Chris Topher

What @&roid said. Steam to get thing moving...

Who cares about the drill, just look at that grill hanging off the edge! That’s what makes me nervous!!

Because you INSERT it into the grill. Where’s the confusion??

You might be making your car an easier target

yowza! Looks like you have the KJ secured against any theft. Any potential thief should certainly be deterred.

Check out the lump comparison thread by @ckreef (a seasoned professional) in the product reviews section. KJ big block took almost an hour to get up to 500*F where RO took about half the time. If you’re looking to go hot, e.g., a pizza cook, you may want to try a different lump. I came from an Akorn to a KJ Classic I (which sounds like what you have). The design of the fire grate is much different. In the Akorn, the fire grate is just a small grill grate. You know what the KJ fire grate looks like. As a noob with the KJ, it took me some time to adjust to the cast iron KJ fire grate; I had trouble getting past about 400, kinda where you are. I took a crutch approach, and threw in a grate like the Akorn’s and had no trouble reaching higher temps. “Aha,” I needed to LEARN a little, did some sleuthing here, went back to the stock fire grate, and am now conscious of keeping the air holes clear of smalls, stones, and such. Keep at it, and Kamado onward!

Sounds like an airflow problem

Pretty good. A buck a pound. I see they have the KJ Classic (what appears to be a Classic I) for $750 delivered.

Smart choice on the Classic, regardless of which version or somewhere in between

Big Yeti fan here, as I drink my coffee from my Rambler. It will keep the coffee piping hot or the margaritas ice cold for hours. I recently picked up a soft-sided cooler from amazon at a great price in a flash sale. It, and the cockroaches, will survive a nuclear apocalypse!

My setup is embarrassing in comparison. Just the KJ Classic I on my deck, in the corner. It gets the job done, though!

No judgment intended

The very tip of the crack is where the stress riser is located. I think you need to go all the way through, otherwise you won’t eliminate the stress riser.

How is one on a “very limited budget” looking at $1,800 grill How ‘bout an Akorn or two?

Nice knowing you, @ckreef. You and your contributions will be sorely missed