Update:
Well two days after I submitted my warranty claim they responded and said they will be shipping me the newly designed fire box. However they said it could be three weeks before I get it. That really pisses me off! I use my grill multiple times a week, especially on the diet I’ve been doing. Three weeks without the grill is unacceptable. You mean to tell me they don’t have a better/faster distribution network to be able to get me this part within a few days time?
I feel your pain, but a couple of things.
First off, that appears to be the old style one piece fire box. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Mine developed cracks in it along the holes a few months after I purchased my KJ Classic and I contacted them. They replaced it when it had cracked to the below indicated point and from these pics that I sent them. The cracks were very small, hairline cracks. But they sent me out a new one. This was prior to the release of the KJ Classic II.
They sent a new one out to me within a few days. Less than a week if I recall.
Ideally, the minute you noticed cracks in that firebox, that would have been the time to notify them.
They replaced this firebox. Before it broke, and so now I have two of the old style fireboxes.
Secondly, when the newest version of the KJ came out around 2 yrs ago with the multiple piece firebox and top ring which would allow for expansion and contraction of the firebox, I ordered one from a third party which I cannot name here, and replaced the newest one that they had replaced for me with it.
The multi piece sectional allows for expansion and contraction better than does the one piece version of the fire bowl.
I suspect that the heat cycles, especially if you were running it at high heat, shortened the life of your original fire box.
As for the newer version of the firebox, I have owned it for nearly two years, or since shortly after they became available through other BBQ vendors. I have developed no cracks whatsoever in the newer version since owning it. And I regularly run my KJ at temps in the 700° range and higher and without hesitation.
The newer firebox cost me less than $100.00, if I recall, it was $89.99 shipped.
I know that hind sight is 20/20, and what I'm describing here doesn't help you much.
But I would encourage anyone with the old style firebox, to inspect it now for cracks. Especially if it's old or you frequently run at very high temperatures, and notify KJ for a new one, if not go ahead and retire it before it breaks and purchase the newer version which has been on the Classic II versions of these Kamados.
The Weber is a good idea, as it's always a good idea to have more than one cooker if you have the space and budget for it.
