Kamado v smoker v dont bother

After a bout of rubbish weather I'm back at it. Steaks,corn, baby potatoes last night.

Got a heat deflector/ divide and conquer system delivered yesterday so was up early-ish today to put a pork shoulder on.

No real idea what I'm doing aside from some YT video info but I'm sitting having a quick gardening beer break and it smells incredible.

I am starting to wish I'd bought a bigger model :embarrassed:
 
Pork turned out tremendous. I've got some probe thermometers in a box somewhere but just ran this at 240-250f for 3ish hours, put it in the foil boat with some apple juice at the bottom, back on for a few hours with the odd basting.

Served it with crusty wholemeal rolls, coleslaw, BBQ and apple sauce. Absolutely delicious. Also did some teriyaki chicken drumsticks which were great too.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250621_133701241_MFNR.jpg
    IMG_20250621_133701241_MFNR.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 185
Steaks for fajitas tonight and done a bunch of sausages for Lola / leftovers tomorrow.

Used the stainless heat deflector as a makeshift plancha for the wraps and veg.

IMG_20250629_173245797_MFNR.jpg
IMG_20250629_173618503_MFNR.jpg
IMG_20250629_173953054_MFNR.jpg
93cb5564-af0e-4d66-8070-d952804d857d.jpg
 
Another pulled pork shoulder today.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250630_161227009_MFNR.jpg
    IMG_20250630_161227009_MFNR.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 190
  • IMG_20250630_184233200_MFNR.jpg
    IMG_20250630_184233200_MFNR.jpg
    2.6 MB · Views: 181
I had a vest quality Kamado for about 10 years before it disintegrated. It had vest quality on the label. It was the bomb for cooking. Even made a pizza in it. My father got it in Okinawa and I ended up with it. It cooks meat and also veggies. Mine costed $35. Could not afford one now. It blows the doors off a Weber.
 
Did some smoked bone in chicken thighs earlier in the week. Less than
IMG_20250713_174843363_MFNR.jpg
IMG_20250713_181420439_MFNR.jpg
90 minutes from building the fire to on the plate.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250713_174754421_MFNR.jpg
    IMG_20250713_174754421_MFNR.jpg
    2.3 MB · Views: 151
Just ordered a 25inch kamado that I found on sale.

Quick text to a mate and the current one is already sold for a fair price without any marketplace bullshite.

Will see how long it takes to heat but it might spell the end for my trusty old master touch too.
 
Last edited:
New monster arrived yesterday. Mrs jbj hasn't clocked the "for large group and restaurant" comment on the box

IMG_20250802_130849301.jpg
 
First time reverse searing steaks (ribeye for me, sirloin for Mrs jbj)

Couple of beers while we get it up to temp.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250823_182802264.jpg
    IMG_20250823_182802264.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 151
1000011146.jpg
IMG_20250823_203846195.jpg


Mrs JBJs sirloin top and my ribeye bottom.

Bit more of a faff (not sure I'd bother of doing it midweek) but ended up really good. Fat on my ribeye was like butter by time it was done.

Indirect at 250 until they hit 125 internal, rested and gunned the grill to 600 or thereabouts then seared for a few minutes.
 
Been up to it in work so not got to play much the past month or so. Until this weekend. Torrential rain but I've decided it's still happening.

Beef short ribs tomorrow. Tonight Mrs jbj is in town seeing haim so I fired her up, set her to get to Gates of hell hot, took Lola a walk, chucked everything on, steak straight onto the coals and played up. Incredible steak. Veg was lovely too just some oil,pepper and gochujang paste.

IMG_20251031_202332836.jpg
IMG_20251031_205536130_HDR.jpg
IMG_20251031_210709933.jpg
IMG_20251031_211136840_HDR.jpg
IMG_20251031_212448530.jpg
 
Round 2. Trying beef short ribs for the first time. Lola managed to snag one while I was setting the big red monster up!!!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20251101_112435481.jpg
    IMG_20251101_112435481.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 107
  • IMG_20251101_112818958_HDR.jpg
    IMG_20251101_112818958_HDR.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 131
  • IMG_20251101_114532000_HDR~2.jpg
    IMG_20251101_114532000_HDR~2.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 128
Last edited:
Aldi selling cheap sides of salmon for Easter so jumped on that. Did a teriyaki dry rub then glaze. Turned out great.
IMG_20260403_193217895~2.jpg


Lamb leg tomorrow
 
Hell yeah, man. I love the Kamado-style grills. I used to use one weekly for steaks, ribs, whole chickens, pizza, and even a few casseroles. My wife got a little burnt out on smokey everything. Now I'm just doing a monthly brisket or pastrami, but it's still a great tool.
 
Back
Top