No. Every Primo Ceramic Grill is ready to use immediately. Do not apply oil or any other substance to the interior of the exposed ceramics. After extended use of your Primo the interior will develop a build-up of black residue called creosote; it is the same substance that develops in a wood fireplace chimney over time. Prior to cooking and while the grill is cool, you can use a soft bristle brush to remove most of the residue.
The two main functions of a Primo fire box are to hold the lump charcoal and to protect the ceramic grill base from exposure to the high heat of the lit charcoal (1,500°F+/815°C).
It can be alarming to see a crack. A crack actually serves as a “relief point” for future expansion and it may not crack further. Even if the crack expands the full height of the fire box it will not affect the cooking performance and it is completely safe to use.
The design of a fire box with a fire ring is an old design when Kamado grills were made out of fire brick material. It was very difficult to achieve searing temperatures with this type of material without the fire box or base cracking. The design allowed a customer to remove the fire ring to place the cooking grate closer to the charcoal fire.
About 15 minutes. About the same time it takes to preheat a gas grill.
No. Primo ceramics are very sturdy and there is no danger of cracking due to extreme heat, below zero temperatures, or rain. Do not pour water into the grill while it is hot to extinguish the lit charcoal. It may crack the ceramics, and it will definitely create a mess inside your grill.
No. The “crazing” effect on the surface of your grill It is not a cracking or defect in the glaze. It is the natural result of the very high temperatures we use to fire our ceramics, and the gloss black finish for the glaze. Other ceramic grill companies use a dull finish, because it reduces the visibility of crazing and also hides surface blemishes. If you look closely at other ceramic grills you will see some level of crazing. A gloss black finish just makes it stand out more.
Only natural lump charcoal should be used. Primo Natural Lump Charcoal is made from whole stock hardwood. It gives food a natural wood fire flavor, burns clean, and burns longer than briquette charcoal. Also, natural lump charcoal can be relit for multiple cookings.
Yes and no. You can use standard briquette charcoal but it will not achieve the high temperatures or extended burn times of natural lump charcoal. Do not use “Instant light” charcoal because the fumes will be absorbed by the ceramics and impart a “fuel taste” to the food.
Primo makes it own brand of paraffin fire starters. You can also use an electric starter, torch, chimney starter, or even a paper towel crumbled into a ball. Do not use starter fluid because it will be absorbed by the ceramics and impart a chemical or fuel taste to your food.
Make sure you are using dry and fresh natural lump charcoal. If you live in an area with high humidity or the charcoal has gotten wet it will not perform well. Also, mixing fresh charcoal with other charcoal that has been used in a previous cooking can reduce the temperature.
Solution: Purchase a fresh bag of Primo Natural Lump Charcoal or other premium brand. Also, make sure you are making a mound of lump charcoal that is at least halfway up the height of the fire box. Make sure that ash or small pieces of charcoal are not restricting the air flow of the lower draft door or the bottom of the fire grate located at the base of the fire box. Finally, fully open the draft door top vent for maximum airflow.
Primo grills are self-cleaning. The interior will blacken, but it does not need to wiped off. To clean the grill and main grate of food residue, heat the grill to 600°F+ for 30 minutes. The exterior can be cleaned with soap and water or a household cleaner.
Heat Deflector Plates and Heat Deflector/Drip Pan Racks are an essential accessory for indirect cooking like baking, roasting and smoking. Other popular accessories include: Baking Stone, Extension Racks, Grill Table, and Grill Cover. In the end, it really depends on what you plan to cook and the available space.
Primo grills are made to live outside. Many owners prefer a grill cover to reduce occasional cleaning of the outside, or to protect the surface of their wood grill table from the sun and elements, or for off-season storage.
No. If you purchase a Primo wood grill table they are included. If you are building your own grill table or having your Primo Grill placed in an outdoor kitchen you can order them through your Authorized Primo Dealer.