The Blaze Kamado Grill is a practically indestructible charcoal grill that gives you the ability to smoke and grill in one place! To get the most out of your Blaze Kamado Grill, make sure you know what you are doing. Here are some helpful tips and tricks for your grill so you can be the grill master you always dreamed of becoming.
Standard procedure for lighting your Kamado Grill
To light your Kamado Grill, start by filling your firebox with lump charcoal to the desired level. Next, make sure that your top and bottom damper are completely open. Then, light the charcoal using one of the methods below. Allow the charcoal to burn for a minute or two before closing the lid. Once the thermometer begins to reach the desired cooking temperature, adjust the dampers accordingly.
Methods for lighting the charcoal
There are several ways to light your charcoal to get your Kamado Grill going. Here are four methods:
- Paraffin wax cubes or squares – Place two or three paraffin wax cubes in your lump charcoal. Light these cubes and they will have your Kamado Grill going in 10-12 minutes.
- Charcoal Chimney – Fill your firebox with lump charcoal to the desired level. Then fill a charcoal chimney halfway with lump charcoal. Light and burn the chimney until coals are red hot. Then, pour the red hot coals into your Kamado and stir them into the rest of your lump charcoal. This will take about 10-15 minutes to get your Kamado Grill going.
- Electric Starter – Place the starter into your pile of lump charcoal, plug it in and then remove it after five to eight minutes. This method will have your Kamado Grill going in 10-12 minutes.
- Electric Looftlighter – Plug in the Looftlighter, place the tip of the Looftlighter on your lump charcoal and hold down the button until the first sight of embers. Continue holding the button and back the Looftlighter away about two inches from the coals. Remain here until a small fire begins. Now, with the button held, back the Looftlighter away another four inches and hold until the fire is fully started. This method will have you cooking in the least amount of time – five to eight minutes!
Troubleshooting issues on your Kamado Grill
Is your charcoal lighting but not getting to temperature? If you’re able to light your lump charcoal but can’t get the temperature above 300-350 degrees, you most likely have damp charcoal. Get new, dry charcoal and try again!
Is your top damper not staying in position when the Kamado Grill is open? To keep the top damper in its set position while opening the Kamado Grill, make sure the damper screw is set to the pivot point of your lid’s open position.
Helpful tips and tricks for your Blaze Kamado Grill
Always use natural hardwood lump charcoal, not briquettes – natural hardwood lump charcoal lights faster, burns hotter and produces less ash.
Filling your firebox with the correct amount of charcoal is key. If you are cooking smaller amounts of food or are using a lower temperature, fill your firebox halfway. If you are cooking a large amount of food or need temperatures high enough for searing, fill your firebox to within 4 inches of the top.
Do not walk away from your Kamado Grill while pre-heating. The temperature inside the Kamado can rise very quickly, causing your grill to heat well past the desired temperature. Remember, Kamado Grills might heat up quickly, but they hold heat so they will not cool down quickly.
For additional information about your Blaze Kamado Grill, check out these YouTube videos or contact the Blaze customer service team at 866-976-9510.
