M
MayDay
Guest
A huge Thank You to all the experts on here, you've all inspired me big time!!!
OK, here's the scoop.... Got myself a BGE/Kamado from CraigsList up here in Vancouver, Canada. It's at least 30 years old, according to the original owner. This is my first ceramic cooker. Any Kamado / BGE enthusiasts in the Vancouver area?
For starters, can someone confirm if this is a Kamado or a BGE? The info on the early ceramic cookers is confusing. Exactly what model is it? Dimensions are 18.75" round x 27" high (without the lid). Weighs about 86 lbs without the metal dolly. There are no Japanese characters or other ID marks. However, the metal BBQ Smoker Top is stamped Taiwan at the bottom of the wheel.
After reading and re-reading Swamprb's very informative "**Imperial Kamado** CL Score/Restoration Project thread several times, I finally took the plunge to restore my little green monster.
De-sooted and cleaned the inside, took everything apart and scrubbed a ton of rust off. Whew, what a dirty filthy job! Skinned a few knuckles too and breathed in a lot of rust and soot. I really wish I had access to a bead-cleaner for the rusted metal parts. (See Swamprb's bead blasted and rust-free parts.)
Got a big 5 oz pack of JB Industro Cold Weld from Lordco and JB'd most of the cracks. Then painted the outside with 4 coats of hi-temp Copper (wish I'd used Gold instead or Red). The color on the cover of the spray paint can is misleading (end result is totally different). I had visions of a big shiny copper egg, but the color is more like a used penny (dark brown). :shock: :!:
I was going to reassemble everything last weekend, but noticed a few hairline cracks that were not JB'd. As the outside has already been painted, perhaps I'll apply JB on the inside only for these new cracks.
So, I've got a few questions I'd like to ask the experts before going further:
If interested, here are links to a SLIDESHOW and PHOTO ALBUM for the repairs done to date. Have also attached a few photos below.
Will be applying the gasket and doing a bakeout this weekend. Any and all suggestions would be welcome, especially on how NOT to crack Humpty any further now that he has been put back together. Educate me please. Thanks very much everyone.
* * *
Ok, here are some more pictures....
Top is cracked through. Held together with wire.
Base is broken along upper edge and cracked down to the bottom.
Cracked firebox.
Top came apart in several pieces.
After JB'ing the top, put the band hinge back on to hold everything together.
JB'd everything inside and out. Good thing I bought the 5 oz size.
Humpty is now sporting 4 coats of Hi-Temp Copper paint. The metal bands, smoker lid, damper, grate tool and dolly will all get Hi-Temp Black.
To be continued.... Click to view SLIDESHOW and/or PHOTO ALBUM.
May
Vancouver, BC, Canada
------------
Kamado / Big Green Egg (2008 Jan)
Cobb Barbeque (2006 Jul)
OK, here's the scoop.... Got myself a BGE/Kamado from CraigsList up here in Vancouver, Canada. It's at least 30 years old, according to the original owner. This is my first ceramic cooker. Any Kamado / BGE enthusiasts in the Vancouver area?
For starters, can someone confirm if this is a Kamado or a BGE? The info on the early ceramic cookers is confusing. Exactly what model is it? Dimensions are 18.75" round x 27" high (without the lid). Weighs about 86 lbs without the metal dolly. There are no Japanese characters or other ID marks. However, the metal BBQ Smoker Top is stamped Taiwan at the bottom of the wheel.
After reading and re-reading Swamprb's very informative "**Imperial Kamado** CL Score/Restoration Project thread several times, I finally took the plunge to restore my little green monster.
De-sooted and cleaned the inside, took everything apart and scrubbed a ton of rust off. Whew, what a dirty filthy job! Skinned a few knuckles too and breathed in a lot of rust and soot. I really wish I had access to a bead-cleaner for the rusted metal parts. (See Swamprb's bead blasted and rust-free parts.)
Got a big 5 oz pack of JB Industro Cold Weld from Lordco and JB'd most of the cracks. Then painted the outside with 4 coats of hi-temp Copper (wish I'd used Gold instead or Red). The color on the cover of the spray paint can is misleading (end result is totally different). I had visions of a big shiny copper egg, but the color is more like a used penny (dark brown). :shock: :!:
I was going to reassemble everything last weekend, but noticed a few hairline cracks that were not JB'd. As the outside has already been painted, perhaps I'll apply JB on the inside only for these new cracks.
So, I've got a few questions I'd like to ask the experts before going further:
- In hindsight, I guess I should have JB'd the cracks 2x before painting. Since the outside is already painted, will a second layer of JB over the inside surface of the first welds be useful or not? I've been told that a second coat of JB will not help structurally, as the epoxy is only being applied to the surface (not the crack interface itself).
- Should I also apply Furnace Cement over the cured JB welds? Will it give added strength or will it just flake off onto the food?
- Finally found a 5/8" Stove Gasket Kit, Imperial Products # GA0186 (Canadian Tire, $14). However, it is fiberglass ROPE, not flat braid. As per the Naked Whiz's Rutland Gasket Replacement instructions, I plan to apply it to the rim of the base. Would using 5/8" fiberglass ROPE (thick and round) create problems with sealing, heat loss, etc.?
- Is it necessary to seal the upper edge of the firebox to the inside wall with furnace cement? That stuff cracked long ago and I chipped the rest away to repair the firebox. My preference is not to mortar anything permanently to the base.
- Up here in Canada, the selection of BBQ parts is poor and pricey. :shock:
• Any suggestions on where to locate a cheap dome temperature gauge? e.g. Bayou Classic Cooking SS Thermometer, $6.50, Ace Hardware, USA). The local pricing is $30-$40 for a Weber or Primo gauge!!!
• Looking also for a 12" charcoal grill, 16.5" cooking grill, 7" charcoal grate and coal basket.
• Right now, am keeping my eyes open for freebie BBQs on CL that I can salvage for the temperature gauge and other parts....
If interested, here are links to a SLIDESHOW and PHOTO ALBUM for the repairs done to date. Have also attached a few photos below.
Will be applying the gasket and doing a bakeout this weekend. Any and all suggestions would be welcome, especially on how NOT to crack Humpty any further now that he has been put back together. Educate me please. Thanks very much everyone.
* * *
Ok, here are some more pictures....
Top is cracked through. Held together with wire.
Base is broken along upper edge and cracked down to the bottom.
Cracked firebox.
Top came apart in several pieces.
After JB'ing the top, put the band hinge back on to hold everything together.
JB'd everything inside and out. Good thing I bought the 5 oz size.
Humpty is now sporting 4 coats of Hi-Temp Copper paint. The metal bands, smoker lid, damper, grate tool and dolly will all get Hi-Temp Black.
To be continued.... Click to view SLIDESHOW and/or PHOTO ALBUM.
May
Vancouver, BC, Canada
------------
Kamado / Big Green Egg (2008 Jan)
Cobb Barbeque (2006 Jul)
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