DennisLinkletter Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 Yes, all Komodo Kamado grills used to come standard with heat deflectors.. I've learned it's easier to give people what they want than to educate them. I supply them because people coming from the glazed-pot Kamado world think they're very important. Glazed pot Kamados are basically uninsulated and when the ambient temperature changes/drops their temperature can crash. Having a heat deflector reflecting heat back into the firebox gives these grills thermal mass/ a heat sink to help stabilize temps during these ambient temperature swings. Their deflector and firebox are the only components that are not exposed to the changing ambient temps. The thin glazed pot walls are unable to hold and give off heat the way a big thick cement hot face that is also insulated can. Because KK's are so well insulated, this is not a factor. The heat deflector requires you to burn more fuel, creating more airflow, more evaporation, and less retained moisture in your meat. I suggest preheating the grill empty and then putting foil on the lower grate, the size, and the area you want to be indirect. You only need the foil to be large enough to block the infrared radiation coming directly off the coals from hitting your meat. Put your drip pan on top of the foil, install the main grill, and put your meat above the area with the foil. Put the upper grill on top of that and more meat. You're off to the races. The foil is much higher above the charcoal than where the heat deflectors sit and will not trap/reflect as much heat back into the firebox. That being said, I have not used the heat deflector in one of my grills for probably 10 years. Your results will be better using foil to create an indirect area. You will burn less fuel, create less airflow, less evaporation, and will have more retained moisture in your meat.. Will the forum family please chime in how they feel about using foil or the deflectors so I can use this post as a reference.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pearson Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 I haven’t used the heat deflectors since I have owned my KK. I I use anything it’s foil or my indoor oven broiler pan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 I use my heat deflectors as stepping stones in the garden. Used one once many years ago when I was a KK grasshopper. Learned that lesson very quickly, it took forever to heat up the grill and wasted fuel. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pearson Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 Well grasshopper I bet they made great stepping stones 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 Only time I can recall using was in the 32 when I had a full basket of charcoal and didn’t want to remove any to insert the basket splitter. I put the deflector over half the basket and lit the other half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted October 28, 2019 Report Share Posted October 28, 2019 I haven't used mine in many years either - I can't recall the last time I used it? I either use the basket splitter or foil on the lower grate with a full basket when I want to cook indirect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syzygies Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I'm not sure where my heat deflector is, but I do use the double drip pan when I'm trying to tune how much radiant heat comes from below. Fuel efficiency? This is like debating flower pens when some people are still rolling joints. Although I never use my precious coffee lump indirect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 Flower pens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonj Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I used the deflector once on my 23 and either foil (99%) or double drip pan since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tucker Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 If I use a deflector it is either a drip pan or foil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrus Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 (edited) On 10/28/2019 at 11:12 PM, Syzygies said: I'm not sure where my heat deflector is, but I do use the double drip pan when I'm trying to tune how much radiant heat comes from below. Fuel efficiency? This is like debating flower pens when some people are still rolling joints. Although I never use my precious coffee lump indirect. Do you think all those coffee grounds we throw out today and maybe recycled tomorrow then placed in the Syzygies basket could add any flavor to a piece of meat? I would only say since you don't use coffee lump indirect. Edited October 30, 2019 by Tyrus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 I used the heat deflector once or twice. It took a considerable amount of time and fuel to get the KK up to smoking temp. It got the job done but not as convenient as foil and/or a drip pan that produces the same results. I think foil provides greater control and options to match my cooking style. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted October 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 7 hours ago, Tyrus said: Do you think all those coffee grounds we throw out today and maybe recycled tomorrow then placed in the Syzygies basket could add any flavor to a piece of meat? I would only say since you don't use coffee lump indirect. I sell a coffee wood lump charcoal with a wonderful flavor profile that I often am unable to keep in stock because if shipping/sea freight issues, nothing to do with coffee. That being said, coffee grounds will impart some flavor.. not sure what it would be like.. I'm guessing most of the oils/flavor has been extracted. I've smoked chicken with rosemary leaves.. Less is more! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrus Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 The other day I cleaned out the basket and started a fire set for 350. I returned 20-25 minutes later and opened the lid and found I left the two top grates out, ahhh another 15-20 minute wait. So I understand with the deflector being added the wait would be all that much longer. A creature of habit I am. Do I still reach for the deflector... well yes, only because someone made it to the perfect size and it fits so well. Old habits are hard to break and I'm a patient guy (meaning I don't mind the wait most times) but the evidence is overwhelming and I seem to be painted into a corner standing alone. You could say it's easy to stand with the crowd, it takes courage to stand alone.... but, in this case, "I think I'll grab the rope" and join you and maybe move the Aluminum foil closer to the grill. And with the savings I get with all the coal I'm not burning off.. well, maybe a new car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 @Tyrus - come on, jump in the pool with the rest of us, the water's great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrus Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 1 hour ago, tony b said: @Tyrus - come on, jump in the pool with the rest of us, the water's great! Sure, but if I know you Mr. tony b, your gonna let go of the rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted October 31, 2019 Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 What? I'm no Lucy Van Pelt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrus Posted November 1, 2019 Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 and I'm no Charlie Brown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stile88 Posted November 2, 2019 Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 I used the deflector once when I got the KK, I came from BGE and was used to using one till I was converted lol 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisLinkletter Posted November 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2019 On 11/1/2019 at 12:24 AM, Tyrus said: And with the savings I get with all the coal I'm not burning off.. well, maybe a new car It's more about the results.. burn less fuel, create less airflow, less evaporation, and BINGO more retained moisture.. the holy grail of low and slow! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
