Temperature Control for the Kamado Argentino
GUIDELINE TABLE FOR LIGHTING UP TO COOK WITH DEFLECTOR
Using 2 starter tabs or 3 wood wool and new charcoal.
Light until ember focus is obtained, 10 minutes. Top vents fully open. A third of the disk open, and below completely open. All 5 holes open, and half below.
At 10 minutes Place Deflector Place Deflector Place Deflector
At 20 minutes ± 100 ºC ± 75 ºC ± 100 ºC
At 30 minutes > 150 ºC. ± 150 ºC ± 120 ºC
At 35 minutes > 300 ºC. ± 250 ºC ± 150 ºC
At 40 minutes > 420 ºC. ± 350 ºC ± 200 ºC
Once the flames from the tabs are out, check that an ember focus has formed in 10 minutes and place the deflector.
The lower vent is less important than the upper one.
GUIDELINE TABLE FOR LIGHTING UP TO COOK AT LOW TEMPERATURE WITH DEFLECTOR Using 1 starter tab or 3 wood wool, and new charcoal.
Light until ember focus is obtained, 10 minutes. 75% of disk holes open. Below half a finger. 50% of disk holes open. Below half a pinky finger. 30% of disk holes open. Below half a pinky finger.
At 10 minutes Place Deflector Place Deflector Place Deflector
At 20 minutes ± 60 ºC ± 30 ºC ± 030 ºC
At 30 minutes ± 70 ºC. ± 050 ºC ± 040 ºC
At 35 minutes ± 100 ºC. ± 070 ºC ± 050 ºC
At 45 minutes ± 130 ºC. ± 100 ºC ± 070 ºC
Once the flames from the tabs are out, at 10 minutes check that an ember focus has formed, place the deflector, and close the bottom vents, half a pinky finger below, and above only part of the 5 disk holes. Be patient, it may take hours to reach the desired temperature, never rush it. If hot air comes out of the upper vent, everything is fine. Temperatures are approximate, and openings should be minimized.
GUIDELINE TABLE FOR LIGHTING UP TO COOK WITH DIRECT FIRE, WITHOUT DEFLECTOR. Using 2 starter tabs or 3 wood wool, and new charcoal.
Light until ember focus is obtained. 10 minutes. Disk fully open. With half the disk open. All 5 holes open.
At 10 minutes Do not assess. Do not assess. Do not assess.
At 20 minutes ± 150 ºC ± 150 ºC 100 ºC
At 30 minutes > 250 ºC. ± 200 ºC 120 ºC
At 35 minutes > 350 ºC. ± 250 ºC 150 ºC
At 45 minutes > 450 ºC. ± 350 ºC 200 ºC
Bottom open. Bottom open. Bottom open.
In this case, the bottom vent is less important and is always open at least 50%.