so cool. if that top vent is cast iron. You can clean it up with sandpaper, spray it down with oil, and throw it in the oven a few times. (bake a few layers of oil on it like a cast iron pan) and it will look good as new.
Well it's been several months since I made this video and I've been cooking on it a good bit. It cooks perfectly. I've Really enjoyed learning to smoke Boston Butts on it. I've not tried a Brisket yet but hope to soon. I think about my Grandfather "Daddy Max" every time I use it. Brings back great memories :)
I'd love to know what what material you used for the gasket, I need the wheeled cart and cap. everything else is intact my grandmother left me the EXACT same grill. PLEASE HELP Thanks for your your post!
@@djlilrog Certainly. The gasket is simply the Large BGE gasket. Comes in a roll and most BGE stores sell it. Once the old surface is cleaned, it's easy to lay down. Hope yours goes well,
I have recently inherited the exact same Kamado pot. I can't wait to do the restoration just like you did. This video is very helpful. Especially the part about replacing the gasket, which I did not know about. Thank you!
Wow. The ceramics used back then are obviously far superior to what's being produced today. That's a keeper! I have an XL I purchased about 12 years ago. The base has been replaced twice under warranty due to cracking. All the internal ceramics have been replaced several times for the same reason only most of them aren't lifetime warrantied. Eggs are way too fragile I don't recommend them in fact, I've since moved on to a LSG stick burner.
So glad you liked the video and thank you for the comment. Off the top of my head I can't remember exactly the size. I want to say it was 18-19 inches I think. I know it's the same as the "Large" BGE grate, so if you need one, that should work if you bought one from BGE. Keep posted on yours.
MAN o MAN you are LUCKY you slammed open the lid ( lucky was NOT hot enough to have BURPED..or you would have burned all the ARM hairs off) BUT BIGGEST thing you have done wrong ( AND 1 day it will cause the END of your Egg)...IS you did NOT LOCK ( pull forward) on the hinge stays ... you were VERY VERY lucky it did not drop down and CRACK..i have MY dads he broght back on the HANCOCK from Japan 1972 :) PLEASE lock hinges b4 you let go :)
Yeah, very hard to film and do other things with only two hands... I was lucky but kinda knew it locked up good enough for that short time. Also, I've never been burnt by an egg when cooking / opening them. I shave my arms anyway, so there's no hair to burn off...LOL This one already has some cracks in the lower and I rarely use it much since I got my offset and Lonestart Grillz Insulated Cabinet smokers. Thanks for the heads up. I think that one time was the only time I never made sure the hinges were locked. Can't see it in the vid much but filming, I always leaned in and used my arm to hold it up until I got it locked.
What is the value of one of these early 1970's green color kamados? The Big Green Egg company started in 1974 by selling imported green kamados from Japan. I recently bought one at a garage sale for $100. Old guy orginally bought it in Japan in 1970. Wondering what its actually worth to a Big Green Egg fan.
I just asked my grandfather for his. He said take it, it's the exact same one. Same color everything. He called it a hibachi, smoked whole chickens on it. I am missing the wheeled cart for mine, gonna build one tomorrow. Also the fire ring was in 5 pieces but might just set a few small stone blocks/pavers, on the fire box to elevate cooking grate.. Anyways, great vid
That's awesome!!! Congrats! If you ever shoot a vid of it, post link here so I can watch it. Have fun with it. You could also buy a fire ring from BGE. Once It's sooted up, you'll never know the difference. Thanks for posting.
Interceptor1255 , Just went to harbor freight and purchased a flat rolling platform w castor wheels for nest. Was gonna weld one but said to heck w it. Also, what I thought was a cracked ring was a "pizza ring" or heat platform. Grandpa tried out back the 80's. . I found the original ring today in a shed and grandma had the original Japanese owners manual!!!! I'm so excited.. I will do a video too I think.. never did one. but might since I have your twin grill. My grandfather was in Korean War and grandma said he came back and that was first thing he wanted.. Had another but was destroyed back in the 60s during shipping. This is cool!!!!#!
Ryan Lewis That's awesome man!! Glad you found that ring. Sounds like you have a good one now yo enjoy years of cooking and smoking with. I have since moved into a different house and have purchased two more smokers. I have a LoneStar Grillz Insulated vertical cabinet smoker. Search them on CZcams and watch the large insulated cabinet video. I also purchased an Old Country Brazos offset pipe smoker for when I want to actually manage a fire. I've done several cookson all of my smokers there are a few videos on my channel.
@@ryanlewis194 I also was just given the same egg. Same color, same hardware. I also am going to do a restore. Ryan, would you be willing to share your owners manual? Good luck with your egg!
@@protectandswerve I was given one a couple years ago and at first, because of the color, I thought it was a faded Kamado Joe. But then I learned about the original Kamado cooker that inspired the BGE. One of the clues on mine was a number of cracks in the lid that had been repaired. The Imperial Kamados were great for smoking/bbqing, but not so good for high temp grilling.
