Overview
Kamado grills have been famous for thousands of years, but what we know as a kamado grill today is an insulated egg-shaped grill that makes a lot of room for airflow above or below the grates. Even though some are made of steel or even cast iron, the best kamado grills are still made of ceramic.
Their thick walls give them great insulation, high efficiency, and the ability to hold very high and very low temperatures. That makes them perfect for both grilling and smoking.
At first, it can be hard to figure out how the kamado works, but once you learn how to control the temperature, this grill can give you great results. It may even become your favorite way to cook. Here are some of the best kamado grills you can buy.
Reviews
Here are our subjective reviews of some top best Kamado grills:
1. Kamado Joe KJ15040921 Classic Joe III 18-inch Charcoal Grill
Best Overall
Specifications
- Material: Stainless Steel, Ceramic
- Color: Braze Red
- Item Dimensions: 18 x 18.11 x 50.5 inches
- Item Weight: 286 Pounds
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Pros
- The ceramic body keeps heat well.
- There is a smoke chamber.
- Three-tiered way to cook
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Product's Summary
With the patented SlRoller insert, the Classic Joe III has reached a new level of cooking perfection. The roller creates cyclonic airflow that controls heat and smoke for low and slow cooking up to 500 degrees. For the perfect sear on a steak at temperatures up to 750 degrees, the SlRoller can be switched out for heat deflector plates.
The top vent is easy to control heat and smoke, and the built-in thermometer makes it easy to keep track of the temperature inside. The heavy-duty wheels on the cart make it easy to move to the best spot for grilling, and the ash pan makes it easy to clean up.
Like the Classic Joe II, this grill has a three-tier Divide and Conquer cooking system that lets you cook in layers. That gives you more cooking space close to or far from the coals and different cooking surfaces for different kinds of food. With 510 square inches of cooking space, the system is great for family dinners and parties. One other advantage of Kamado Joe grills is the availability of many accessories, allowing users to further personalize their grilling experience.
2. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Best Charcoal Grill
Specifications
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Color: Graphite
- Item Weight: 97 Pounds
- Item Dimensions: 45 x 31 x 47 inches
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Pros
- Fuel efficiency
- Hard to break. Most kamados are made of ceramic, but this one is made of steel to keep the price down.
Cons
- Inconsistent quality control
- The fact that the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado won't last as long as a ceramic kamado is reflected in the price.
Product's Summary
The Char-Griller Akorn is a very cheap option, especially if this is your first kamado grill and you don't spend much money before trying one out.
Char-Griller focuses on making cheap barbecues for people who want to save money. As you might expect, their products may not be "top of the line," but the company's goal is to make grills that work well and don't break the bank. Akorn's body is made of 22 gauge steel, and the grill grates are cast iron. The unit is powder-coated on the outside and porcelain-coated on the inside.
The material feels flimsy. We like that the charcoal grate has a ring that can be taken off. That ring makes it easy to add charcoal while the food is cooking. Even though this is a basic model, it has some nice features like an ashtray that is easy to empty and a temperature gauge. The Akorn has two walls that keep the heat in. The lid also has a lock that keeps the door seal from letting any heat out.
3. Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill
Specifications
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Color: Red
- Item Weight: 33 Pounds
- Item Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 26 inches
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Light enough to carry around.
- Large temperature range
Cons
-
It's hard to put on the front handle.
Product's Summary
People on a tight budget and those who don't want to commit to a huge and heavy barbecue will find that this grill meets their needs.
The item weighs only 37 pounds, making it a manageable size for transport. That is easy to move because of the side handles, and its short, robust legs keep it stable even when placed on uneven ground.
On the cast iron cooking grate with a diameter of 14 inches, the primary cooking space of 153 square inches is sufficient for preparing a meal for a family. Despite its size, this grill includes many of the characteristics that are typical of much bigger models. For example, it is made of triple-walled 22-gauge steel and can sustain temperatures ranging from 200 to 700 degrees.
The enamel coating on the interior contrasts with the powder coating on the exterior, and the ash pan makes it simple to clean up after use.
FAQs
Here are some questions related to the best Kamado grills that can give you more information about these grills.
1. How do you control the temperature on a Kamado grill?
Kamado grills have a learning curve, particularly if you are accustomed to gas or pellet barbecues. You can adjust the vents at the top and bottom of the cooking chamber to regulate the temperature of a kamado grill.
For high temperatures, you should allow more oxygen into the grill by opening the vents wider; for low temperatures, you should keep the vents partially closed.
2. Is it worth getting a Kamado grill?
Because ceramic is an insulator, charcoal kamados are great smokers regarding how well they cook and how much fuel they use. They could smoke for up to 18 hours on a small amount of charcoal and much longer on full loads. That makes them by far the most cost-effective way to smoke.
3. Can you use a Kamado grill in the winter?
Kamado smokers are a good choice for cold weather because the ceramic acts as insulation. That makes them very good for grilling in cold weather. Even though it might take a bit more fuel to heat up, once you reach the temperature you want for grilling or smoking, the heat will be more steady.
Final Thoughts
We hope this list of the best kamado grills was helpful to you. Even though there are options for everyone at different price points, we think these products above are the best all-around kamado on the market right now.
