Can't Get Blaze Past 500 Degrees

[Steaknstuff 0]

Hi Guys,

 

Owner of a Blaze Kamado for about 6 months. Have used for long cooks in the winter with no trouble. Use it with the BBQ Guru and works great.  However,  I cannot get this thing to get hot for grilling.  Winter or summer.  30 min and were at about 450.  At an hour maybe 525.  I've tried different charcoal, lump and briquettes, leaving the lid open for 20 min or so, started the fire via squares and even a heat gun.  Never use the deflector plate for grilling. 

 

Man,  I just cant figure out how to get this thing hot.  

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

[John Setzler 14,830]

9 hours ago, Steaknstuff said:

Hi Guys,

 

Owner of a Blaze Kamado for about 6 months. Have used for long cooks in the winter with no trouble. Use it with the BBQ Guru and works great.  However,  I cannot get this thing to get hot for grilling.  Winter or summer.  30 min and were at about 450.  At an hour maybe 525.  I've tried different charcoal, lump and briquettes, leaving the lid open for 20 min or so, started the fire via squares and even a heat gun.  Never use the deflector plate for grilling. 

 

Man,  I just cant figure out how to get this thing hot.  

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

One of two things... not enough charcoal and/or not enough airflow.

 

[Ben S 8,497]

I talked to a friend Who ran an outdoor store about the blaze  He commented that it was designed to limit airflow and temps to prevent the kamado from melting. 
 

in my Joe, 600 in the dome is over 1000F under the heat deflector. 

[John Setzler 14,830]

True... for direct grilling the dome temperature is always irrelevant.  You just need a grill grate set over a nice hot bed of coals and all is right in the world....

 

[nstigator 154]

Are you leaving the bottom damper door open or closing it and turning the wheel all the way open? I can usually get 550-600 readings on the dome thermometer when I have the door open, and it is probably closer to 450 with just the wheel.