A cast iron kamado style cooker includes a cast iron frustoconical pot and a semi-spherical cast iron lid. Both the lid and the pot are configured with integrally-formed circumferential band surrounding areas of each that comprise the greatest diameter and are pivotally connected to each other so that the lid may be rotated away from the pot. The cooker also includes a lift assist mechanism operative to impart a force to contribute to raising the cast iron lid.