How to Control the Temperature

Temperature Control

The most effective way to master temperature control on your Auplex kamado grill is simply by cooking as often as possible. Each session becomes a learning opportunity, and over time, you'll develop an intuitive feel for how the grill responds. Through practice, you'll discover that small, gentle adjustments to the vents create the ideal environment for low-and-slow cooking, while opening them wider quickly raises the heat for high-temperature cooks like pizza. Keep experimenting with different setups—the more you cook, the more confident and precise you'll become.

More Oxygen = More Heat

The fundamental principle is straightforward: more airflow means higher temperatures. Opening both the top daisy wheel (or rEGGulator-style cap) and the bottom draft door allows more oxygen into the fire, increasing the heat. Closing them restricts airflow and lowers the temperature. For the best results, always adjust both vents together—whatever opening you set on the top should generally match the bottom (for example, if the top is open about 1 inch or 2.5 cm, keep the bottom door in a similar position).

Don't Rush It

When starting your Auplex kamado grill, always load the charcoal and light it with both the top and bottom vents completely open. This helps the fire establish quickly and evenly. Only once the grill approaches your desired cooking temperature should you begin making adjustments to the draft door and top vent. Small, gradual changes teach you how your specific grill behaves and help maintain steady, predictable temperatures throughout the cook.

Easy to Heat, Harder to Cool

Thanks to the exceptional heat retention of its thick ceramic walls, an Auplex kamado grill heats up far more easily than it cools down. If you need to lower the temperature after cooking, completely close both the top vent and bottom draft door. This starves the fire of oxygen and allows the heat to drop naturally over time. Avoid opening the lid to “cool it faster,” as introducing fresh air can reignite the coals and unintentionally raise the temperature again.

Ready to Cook

Once the temperature stabilizes and stops swinging up and down, resist the temptation to keep adjusting the vents—your Auplex kamado grill is now dialed in and ready for cooking. Adding cold food or cast-iron accessories will temporarily drop the internal temperature, but there's no need to touch the vents again. If the grill was holding steady before you loaded the food, the ceramic mass will absorb the cold and bring everything back to your target temperature on its own within a few minutes.