Char-griller Kamado Kooker 16619

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

fins6969

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 14, 2012
3
10
Has anybody tried this unit out yet for low temp smoking? I just purchased one and have one done grilling on it. Seems like its not holding a low temp 225-220, it wants to go up to 325-350 no matter how I adjust the vents. But I need a more accurate reading, I my only going by the outside temp Gage.
 
I would bet you are adding too many lit coals to it.  I would start by only using a couple of lit coals and see how it goes.  That design should be super efficient with coals look up the minion  method and you should be fine.
 
Their website doesn't have much because its a fairly new unit. I'll try less coals and see if that does the trick. I guess I could add a water bowl and see if that helps also. Thanks for the help!
 
I use this kamado all the time and I I cook at low temps. What I do is use a charcoal chimminey and only let a few coals light then dump it out in the cooker. Then close the lid and open all the dampers. I let the temp go 25degrees above what I want because the meat will drop the temp. When the temp reaches what you want then I almost close the bottom damper and leave the top on about 1 to 1 1/2 and it holds themp temp for me every time.
 
yes i did but they didnt have the smoker plate yet  they said they will start shipping them the beginning of next week.i have been using a pizza stone from bed and bath that came with a rack and i set the rack upside down on the to pieces that stick out under the cooking grill.if you buy one buy the newest one that has the black top damper not the one with the stainless damper because that one is air tight. if you bought it already just call char-griller and tell the it leaks and you want the cast aluminum one with the o-ring it under warranty so they should send it to you no charge. just cooked a stuffed pork roast rapped in bacon.. i use 100% lump coal it works the best.

enjoy
63e5156b_stuffedpork.jpg
 
I use this kamado all the time and I I cook at low temps. What I do is use a charcoal chimminey and only let a few coals light then dump it out in the cooker. Then close the lid and open all the dampers. I let the temp go 25degrees above what I want because the meat will drop the temp. When the temp reaches what you want then I almost close the bottom damper and leave the top on about 1 to 1 1/2 and it holds themp temp for me every time.
Hey, newbie here and I had a question. I ran into the same issue. I will try the minion method this weekend but my question is should I use the lump charcoal or some briquettes like Stubbs'?

I hear that the lump charcoal seems to burn hotter where-as the briquettes do not. 
 
I like the lump coal it burn nice with less ash and it's Easyer to cuntrol.i used to use brickets but since I started using lump I will never use the brickets again. That's just my opinion
 
The Akorn smoking plate from char- griller arrived today also used the partyq from the bbq guru and put it right into use and made an oven stuffer came out excellent. Sorry only have an after picture.




 
Last edited:
How to convert the Kamado Kooker to a water smoker. I got tired of waiting around for Char-Grillers to come up with one so I made my own.  You can buy a 17" charcoal grate from Home Depot, and set on the secondary shelf but the water pan is too tall for the cast iron Grill to set perfectly where it needs to be. And the meat would be directly over the water pan awith no room for air to circulate around it. 

Basically cost me ~$20. I bought a 13" x 4" water pan from an off- brand company on Amazon (the same one as in the Brinkman dome smoker), Drilled 4 holes, headed to Home Depot for some chain and some threaded eye bolts.  The pictures tell the rest. I ended up only needing 5 chain-links as you can see in the first pic, I didn't know what I was thinking. 
wife.gif


1. The hardware: Trimed each down to 4 links and only used 4. 

88bae658_photo4.jpg


2. Fits perfect. About 3" over the briquettes/lump charcoal

1549b2cc_photo3.jpg


3. Although not needed the ceramic stone can be used and leaves about 1.5" for the water vapor to escape and permeate.

There is also room in case additional fuel/hardwood chunks need to be added. 

Commercial bakers use water vapor in ovens to make 'Crusty Breads' like baguettes and french bread. Can't wait to try

this. I would set my pizza stone on top of the grill.  

9371b6a6_photo5.jpg


5. Sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures
drool.gif


b38255a5_photo6.jpg


6. First water smoke was a 9 LB rubbed turkey breast (3.5-4 Hours) and some planked Sockeye (40 minutes)

Came out wonderful. 

The wires are from my Thermo Works 

390f3bb2_photo7.jpg


Hope this helps. CHAR GRILLER ARE YOU LISTENING?
 
I have the same unit. I light only 1/2 of a chimney at most and put the lit lump coals in the middle of the coals wood chunks mix where I made a hole. I put the smoking stone grates and drip pan on immediately and closer up. I close the bottom vent entirely and put the top vent on 1-1/12. She will come up to 225° fast and stay there. If you start out with too much coals it will blast right by the target of 225°. You may need to open the bottom vent a little and top vent more to regulate the temp. Once I get mine at an even temp, it usually stays at least an hour or more before another vent tweek is needed. Once I get it back up to temp if it goes lower then 225°, I completely close the bottom vent again.

Works great....RTBBQ
 
I had picked up the partyq form BBQ guru and I set it for the temp
I want and open the top damper just alitte and once it stabilizes that's it I cooked a porkbut for 18 hours @ 250 works like a charm
 
Super. I took me awhile to get the temp controlled but now it works like a dream...glad you getting it figured out. It about 1/3 the cost of the BGE and works every bit as good. My neighbor has an BGE and we smoke on it at the cabin....
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky