Gasket: re-glue or replace

Re-glue or replace?

The Joe Jr. has a felt gasket, one strip on each rim. Kamado Joe gives no replacement interval for it (the Classic I's felt was "every 2 to 3 years" in Kamado Joe's 2012 guide). Sauce, grease and very hot fires wear it out early.

• A small loose section: Kamado Joe Europe says re-glue just that part; you do not need to remove the whole gasket.
• Burnt, torn or leaking smoke: replace both strips with the Series I felt kit KJ-GA23 (Classic size), which Kamado Joe says also fits the Joe Jr. Check the bands first, since they affect the seal.

Kamado Joe lists no wire-mesh kit for the Joe Jr.

Take the old gasket off

No Joe Jr. method is published. This follows Kamado Joe's gasket video (Big Joe I, felt like the Joe Jr.'s) and Kamado Joe Europe's notes (written for the Classic II's mesh).

1. Let the grill go cold and take the inside out, so no debris falls in.
2. Lift the old base strip gently with a putty knife, working along under it; score it first if it is stuck (the video).
3. Do the dome rim the same way.
4. Scrape off the old glue, then wire-brush or sand the bare rims.
5. Wipe both rims with acetone (the video) or rubbing alcohol (Kamado Joe Europe) and let them dry.

Glue on the new gasket

Kamado Joe Europe's method; the laying tips are from Kamado Joe's felt gasket video.

1. Run a bead of heat-resistant glue round the base rim, even if the kit is self-adhesive.
2. Lay the strip on, starting at the back. Do not stretch it: ease it on, pressing it down as you go.
3. Butt the ends together and trim them.
4. Do the dome rim the same way, with its joint away from the base joint.
5. Close the dome and leave it closed for 12 hours before you light it.

A small gap at the front after a new gasket settles with use (Kamado Joe's video).