Kamado Joe CLASSIC III KJ15040921 User manual

A GUIDE TO
KAMADO COOKING
KAMADO JOE CLASSIC III OWNER’S MANUAL
Additional manual language
translations available at kamadojoe.com.

Table of Contents
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
Classic Air Lift Hinge Adjustments
Safety Information
Cleaning & Care
Warranty & Registration
Quick Start Guide
4
8
9
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
35
36
37
39

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

4
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

5
WARNINGS
• 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.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
WARNINGS AND
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

6
• 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
WARNINGS

7
• 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.
• 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.
WARNINGS AND
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNINGS

8ASSEMBLY
1. CLASSIC III CART (1) KJMC3
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) KJMCC23
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
8
9
10
11
16
15
13
14
12
Tools required for assembly: Phillips screwdriver
1
2
3
4
5
6 7

9
ASSEMBLY
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 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).
2Remove the plastic wrapping from the base of the grill cart.
3Lock the casters on the bottom portion of the grill 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.

10 ASSEMBLY
3Begin 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.
2Place the base
of the FireBox over
the Slide-Out Ash
Drawer aligning
the opening of the
base with the ash
drawer handle.
1Open the dome
and place the Slide-
Out Ash Drawer
in the bottom of
the grill so handle
aligns with lower
vent opening.
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