Note: This post is part of the “Kamado 101 – The Definitive Guide to Amazing Barbecue” series, in which I cover everything from the foundational aspects of Kamado cooking all the way through advanced concepts designed to transform you into a backyard barbecue pit master. View the entire series here.
There are a lot of maintenance things to keep in mind with your Kamado, one of which being how to replace the bands and hinges. If you have an alignment issue with your Kamado, this should be the first thing you try to fix it.
There are bolts on your Kamado that apply tension to the hinge. Typically, each time you grill, you’ll want to check and make sure the bolts are tight and your bands are in the proper position. If the band is centered, you’re good to simply tighten the connectors. If the band is not centered, loosen it enough to push it back in place and then tighten it.
When it’s time to replace the bands and hinges, you’ll have to start by taking apart the old one. You may need a friend’s help.
- Hold the handle / dome in place to remove the nut and bolt from the top, then peel the band out of the groove.
- Remove the nut and bolt from the bottom band, peel back band, and remove.
- You can move the dome out of the way now, and you might consider replacing your gaskets since you’ve made it this far!
- Start with the lower band, and position it first then bolt it in place.
- Have a friend lift the dome while you position the band on the top, then bolt it.
- Tighten both sets of bolts.
The bolts apply tension to the dome, so if they aren’t tight enough the dome won’t stay open. If they are way too loose, you could break your dome. Keep an eye on your bands and hinges and replace them when necessary!
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