afingerhut Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 I've hacked together my own divider and after numerous tests, I can pretty confidently say it IS required for OPTIMAL split zone cooking, particularly in a smaller (classic) kamado where there is not a lot of space to work with. I say "optimal" as I am sure this will work OK...but it could be BETTER. Reason being is that heat radiates in ALL directions, and the coals in the "hot" side will radiate into the empty side (and then up into the food). A solid wall between the two sides helps prevent this radiation. A solid floor also helps with air intake all going to the "hot" side of the kamado. Now this can also be mitigated by using a solid deflector below the food which may be KJ's intent - i.e. you need to use the split zone to help keep the charcoal on one side, combined with the D&C system to deflect any unwanted radiation. I do a raised and divided setup that very effectively creates two zones. My divider does block the bottom, but I've also gotten good results using a deflector plate to isolate the indirect side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 I think I figured out how I'm going to make it. Just need to buy some steel plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afingerhut Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 I think I figured out how I'm going to make it. Just need to buy some steel plate. That's about how I made mine. THD only had very light steel, which is working fine but won't hold up long term. Lowes had some heavier stuff if you have the tools to work with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 Yeah I'm going try and find at least 1/4 inch I don't know if I will need heavier than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beermachine Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 DougRuss 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afingerhut Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 Yeah I'm going try and find at least 1/4 inch I don't know if I will need heavier than that. That would be super heavy and expensive. At that point I wouldn't bother DIYing one. Mine is 1/32" and is probably sufficient to last 3-5 years. Some 1/16 to 1/8" would be plenty. It's not really under any significant load in use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 If you buy that metal from Home Depot or lowes it would be expensive but if you buy scrap from metal yards you pay by the pound I bet it would cost 10-15 dollars and last a lifetime. You're probably right it's over kill but everything I have made for my grill has been. I take after my dad who is farmer and over builds everything. I will look at 1/8 or maybe 3/16 prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afingerhut Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 17 hours ago, Gunnergoose said: If you buy that metal from Home Depot or lowes it would be expensive but if you buy scrap from metal yards you pay by the pound I bet it would cost 10-15 dollars and last a lifetime. You're probably right it's over kill but everything I have made for my grill has been. I take after my dad who is farmer and over builds everything. I will look at 1/8 or maybe 3/16 prices. I also don't have much to fabricate metal parts with. I just used a jigsaw and a bench vise. If I had better stuff, I'd have made something beefier and a little more stable. For the $10 I spent I've been very happy with the function. Reality is, I will never wear it out because I'll have the KJ version well before this quits. Gunnergoose 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 I will likely have a Kj one too but I like having an excuse to work on new projects. After thinking about it a little more I think I will just go with 1/8 it will be easier to cut anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Changed the original plans again and used some scrap stainless expanded metal that I had left over from other projects. jadocs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnergoose Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Cost a tall boy of voodoo ranger and a little time waiting for the Jr to get up to temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BhamBruni Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 The 16 ga flat metal I bought at lowes was $15...cut easy with cut-off grinder Gunnergoose 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charcoal Addict Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 The major flaw with the design of the of the KAB divided would be reduced airflow. The KJ design using open bar is much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBrisket Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 *Duplicate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBrisket Posted July 28, 2017 Share Posted July 28, 2017 On 7/12/2017 at 3:49 AM, afingerhut said: That's a nice looking divider. What did you make it out of? This is the one KJ will be releasing shortly with their ash basket Where did you hear this? I just got off the phone with a rep at KJ HQ and she denied knowledge of it and even referred me to Kick Ash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.