R.I.P. Cloud Blue Classic

[mctoo2]

I bought a pair of KK classics back in 2007 and this cloud blue gave up the ghost this weekend.  The layers started separating and tiles started falling off back in 2019.  In 2020 I wrapped it in aluminum HVAC tape to seal it up and got a few good cooks a year out of it until this weekend.  I fired it up and went to open the top vent and chunks of the vent cap fell on the grate.  The separation cracks are now prominent on the top edge of the cooker and on the bottom edge of the lid.  I guess 12 good years and 5 marginal years was a pretty good run.  It was fun while it lasted and I will miss it sitting on the patio.  A bit of a sad fathers day as it was like one of my kids.  Hug your kids and your KKs on this fathers day 😁. 

 

 

[5698k]

How’s the other one doing?


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[mctoo2]

I bought the second one for my brother.  His stays in the garage and he just rolls it out for cooks so it is still in good shape.

[Tyrus]

Wrapping in tape, your KK was on life support so to speak. Reminds me of getting that last drop from a lemon, you squeeze and squeeze beacause you know there's another drop still inside. Appears you have no chickens left in the coop, are you in the market?  Dennis could put that missing smile back on your face then you could be sitting high in the saddle again all the way to the finish line.

[mctoo2]

I can afford it but it is a costly endeavor for the years I got out of it.  While it was limping the past few years I supplemented it with a PK original and PK360 and only use the KK for long cooks having moved the rest of my charcoal cooking to the PKs.  I am also not as young as I was in 2007 and the thought of getting a 500lb grill into my remote and hilly backyard isn't all that appealing.  I will pull out and dust off the original clay kamado I have for my next cook and see where it goes from there.  My guess is I will get another modern kamado at some point but right now I am still mourning an old friend and teacher. 😒

[5698k]

I bought the second one for my brother.  His stays in the garage and he just rolls it out for cooks so it is still in good shape.

So, did yours live outside, uncovered?


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[mctoo2]

It lives out on the patio but every winter I rolled it under the deck and covered it.  It would get uncovered for cooks like ribs on New Years Eve or leg of lamb on Christmas or a full brisket just because but it would get covered again the next day.  I live in the Chicago area and we have some pretty good swings in weather from hot humid summers to a few weeks of frigid cold in the winters. 

[Tyrus]

I hear you loud and clear, but removing the lid on the 23 as I did mine lowered the center of gravity and made it possible for the long distance and up the ramp to the deck where it's sat since 2017. In fact it was so easy for two I'd repeat it the same way today even though as you I'm getting older and question moves as these when I didn't before.

[5698k]

I’d say you got good service from that guy. If you do decide on a new one, between the advancements of grout materials, and getting it covered full time, my guess is that it’ll be your last one. I have one from 2012, not exposed to the elements, that still looks as good as my new one.


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[mctoo2]

Using the full cover during the humid summer months doesn't work all that well.  With the full cover on in the summer even with both vents left wide open the inside get moldy pretty quick.  

[5698k]

Moisture accumulation under the tiles is likely what caused them to come off. Like i said tho, grout tech has advanced quite a bit over the years.


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[mctoo2]

I agree with the grout comment but if it were just the tiles it would be cosmetic and I would still be able to use it.  The bigger issue is that the two layers of the structure separated and air was getting into the fire chamber making it impossible to regulate the temperature.  That is why I used the hvac tape to seal the firebox from the outside.  It actually worked well and held up well even through high temperature cooks.  The final nail in the coffin is that it is starting to crumble.  The bottom surface of the top vent never really gets wet but failed first because it is a stress point where the screw is embedded.  Based on the cracks that opened up on the top edge of the body and the bottom edge of the lid my guess is when I break it up to haul it out it will break up pretty easily.