Busted up Imperial #2 Kamado - Rebuild Advice.

Jars · Post by **Jars** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 2:37 pm

Today the BBQ gods were looking over me. A quick trip to Bunnings and a 'short-cut' down a side street led me to find this little guy, in a pile of hard rubbish, next to a broken down dishwasher and some grotty old mattresses. Looks like he's already been pretty neglected, and I couldn't let him end up in some landfill, so I chucked him on the car, and off I went with my new score. I had a quick peek inside when I grabbed it, to make sure there was buts and pieces inside.

Here he is.

http://s6.beta.photobucket.com/user/dem ... sort=3&o=0

So once i got him home, it was time for a better look. Opened it up as far as the rusty hinges would allow, and heres what i found;

So far so good i though, so i continued on. Took out the grill and the top ring. All intact! Woohoo! The rest, not so much.

So as you can see, the lower firebox parts have been smashed up, but all bits and pieces seem to be there.

So I need advice from anyone thats willing to help.

First of all, is it worth the effort? I'm willing to put the time in, but pretty short on cash at the moment.

Whats the best thing to do? Source a new fire box or can i 'glue' this one back together some how?

How can i paint this thing? 95% of the paint on the outside has come off, so I'd like to paint it.

Metal/hinges? Are replacements available, or should i restore these some how?

I think thats pretty much all the questions i have for now. Thanks in advance for all those willing to help out and offer up their opinions.

Cheers,
Jars

beachbums · Post by **beachbums** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Not sure about the rest but if you can get the hinges off, soak them in diesel for a couple of days. Open and close them a few times now and then. Each time you do it should get better.
Hope that makes sense?

Cheers, Wayne

titch · Post by **titch** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:33 pm

beachbums wrote:Not sure about the rest but if you can get the hinges off, soak them in diesel for a couple of days. Open and close them a few times now and then. Each time you do it should get better.
Hope that makes sense?

Cheers, Wayne

Food &fish has made his own firebox from clay.do a search or PM him.
I will take it of your hands if you wish

Cheers.
Titch

BBQ&BEERS · Post by **BBQ&BEERS** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:41 pm

beachbums wrote:Not sure about the rest but if you can get the hinges off, soak them in diesel for a couple of days. Open and close them a few times now and then. Each time you do it should get better.
Hope that makes sense?

Cheers, Wayne

Hit them with some silicon spray then you could also soak them in vinegar, it will remove the rust.

Jars · Post by **Jars** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:31 pm

Bands/hinges will come off by cutting the bolts with an angle grinder. Will try the silicone spray/vinegar trick and see how that goes. If it needs it, may see how much it costs to sand/bead blast, then give them a lick of paint.

Have read some resto threads on BBQ brethren that have some good details on gluing the smashed firebox together, so I'll give that a shot I reckon.

titch · Post by **titch** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:34 pm

Jars wrote:Bands/hinges will come off by cutting the bolts with an angle grinder. Will try the silicone spray/vinegar trick and see how that goes. If it needs it, may see how much it costs to sand/bead blast, then give them a lick of paint.

Have read some resto threads on BBQ brethren that have some good details on gluing the smashed firebox together, so I'll give that a shot I reckon.

molasses and water will get rid of the rust,1part molasses3 parts water.
Soak totally covered for a few weeks.
Cheers.
Titch

urbangriller · Post by **urbangriller** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:37 pm

Get some refectory cement (look up Furnace Builders in the phone book) the bits will glue back together.

Measure the grill, you can get a new one. Also measure the fire grate, you'll be able to get a metal replacement.

Painting (with High Temp Paint) is no problem.

The bottom vent on the #2 was always a slide out hollow drawer to control the airflow. Have a look at this pic:

Cheers
Chris

Jars · Post by **Jars** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:43 pm

Thanks for all the tips guys, getting excited for this little project!

Once the uds is done, this will be up next!

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:51 pm

A bit off topic but that pic of yours (Urbangriller) is the first time I have seen a Kamado used with Kebab skewers. That needs some planning next time I do some Souvlakia.
Anybody heard of attaching some sort of automatic turning apparatus to a Kamado?

Jars · Post by **Jars** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:55 pm

urbangriller wrote: The bottom vent on the #2 was always a slide out hollow drawer to control the airflow. Have a look at this pic:

Cheers
Chris

Still has the draw/plug in there, a bit chipped on the front, but shouldnt be of concern. Doesnt fit very tightly though, would this be a problem?

dales133 · Post by **dales133** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:33 pm

Some people have all the luck!
Nice score jars

urbangriller · Post by **urbangriller** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:39 pm

Jars wrote: Still has the draw/plug in there, a bit chipped on the front, but shouldnt be of concern. Doesnt fit very tightly though, would this be a problem?

As I understand, It's not meant to close tightly, it's a kind of wiggle adjustment/zen thing. To shut down completely, some people wrap a wet rag around it to improve the seal.

Cheers
Chris

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:44 pm

Nice find! What a great project!

sosman · Post by **sosman** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:34 pm

Nice one alright. I would definitely try the glue - you have nothing to lose.

Jars · Post by **Jars** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:02 am

sosman wrote:Nice one alright. I would definitely try the glue - you have nothing to lose.

My thoughts exactly!

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