Kamado Joe CLASSIC II User manual

KAMADO JOE CLASSIC II OWNER’S MANUAL
A GUIDE TO
KAMADO COOKING
9804200033 200918-GH

Table of Contents
Warnings
Parts List & Tools Required
Grill Set-Up Instructions
Assembly Instructions
Safety Information
Cleaning & Care
Quick Start Guide
Quick Temperature Guide
3
7
8
9
14
15
18
19
2
Grill does not come with charcoal.

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.
3

• 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 barbecue.
• 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.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS
4

• 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
5

• 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 (175°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 ventilation.
• 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.
• Do not remove ash drawer while ashes and charcoal are HOT.
• 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 II 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.
WARNINGS AND IMPORTANT
SAFEGUARDS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
6

7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
14
12
13
15
17
16
18
18
18
18
1. TOP VENT (1)
2. GRILL DOME (1)
3. HALF MOON COOKING GRATES (2)
4. ACCESSORY RACK (1)
5. CERAMIC HEAT DEFLECTORS (2)
6. DIVIDE & CONQUER®FLEXIBLE
COOKING RACK (1)
7. STAINLESS STEEL FIREBOX RING (1)
8. CAST IRON GRATE (1)
9. FIREBOX WALLS (5)
10. FIREBOX BASE (1)
11. SLIDE-OUT ASH DRAWER (1)
12. LEFT SIDE SHELF (1)
13. RIGHT SIDE SHELF (1)
14. GRATE TOOL (1)
15. GRILL GRIPPER (1)
16. GRILL BASE (1)
17. STEEL WIRE CART (1)
18. LOCKING SWIVEL CASTERS (2)
NON-LOCKING SWIVEL CASTERS (2)
19. HINGE DISENGAGEMENT TOOL KIT (1)
20. CERAMIC FEET (3)
19
20

Grill Set-Up
UNBOXING YOUR GRILL
1Cut the plastic bands and remove the top and side panels of
the shipping container.
2Lift off the top piece of the grill cart and remove the plastic
from the top of the grill.
3Open 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
1Once 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.
2Remove the plastic wrapping from the base of the grill cart.
3Lock the casters on the bottom portion of the grill cart.
Assemble the two pieces of the grill cart with the provided
stainless steel screws which are preassembled to the bottom
portion of the cart.
4With 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.
8

9
1
17
18
18
18
18
17

16
10
2
3
17
2
16
10
11
20
20
STAND ALONE VERSION
20

11
4
5
7
8
9
5
6

12
6
7
12 13
1
STAND ALONE VERSION
1
3 3
4

13
8
14
15
9

14
CAUTION
Safety Information
HINGE
Do not attempt to disassemble the hinge or loosen bands from your grill without
the hinge disengagement tool kit.
NOTE: Hinge disengagement tool kit (spacer, washer, and hex nut are
included). Store these parts in case the hinge needs to be removed later.
The hinge cannot be removed safely without these parts.
Use the bottom face and the front lower vent opening as lifting points (Do
not lift the grill by the hinge, bands brackets or handle as this could cause
the dome to become dislodged from the band).
Only minor adjustments to the weight of the dome should be made per the
instructions on page 16.
GASKET
Self-cleaning through natural heat cycle recommended.
Do not use chemical based cleaners on the gasket.
If absolutely necessary, gently wipe off any spills or moisture. Do not scrub or
abrade the gasket if cleaning. Excessive rubbing can cause wear.
Hinge and band is under high tension, failure to follow instruction steps in order
may result in severe injury.
Latch Adjustments
CLASSIC II LATCH
The latch on your Classic II is already preset for an ultra-tight seal.
Use these instructions if any adjustments should be needed.
To tighten and loosen the latch setting, use a small Allen wrench. Adjust the
set screw to lower the latch plate and add the spacer. Once the spacer is added,
reinstall the latch plate by tightening the set screw.

