James Garbett

Has anyone calibrated the temp gauge? I've noticed that my dial can rotate independently of the needle so I'm not sure if it's correctly aligned to show the true temp

Has anyone bothered replacing the grill with something cast iron rather than the stainless steel supplied?

23 minutes ago, Kentish Man said:

When lighting it for a hot burn, did you light in more than one place?

 

What did the charcoal look like post use, had it burned evenly?

will take a look tomorrow

used 3 firelighters in different places

2 minutes ago, Smokin Monkey said:

Tom from @Bbq life uk has cooked pizza on his, sure he had top Daisy wheel off to get a high temperature?

You see I had the daisywheel off to start with but then as the temp rose  I was worried I would lose too much heat through the top so I put it back and just left the holes open

2 minutes ago, Adi dassler said:

Did you have the deflecter plate in there?

No

Still need more practice at getting the temp right I think

Loaded it up with plenty lumpwood tonight and got it to 260C but then it just stayed there - that was with bottom vent fully open and the daisywheel in place but with all the holes fully open

Couldn't seem to get it to go any hotter

Anyway managed to grill some lamb chops which were lovely - all vents now closed so assume I will have some lump left I can reuse

Just a question - when people talk about the lower vent being fully open - do they mean wide open without the perforated section visible - or with the perforated section visible but with all holes revealed?

That's a shame

I ordered mine on the Sunday and it arrived 3 days later last Wednesday

Thanks both - only just got the thing so agree no point buying a bigger deflector yet - I just assumed it should be closer in diameter to the kamado than it is

1 minute ago, TrulySNAFU said:

At the German forum (grillsportverein) AK users recommend to use a charcoal basket.

This one should fit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Besthouse-Charcoal-Stainless-Accessories-Louisiana/dp/B07CVW9YW6/ I ordered one but my AK hasn't yet been delivered so can't confirm if it fits

Thanks so the basket sits in the firebox and you fill the basket up to the top with charcoal? Is this just to get the right amount of charcoal or some other advantage?

18 minutes ago, AdamG said:

yes you can cook indirect with kamado's, this is were they excel really. Most come with a ceramic deflector plate (or 2 halves for direct and indirect cooking). Weather outside does not really affect the inside temp (at least in the uk) and they are great for winter cooks aswell.

If you are interested then make sure the ceramic plate(s) are included, or at least another brand fits them. In my opinion they are the single most important part👍

my view is that the deflector supplied with the Aldi unit is slightly too small so I might get a bigger one

1 hour ago, AmateurPitBoss said:

I just fill the fire box every time, then shut the vents off after cooking. Usually get 3 cooks per load of fuel with only a small handful of new fuel required each time. Amazed at how little fuel I've got through in a year considering I use it loads

Thanks - when you say fill the firebox - how full is full? Right up to the top or a single layer across the bottom or something else?

I had the same problem with mine that I built on Thursday. Couldn't fit the handle with the washers so ditched the washers.

The felt pads were easy once I tried peeling them from the felt side - it's counter intuitive but seems to work

Done two test burns so far  - seem to be struggling to get beyond 250 C - maybe I've been too tentative with the amount of fuel? Anyway second burn got up to 250 and then lasted for a few hours before dropping below 200 for the last couple

Might try cooking something today!

The secret with the felt pads is too peel from the felt side - hard to describe but you will get the knack! 🙂