Lump Charcoal/Lighting Instructions - Kamado Joe Grill Owner's Manual

ONLy USE NAtURAL LUMP ChARCOAL
Lump charcoal consists of whole pieces of wood that have been exposed
to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This process drives
out any volatile chemicals and leaves only the wood carbon. The main
difference between lump charcoal and charcoal briquettes is that to make
briquettes the wood carbon is subjected to further processing by being
ground up, mixed with various fillers and additives, and then compressed
into standard briquette shapes.
you only use natural lump charcoal in your Kamado
Joe cooker for the following reasons:
• When lump charcoal is used in a grill or smoker that has good
ventilation control with adjustable air vents, the burn rate of the lump
charcoal can be better controlled and this helps in regulating the
cooking temperature.
• Since there are no additives or fillers, there is very little ash remaining
after the coals burn. This is a big plus and makes cleanup after grilling
or smoking easier.
• Lump charcoal lights faster and burns hotter than briquettes. It is
possible with some brands of lump charcoal to get the temperature
of your Kamado Joe above 800 degrees Fahrenheit. This is perfect for
grilling steaks.
LightiNg LUMP
Never use starter fluid or "instant light" briquettes.
It will give an undesirable flavor to your food and impregnate the ceramic
material of your Kamado Joe Grill and Smoker. There are many other
ways to light up lump charcoal.
To use newspaper, you start by placing several sheets of crumpled
newspaper in the bottom of your ceramic fire box and then place 2 or 3
handfuls of lump charcoal over the top of the newspaper. Then open the
bottom draft door completely and light the newspaper in several places.
When the newspaper is lit, you can close the dome and slide the metal top
open completely. Allow the Kamado Joe to reach the desired temperature.
You can also use a charcoal chimney or an electric charcoal starter.
Paraffin fireplace starter blocks are another alternative.
We strongly recommend that
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