Take it apart

What comes out, and the hinge warning

The hinge springs are under tension, and the bands hold the hinge on. The 2020 and 2021 Joe Jr. manuals: do not take the hinge off without the proper hardware; to change the dome or base, call Kamado Joe, who will send hardware that holds the hinge safely closed. The 2024 manual says only to check the bands and hinge. Any change of dome, base, bands or hinge needs two people, gloves and safety glasses.

• No tools: cooking grate, deflector, accessory rack, fire ring, firebox, fire grate, top vent.
• 8 mm spanner (the manual): the handle.
• Cross-head screwdriver (photos): the draft door frame and the top vent's screws.
• Allen key and spanner, Kamado Joe's holding hardware, two people: bands, hinge, dome. Sizes not published.

The 2024 manual calls nothing technician-only; the 2020 and 2021 manuals send you to Kamado Joe for the hinge hardware.