Grill Setup - Kamado Joe Classic & Air Hinge
Pour in a full load of charcoal - go ahead and cover that fire ring! A full load of good charcoal will cook for 3 hrs at 600F. The setup inside the KJ starts with twisting the divide and conquer system about 30 degrees so the deflector hanger is not straight front and back. Then, place the deflector hanger on the top setting as shown. Add the two half-moon deflectors (a single deflector is shown), in the high setting and add the cooking grate. I then use an aluminum pizza pan or a round sheet of aluminum foil below the pizza stone. The Pizza Porta is set in place and the lid lowered down on top.
KJ Air Hinge Classic II and Classic III
The internal setup procedure is the same for the Classic II and III models. The Pizza-Porta model for these grills is specifically designed to latch into the grill to hold the lid down during cooking. Place the Pizza-Porta so that the latch fits into the cutout underneath.
View of latch under the Pizza-Porta
Adjust the unit front and back to ensure that the bottom latch is engaged. Lower the dome down onto the Pizza-Porta. Pressing down on the KJ handle to compress the gasket until the Pizza-Porta retaining ring can be flipped over the latch pin of the dome. Release the handle and the Pizza-Porta will be locked into place. The retaining ring can be adjusted front and back with the small screws on the bracket or lowered by removing washers. When locked in place, the “D ring should be close to vertical. Don't forget to unlatch the bottom before removing the Pizza-Porta.
Just for fun, here is a link to John Setzlers installation instructions on the Classic 1
RCL Double Rack
With our specially designed rack, you can take advantage of the KJ deflectors while cooking 2 pizzas at the same time. Place the cutouts of the RCL rack feet on the KJ Divide and Conquer rails. Then, overlap the deflectors in the middle as shown to ensure enough airflow for high temperatures. Note that the KJ rack is turned off center so that the Pizza-Porta rack can be aligned with the door.
Kamado Joe Classic I hinge Bulletin:
Around October 2020, Kamado Joe changed the hinge position on the KJ Classic I hinge. The Pizza-Porta will not fit properly with the hinge point shown. This photo shows the hinge point on the center line of the lower band. We do not make a Pizza-Porta to fit this new hinge.
New Hinge Location - Older hinge point was 10mm lower
If your grill is older and the hinge bolt is 10-12 mm below the yellow center-line, the Pizza-Porta will fit.