Tiled Kamados

[Terry Daniel]

Hello ALL, Ive cooked on a # of kamados over many yrs. My father began cooking on an Imperial kamado back in the early 70's in my youth. I've never cooked on a "tiled" kamado but I just inherited one in pretty good shape but in need of some repairs:

-ext tile on base

-fire ring??

Any one here know of anybody or have experience restoring tiled kamados willing to share expertise??

I greatly appreciate any and all assistance.

 

Thx!!

Terry

 

[C6Bill]

Hi Terry

Welcome to the forum. Some pictures would help us help you. Restoring tiles can be easy or it can be hard, depending on the damage you are trying to repair

 

Bill

[tony b]

As @C6Bill said, pictures would help, especially if you have an old R Johnson KK (aka POSK). If that's what you own, then shedding tiles is just par for the course. It may or may not be repairable. I owned one myself and the collar for the top hat just crumbled. They just weren't very well made, unlike Dennis' KKs, which are built like tanks! 

[jdbower]

1 hour ago, tony b said:

unlike Dennis' KKs, which are built like tanks! 

Tanks only wish they were this well-built!

[Terry Daniel]

On 8/8/2024 at 2:19 AM, C6Bill said:

Hi Terry

Welcome to the forum. Some pictures would help us help you. Restoring tiles can be easy or it can be hard, depending on the damage you are trying to repair

 

Bill

 

[C6Bill]

I’ll wait for Tony to speak to what you have there (POSK). He is the resident expert 👍

[5698k]

I’m not confident the top vent can be repaired. I’m also afraid that the body will have significant damage because of the top vent breaking like that. That being the case, i would be hesitant to put much effort into trying to repair this grill. Good luck with whatever you decide.


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[jdbower]

For history: a family-run business used the Kamado name (Kamado being a more generic term for a Korean/Japanese type of cooking). Quality dropped significantly when they moved to manufacturing to Mexico, hence the monikers POSK and MexiK. Dennis saw the poor quality of this product and created Komodo Kamado - improving on the aesthetics and providing a truly premium product superior in every way. What I'm seeing suggests an older MexiK to my untrained eyes, but is definitely not a Komodo Kamado. That said, we're here for the food so you can still find repair advice here moreso than from the original manufacturer. Some repairs are aesthetic, others more functional - but getting the food right is the important part!

[tony b]

Definitely a Johnson POSK.

With that much damage, especially the broken top vent, I have to 2nd @5698k, it may be beyond repair, I'm afraid. 

[Tyrus]

The big question might be, Is it worth the time and effort albeit there maybe other hidden problems lurking?  You can always cast a new cap, that's not a game stopper...I don't mean to disagree with the others but I'm certain you could find something similar in shape to work as a mold about the same size. I understand your dilemma, one side says it's all here, a challenge..give it a go while the other side says just buy a new one. I see the possibilities, definitly an extensive challenge, the journey starts with the first step.

[jdbower]

If you have access, one of the most useful aspects of 3D printing is in generating molds. If you are or know any 3D printer hobbyists I believe the Mexi-K is mostly Portland Cement available at Home Despots everywhere. That said, even a bowl of about the right shape would probably do if you're looking for a hobby project. Then you'd just need to source a properly threaded screw (assuming the rust level is not awful) and some high temperature gasket material.

[bbqking103]

You might try high heat automotive permatex to adhere tiles to the concrete shell? You know that kind you make head gaskets out of? Just guessing here but seems likely that would work. Not so sure about what grout to use as a simple google search IDs three different types of grout. You would need the kind that is flexible under high heat. Otherwise, I suspect standard grout will just crack and cause you headaches later.