Gifted a Kamado Joe Jr… now what?

[Smilner]

I’ve never used a ceramic style cooker. Any tips for first timers? Do and don’t?

[LA Pork Butt]

That KJ Jr. is a cooking machine for two. Use only lump charcoal. I recommend B&B brand. Get yourself a drip pan and go to YouTube for some how to. I have the Big Green Egg MIniMax which his the rough equivalent. Today at 10am I started cooking at 250 and ran the temp up to 300 and I started running out of fuel at 5pm. The KJ Jr will cook longer on a load because it has a deeper fire box. Have fun!

[Jfrosty27]

Now what? COOK!!
Oh and send pics! 👍👌👏

[Old Glory]

Here is a good guidebook

https://www.kamadoguru.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=80777

[HawkerXP]

Don't drop it.

Thats all I've got.

[LA Pork Butt]

Try this link https://youtu.be/ErPo_i46f2w cooking for four.

[Uncle Bob]

Same advice for any kamado.......................don't fall into the trap of chasing temps. Anticipate your target temp, e.g. 250, start throttling back when it hits 200 and learn how it responds as you try to ease up to the target. Once it goes past what you're wanting it's a bear to bring it down without a long cool down. That thick(ish) ceramic is unforgiving in letting go of accumulated heat.

[Steve B]

Great advice Uncle Bob

[SheilaAnn]

Preach preach preach!

[Texas Larry]

This guy uses his KJ Jr. a lot and loves it. https://youtu.be/Q6vLYjlPaLg

[Smilner]

This is how the first cook turned out. Thanks for all the tips and links!

[hoovarmin]

Wow, someone gave you a KJ Jr. as a gift? That person should be venerated as a saint!