how to get the grill above 450?

[BarbecueIsLife]

My wife just got me a Kamado Joe (KK) as an anniversary gift, and I couldn't be happier! I've dipped my toes in the water with a couple of smokes.

Now I wanted to take it up a notch and try a pizza, hoping to get the temp up around 500, but I just couldn't get the needle to budge above 450.

I had a chat with my neighbor who got a similar grill, and he reckoned I might have shot myself in the foot by just dumping in a whole bag of lump charcoal, maybe choking the airflow.

So, I gave it another go. This time, I picked out the big guns, some select larger pieces of Jealous Devil brand, and still couldn't crack 450.

I've got the top and bottom vents wide open, pulled out all the stops, and it's still stuck.

What in the heck am I doing wrong here? Any ideas would be a lifesaver!

 

[Mountain Climber]

My wife just got me a Kamado Joe (KK) as an anniversary gift, and I couldn't be happier! I've dipped my toes in the water with a couple of smokes.

Now I wanted to take it up a notch and try a pizza, hoping to get the temp up around 500, but I just couldn't get the needle to budge above 450.

I had a chat with my neighbor who got a similar grill, and he reckoned I might have shot myself in the foot by just dumping in a whole bag of lump charcoal, maybe choking the airflow.

So, I gave it another go. This time, I picked out the big guns, some select larger pieces of Jealous Devil brand, and still couldn't crack 450.

I've got the top and bottom vents wide open, pulled out all the stops, and it's still stuck.

What in the heck am I doing wrong here? Any ideas would be a lifesaver!

I guess you have to be real sure that ash isn't clogging the firebox or something. Clean it out. Also, try to use a fire starter in random spots to get an even burn. Orrr if that doesn't work, maybe raise the charcoal basket nearer the grate to achieve better heat transfer.

 

[coastal air]

I guess you have to be real sure that ash isn't clogging the firebox or something. Clean it out. Also, try to use a fire starter in random spots to get an even burn. Orrr if that doesn't work, maybe raise the charcoal basket nearer the grate to achieve better heat transfer.

Yep, good tips right here! agree with making sure that the ash is not clogging the firebox, create like an airflow tunnel or something

 

[EmberExpert]

Absolutely, that's great advice! Keeping the firebox clear of ash really helps with airflow, and who doesn't want that? Plus, trying fire starters in different spots can really help spread the heat around evenly. Oh, and if you're looking to boost that heat transfer, consider raising the charcoal basket closer to the grate

 

[Cincinnati]

I also suggest you build a loose mound with larger chunks at the bottom, and light in a couple spots, make sure your platesetter or heat deflector isn't in too early too

 

[faithie999]

when you do succeed in getting your grill to 600F or higher, like for pizza, beware the "flashover" phenomenon. as you know, the kamado/egg/etc has very little air flow when the lid is closed, which is normally a good thing. however, when the internal temp is really hot, and you open the lid, the inrush of fresh air ignites the flammable fumes coming from the smoldering charcoal, and you lose the hair on your arms, and maybe your eyebrows (how do i know that? haha). the solution is to "burp" the grill. when you need to open it at high temp, just raise the lid about an inch or two, let it flash inside the dome, then close it, and then it's OK to fully open it. but the first time you do it, not a bad idea to wear long sleeves!

here's what it looks like.
but this guy made the situation worse by closing the air inlet damper and putting the lid on. the flashover is at about 30 sec.