Are you looking for a versatile grill that can elevate your grilling experience? Fueled by pieces of charcoal, a kamado grill is a hybrid unit that has been changing the lives of barbecue enthusiasts for many years.
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Best Kamado Grills
So, why is this grill everyone’s favorite? For starters, a kamado grill is usually made of ceramic and has thick walls. This offers great insulation!
Kamado grills come in an egg-like structure with a hinged top or lid. This design helps create a lot of space around the cooking grates for adequate airflow. Ceramic grills are also great for retaining moisture at low and high temperatures. This feature makes kamado grills ideal for smoking, baking, and grilling.
Kamado Grills make wood-fired cooking a breeze. They were first manufactured in China, and today, they are available worldwide. Designed to enhance your backyard grilling experience.
Using a Kamado is straightforward. To start the grill, add your fuel, like lump charcoal, to the cooking chamber. Next, adjust your racks and place your food on the grill grate and start cooking!
To adjust the temperature, adjust the airflow using dampers or vents. Some models come with integrated thermometers, too. This makes it easy to keep an eye on the internal temperature.
We are pretty sure that with one of these recommendations below, you will become a grilling and smoking pro. So, without further ado, let’s dig in.
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Our Picks: The Best Kamado Grills
- Editors Pick: Grilla Grills Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill
- Best Overall: Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill
- Best Kamado Grill For Entertaining: Louisiana Grills Kamado Charcoal Grill
- Runner Up: Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill
- Best Small Budget: Char Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Grill
- Best Luxury: Broil King Keg Kamado Grill
- Best for Beginners: Primo Oval Charcoal Grill
Editors Pick Best Kamado Grill
Grilla Grills Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill
The Grilla Grills Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill is a large, 24-inch charcoal ceramic kamado grill designed for grilling, smoking, baking, and roasting. With its heavy-duty ceramic construction and use of lump charcoal for optimal flavor, the Kong is perfect for BBQ enthusiasts who desire an authentic grilling experience.
Drawing on an ancient design that dates back at least 3,000 years, the Kong’s ceramic dome effectively retains heat and moisture for extended cooking, making it perfect for dishes like grilled pizza, as well as other BBQ meals.
The Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill boasts an extra-large interior, providing tons of space for cooking large feasts. It features a ceramic surface that stays cooler than standard grills, and its high-temperature glossy black exterior finish is designed to withstand the elements. Plus. the solid bamboo handles remain cool to the touch, and the fold-down side trays provide extra workspace.
The Kong comes with a 4-year limited warranty, covering factory defects and other issues, supported by Grilla Grills’ exceptional customer service.
In comparison to other kamado grills on the market, the Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill offers a fantastic combination of versatility, cooking space, and temperature control. Its heavy-duty ceramic construction ensures durability and excellent heat retention, making it a standout choice for BBQ enthusiasts.
What We Liked
- Exceptional temperature control, ranging up to 700°F, for various cooking styles.
- Versatile cooking options: smoke, bake, sear, or grill with the addition of wood chips for extra flavor.
- Over 600 square inches of cooking space with 304 stainless steel grids.
- Convection heat allows for consistent cooking results.
- Easy to move with swiveling casters and two locking brakes.
What We Didn’t Like
- The grill’s weight of 213 lbs may make it difficult for some users to transport or move.
- The ceramic construction, while providing excellent heat retention, may require extra care to prevent damage.
Overall, the Grilla Grills Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill offers exceptional performance and value for its price. Its heavy-duty ceramic construction, temperature control, and versatile cooking options make it a fantastic investment for anyone seeking a top-notch kamado grill to enhance their outdoor cooking experiences.
Best Overall Kamado Grill
Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill is a great Kamado Style Grill that has a lighter weight than your usual Kamado grill. The 24″ grill grate gives you 452 square inches of cooking space, but weighs only 100 lbs!
Its low weight is due to its construction material. It’s made of porcelain-enameled steel instead of ceramic-like most Kamado Grills. But have no fear, this double-walled design gives the same excellent heat retention you would see in any ceramic body.
The adjustable coal grate lets you choose between high and direct searing or low and slow cooking. Another bonus is the propane-powered igniter. This makes lighting this unit a breeze. It will save you time fooling around with chimney starters or starter cubes.
This Grill is in the same price range as the well-known Big Green Egg. But, it offers more versatility in terms of cooking options.
What we liked
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight
- Adjustable coal grate
- Easy ignition
What we didn’t like
- No workspace or side shelves
- Top vent not capped
Runner Up Best Kamado Grill
Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill
Some say Kamado Joe is the industry leader in terms of Best Kamado Grills, and most kamado users would agree. The Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill is an 18″ ceramic Kamado grill with cast iron grates and a unique cooking system. The multi-level, half-moon design allows you to cook different foods at different temperatures. This gives you the freedom and control to cook various items at once.
You’ll notice that the Kamado Joe Classic III goes even further with a three-tier system. If more flexibility is what you want, they’ve got you covered!
Another big difference between the Classic II and the Kamado Joe Classic III is the cooking area. The cooking is larger on the Kamado Joe Classic II.
