Kamado Restoration Project

Midnight Smoke · Nov 5, 2010

Found this at a yard sale. Not sure if it is an Imperial Kamado or what. Cannot find any markings on it. The Firebox and grate are in pieces and I have started the restoration. It has Rotisserie rod slots that look original as they have metal sleeves embedded into the material.

There was a glass window that is broken out, I will replace it with something metal and put the Temp Gauge through it.

Not sure what the original color was, under the intake slider there is actual some blue. It only has one hinge, a cast iron griddle that I assume is for Indirect. The Fire Ring has grooves in it that have bailing wire wrapped around, it does not appear to be cracked.

There is a crack in the base on the bottom, I could not see it when I 1st looked at from all the ash. It looks like someone used mortar around the top of the Firebox, it just crumbled.

Then there was the RAT

I just wanted to post some Pic's and have a few questions of someone that is an expert in restoration.

I am using JB weld for the cracks, Okay?

Any ideas how old it is?

Any advice?

$10.00

BRBBQ · Nov 5, 2010

$10 seems like a good buy, they threw the rat in for free:smash:

milehigh · Nov 5, 2010

SUPERSCORE!!!!
I really like the rotis feature!
Swamp should know what model you have there.
Never seen one with a window either

Paul

sitnfat · Nov 5, 2010

Native American Bubba Keg maybe ?????

smokindorf · Nov 5, 2010

Great score for a sawbuck!

bluetang · Nov 5, 2010

I'm a bit green with envy here!. Nice score and cool project. I do not have any of those types of smokers but I do have a heat treating furnace that runs 2000* tops and 1875* dang regular. I use an Axner patch for any cracking. EZ to work with.
http://www.axner.com/search.aspx?find=axner+patch

5-0 BBQ · Nov 5, 2010

Good Score.

landarc · Nov 5, 2010

Nice score, but, that rat looks a little past it's pull date, I suggest you pass on it.

Crazy Harry · Nov 5, 2010

looks good $10 score

Bacon_99 · Nov 5, 2010

Wow - $10 - best score I've seen. Wish I could find this stuff up here - best score I could get would be a gasser..lol After seeing some sweet threads of people rebuilding and refinishing these you'll be all set - it'll look like new and you'll be cooking on a cooker worth much more than $10 in the end...

swamprb · Nov 5, 2010

Keep it out of the rain!

The ones I usually find come with spiders, the RAT is a score!

Midnight Smoke · Nov 6, 2010

swamprb said:
Keep it out of the rain!

The ones I usually find come with spiders, the RAT is a score!

Thanks Brian,

I know you are the resident expert so I appreciate your help.

Out of the rain? Does the material absorb moisture? Good thing I live in the Desert.

Is it an Imperial Kamado and how old do you think it may be?

What about painting the exterior, good idea? If so I was planning on cleaning it well and using a good primer, is Hi-Temp paint necessary?

It does not appear to have a gasket, I have an extra one for my Egg that I plan on installing, it is the felt type. I think it will be fine as I have read not to do Hi Temp cooking with it.

Thanks for any advice!

Gowan · Nov 6, 2010

That's an odd one. By profile it looks like an IK but I've never seen a viewing window on any ceramic before. It will be interesting to see if anyone can positively ID this old clay pot.

Midnight Smoke · Nov 6, 2010

CivilWarBBQ said:
That's an odd one. By profile it looks like an IK but I've never seen a viewing window on any ceramic before. It will be interesting to see if anyone can positively ID this old clay pot.

Me too. I am thinking it may be an older design that was rethought after someone realized that you could not view anything after the first smoke or two. :doh:

swamprb · Nov 6, 2010

Terry-

Go to the Naked Whiz site and download the Pachinko Palace Kamado Manual/Cookbook.

I have seen some with viewing windows and rectangular thermometers in the dome. I think Woodmonkey has one like yours with a rotisserie. He is in Florida, and I've met people at Eggfests here tell me of ones their dads brought back from Japan that had rotisseries too.

PM me and I can give you some tips.

1_T_Scot · Nov 6, 2010

Great score the rat looks like it was Crock potted not smoked in this case I'd pass on the Rat.

jeffjenkins1 · Nov 6, 2010

Looks awesome! Good score.

Jeff

Midnight Smoke · Nov 7, 2010

Restoration Progress

Thought I would post some Pron of the project.

Putting the Firebox back together, not going to be pretty.

Bottom of base had hairline crack, used a Dremel tool to notch out the crack. Leaving the original weep hole open.

1st filled the crack with JB Weld yesterday then today coated most of the bottom. Hope this was right.

Cart is a mess, It looks like 2 of the wheels were buried in dirt for a long time. 1/2 done prepping.

swamprb · Nov 7, 2010

I have a feeling the "weep hole" was someones attempt to keep the crack on the bottom from spreading, but to no avail. That is common for them to crack at the vent. Main reason to use no more than 30 briquettes at a time.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but any paint that I have tried to cover JB Weld has not adhered and flakes off rather quickly. I even tried roughing it up and it won't take.

I have repainted this twice after the initial base coat of BBQ Black paint and it still flakes off in the areas repaired with epoxy.

Toss the charcoal grate and get either a Lodge cast iron trivet or a BGE iron grate.

Good luck! You are off to a great start, keep us posted on the progress!

Midnight Smoke · Nov 9, 2010

Coming along, good thing I have a Makita and a drill with a wire wheel.

Curing the Firebox cement, went from 170º to 500º over a 2 hour period. Do not do this and let the wife see.

Rough but seems sound.

Cart is primed, got the old Castor's out and went with 3" replacements with brakes.

Have a lot of items in progress right now, biggest holdup is waiting for the paint to dry.

Kamado Restoration Project

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