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Excellent project. I have a welder but I never thought of doing this. It looks great.

My firebox bottom ring cracked some time ago just as yours has. It eventually broke completely into 2 pieces. It still cooks fine and I haven't gotten around to requesting a replacement yet but I will. Happy cooking

Check out Babyback Maniac on Youtube. He has posted on this forum in the past and he has some good videos on that kamado. He gives it very high ratings. Happy cooking

Briquettes have a more regular shape than lump and probably don't affect airflow negatively as compared to lump at startup. Yes they make ash, like all charcoal but their strength is consistency bag after bag. The KJ ash removal system is pretty convenient as compared to some kamado grills so if you have to pull the tray a bit more or shake and stir the pile it's not too much trouble. If you have an ash basket that makes it even easier. Briquettes aren't popular here but I use them from time to time without issues. To each their own. Your mileage may vary. Try pulling the tray if y

I have 2 cracked heat deflectors, both cracked in 2 pieces. They have been cracked for at least 2 years. I support them with a grate and they cook fine. If I ever replace them I will still support the replacements with a grate because I think it stresses them less.

That's unfortunate to say the least. Does your credit card offer warranty coverage or extended coverage on purchases by any chance? I wonder if your place of purchase could help you out based on a copy of your credit card statement or even their records based on your approximate date and time of purchase. It's not like the thing is 2, 3 years old. It was obviously manufactured this year. Best of Luck

I have a Troy-Bilt Honda powered push mower that's a couple of seasons old and it starts first or second pull every time. It doesn't have one of those ball "push to prime" thingys for starting and it doesn't need it. It does have a needle valve / float carburetor so changing and cleaning the air filter and using clean gas is a must. Change the oil once a season and it will last many years.

That's a nice looking cook. Great job balancing the skin vs overall doneness.

Hickory is fantastic, but everything that you cook tastes like hotdogs because lots of hotdogs are flavored with hickory. I prefer oak myself which is a bit milder and has a great flavor without tasting like so much store bought meat. Happy cooking

I use Frontier and I think it is good lump. Just guessing, but did that chemical smell like ammonia? If so then that is very common to all or at least many sources of lump. I've gotten it with Frontier, Kamado Joe Big Block, Royal Oak, Cowboy, so on and so forth. I wouldn't worry about it. Charcoal naturally absorbs odors (some of it anyway). I hope that helps. Happy Cooking

Nice wheels. Let's see how it performs at the strip. https://www.motor1.com/news/431187/chevry-corvette-dodge-demon-race/

I never even knew that such a wonderful sounding piece of meat existed. Please someone chime in.

That is a great forum and the best place to get a support. I take it that you are having login issues or posting issues but certainly not a rude reception... not my business... From the 4.3 wiki page: LCD and Button Board which contains the drive circuitry for the 16x2 character LCD and buttons, as well as the 3 indicator LEDs. Optional if a local display and buttons are not desired. https://github.com/CapnBry/HeaterMeter/wiki/HeaterMeter-4.3-Hardware So to answer your question, fire it up, that board is indeed optional.

This looks like the beginnings of a great project. Any plans for solar panels? Most importantly, where does the grill go?

The fire in that high position is great for burn-offs to clean the cast iron grate too.