Yo, Boise....did you get your KJ from Sherman? Small world. Hey, I have been cookingo n my KJ for months now and am noting some of the same startup recommendations these guys are giving you....I have been testing my competition ribs for a couple weeks now, benchmarking the tests up against my Traeger. I noted that letting the KJ settle in with a good balance of coals is best. I also want heavier smoke when I start so when I put on the chunk wood, I place four good sized hunks of wood into the coals and then get the meat right on there.
Don't get the cooker "really hot" at all, ceramic cookers are meant to retain heat, it will take you eons to cool it down to smoke temp. I run mine up to 275 or so before I add the diffuser and set the draft door and daisy wheel to let it get back down to 220 or so.
Nothing overpowering, I think it is a matter of just evening out your coal burn before hardwood is added. At least that's my take on it. Doing it again this weekend. Good luck.