Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I Rescue (Fire Box replacement and new casters)

[Spinaker]

I am lucky enough to have a friend that has no idea how to use his Kamado Jumbo Joe. And his wife hates that it just sits out on the fancy patio and never gets used. I told him I’d take it off his hands. 👌

Anyway, I need to replace the firebox as the old one is cracked in several places. I tried to remove it last night and it broke into several pieces. It seems like the fireboxes are always out of stock. I am going to check out a local dealer and replace it with the new pedal design firebox. You can replace just individual sections instead of having to replace the whole fire box. I think the pedal construction also allows for thermal expansion and retraction while cooling down. To me that seems like a logic hole step to take. Plus, I’m not even sure that they make the old style fire box. I just hope I can order one from the dealer and not have to wait for months.

My question is….

Where do you guys order Kamado Joe parts? All the dealers around me are saying I need to contact Kamado Joe directly. But they are saying the fire boxes are sold out and I can’t even get on a waitlist. So I’m curious where you guys get replacement parts from?

Either way I lucked out big time. I’ll post some pictures once I get everything set up.

I am also planning on replacing those stock wheels with some 5" casters to make Joe easier to move around the patio.

Looking forward to having another Kamado on the patio!

*Update Below*

[LA Pork Butt]

These Kamados are similar. Do you suppose a BGE firebox would interchange? IMO I think BGE stuff is a little thicker so the pebble design may not be necessary.

[Spinaker]

I thought about that. The BGE stuff sure seems stronger and thicker. But the new flower pedal design from KJ intrigues me. But your thought is worth considering for sure.

[LA Pork Butt]

Spinaker I just turned 80, so I need all the help I can get. I can still handle one
half of the BGE, but I heed my son on the other half. I can still handle the MiniMax by myself.

[Skip]

Great score for you John!

[Mosca]

Do you mean petal design? Like with the individual pieces? It looks like they’re $25 per piece.

[Spinaker]

Yep, then I gotta order the new base and top ring. About $300.

[Mosca]

Just looking, at BGE replacement fireboxes… holy heck, those are expensive! And also, sold out.

[Spinaker]

Yeah not cheap. The KJ one is $300+ for the BIG Joe

[Jerod Broussard]

Take up a Leisure Learning High Heat pottery class. Problem solved.

[Oak Smoke]

I thought I could find you one on eBay but even there I struck out. I’ve had good luck with Rutland fire place mortar. It comes in tubes like caulking. It glues kamados back together pretty well. You need to let it dry then subject it to a low temp fire before going for it full temp.

[Spinaker]

I appreciate you checking it out for me!

[Uncle Bob]

Understanding that these are said to be out of stock just some commentary that might be useful if you end up having to wait. About 5 years ago the original one piece fire box in my KJ cracked. I went through their picture/question answering process for warrantee and they sent a replacement of the multipiece (pedal design as you call it). That may be why they are out of stock because that's a common occurrence. If your buddy is the original purchaser (warrantees don't transfer by their policy) you might want him to file a warrantee claim while you still have parts to photograph. It may end up being the quickest resolution if there aren't any parts in dealer stock around the country.

[LA Pork Butt]

Great idea!

[Sweaty Paul]

Good score. I don't have a Kamado Joe, however, I have a Primo and say I have really enjoyed having the ceramic cooker. Highly recommend. Good luck on finding the ceramic insert!

[JCBBQ]

Spinaker Oh I want one of those too. 😆

[Sweaty Paul]

Spinaker you did "Good Works" by saving that cooker from further neglect. Good on you. I too love the kamado style cookers, however, really feel like I need an offset smoker. No reason other than 'I think I need one.'

[Spinaker]

You know what.......I get it. LOL. Sweaty Paul

[Spinaker]

Well, I got the parts ordered. Not cheap. $355.00. Considering I am getting a $1800 Grill for free, I can't complain.

I've been seeing online that people are having trouble with the assembly of the new fireboxes, but I think I have seen enough to have it figured out. One thing I am not looking forward to is taking it apart after every cook to clean behind the firebox. One thing I like about my Eggs, is that I can pull the firebox in one grab. Hopefully, it will not be that big of an issue with the Big Joe. Let's hope the new design keeps the new firebox from cracking, and if it does, I only spend $35 for a new petal.

I will post some pics once I get it all moved and assembled.

[Spinaker]

hahaha, kinda what I was thinking. I plan on using a towel or cardboard. Uncle Bob

[au4stree]

I used specially designed paper towels to keep my petals in just the right spot. When I cooked steaks the first time, they burned up and like they were never there.
But seriously, I watched a YT video, the paper towel trick worked like a charm.

[Spinaker]

Hell yes, thank you for the input. I am gonna do that exact thing then. au4stree

[Oak Smoke]

My big Joe gets cleaned behind the fire box once a year. I’m careful to clean each way at the lower vent with the ash tool when I clean it out, but I’d get a different brand before I’d put those sections together again after every cook. Uncle Bob is right about using spacers to get it together. I had difficulty with the one piece fire boxes but the segmented ones have worked flawlessly for me.

[Spinaker]

Great to know, thanks!

[STEbbq]

Wow. I thought you got a baby one similar to the Weber Jumbo Joe. I didn’t realize this was a full-size $1800 smoker. Wow. Sweet deal.

[Spinaker]

I already have the Jr! Now that I have the Big Joe, it is one happy family. I also have two large BGEs......it's a blended family.

[Spinaker]

I am gonna be making the "Kamado Chariot" to carry this beast across my buddies lawn. Ceramic Grill store sells one, but I am gonna use my 6th.....maybe even my seventh sense to reverse engineer one.

[Spinaker]

Alan Brice The lid does separate from the body. I just don't want to take it apart and have to worry about another piece breaking in the back of the truck. The reason I am making the Chariot is because I have to carry it about 100 Feet through my buddies backyard to his neighbors driveway. Wheeling it across the yard with those tiny casters on the cart is a No Go. (I am replacing those with some 5" casters in a later project)

[Spinaker]

My plan is to carry it across the yard to the tailgate. Lift the Big Joe on to the tailgate and then into a 20" tire. This is my other trick I do for moving them in the back of my truck.The tire keeps the bumps in the road from breaking the kamado. I have used the tire trick in the past and it works great. I will document the process to help others out if they wanna do the same.

[Sweaty Paul]

Spinaker please include a picture of the Kamado in the tire. Would love to see exactly what you mean.

Thanks in advance!

[Steve B]

Oh boy, we’re in trouble now….
😁

[Spinaker]

Nothing better than another kamado.

[hoovarmin]

That's one beautiful beast. Happy cooking with it!

[Spinaker]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B1JZWHF/?tag=amazingribs--20&th=1

Here is the link. I wish I would not have waited this long to put them on my other kamados. I still don't know if I am going to paint them matte black or not.

[hoovarmin]

Spinaker I think leave them as-is cause it reminds me of Peewee Herman's bicycle.

[Spinaker]

Haha, great reference. Just need the tiger hood ornament for the handle