| DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW KAMADO’S
COMPONENTS AND FUNCTION:
In General: The unique exterior shape of the
Kamado® is a perfect example of the engineering dictum that "form follows
function". That is, the design and shape must follow the functional requirement of
proper heat circulation (convection) and heat radiated from the walls. Stability requires
the Kamado’s base diameter. Cooking area requires a large diameter and flue
temperatures require a smaller diameter. All efficient combustion chambers are round.
Consider car engine cylinders, aircraft engines, and kilns. High temperature ceramics,
without question, is the only proper material for heat retention, insulation and heat
radiation. The best example is a kiln or high temperature furnaces. Temperature control is
minutely and accurately controlled by manipulating the damper top and draft door. The
result is the airflow to the combustion chamber (charcoal firebox) allows only sufficient
combustion air to maintain the desired temperature cooking range. This heat range can be
set to within a few degrees and maintained for many hours due to the extraordinary heat
retention qualities of ceramics. The general rule in temperature control is that it is not
how much fuel (charcoal, wood or other) to put in the firebox, it is how much air you
allow to the fuel. The more air, the more temperature.
The following is a description of the
components and their function:
Damper Top:  The damper is the top or "hat" that
screws (spins) up and down the chimney or,, neck of the lid. This allows the top to raise
approximately 4 inches above the top of the lid for maximum air flow. The function of the
damper is to control the amount of exhausting airflow, thereby precisely controlling the
temperature inside the Kamado. The Damper Top is used in conjunction with the Draft Door
to close off all air and thus extinguish the charcoal. These drafts allow the three basic
temperature cooking ranges: (1). To smoke, you would just "crack" the opening
and close the draft door to obtain a smoking temperature of approximately 150 degrees. (2)
To bake, adjust the openings approximately one inch to give 300 degree ranges and (3) To
broil, the drafts would be set to two inches for ranges of 450 and more.
Draft Door:  A new designed "non jam" heavy steel (or glazed ceramic) draft door
slides in and out on ash protected "runners". The draft door opening is in the
lower part of the base and below the Firebox holding the fuel. The Draft Door works in
conjunction with the Damper Top to accurately control the temperature within a few
degrees. The thick ceramic walls stabilize the temperature inside which enables the unique
feature of constant baking, broiling or smoking heat settings with little or no changing
of draft settings.
Lid:
 The 1 ½ inch
thick Lid is hinged and connected to the Base by heavy metal bands. The heavy Lid s
assisted in raising and lowering by compression springs in the prop tubes and thereby
allows fingertip operation. The lid is round and "domed". In heat and
combustibles, remember your physics, "round is better than square." The lid has
a heavy frame in the chimney that holds a 3/4 inch threaded rod for the adjustable damper
top.
Base:
 The Base has thick
ceramic walls and has ledges holding the metal grill and firebox (charcoal holder). There
is a 3 inch by 4 inch opening below the firebox where air is drawn into the charcoal (or
other fuel). This airflow is controlled by the draft door which has "runners" to
allow for sliding in or out for temperature control, including shutting off all air to
save the coals for reuse. This opening also allows removal of the ashes that accumulate
(after many months of use) inside the base, below the firebox. The ash deposit area is
very large and well below the draft door opening. You will never have ashes blowing around
your patio again!
Grill: Heavy steel bar grill rests on
a ledge in the base. The distance of the grill from the firebox is engineered to allow
uniform heat circulation and radiation from the ceramic walls. The result is there is no
need whatever for a rotisserie. This is true for baking a small chicken or a 35 pound
turkey. There is never a need to raise or lower the grill. A portion of the grill is
hinged to allow for the addition of fuel, if ever necessary, or your favorite wood chips.
Firebox:  The firebox holds
the fuel used to heat the ceramic walls. It rests on a ledge in the base at the engineered
and proper location below the grill. This allows uniform temperatures above as well as
below large roasts or turkeys. There is as much heat generated by retained and radiated
heat from the lid’s thick ceramic walls as there is below from heat from the firebox.
Only by cooking in a ceramic Kamado® is this magic possible. There are holes in the
firebox that allow air to be drawn through the draft door to the coals. The ceramic
firebox maintains tremendous temperatures and as a result the Kamado is an effortless and
true self cleaning oven. Also this high temperature results in clean burning with few
ashes. The ashes fall through the holes and are safely and cleanly held inside the base
for removal every 3 or 4 months.. The firebox will not rust or "burn out".
Unlike metal, you can expect lifetime(s) of use without concern type of fuel, woods or
charcoal. Durability of our refractory ceramics is unequaled.
Spring Prop:
 The
compression springs in the prop assist in raising and lowering the lid. They are adjusted
at the factory to provide fingertip effort in raising what would otherwise take
considerable effort to lift. The lid can be held firmly open by a screw clamp on the side
of the prop tube.
Hinge & Bands: Are made of heavy metal. They are
heavily coated with rust-resistant material. They can be chrome or brass plated at an
additional cost.
Feet: The feet are three or four individual ceramic
"blocks" that are placed under the base to raise the Kamado approximately two
inches to allow ambient air circulate below and prevent any possibility of scoring or
burning a combustible material below, such as varnish on a wood deck.
Cart: We have
designed our new cart to retain the aesthetics of
 the
Kamado. The cart is engineered for stability and to
withstand over three times the Kamado’s weight (unlike our earlier Japanese
"wagon".) Although the Kamado is normally left in the location where it is most
attractive and convenient for frequent use, this cart does allow safe and easy moving.
The number 1 and 3 have stainless steel carts and the number 5, 7
and 9 have mosaic tile over heavy ceramic base.
Tile: The high gloss glazed tile is of
the highest quality. There are
 over
3000 beautiful mosaic tiles on our #7 Kamados or 49 of our own hand made
custom tiles permanently affixed. They are unaffected by heat, sun or weather conditions.
The tiles’ main purpose is durability and aesthetics. Your extra effort in selecting
the perfect tile color and grout to match your patio will reward you every time you look
at your Kamado. Especially when gracefully accepting complements.
Gas Kamado: Now you can cook with Gas
without gas taste! Our new Gas Kamado® has achieved the convenience of gas and still
retains the magic of cooking in ceramics. The ceramic gas burner heats the ceramic walls
of the Kamado and again, it is the retained heat in the ceramic walls that does the
cooking. The Gas Kamado has a similar "firebox" found in our Kamados and this
allows the addition of charcoal or wood for your favorite flavor. Or you still have the
option of cooking only with charcoal. Even though the Kamado is the easiest barbecue to
start charcoal, its not as easy as pushing the Gas Kamado’s igniter button. Consider
using gas solely as a method to start the charcoal, it is certainly convenient.
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