Light it

Light the charcoal

The 2025 manual's method.

1. Stir the old charcoal with the ash tool so loose ash falls through the grate.
2. Empty the ash drawer (cold ash only).
3. Add charcoal and light it with one or two firelighters.
4. Leave the dome and the draft door fully open for 10 minutes.
5. Close the dome.
6. Start closing both vents when you are within 10 °C (50 °F) of your target. Allow 20 to 60 minutes to settle.

Kamado Joe's 2017 lighting video leaves the dome open only 3 to 5 minutes. The manual is newer; this guide follows it.