Whether you’re a first-time kamado owner or a seasoned pro looking to brush up on your skills, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover how to master temperature control, essential tips and tricks, and everything you need to know to get your Ember Kamado ready for action. Let’s dive in!
Getting ready
- Cleaning and preparing
- Ensure the grill is clean, especially the ashtray, to allow proper airflow.
- Arrange the charcoal in a way that promotes even burning. Lump charcoal is preferred for its heat control properties.
- Lighting the charcoal
- Use a chimney starter or fire starters. Avoid lighter fluid as it can affect the flavour.
- Light the charcoal and let it burn until it begins to ash over, typically 10-15 minutes.
Pre-firing your Kamado
Before using the charcoal grill for the first time, it’s essential to condition (pre-fire) the Kamado by gradually heating it for at least 30 minutes at a temperature between 100°C and 200°C. This process is critical in preparing the interior of the Kamado for barbecuing.
Pre-firing is necessary to not only burn off any residual manufacturing chemicals but also to slowly warm up the ceramic material. By gradually increasing the temperature, you allow the ceramic to expand evenly, minimizing the risk of thermal shock or cracking. Proper pre-firing ensures that the Kamado is ready for consistent and safe cooking when fired up to higher temperatures.
How to control the temperature
- Starting right
- Close the lid and adjust the vents to start regulating the temperature. The bottom vent controls the intake of oxygen (primary air), and the top vent controls the exhaust (secondary air).
- Reaching desired temperature
- Open the bottom vent wide open and the top vent halfway to quickly bring the grill to the desired temperature.
- Monitor the temperature with a reliable thermometer. The Ember Kamado’s built-in thermometer is very accurate in showing the temperature inside the grill. Choose the GRLLR Bluetooth thermometer for precise measurements of the temperatures inside meats.
- Fine-tuning
- As the grill approaches the desired temperature, start closing the bottom vent gradually.
- Adjust the top vent to fine-tune the temperature. Small adjustments can have significant effects, so be patient.
- Stabilising the temperature: Once the desired temperature is reached, maintain it by balancing the vents.
- For lower temperatures (200-300°F or 93-149°C): Keep the bottom vent slightly open and the top vent open about a quarter.
- For medium temperatures (300-400°F or 149-204°C): Open the bottom vent halfway and the top vent slightly more.
- For high temperatures (400°F or 204°C and above): Open both vents wider, but monitor closely to avoid overshooting.
How to maintain a constant temperature
- Monitoring
- Keep an eye on the temperature and make minor adjustments to the vents as needed. The Ember Kamado grill retains heat well, so only small changes should be necessary. For the bst temperature control, consider opting for GRLLR Ember Pro.
- Fuel management
- For long cooking sessions, add more charcoal as needed. Use a tool to push the unburned charcoal closer to the centre and add fresh pieces on the edges.
- Avoid opening the lid frequently, as this can cause temperature fluctuations.
- Airflow
- Windy conditions can affect airflow, so shield the grill from direct wind if possible.
- Ensure there are no blockages in the vents and that ash does not accumulate excessively during cooking.
Extra Tips for Success
- Allow enough time for the grill to preheat and stabilise before cooking.
- Ensure your grill thermometer is accurate.
- Becoming proficient with temperature control takes practice. Experiment with different vent settings and note their effects.
By mastering these steps, you can effectively reach and maintain your desired cooking temperature on any Kamado grill, ensuring consistent and delicious results. Not only will you impress your guests with perfectly cooked meals, but you’ll also enjoy the process of grilling with greater confidence and ease.
These techniques will help you get the most out of your Ember Kamado grill.