@@rickarmstrong9793 this is definitely one of those then because it’s made of clay and not ceramic like big green egg. So yes it’s not very good for very high heat. My fire ring inside is in two pieces and I have cracks on the lower body but it’s still holding strong. It’s wonderful for smoking and some grilling. It just means a lot to me to have it and get to use it since it belong to my late grandfather and his son, my uncle that passed it down to me.
Easiest way to clean all the carbon and crap out of those eggs is to do a cleaning burn. Load it with charcoal and let it get as hot as she will go and let it rip for a couple hours. Next day just dust off the carbon and vacuum it out.
This is a vintage Kamado. Made of clay, NOT ceramic like a BGE brand or modern equivalent. You CAN'T do high heat with these. They will crack. This one is from 1970's, and already has some cracking. Can't risk it. More of a keep sake than something I use on the regular. I've purchase much more robust and modern and Larger smokers since then. Thanks though.
I have the same one, from my grandmother. Because it’s clay, we shouldn’t ever go much higher than 300 degrees. Luckily, mine has no cracks. I just ordered the ThermoPro 20 wireless temperature gauge to monitor the heat. Like you, I have tremendous sentimental value for my Imperial. Still trying to think of a good name for her to honor my grandmother. I recommend you join the chat group on KamadoGuru.com. I have received a lot of great tips there. Happy grilling!
Hello. Thank you so much for posting. If you ever got Daddy Max's smoker painted would you consider posting? I would love to see how it came out. Thanks.
I never painted it. I wanted it to still look old like I remembered it toward the end of his life. I still cook on it some though. But I've since purchased other smokers I cook on too.
I have the exact same Kamado and have kept it as built (but have not yet determined what exact year) "Preserve and Restore" is my motto. Not remanufacture it and destroy the patina of time" Glad to hear you've kept it the way it looked.@@GrnBltSniper
so cool. if that top vent is cast iron. You can clean it up with sandpaper, spray it down with oil, and throw it in the oven a few times. (bake a few layers of oil on it like a cast iron pan) and it will look good as new.
Well it's been several months since I made this video and I've been cooking on it a good bit. It cooks perfectly. I've Really enjoyed learning to smoke Boston Butts on it. I've not tried a Brisket yet but hope to soon. I think about my Grandfather "Daddy Max" every time I use it. Brings back great memories :)
Interceptor1255 , Did the original hinges do good after paint. ?
Yeah, they did just fine. Keep me posted.
I'd love to know what what material you used for the gasket, I need the wheeled cart and cap. everything else is intact my grandmother left me the EXACT same grill. PLEASE HELP Thanks for your your post!
@@djlilrog Certainly. The gasket is simply the Large BGE gasket. Comes in a roll and most BGE stores sell it. Once the old surface is cleaned, it's easy to lay down. Hope yours goes well,
I have recently inherited the exact same Kamado pot. I can't wait to do the restoration just like you did. This video is very helpful. Especially the part about replacing the gasket, which I did not know about. Thank you!
Awesome to hear you enjoyed the video. Thank you for your reply!! I hope you really enjoy yours even more now.
I bet your grandpa would be proud! I hope my grandson gets and enjoys mine 🙏
Thank you! I hope your grandson does too! Great things to keep and remember loved ones.
Wow. The ceramics used back then are obviously far superior to what's being produced today. That's a keeper! I have an XL I purchased about 12 years ago. The base has been replaced twice under warranty due to cracking. All the internal ceramics have been replaced several times for the same reason only most of them aren't lifetime warrantied. Eggs are way too fragile I don't recommend them in fact, I've since moved on to a LSG stick burner.
Thanks for the video. My old man left me his and I’m restoring mine. Video really hit home bro. What size grate did you have?
So glad you liked the video and thank you for the comment. Off the top of my head I can't remember exactly the size. I want to say it was 18-19 inches I think. I know it's the same as the "Large" BGE grate, so if you need one, that should work if you bought one from BGE. Keep posted on yours.
Great vid . helped to see someone doing the same thing im doing to mine. cheer's bud.
Man I’m not sure about painting the outside of mine, I like the old patina.
I have one exactly like it my grandmother left me. Same color everything.
MAN o MAN you are LUCKY you slammed open the lid ( lucky was NOT hot enough to have BURPED..or you would have burned all the ARM hairs off) BUT BIGGEST thing you have done wrong ( AND 1 day it will cause the END of your Egg)...IS you did NOT LOCK ( pull forward) on the hinge stays ... you were VERY VERY lucky it did not drop down and CRACK..i have MY dads he broght back on the HANCOCK from Japan 1972 :) PLEASE lock hinges b4 you let go :)
Yeah, very hard to film and do other things with only two hands... I was lucky but kinda knew it locked up good enough for that short time. Also, I've never been burnt by an egg when cooking / opening them. I shave my arms anyway, so there's no hair to burn off...LOL This one already has some cracks in the lower and I rarely use it much since I got my offset and Lonestart Grillz Insulated Cabinet smokers. Thanks for the heads up. I think that one time was the only time I never made sure the hinges were locked. Can't see it in the vid much but filming, I always leaned in and used my arm to hold it up until I got it locked.
