Cast-iron care

The fire grate and the top vent

Kamado Joe gives no care method or interval for the Joe Jr.'s fire grate beyond keeping ash off it.

1. Lift the fire grate out when the grill is cold, through the fire ring once the grate, deflector and rack are out.
2. Brush off ash and loose scale with a wire brush.
3. Look for cracks or holes burnt through: replace it with KJ-MFG13 if so (5-year warranty on cast iron).
4. Refit it the way it came out: the Joe Jr. manual does not say which side goes up.
5. The top vent is cast iron too: keep it dry, and see the top vent for rust.

Cast-iron cooking grates (an accessory, not in the box): Kamado Joe's video seasons them with oil at 175 °C (350 °F) for 1 hour, twice the first time, then brushes after cooking and wipes with spray oil against rust. Its blog: no soap where possible.