havachat Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Hi All, I'm desperate and I would like some advice! By the way the work I've seen here looks great! I’ve been reading through your threads, I’m in search of answers that I’m hoping that you might be able to help me with. I’m currently trying to modify a Weber to make it more like a Kamado ceramic grill. Some pics below. http://www.kamadojoe.com/fundamentals http://biggreenegg.com/how-do-you-like-your-eggs/ What I’m planning to do is build inside a weber kettle style BBW some ceramic for some heat retaining. I know nothing about the type of Terracotta you can find at the Hardware store. I’m wondering if there are any chemicals or additives that I should be concerned with? Also how difficult would it be if I found a ceramist to make a shape that would fit inside a Weber Kettle? I'd like to learn how to do it if so! Weber kettle below http://www.weberbbq.com.au/charcoal/kettle/ Thanks in advance for any guidance you could provide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 I really think you are trying to do something most difficult. Others may have some ideas, but I don't think it would work very easily to line the inside of the metal form. best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyK Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 I agree with the Pres...very difficult at best. However, if it was something I was trying to do, I would start by finding a local pottery or school with a kiln big enough to fire the pieces. Using a high fire clay, I would lay the form up on the OUTSIDE of the Weber using coils. Doing it on the outside would give you a better fit because you have to account for the shrinkage of the pieces you are fabricating. The fit won't be perfect by any means. If you couldn't find a large kiln, you could consider cutting the bowl you have formed into quarters or even smaller tiles to fire in a smaller kiln. Since you are obviously looking to save $$$$, if you can't do this yourself now, you might consider hooking up with a local school that teaches ceramics and approach them about taking the project on as a challenge. Lastly, just buy a Kamado. it would definitely work a lot better than anything you could Rube Goldberg together. Good luck, JohnnyK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 While your idea sounds simple, it is really going to be very difficult. You could spend years doing things wrong. Easier to buy one or find friends who already own one. Good luck in your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo_heff Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Maybe line with this castable refractory: Probably your best bet http://www.sheffield-pottery.com/LOUCAST-3000-CASTABLE-MORTAR-p/lvclc.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rae Reich Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 If you line the inside (first, line Weber top and bottom with crumpled-then-slightly-smoothed newspaper in 2-3 layers) with coils of Cone 06 earthenware or raku clay, smoothed to about 3/4" thickness. Pierce top (lid piece) with a couple of holes placed where you can wire it to the lid (or work out a three-point system for SS bolts thru hood), and cut openings for vents. Allow to dry slowly in the bbq, remove and find a place to have the two bowls fired. Be sure you keep documentation of the clay and its firing temp to be sure you get the right temp firing. Cone 06 clay doesn't shrink a whole lot, maybe an inch, at most of your diameter. Don't worry if the bottom cracks or splits during cooking, but if the clay hasn't been sealed with a nice coating of soot/grease it will absorb water, so be sure it has dried slowly and thoroughly before cooking unless you want your food to steam. You will have to sacrifice a perfect seal, probably, or get creative with other materials, if you only try this once, or you could persist, adding improvements as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Do yourself a big favor and order a komodogrill thru the link you posted The time and energy and money trying to joe bob your own will not pencil out. I have been to Komodo myself and seen the dragons which inspired the grill I assume? Spend your money on the meat not building the grill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 If you're trying to save money by making your own, you won't. The usual answer here to "can I? / will this work?" is test, test, test. By the time you've got a solution you could have purchased two or three originals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 I read the our story of the Komodo grill guys website It's two guys deciding to sell China wares at huge markups It's a real story of up selling a concept named after a real dragon lizard I see they are only just over 1,000 bucks on Amazon or you can get the small one for 499$ at Home Depot Either way you can feel the bite of the dragon on your wallet. I,m waiting for the film version of Gi joe vs Komodo joe to hit the theaters later this year It's a story about the lid mechanism failing and trapping Komodo Joes hand and Gi Joe buying more charcoal while Joe feels the heat Which Joe prevails well you will just have to wait for the film release date Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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