Imperial Kamado CL Score/Restoration Project

swamprb · Apr 22, 2008

**Firebox Repairs Part I **

First part of the firebox repairs. Fit all the pieces together and used JB-Weld in small batches on the cracked joints.

Put some weight around it to help hold the joints together while the epoxy cures.

After the JB-Weld cures, I'll build up the firebox with Furnace Cement to fill in the missing pieces. This will probably take the longest to repair. Any color suggestions?

swamprb · Apr 23, 2008

Pics of Japanese Kamado production.
http://www.imperialkamado.com/i_history_02.htm

cardiac_cadet002 · Apr 23, 2008

swamprb said:
Pics of Japanese Kamado production.
http://www.imperialkamado.com/i_history_02.htm

Great history of the Kamodo. Would it be possible to find a potter that could mold you a firebox/kiln dry it? Though it wouldnt be original it would be functional.

Divemaster · Apr 23, 2008

Very cool... Can't wait to the next installment!!!!

tony76248 · Apr 23, 2008

Where did you get the high heat furnace cement?

swamprb · Apr 24, 2008

tony76248 said:
Where did you get the high heat furnace cement?

Ace Hardware.

Hercules High-Heat Furnace Cement No. 35-515

Rutland makes some but I've not tried it.

Pipin' Pig · Apr 24, 2008

I wonder if you can use some of the high heat cement to build a "ECB" type version of a ceramic cooker?

swamprb · Apr 25, 2008

**Firebox Repair Step II**

OK- A couple days and two coats of JB-Weld epoxy on the firebox and its one solid piece again. Now I'm filling in the missing sections with Furnace Cement.

I used some fiberglass drywall tape for the cement to adhere to. When it dries and cures, I'll remove it and feather the cement to the contour of the firebox.

Removed all the paint from the lid and gave it a coat of Hi-Temp paint for a base.

Bead blasted the band hinge and daisy wheel vent, and then a coat of paint.

To be continued...

McClung · Apr 26, 2008

Hmmmm, you must not be a good KC employee otherwise you would have done all that at work!

smokeydog · Apr 26, 2008

Maybe you can add Kamado fixer to your resume. Your work looks great makes me feel bad that I didnt take mine apart and do a complete remodel. Keep on truckin, looks like you could give classes or open a story. SD

smokinbadger · Apr 26, 2008

Very impressive, Brian. I'm looking forward to the next pictures.

By the way, I just used some of the Rutland furnace cement (also from Ace Hardware) to fix my exploded BGE firebox last weekend. So far, it has held up through a low and slow session and a 600F steak cook.

swamprb · Apr 26, 2008

smokinbadger said:
Very impressive, Brian. I'm looking forward to the next pictures.

By the way, I just used some of the Rutland furnace cement (also from Ace Hardware) to fix my exploded BGE firebox last weekend. So far, it has held up through a low and slow session and a 600F steak cook.

Good to hear! My BGE firebox is cracked but not in pieces and I smeared some of the furnace cement on the cracks and it flaked off the inside, but is still adhering to the outside of it. Curing the cement is the key and I didn't do that.

Here is an example, I laid it on a little thick on the bottom of the pot and it got an air bubble in it, so try to spread it on in thin layers and heat it gradually.

swamprb · Apr 26, 2008

**Chinese Kamado/Big Green Egg Restoration**

I've got a Kamado restoration assembly line going at the moment. Here we have a Chinese/Taiwanese Kamado/Big Green Egg that I scored last month for free. The story behind it is, the guy I got it from bought it at a garage sale for $40 and it was new and in the crate, he put it together, cooked on it a couple times and the band hinge loosened and the lid fell off and broke into pieces. He pieced it together and never used it again. Just the project I was looking for!

Let the fun begin!

vr6Cop · Apr 26, 2008

Awesome! You're inspiring me to get on with the resto of my old kamado, which isn't nearly as complicated as yours! Thanks Brian!

swamprb · Apr 26, 2008

vr6Cop said:
Awesome! You're inspiring me to get on with the resto of my old kamado, which isn't nearly as complicated as yours! Thanks Brian!

I always wondered that in your signature line Adrian!

I'm hoping the Mods will add this to the Roadmap, I also have the Sakura Kamado that just needs a paint job. I'll keep this thread going until they are done and I cook on them!

swamprb · Apr 26, 2008

I'm working on my neighbor Doug to clean up his Imperial Kamado!

He bought it from Uwajimayas in Seattle in the late 70's! It's a Large and he's added a Big Green Egg nest, thermometer, and Dual Function Metal Top.

They are grillers and are thinking of adding the side tables.

swamprb · Apr 27, 2008

**Chinese Kamado Restoration**

Here we go on the China Pot! The lid was in pieces so its going to get a couple layers of Epoxy then Furnace cement.

All the parts are in great shape!

Band hinge, slide draft door and metal top are off to the bead blaster.

Trolley will get new wheels from Harbor Freight.

I'm thinking this one will get a Black and Green paint job.

McClung · Apr 27, 2008

Does the JB hold up to the heat Brian?

FatDaddy · Apr 27, 2008

AFter lookin at all the restores. i think my may go ahead and bring back the cracked egg from my FILs house, that ive looked at time and time again over the past 5 years. it has a table and everything, just the bottom portion below the band is cracked all the way around. can that be fixed with the cement u think?

swamprb · Apr 27, 2008

McClung said:
Does the JB hold up to the heat Brian?

It claims a 600* heat rating and it will get a couple layers of High-Temp Furnace cement. I was heat curing the firebox in the oven today gradually up to 500* and it was solid- my wife wasn't pleased!

FatDaddy said:
AFter lookin at all the restores. i think my may go ahead and bring back the cracked egg from my FILs house, that ive looked at time and time again over the past 5 years. it has a table and everything, just the bottom portion below the band is cracked all the way around. can that be fixed with the cement u think?

Jason - bring that bad boy home and get moving on it! Post some pics and we'll assess the damage, it's better than letting it sit.
I've got some downloaded pics of another guys rebuild that was worse off than any of mine and more work than I would have attempted, but he pulled it off. I'll post the pics when I get his permission.

**Imperial Kamado** CL Score/Restoration Project

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Imperial Kamado CL Score/Restoration Project