The best way to clean your Kamado Joe kitchen. Maintain your cooking grates, deflectors and more with our complete maintenance guide.
All grills require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure they are performing properly and your Kamado grill is no different.
With proper care, you can ensure your ceramic kamado grill performs like new every time.
In this guide I will walk you through all the steps necessary to perfectly clean your Kamado grill.
To get you started, here are some classic care & maintenance jobs that are done on a regular basis & to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Kamado grills have a unique design that can make maintenance difficult.
Basic maintenance and care checks for your Kamado grill
Just like a car, regular checks are key to keeping your Kamado grill running smoothly and reliably. This will help keep your grill in top condition and make cleaning less of a hassle.
Best Kamado Grills in the Market
Removal of the ash
Each time you grill, your grill will form a collection of ash on the bottom of the cookbox. Every time you use your Kamado grill, a collection of carbon residue and ash is inevitable.
Thing is, dying ash really gets in the way and can even cause problems like blocking airflow dampers or even contaminating food.
Therefore, frequent filing of things is a big problem.
It is recommended to dispose of the ashes after each use. Seriously, I mean it’s serious.
The good news, however, is that this is really easy, and many modern grills have made it even easier by offering ash pans at the base of the cookbox.
If this sounds like a tedious task, don’t worry: it only takes a few seconds. But regular removal will add years to the life of your grill.
To destroy your ashes:
- Allow the grill to cool completely after use. Next, open the lid and use a stick or stick to remove the deep embers at the bottom of the cookbox. As a result, any residual ash falls through the holes in the floor and into the asian.
- The exact location of your ashtray may vary by model, but in most cases it is at the base of your kamado chamber, behind the lower train door. Place a bucket or large container under the grill to catch any spilled ash and open the fireplace door to remove the ashtray.
- Empty the ashtray into a garbage bag and then put the container back in place.
Clean mould
Yes, this is a little scarier. But for anyone who has experienced mold growth in their bathroom or kitchen, you will attest to the importance of nipping that material in the bud the moment it threatens to rear its ugly head.
It’s not particularly uncommon to not use your grill for a few months during the winter months. Unfortunately, this can result in mold forming in the grill during this time. This is particularly troublesome when it occurs on the grilles or the inner walls of the chamber.
In that case, don’t worry. It is very common and very easy to get rid of on a Kamado grill and can be done entirely without the use of cleaning chemicals.
That’s how it’s done:
- Heat up your grill and place all components, such as cooking grates and heat deflectors, on the grill where they would normally sit.
- Fully open the grill’s doors/vents and close the Kamado lid. Let the grill turn on and turn the temperature up to a high setting, around 500-600°F. Don’t go higher than this official can put pressure on your grill.
- When the grill reaches this temperature range(use a temperature gauge to check) hold it at this heat for about 20 minutes. Then close the intake flap(bottom vent) and let it cook for another 20 minutes. Then close the exhaust damper(upper vent).
- When the vents are closed, the heat from the grill is naturally extinguished. Allow grill to cool completely.
- Once the grill has cooled, open it up and use a grill brush to clean the grates. You can do without soapy water or chemicals.
This method can take a little time but is a fantastic way to remove unwanted dirt or mold naturally and more importantly without the use of chemicals so you don’t risk spoiling your food or food traces left behind by unpleasant smells or tastes.
Clean pizza stones
If you’re using a pizza stone in your Kamado grill, congratulations. They are great and one of the best Kamado Grill Accesories to invest in.
Second, it is another component that needs regular cleaning. However, the method you use to clean them is very specific and it’s important that you familiarize yourself with it to ensure you’re getting it right.
First off, here are some key things YOU should NOT do or use when cleaning your pizza stone.
- Do not use soapy water to clean your stone.
- Never immerse the stone in water to clean it.
- Do not use oils to preserve, protect or flavor the stone.
- Never use your pizza stone in a kitchen oven.
- Never use chemical cleaning agents.
It’s okay, I know. This is basically a list of most cleaning methods. But ceramic pizza stones are specific about how they should be cleaned.
Luckily I’ve listed them below.
The flip method
Since only one side of your stone is actually used when cooking, simply flip it over for the next use. This gives you a clean surface and burns off dirt and grease on the other side while cooking through direct heat.
Use a brush
If you don’t already have one, be sure to get a grill brush. They are sturdier than normal dish brushes, last much longer and are much more effective.
After use, allow the stone to cool completely. Use a brush to gently scrape away any visible dirt or grease on the stone.
Store the stone in a dry place. This is important for the stone to last a long time.
How to deep clean a Kamado grill
Ok, now it’s time to give your Kamado grill a good deep clean.
With all the efficient ash removal and mildew cleaning, it’s still important to give your Kamado a deep cleaning every few months(I do mine twice a year).
But don’t worry. This is a lot easier than you might think and can easily be broken down into a few steps.
- Place all components, such as cooking grates and baffles, in their designated place on the grill.
- Heat grill with lid and vents/doors wide open. Aim for around 500-600°F.
- Let the grill sit at this temperature for about 30 minutes before closing the vents and allowing the grill to cool.
- After the grill has cooled, open the lid and remove the cooking grates and baffles. The long exposure to heat burned away much of the dirt and grease, but then you have to use a grill brush to clean the rest. Do not use soap, water or chemicals for this.
- Remove the charcoal from inside the Kamado, then remove all other grilling components(e.g. firebox).
- Remove all asian residue. The most efficient way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner. Then use a slightly damp cloth or paper towel to pick up any stubborn ash.
- Remove the ashtray and empty it.
- Place all components back on the grill and place the lid back on the grill.
If so. It’s a lot easier than people think and only needs to be done once or twice a year. Compared to regular charcoal or gas grills, Kamado grills are far too easy to clean and require less maintenance.
How to clean Kamado Joe’s heat deflector
The baffle component of your Kamado grill is similar to the others in that it is likely self-cleaning. The ceramic component should simply cool down after use and then be cleaned with a brush before being stored in a cool place.
Each version of the Kamado Joe Classic has a split flapper and must be removed for cleaning and degreasing.
It is important to note that this is a point in general care. If YOU have been using your baffles as a makeshift drip tray and have a layer of stuck grease or drain buildup on them then I would recommend using a plastic(not metal!) scraper to remove as much as possible before proceeding. its next use to burn it.
Writer & content creator. BBQ fanatic!
