inside the hinge once or twice a year to keep the
mechanism operating smoothly.

• To ensure your lid stays securely held by the hinge bands, tighten

the band bolts once or twice a year using an open end wrench.

• It’s important to always take caution when opening the grill after the

top and bottom vents have been completely closed to extinguish
the fire. In this state the hot coals are suffocated of oxygen and a
rush of air could cause a flashback. Lift the lid only slightly at first
to allow built up heat and steam to escape. Then proceed.

• When fueled with natural lump charcoal, Primos produce very little

ASH. However, allowing your Primo to accumulate too much ex­cess ash in the ash trap will suffocate the charcoal and impede air
flow. Occasionally check the ash trap and remove excess ash with
the recommended Primo ash tool by simply raking the cooled re­mains out of the bottom vent door and into a receptacle for dis­posal.

• Unlike metal grills, a Primo’s ceramic body won’t scald the skin if

briefly touched when hot. However, as with any HOT item, be sure
to use caution when cooking and keep children away.

• Primos are self CLEANING. Simply heat your grill to around 500 ºF

to incinerate food and other debris within the grill. When neces­sary, use a non-abrasive tool to clean the grids. Never use overly
abrasive instruments to clean the grids as this will remove the por­celain finish that helps keep food from sticking. For the grills outer
surface, use a damp cloth to wipe away dust as needed.

8