Product Care
A guide to maintaining the beauty of your KamadoCraft Grill Table.
Protection, General Care, Maintenance and Safety.
One of the great things about owning a KamadoCraft Grill Table is that they will retain their beauty for many years with very little care. Of course, you can do nothing in the way of care and it will last for years. It just won't look as impressive as it could be with minimal care.
We've all seen outdoor wood furniture that feels rough and looks gray. Generally, it happens within just a year or two. The reason is "photo degradation". In simple terms, it means that exposing wood to extended periods of sunlight (specifically, ultra violet light) breaks down the wood.
Protection
Unless you order an unfinished grill table, your KamadoCraft Grill Table is already protected by a specially formulated oil that contains mildew protection and UV blockers to protect your grill table wood from the elements. We recommend periodic oiling of the wood to maintain the color and beauty of the wood. If you do not oil the wood some softening of the color will occur.
Beyond occasional oiling of your grill table, the two best ways to extend the life and beauty of your KamadoCraft Grill Table is to protect it with a grill cover when not in use, and to store it inside during seasonal periods of nonuse.
For grill covers, we will be offering a premium cover for our grill tables with the "center" configuration very soon. If you want to purchase a generic grill cover, the dimensions of the table are 58"L x 28.5"W x 32"H.
The First 30 Days of Using Your KamadoCraft Grill Table
The first time you place your Grill Table outside and the wood becomes hot (especially the table top), you may see some small beads of oil rising from the wood. This is normal. We apply the protective finish in a temperature-controlled environment. Simply wipe it off over the next 2-3 days with a clean cloth or paper towel when the wood warms up.
If the oil is allowed to dry it will become hard. It will eventually disappear over time. If you want to remove the hardened beads, use a fine sandpaper sponge or steel wool (#00 to #0000 grade) and lightly rub the area until removed. Apply a thin coat oil to area and wipe off the excess immediately.
After your grill table has been exposed to the elements for 30 days, we recommend oiling it. The dense fibers of the wood are more accepting of the oil than the initial coating. See the steps below for oiling your grill table.
General Care
Periodic cleaning and oiling goes a long way in protecting your grill table. Exposure to sunlight, temperature and humidity in your location will determine the frequency of care. The best way to determine if the wood needs to be oiled is if it looks dry or unfinished.
On average, we recommend oiling your grill table every 60-90 days during your grilling season. The horizontal surfaces (especially the table top) typically need the most attention, because they get the most direct exposure to the sun and elements. Vertical surfaces can be oiled every 90-120 days or less to maintain their beauty.
Oil your grill table as often as you like. The process only takes about 15 minutes and really brings out the unique grain patterns of the wood, and gives it a beautiful luster. Do it just before a cookout with friends and enjoy the interest and compliments on your KamadoCraft Grill Table.
Acceptable Oils
We recommend Penofin's Hardwood Formula. It is eco-friendly and made from Brazilian Rosewood oil with added ultraviolet protection and advanced mildew protection. You can also use Boiled Linseed Oil, which is a heavy oil that will darken the wood over time, or Teak Oil, which is a light oil. Some brands of these two oils do not offer UV and mildew protection, but they are widely used for outdoor furniture.
Steps for Oiling Your Grill Table
- If needed, clean the surfaces to be oiled with a grease-cutting dish detergent (Dawn) and water solution. You can also use a pressure washer with care.
- Let the surface dry completely.
- Apply the oil to the outer surfaces. Do not apply oil when wood is hot.
It will take about 15 minutes if you're using a foam brush. We recommend applying the oil with a 3" foam brush (available at your local home supply store). We intentionally set the gaps in the boards so a foam brush would fit nicely between them. It helps oil the sides of the boards. You can also use a clean cloth or brush to apply the oil, but it may take a little longer.
You can just oil the table top, since it gets the most exposure to the sun. You should let the oil set for 15 minutes before wiping off the excess.
- Wipe off the excess oil. As soon as your grill table is oiled, you can begin to wipe the excess oil where you started with a clean cloth or paper towel. We've found that lint-free paper towels (available at your local home supply store) are an excellent choice.
Safety
It's important to remember that you are setting small controlled fires in a wood table. The Brazilian hardwoods we use are very dense, so they are not easily combustible like cypress or pine.
Safety Tips
- Never move your grill table while the grill is hot.
- Make sure your Kamado grill is not in direct contact with the inner edge of the table before you grill. Ceramic grills can become very hot and damage the finish of your table.
- Periodically check that the grill feet are flush against the grill.
- Avoid cleaning out the ash until you are sure there are no live embers that could come in direct contact with your grill table.
- Periodically check that the legs bolts are tight.
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