15
Your Kamado Joe grill is made of quality materials, so general
care and maintenance is minimal. The best way to protect your
Kamado Joe from the elements is with a grill cover.
Light cracked porcelain called crazing is part of the natural
characteristic.
Cleaning & Care
SELF-CLEANING
1Add charcoal and light it.
2Install the Divide & Conquer®flexible cooking rack in the top
position and both heat deflectors on the accessory rack.
3Open the top and bottom air vents fully and let the
temperature inside the grill rise to 600°F (315°C) with the
dome closed.
4Hold the temperature at around 600°F (315°C) for 15-20 minutes.
5Close the bottom vent fully and wait another 15-20 minutes to
close the top vent.
This process will burn off any unwanted residue from the inside
of your grill. Before cooking again, brush the cooking grate with
a standard grill brush. Use a soft bristle brush on the ceramics
to remove any residue. Your heat deflector plates should also
be free of burned on residue after this process. Brush them
down with a soft bristle brush after cleaning. When your heat
deflectors get dirty during normal use, flip them over with the
dirty side down for the next cook and the heat from the fire will
self-clean that side of the deflector plate.
Once or twice a year, you should do a more thorough cleaning
of the inside of the grill. Remove the internal components and
remove any residual ash or debris that has collected between
the grill body and the internal components. Use a plastic
bristle brush to clean the inside ceramic surface and scoop or
vacuum debris from the bottom of the grill before replacing the
internal components.

Classic Air Lift Hinge Adjustments
Caution: Air Lift Hinge under high tension.
CLASSIC
1Open the dome of your Kamado Joe Classic grill.
2With the dome open, place the 7mm wrench on the flats on
the screw (see Inset 1).
3Place the 9/16 inch wrench on the nut on top of the spring
retainer (see Inset 1).
4To make the dome easier to raise, hold the 7mm wrench
stationary and rotate the 9/16 inch wrench clockwise as shown.
Remove the wrenches and check the dome action for every full
rotation of the nut. If you want the dome to feel heavier, rotate
the nut counter-clockwise. Remove the wrenches and check the
dome action for every full rotation of the nut. Do not adjust the
nut so that it contacts the nut under the connector (see Inset 1).
The Air Lift Hinge on your Kamado Joe Classic is already
pre-adjusted for ideal balance and stability. Follow these
instructions for any additional adjustment to suit your
personal preferences.
16

TOOLS REQUIRED: 7MM (9/32 INCH) OPEN END WRENCH AND 9/16 INCH OPEN
END WRENCH (OR 14MM OPEN END WRENCH MAY WORK)
Inset 1
Nut under connector
Flats on screw
Adjustment nut on
spring retainer
17

18
Quick Start Guide
STARTING IT UP
1Add charcoal to firebox and light using one or two fire starters.
2Leave dome open for 10 minutes with the bottom vent fully open.
3Close the dome.
4Begin closing the top vent and bottom vent when the dome
temperature is within 50°F (10°C) of your target.
MAINTAINING TEMPERATURE
To lower the temperature, decrease the airflow through the
grill by closing the vents. Conversely, raise the temperature by
opening the vents. Adjustments to the vents are not immediate—
allow 10–15 minutes for a vent change to take effect. Because
your ceramic Kamado Joe retains heat so well, it can take some
time to fully heat. Give your grill 20–40 minutes to an hour to
stabilize the temp before you start cooking.
COOLING IT DOWN
1When finished cooking, close the bottom vent completely.
2Once the temperature falls below 400°F (205°C), close the top
vent almost completely, but leave a small crack.
3Do not cover the grill until the dome is cool to the touch.
TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE, CLOSE THE VENTS.
TO RAISE THE TEMPERATURE, OPEN THE VENTS.

QUICK TEMPERATURE GUIDE
Approximate temperatures for cooking techniques.
CAUTION
BURP
When cooking above 350°F (175°C), carefully open the grill (or burp the
grill) each time you lift the grill dome to prevent flashback.
LIQUIDS
Do not spill liquids inside or on the grill while it is hot.
SIDE SHELVES
Do not set hot items on the side shelves.
SPARKS
Be aware of sparks and embers when using the grill on a wooden deck.
DURING OPERATION
Do not leave your grill unattended with the grill dome open.
GRILLING 400600˚F 205315°C
SEARING 500750˚F 260400°C
BAKING 300750˚F 150400°C
ROASTING 300450˚F 150230°C
SMOKING 225275˚F 105135°C
19

KAMADOJOE.COM
KAMADOJOE.COM/CONTACT
KAMADOJOE.COM/WARRANTY
KAMADOJOE.COM/COLLECTIONS/PARTS
KAMADO JOE • 5032 MILGEN CT. • COLUMBUS, GA 31907