Bought a used Ceramic Cooker today..

[cowboydon]

Well actually the wife did, and when we got it home and cleaned up - The firebox and grate ring are broke. I never dealt with
one these cookers before and wondering if its worth trying to find replacement parts? Can you cook on them if the insides are cracked?
The diameter is 16 inches across (is this standard?). Any help you can provide on even possibly what brand it is would be great.

Thanks

007_sm.jpg

008_sm.jpg

016_sm.jpg

[3 star redneck]

Dang Don,. You got an original Kamado! Good cooker.., and I hope you can get parts..thats cool...

[egghead]

Don,

Your bride made a nice find. You can absolutely cook on it. Many people cook with cracked firerings and fireboxes. The size looks to be the same as a medium BGE in case you want to get some replacement parts, but I would confirm the size before ordering any.

I would use it for low and slow and grilling under 400 degrees. The old style ceramic cookers are clay and not like the ones today that can take the nuclear temps.

Didn't see a cap in the pics - did it come with a cap that can restrict the flow or one that can shut down the lump?

Is there a gasket between the dome and base?

[DATsBBQ]

Looks like an Imperial Kamado. They were made in China and Japan back in the day. GIs would take them back to the states. They are terra cotta, meaning a true flower pot. If the outside shell cracks, it can be glued. As for the fire ring, don't sweat the cracks there. Looks like you're missing the top vent piece. Measure the diameter and match it up with a BGE top vent. Those innards look very much like what came with my Primo; a fire ring, base and grate. Today the base and fire ring are one piece.

http://www.kamadobbq.com/History---Restoration.html" target="_blank

Yours appears to a #4

[OldUsedParts]

I know "nothing" about these but that sure is a pretty piece
and should generate lots of good conversation in the future.

[Papa Tom]

Nice Pot Don it looks to me like two 1 cu ft bags of Miracle Grow potting soil...will work nicely.

[cowboydon]

Don,

Your bride made a nice find. You can absolutely cook on it. Many people cook with cracked firerings and fireboxes. The size looks to be the same as a medium BGE in case you want to get some replacement parts, but I would confirm the size before ordering any.

I would use it for low and slow and grilling under 400 degrees. The old style ceramic cookers are clay and not like the ones today that can take the nuclear temps.

Didn't see a cap in the pics - did it come with a cap that can restrict the flow or one that can shut down the lump?

Is there a gasket between the dome and base?

Thanks EH - I did some research last night and I came to the conclusion that it is really close to the size of a Medium BGE, so I would need to get the cap, and a new airflow vent (the on it is rusted open) and there is no gasket.

Looks like an Imperial Kamado. They were made in China and Japan back in the day. GIs would take them back to the states. They are terra cotta, meaning a true flower pot. If the outside shell cracks, it can be glued. As for the fire ring, don't sweat the cracks there. Looks like you're missing the top vent piece. Measure the diameter and match it up with a BGE top vent. Those innards look very much like what came with my Primo; a fire ring, base and grate. Today the base and fire ring are one piece.

http://www.kamadobbq.com/History---Restoration.html" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

Yours appears to a #4

Thanks DATsBBQ it does need a cap, and the outside shell is in great condition. Thanks for the link.

[cowboydon]

[quote="Papa Tom"]Nice Pot Don it looks to me like two 1 cu ft bags of Miracle Grow potting soil...will work nicely. [/quote

PT - That was plan B if it wasnt usable

[egghead]

Don,

I wonder if you can toss the top in your cooker for a while and then spray it with some cooking spray. That's what most folks do when t is left out a while and get caked with rust.

[DATsBBQ]

The link I posted also sells parts.