Old Kamdo Kamado

mEGG_My_Day

Anyone have any insights into this?   A friend sent me pics.  Apparently her grandfather bought it in Japan when he was stationed there circa WWII.  It looks like it hasn’t been used.  I couldn’t find any info, so I thought I would ask the brain trust here.

edit - sorry about the sideways pics

WeberWho

Neat piece. Especially since it hasn't been used. Made out of clay. 

Photo Egg

Shame it’s chipped at the top vent, but could be easily filled in and painted.
If it’s going to be used, keep the temps under 400 degrees. The originals were clay and never intended for nuclear pizzas and such. No real issues there and a great piece of history!

nolaegghead

How did they ever fire the clay if it breaks apart over 400F?  Just curious.

RRP

nolaegghead said:

How did they ever fire the clay if it breaks apart over 400F?  Just curious.

Ancient Chinese secret, grasshopper.

alaskanassasin

Stand looks original 

jdMyers

Japanese Kinuurayaki Kamado #5 | Kamado, Outdoor decor, Charcoal grill

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/560698222327983991/

jdMyers

Kamado – KAMADO – GRILL DOME KAMADO, CERAMIC GRILL, CHARCOAL SMOKER

http://grilldome.com/CMS/kamado/

Photo Egg

nolaegghead said:

How did they ever fire the clay if it breaks apart over 400F?  Just curious.

If I had an older kamado I would save it for mid and lower temp cooks. I don’t know of any reason the older kamado material would be better than the newer. And the newer stuff breaks. BUT it can be replaced. Would be very hard to to stumble across another dome or base to make this older Egg match and whole again.

jdMyers

Actually they are very valuable.  I researched them years ago.  Digging thru my saves.

Restoration of an Old - Antique Kamado by Kinuura Yaki Pottery of Japan

https://www.barrykidd.com/antique-kamado/

jdMyers

Do your searches on Imperial Kamado

jdMyers

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kamado-King-Original-Imperial-kamado-BBQ-smoker-grill-hibachi-cooker-5-w-wagon-/192910908828?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

jdMyers

Here is what inwas looking for

Imperial Kamado rebuild! - Other Kamados - Kamado Guru

https://www.kamadoguru.com/topic/27100-imperial-kamado-rebuild/

jdMyers

My First Kamado "The Original Hibachi Pot" - Page 2 - Other Kamados - Kamado Guru

https://www.kamadoguru.com/topic/13182-my-first-kamado-the-original-hibachi-pot/page/2/

jdMyers

Need Help - Trying to validate and sell Imperial Kamado - Other Kamados - Kamado Guru

https://www.kamadoguru.com/topic/21401-need-help-trying-to-validate-and-sell-imperial-kamado/

jdMyers

Minor repairs great find.

GregW

Wow, what a cool find.

6baluts

I have two old Hibatchi Pots both by Kikuya. I still have all the paperwork from the sale on the one I bought in the mid 70's. The other is a 59 or 60 buy by my father while TDY from Clark to Japan.
To narrow down some history on yours, you might want to get a hold of Augie Longo at Kamado King. He worked with Makosan at Imperial Kamado prior to Mako retiring.
I think the Naked Whiz has some info on the old Kamado's on his site. The paperwork I have is different than his though.
The cart does not appear to be original. In fact back in the day they were called "wagon wheels" @jdMyers has a set a wagon wheels in the pic. They also came in a black pipe variant.

6baluts

Here is old history on Kamado's from the old Imperial Kamado website.
http://web.archive.org/web/20090802061836/http://www.imperialkamado.com:80/i_history.htm

jdMyers

Thanks for posting I was looking everywhere for that

caliking

There was a fella on bbq-brethren  some years ago, who had a thing for restoring antique/ol' skool kamados. Can't recall his handle there, but I'll try to find and post here. He restored his pieces beautifully, and had quite the collection.

mEGG_My_Day

Thanks to everyone responding - it is a really cool piece.  I would not personally buy it and I don’t think they want to sell it.  Just interested in the history. 

Givengold3

I have a mini version of that.  I keep it on the counter next to my Egg.  I have done a couple of small cooks on it.