Kamado fire

[Oak Smoke]

I had something happen this afternoon that I hadn’t seen before. I opened my kamado only to be met with flames. We all understand to burp one of these if there is any possibility that there are any accumulated fats that could flame up when oxygen hits them. I had started with a clean smoker and was only opening it to put the chicken I had on it. No more than 30 minutes after lighting it. Then I saw the cause. This is just my second cook after making a 1 quart dutch oven into a smoke pot. I had filled it with cherry wood pellets and fire was coming up all around it. It turns out that a smoke pot is just a small retort and the first gases coming out the bottom of it are quite flammable. I just hope to save someone else the surprise of a sudden unexpected fire.

[Steve B]

Thanks for the warning. Will take note and care going forward. 👍

[scottranda]

I haven’t had that experience. I was thinking chicken fats dripping down? But, interesting about the smoke pot. I’ll watch for it.

[BGWolf]

This can happen when trying to choke down a hot fire, if the fire is oxygen starved and you open the dome, you'll get a flashback

Be careful

[Spinaker]

Always burp the Kamado and wait a few seconds before opening, especially if you are running hot. The smoke pot should not effect it too much, it is more of a case of the oxygen flooding into a starving fire. You will have this issue with or without the smoke pot.

[EdF]

You might consider using chunks over the pellets next time.

[SmokeyGator]

Flashover. Aside from the burping you can also open the top vent all the way, then open the bottom vent all the way. Count to 10, close the bottom vent back, then burp. The point is to let the combustible gasses out and/or flash them over in a controlled manner.

I have the most issues when cooking hotter. Above 300. And then mostly when wood chunks are still doing their thing. Once the chunks are all burned (or converted to lump) then flashover is less of a concern.

But still, as a safety precaution I put on the welding (grill) gloves before opening the lid and always burp it. Flashover almost got me once.

[EdF]

Tell me about the singed eyebrows! ;-)

Once.

[SmokeyGator]

Got me just barely on the hands. I was at high heat searing strip steak and just opened the lid. Fire foomped out. Didn’t get burned but I could have. It was one of my early cooks on the new kamado. So THATS why the manual says burp first....