I picked up a cypress grill from craigslist, $250. I would not buy this product new, they don't even make it, currently. Discontinued for redesign. I had to put on a new gasket. I used a 1/8" nomex. I didn't note how the lid sat before, gasket was fried, so I replaced it. The thing was also full of spiders and grease so I lit it up to clean it out, most likely fried the gasket. the new gasket left the handle side of the dome with a large gap. I shimmed the bottom hinge with pennies. It made a dollar bill tighter, but not ideal. touching the top dome at 250 is hot, my earthen ware imperial is cool. I read a lot of mixed reviews on these cypress grills. If you want an air right low and slow cooker, which is the idea off a kamado, the cypress is just junk. I am able to keep it steady from 300 on up for pizza and grilling. maybe some sort of silicon gasket can solve the problem. Buyer beware. I've had the 40+ year old imperial a while now, since last summer. Many cooks. The gasket still keeps a dollar bill tight.
Did a few more tweaks to the cypress today. I put permatex red RTV gasket at the top and bottom vents. I've been holding 215-230 for a few hours now. It's a good size grill, same size as a large big green egg. Nothing on it yet, a pizza stone and a water pan. Getting ready to to put on some St Louis cut spare ribs. I like the bigger size. I'm liking it better today after I was able to fix it's air leaks.
Hmmm kamado gaskets are tricky.. Always go OEM when you can or match dimensions best as possible.. FYI lots of kamado guys use Rutland rope gasket and a 3m adhesive. Rutland will always say product not tested for food safe, but it's a very popular material. It's a bit bulky & compresses so it's pretty forgiven. I believe the cypress had major firebox issues.. But for 250$ you did good ... damm good..
Get the water pan out, you don't need it on a kamado & I hate the thought of steaming the porous ceramic.
Yea, you're probably right. I never used water pan in the Imperial. Maybe use water pan in place place of foil wrap after a few hours?
Yea, read a lot about cracked fire boxes. Mine it's cracked in 3 pieces, but still is able to hold everything up.
I quite foiling, because I saw no appreciable difference & the Kamado is basically pretty damm near sealed. I'm digging your imperial - I had a chance to grab 3 decent imperials for 50 box - got busy & the and couldn't pick them up on a Thursday - texted & voice mailed thee dude... Friday I go to the dump & saw the, shattered in the compactor....
These kamados pop up on the local craigslist every few months or so. Pretty nice looking #5 Imperial up in Chico, $125. Id take that over the cypress. Keep your eye out, you'll find one.
I have read that they a Vision grill sale every summer? IDK. There is the Vision S at Sam's club, Home Depot on display. I would guess these need sealing modifications. I checked out out the Vision at HD , did dollar bill seal test. No Seal at all. I fixed mine much like shimming a door hinge to get it to sit right in the frame. Pretty much the same once you can see the hinge up and down rather than side to side. The Vision hinge is similar to the Cypress. Why a gasket?to snuff out my coals. It also makes temp control easier. That's why I want a good air tight seal. One of the best easiest recommendations for a high temp silicon gasket I found on the big green egg forum. Permatex red RTV or copper from an auto parts store. Bead the permatex around the base, cover with plastic wrap coated with non stick spray(saran wrap and PAM) Close the lid, wait 24 hours. Peel off plastic wrap, fire up grill and use as usual. High temp silicon gasket for big green egg http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1134507/high-temp-silicone-gasket-maker I have not done this myself, yet. Something to put in the tool box
I never passed the dollar bill test, yet no problem controlling a low & slow or snuff out. Zero mods. Yes I have seen vision classic b hit sub zero for a very brief time, 2 august in a row. Give me a few ill dig up a cheat sheet. Ray
