Vision Kamado Owners Thread - Available @ Costco

[akr71]

Moncton was cleared out the last time I was there as well.

I was there last Thurs (July 11) and they had some again.

[sleepyjamie]

I've cooked a few times on my kamado. I always have a hard time getting the coals to heat up quickly. In videos I've seen some people can get the heat up to 350f in just a few minutes.

Any ideas?

[LeafMan66_67]

Mine is usually a 20 minute time to ramp up to 350. I usually allow 30 minutes to heat up, but I usually only hit it in one or two places with the torch.

[Jimmy]

I find it's usually about 10 minutes from hitting it with the torch, but I mix the coals after about 5 minutes and it seems to help.

[sleepyjamie]

I assume you guys just use simple fire starter bricks?

[LeafMan66_67]

I assume you guys just use simple fire starter bricks?

No starters at all - just propane torch lighting the lump for approximately 60 seconds.

[mr x]

I use a mapp torch. Makes a big difference in startup time if I hit the coals in two spots. I'm never in a rush, so I start 30 minutes before I plan to use it, and keep it at around 250.

[LeafMan66_67]

I'm never in a rush

That's the key - don't rush it. Good BBQ just takes time!

[sleepyjamie]

Yeah I don't rush it either. I just had seen videos online. Propane torch is a good idea.

[jeffsmith]

I'm never in a rush

That's the key - don't rush it. Good BBQ just takes time!

This.

I use organic cotton balls soaked in 99% alcohol for starters. Works well for me, the cotton vaporizes and leaves no odor or taste.

[dexter]

You can also use paper towels twisted into to bows and then soaked in oil or alcohol both work but a torch is fast and efficient

[jeffsmith]

I find the cotton balls pretty fast as well. I keep amazon jar full with all my bbq gear.

[sleepyjamie]

I'm having some issues with my kamado. I typically will clean it out before use. Then add new charcoal to the bottom. Afterwards I add charcoal from a previous grill session. However it makes a ton of smoke. So much it looks like my apartment is on fire. It eventually calms down once the coals heat up to 185 F

Any ideas?

I don't wanna piss anyone off in my condo.

[Jimmy]

Sounds about right

I don't know if there's any way to avoid that..maybe only adding a bit at each time instead of only when it's getting low?

[sleepyjamie]

Yeah the smoke is so intense looks like the place is on fire. How do u get away with it in your condo?

[NASH]

Yeah the smoke is so intense looks like the place is on fire. How do u get away with it in your condo?

My neighbours eat smoked regularly

The only thing you can do about startup smoke is to keep airflow throttled back thus taking a lot longer to heat up. Also, try different brands of charcoal, some smoked more than others for sure, more carbonized should = less smoke on startup. What brand lump do you use now?

Also, why do you clean the charcoal out of it everytime?? The partly burned charcoal will also smoke less, plus it's a waste of time

[Jimmy]

Yeah the smoke is so intense looks like the place is on fire. How do u get away with it in your condo?

Just stopped caring I've yet to have a complaint, even with the intense, long smokes.

[sleepyjamie]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1375056160.607438.jpg

Here is the brand I'm using.
I typically leave the lid open when heating it up. Perhaps I'll start an hour early and just close the lid and control it more slowly.

[sleepyjamie]

As for cleaning I figured any charcoal ash was causing the extra smoke so I cleaned it. I'm lazy so throttling and less cleaning is much easier.

[NASH]

As for cleaning I figured any charcoal ash was causing the extra smoke so I cleaned it. I'm lazy so throttling and less cleaning is much easier.

First off, those are briquettes, you should be using lump charcoal only. I'm pretty sure that alone will give you less smoke, briquettes are full of binders - more than just carbonized wood. I also think Royal Oak lump generates less smoke than most of the other brands available out here. The ash won't create more smoke. The cooker will also start up and get up to temp faster by keeping the lid closed with vents open, it creates the chimney effect much more efficiently. Also, I'd suggest not cleaning it out very often, you need to pull the ash out from under the fire grate through the draft vent but you really don't need to do all that cleaning out every time. That's a big part of the beauty of these things, ease of use and simplicity. No need to go getting all dirty with every use.

[sleepyjamie]

As for cleaning I figured any charcoal ash was causing the extra smoke so I cleaned it. I'm lazy so throttling and less cleaning is much easier.

First off, those are briquettes, you should be using lump charcoal only. I'm pretty sure that alone will give you less smoke, briquettes are full of binders - more than just carbonized wood. I also think Royal Oak lump generates less smoke than most of the other brands available out here. The ash won't create more smoke. The cooker will also start up and get up to temp faster by keeping the lid closed with vents open, it creates the chimney effect much more efficiently. Also, I'd suggest not cleaning it out very often, you need to pull the ash out from under the fire grate through the draft vent but you really don't need to do all that cleaning out every time. That's a big part of the beauty of these things, ease of use and simplicity. No need to go getting all dirty with every use.

ok sweet. yeah i have another bag of the same brand that is just hardwood no briquettes.

[dexter]

the faster it gets hot the sooner the smokes get tolerable. My neighbors bitch and whine until they get fed. might wanna try that if they get cunty ? and its probably a safe bet that you already know but while its belching the early smoke dont cook on it. My neighbor got one of these a while ago and didn't realize that and was wondering why all his food tasted much too smokey.

[LeafMan66_67]

Switched from propane to MAP today for an ignition source. What a difference! FYI - MAP torch kit is on at CT for 25% off this week.

[canuck]

Switched from propane to MAP today for an ignition source. What a difference! FYI - MAP torch kit is on at CT for 25% off this week.

Derek, which torch kit did you end up buying at CT?

[LeafMan66_67]

Hey Shane,

Got the one with the MAP cylinder and piezo igniter. $26 I think. What a difference.

Switched from propane to MAP today for an ignition source. What a difference! FYI - MAP torch kit is on at CT for 25% off this week.

Derek, which torch kit did you end up buying at CT?