What is the value of one of these early 1970's green color kamados? The Big Green Egg company started in 1974 by selling imported green kamados from Japan. I recently bought one at a garage sale for $100. Old guy orginally bought it in Japan in 1970. Wondering what its actually worth to a Big Green Egg fan.
I just asked my grandfather for his. He said take it, it's the exact same one. Same color everything. He called it a hibachi, smoked whole chickens on it. I am missing the wheeled cart for mine, gonna build one tomorrow. Also the fire ring was in 5 pieces but might just set a few small stone blocks/pavers, on the fire box to elevate cooking grate.. Anyways, great vid
That's awesome!!! Congrats! If you ever shoot a vid of it, post link here so I can watch it. Have fun with it. You could also buy a fire ring from BGE. Once It's sooted up, you'll never know the difference. Thanks for posting.
Interceptor1255 , Just went to harbor freight and purchased a flat rolling platform w castor wheels for nest. Was gonna weld one but said to heck w it. Also, what I thought was a cracked ring was a "pizza ring" or heat platform. Grandpa tried out back the 80's. . I found the original ring today in a shed and grandma had the original Japanese owners manual!!!! I'm so excited.. I will do a video too I think.. never did one. but might since I have your twin grill. My grandfather was in Korean War and grandma said he came back and that was first thing he wanted.. Had another but was destroyed back in the 60s during shipping. This is cool!!!!#!
Ryan Lewis That's awesome man!! Glad you found that ring. Sounds like you have a good one now yo enjoy years of cooking and smoking with. I have since moved into a different house and have purchased two more smokers. I have a LoneStar Grillz Insulated vertical cabinet smoker. Search them on CZcams and watch the large insulated cabinet video. I also purchased an Old Country Brazos offset pipe smoker for when I want to actually manage a fire. I've done several cookson all of my smokers there are a few videos on my channel.
Ryan Lewis
czcams.com/video/cdpc5AAjpfA/video.html
@@ryanlewis194 I also was just given the same egg. Same color, same hardware. I also am going to do a restore. Ryan, would you be willing to share your owners manual? Good luck with your egg!
I have that exact grill! Is that a #5?
I wasn't sure what it is. Would #5 mean something specific?
@@protectandswerve Yeah. It’s the size. Made by KINUURAYAKI POTTERY.
Is that one of the original Imperial Kamados?
Wow would I tell? It’s definitely very old. I was very little as a kid when my grandfather got it. I’m 51 now
@@protectandswerve I was given one a couple years ago and at first, because of the color, I thought it was a faded Kamado Joe. But then I learned about the original Kamado cooker that inspired the BGE. One of the clues on mine was a number of cracks in the lid that had been repaired. The Imperial Kamados were great for smoking/bbqing, but not so good for high temp grilling.
@@rickarmstrong9793 this is definitely one of those then because it’s made of clay and not ceramic like big green egg. So yes it’s not very good for very high heat. My fire ring inside is in two pieces and I have cracks on the lower body but it’s still holding strong. It’s wonderful for smoking and some grilling. It just means a lot to me to have it and get to use it since it belong to my late grandfather and his son, my uncle that passed it down to me.
Good job
Thank you!!
Easiest way to clean all the carbon and crap out of those eggs is to do a cleaning burn. Load it with charcoal and let it get as hot as she will go and let it rip for a couple hours. Next day just dust off the carbon and vacuum it out.
This is a vintage Kamado. Made of clay, NOT ceramic like a BGE brand or modern equivalent. You CAN'T do high heat with these. They will crack. This one is from 1970's, and already has some cracking. Can't risk it. More of a keep sake than something I use on the regular. I've purchase much more robust and modern and Larger smokers since then. Thanks though.
If you do that you will need new gaskets again, just FYI for anyone reading that tip.
scott bearden yes absolutely right - you will need to replace gaskets if you burn it all out.
I have the same one, from my grandmother. Because it’s clay, we shouldn’t ever go much higher than 300 degrees. Luckily, mine has no cracks. I just ordered the ThermoPro 20 wireless temperature gauge to monitor the heat. Like you, I have tremendous sentimental value for my Imperial. Still trying to think of a good name for her to honor my grandmother. I recommend you join the chat group on KamadoGuru.com. I have received a lot of great tips there. Happy grilling!
Hello. Thank you so much for posting. If you ever got Daddy Max's smoker painted would you consider posting? I would love to see how it came out. Thanks.
I never painted it. I wanted it to still look old like I remembered it toward the end of his life. I still cook on it some though. But I've since purchased other smokers I cook on too.
I can definitely understand wanting to keep it as close to original as possible. Thanks again for sharing. I really enjoyed the video.
Thank you for taking the time to watch it. It means a lot to me.
did you ever get around to painting the grill.
No Sir I did not. I decided I wanted to keep it looking vintage / weathered. It just goes toward remembering my grandfather.
@@protectandswerve good deal
I have the exact same Kamado and have kept it as built (but have not yet determined what exact year) "Preserve and Restore" is my motto. Not remanufacture it and destroy the patina of time" Glad to hear you've kept it the way it looked.@@GrnBltSniper