Kamado: Reconstruction of Shattered Firebox, Side Damage and Misalignment

[@plainOldFool]

I just got an BGE for free but I accidentally dropped it while trying to transport it. Imagine my horror. I mean, I didn't pay for it but I've wanted a BGE for years plus I felt a bit guilty since it was gifted to me and I felt like I showed it disrespect. Thankfully I found this video (and a few blogs) on how to repair kamados. Now I just have to deal with my wife's judgement as I have now acquired yet another project (to add to a list of all the other half-completed projects)

[@RodCostin]

Good video, have fire box to repair on late 70s Kamado

[@ericfitzwater8516]

Thumbs up and saving this! Someone in my BBQ group on facebook offered to give me a "large green egg" because it has a crack in it because they saw I was using an 18" Weber grill with a 22" Weber grate. They figured it'd do be more justice than a mismatched Weber! And now we wait to see if they follow through! Great video!!!

[@TheJchronic]

Just picked up a cracked ceramic grill for $40. Thanks for the inspiration

[@timcentertainment7781]

That is awesome!

[@michaelheiss8022]

Thank you for making this video and showing how to fix my broken Kamado ! I checked the prices for a new firebox ! Wow only $30.00 from China . Small print ; $275.00 shipping ! No way ! Fixed it with the Imperial cement and it is still holding up just fine even over 600 to 700 degrees Fahrenheit ! Thank you !

[@ddbean6571]

So impressed! Great job!!!

[@budgetdadbbqbrewing268]

Great video! My mini kamado fire bowl just cracked and looks like a similar model. So far no support from the manufacturer so going to try the cement. Thanks for posting this!

[@reyrey2098]

Wow primitive tools - popsicle sticks awesome!

[@Feledwards]

Thanks for sharing. I have an old Japanese Kamado that needs some repair. This is helpful.

[@geronimo9595]

great work

[@timcentertainment7781]

Thanks! It still works 2 years later!

[@dougg1075]

Man, you guys should have used plastic spreaders from the auto parts store ( used for spreading bondo). That raggedy stick looked rough:) otherwise good job

[@timcentertainment7781]

Thanks! We used what we got and it still works over a year later!

[@Erick-th1tk]

Chingon la reparación!!! Pero el carbón va arriba de la parrilla de aros y no uses briqueta saludos

[@TexasRanchu]

Dumpster diving at its very best!!

[@MR_UNOoo]

Great video my even embers ceramic egg fell over in my trailer..it's beat up pretty bad

[@ashaion1777]

I would advise against using galvanised wire, when it gets too hot it will give off noxious fumes

[@baccaratbob]

What wire would you use?

[@gab4509]

@@baccaratbob stainless for sure !

[@a1crazychewy]

Coals supposed to go on top the metal grate papa 👴 but nice 👍 video I’m going to be doing the same repair thanks for the video

[@noahkraft6453]

Next fix is cementing the bottom of the kamado for excessive heat. The firebowl is supposed to be sacrificial.

[@2002targa]

Thanks for the great how-to, I’m in the process of repairing my 15yo BGE using a lot of what you did here, I’ll put up a vid when done.... How is your grill holding up so far??

[@hereusethis]

Did you ever post a video? Any tips from your process?

[@kisscrank]

This video goated

[@baccaratbob]

Did this hold up after a period of time and usage? Would you use a different cement glue?

[@timcentertainment7781]

It still works! I really need to do a follow up video!

[@georgethomas3722]

One question ! Can I use 2 parts epoxy for such a repair , something like plastic steel for this type of repair ??

[@jaesbow]

I tried a repair to a Pit Boss Kamado. The firebox was like yours. I attempted a repair, but I think I may have squeezed out too much of the cement when I clamped it together, also I didn't use any water. Anyhow, two cooks and the pieces came apart. How is yours holding up? Think I should try again? With more cement this time.

[@timcentertainment7781]

Hey, yeah its still holding up. Dozens of cooks later. Maybe yours was made from a different material. I'm not sure if you tried again. We used to think ours was a lost cause too. But I could imagine it being worth it to try again. It was hard finding other safe fire bonding cements though.

[@henryng439]

My fire bowl broke into pieces. I'm going to try your method to fix it. If unsuccessful, does anyone know where to buy only the Fire Bowl?

[@girthworm6895]

Geez where do I find a broken kamado? Lol lucky find

[@tomowens7499]

hey, great video... perhaps you could advise me on something! i have a vintage japanese kamado, my dad restored it and left it to me after he passed last year. he and i took it apart to move it to my house, and when reassembling it he told me i needed to put some sort of sand 'sealant' between the top and bottom parts of the firebox (i learned it was a firebox from your video!) the inner part is two pieces and one sits on top of the other. i really want to use it but i don't know what kind of sand i'm supposed to get, or where to get it! any advice would be appreciated!

[@OnkelDude]

Refractory sand. I used this to tuck firebrick joints in a fireplace.

[@tomowens7499]

@@OnkelDude thank you! This is the first I'm hearing what it's called! I chipped off the remnants of old hard sand and since I didn't hear what it was called I didn't use any. I've now cooked in it a few times, is it bad that I haven't put any in? Will not using it hurt it? It seems to work fine,...

[@OnkelDude]

@@tomowens7499 I apologize. I thought the sand was for mortaring a crack. Your father must have meant the inner ring rests on a sand cushion. I think any dry sand would do or skip the sand as your results prove. I don't have sand in the kamado's bottom. Perhaps unrelated, I did put fine sand under my fireplace ceramic logs-sourced from a bbq/fireplace store in Phoenix. It's mostly for appearance and hides any mess underneath. I also inherited my kamado from grandfather to father and now to me. It cracked due to age & heat. I intend to fix & continue using it.

[@omokaroojiire]

Is this glue safe for cooking in high heat???

[@timcentertainment7781]

This one on the label said it was. Always check the label first!

[@abraham3901]

Yeah man but still. I don’t know, a blood test will be advices next no?lol… good job tho.

[@malott442]

Aren't charcoal briquettes a big no no? I thought the lighter fluid in them was bad for the surfaces.

[@timcentertainment7781]

I like using regular charcoal briquettes. I never use any instant light coal or lighter fluid. I have been using wax starters most of the time. I have a pretty small fire box so lump charcoal has a hard time fitting in right. But lately I have been starting my briquettes in a chimney starter using an electric starter then poring in hot coals to great results. So far the Kamado is still going strong over a year later. I need to do a follow up video.

[@rwayne3243]

Lump charcoal only, ever briquettes.

[@noahkraft6453]

What a waste of time. Go buy a Louisiana kamado from Costco for 600 first.

[@chrisnygren5367]

It’s not just about the end product, it’s the satisfaction of taking something broken and making it useful again.

[@stevee7774]

That’s what people with lots of money and little brains do. The rest of us make do with what we have and fix things that will still work and last a long time.

[@jamjam6042]

@@stevee7774 Actually, intelligent people understand the difference between BPR (Beyond Physical Repair) and BER (Beyond Economical Repair). If it takes 6 hours to repair and a brand new unit is only $600, economically, you would be better off not fixing it because your time is more valuable than the money saved. If you didn't watch the video, there might be the issue of BPR since you could take 6 hours of your valuable time and the firebox could crack after just a few uses making a new grill a better choice.

[@stevee7774]

@@jamjam6042 - Buy, purchase, consume, conform, do not question authority.... You do you and I’ll do me.

[@abraham3901]

Lol. Was a pleasure to watch. Thank u.