Just got My Kamado (Acorn)...let the game begin!

[Gnaws on Pigs]

You'll love it! I got one a while back, and the rest of my grills have been feeling neglected. It's the most versatile cooker I've ever used-does great from steaks and pizza to low-n-slow que. The long slow cooks are where it really shines for me, and it uses very little fuel. I cooked a butt for about ten hours on mine last weekend with only a couple pounds of lump, and a good bit of it is still left unburned. Once I got it dialed in, I only had to make minor adjustments to the vents maybe twice to keep it rolling at 250* all day.

[osx-addict]

I've got three of these ceramic dudes.. Love all of them..

[Crazy Harry]

Originally Posted by Jamey

Thanks guys!,


I think I am going to use a pizza pan for a diffuser until I can fine a cheap deal on a pizza stone. Any ideas for that would be great.

Found this at Home depot for about $12

[Gnaws on Pigs]

That'll work. A cheap $4 Wal-mart pizza pan works great as a diffuser, too.

[bb0bbby]

The expanded metal mod is a must-have IMO...
next mod for me is both gaskets & trying to seal that ash pan

[Foxfire]

Originally Posted by bb0bbby

The expanded metal mod is a must-have IMO...
next mod for me is both gaskets & trying to seal that ash pan

I'm new to the kamodo thing -- what's the goal in adding the expanded metal to the charcoal grate?

[bb0bbby]

Originally Posted by Foxfire

I'm new to the kamodo thing -- what's the goal in adding the expanded metal to the charcoal grate?

not sure, just did it cuz 'they' said to!

just kidding, it keeps all of the smaller pieces of lump from falling into the ash pan. That ash pan gets purty durn hot as is!

:)

[Foxfire]

Originally Posted by bb0bbby

not sure, just did it cuz 'they' said to!

just kidding, it keeps all of the smaller pieces of lump from falling into the ash pan. That ash pan gets purty durn hot as is!

:)

Ah, makes perfect sense. Thanks!

I'm in the middle of building my UDS but find myself stopping at Lowe's more and more frequently just to peek at the Akorn. Tell me there's a cure for OCC (Obsessive Cooker Collection)...

[bb0bbby]

It only gets worse (better)!!

[thegizzard]

You are going to love the Akorn. I've never been into grilling for real until I got this thing. I noticed a big difference after the main gasket mod. Holds temps like a trooper now.

[thegizzard]

I really like the Smoking Stone that Akorn sells. You can only by it over the phone from them but it seems to work very well to distribute heat evenly.

[thegizzard]

I hope JMSetzler is getting a commission. I purchased mine based on his videos and I don't know how many others did the same.

[bb0bbby]

Yeah I got the 13" stone from Lowes and wish it were bigger... If any edges stick over the diffuser they usually end up toasty.

I Need to visit the gasket mod section to see if any recommendations have changed over the last few months before pulling the trigger. :)

[Gnaws on Pigs]

I don't really see why everybody assumes that you need to replace the gaskets and such? Mine holds temp like an oven right out of the box.

[bb0bbby]

Originally Posted by Gnaws on Pigs

I don't really see why everybody assumes that you need to replace the gaskets and such? Mine holds temp like an oven right out of the box.

Mine held great for quite awhile too. Then I started cooking pizzas at high temps on it & soon after I realized the paint on the ash pan was changing colors due to the high heat. I then did the expanded metal mod to keep the small lump from sitting directly in the pan. Now my bottom gasket is 'crunchy' and sticking to the ash pan after any decent cook. I have a noticeable draft from the ash pan gasket & realize it is time to replace.

No assumptions here...