There are tons of great features that this grill offers, like the lid thermometer, easy-to-clean and removable ash pan, and top vent. These features help you reach temperatures from 225F to 750F for smoking to searing. Furthermore, the Kamado Joe Air Lift Hinge makes opening and closing the heavy-duty lid easy. Lift it with a single finger and stop it wherever you want.
What we liked
- Tiered system for cooking
- Vents allow airflow
- Removable ash pan
- Air-lift hinge
- Flip up side tables
What we didn’t like
- Heavy grill
- Pricey
Best Kamado Grill For Entertaining
Louisiana Grills 24″ Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Grill
If you’re after the authentic charcoal flavor in your dishes while entertaining big groups, the Louisiana Grills 24″ Ceramic Charcoal Grill delivers. This grill offers an expansive cooking space, temperature control features, and durable materials that make it a great addition to your outdoor cooking setup.
We found the Louisiana Grills 24″ Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Grill to be a great addition to our outdoor cooking setup. The spacious cooking area allowed us to cook for a large group of people with ease, and the heat deflector provided even cooking throughout the grill. We especially appreciated the top and bottom dampers, which allowed us to control the temperature of the grill with precision.
The thick ceramic body and stainless steel cooking grids also help with retaining the heat! This allows the charcoal to infuse the food with a rich, smoky flavor. And with nearly 700 square inches of cooking space across a two-tiered, stainless steel cooking surface, you’ll be able to entertain large groups of people with ease.
This grill is built to last, featuring a high-temperature-resistant gloss black finish and a thick ceramic body. And thanks to its superior temperature control, so you can smoke, bake, sear, roast, or char-grill your food to perfection.
What we liked
- Spacious cooking area of 690 square inches
- It can reach 700°F cooking temperatures easily
- Durable materials provide great value for its cost
What we didn’t like
- Heavy grill
- Priced higher than other charcoal grills on the market
Overall, if you’re looking for a grill that delivers authentic charcoal flavor, versatile cooking options, and is built to last, the Louisiana Grills 24″ Ceramic Kamado Charcoal Grill is a great choice.
Best Small Budget Kamado Grill
Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Char Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Grill is the best Kamado Grill for those on a budget! This portable grill is great for both grilling at high temperatures and low temp smoking.
Plus, the convenient handles and compact frame make this one of the best grills for camping trips. You can even bring it tailgating and to pop-up BBQ parties!
It has a heavy-gauge powder-coated steel body and triple-walled insulation. Plus, a locking lid traps smoke, heat, and moisture. These factors together help to keep the target temperature steady. As any expensive ceramic kamado grill would!
With a cast iron grill grate of 155 square inches, we’re confident that this charcoal grill will reach all your expectations. It’s also easy to clean! The removable ash pan makes removing accumulated ash quite convenient.
What we liked
- Portable and lightweight grill
- Has an adequate cooking area for a small family
- Allow you to shift between temperatures
- Easy to clean
What we didn’t like
- Steel can rust
- Small in size
Best Luxury Kamado Grill
Broil King Keg Kamado Grill
The Broil King Keg Kamado Grill the best Kamado Grill for those with a higher budget. Broil King has outdone itself with this unit. You’ll notice an authentic BBQ flavor with an innovative design. The unique shape of this grill creates convection-style cooking. The durable double steel wall design retains heat and maximizes fuel efficiency.
With a combined cooking area of 480 square inches across two cooking grates, you’ll have more than enough space to feed your friends and family. Both cooking grates are removable, adjustable, and offer a different temperature range.
The lower, heavy-duty cast iron cooking grate is great for high-heat searing. The top, chrome-plated steel cooking grate allows for low and slow smoking. The upper cooking grate also rotates out of the way for easy access to the lower grate making the whole process pain-free.
Complete with a lid thermometer, removable side shelves to keep basic accessories, sturdy legs, and dampers to control airflow, this unit has every griller in mind. It’s even adaptable to hook onto the hitch of your vehicle, making transport and grilling on the go a total dream.
What we liked
- Durable
- High heat retention
- Two adjustable cooking grates
- Accessories
What we didn’t like
- No diffuser plate
- Hitch adapter kit purchased separately
Best Kamado Grill For Beginners
Primo Oval Charcoal Grill
The Primo Oval Charcoal Grill is a great starter grill for beginners. With little to no assembly or setup time, all you’ll have to do is add your lump charcoal, light it, and start grilling! The oval shape gives you a wide cooking area and is perfect for cooking a rack of ribs or a large amount of food at once.
This Primo oval-shaped ceramic kamado grill features a cast iron top vent for excellent temperature control. Plus, an easy-to-read temperature gauge and a stainless steel draft door. The porcelain-coated cooking grates are reversible to double the lifespan. And as an added bonus, there is a limited lifetime warranty on all ceramic parts! An overall great, simple grill, complete with side shelves and a handy grill lifte
What we liked
- The oval shaped grill offers more grilling surface area
- No assembly required
- Easy to use
What we didn’t like
- Heavy ceramic unit
- Accessories purchased separately
Our Results for the Best Kamado Grills
- Editors Pick: Grilla Grills Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill
“solid bamboo handles remain cool to the touch, and the fold-down side trays provide extra workspace.” - Best Overall: Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill
“452 square inches of cooking space, but weighs only 100 lbs” - Runner Up: Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill
“multi-level, half-moon design allows you to cook different foods at different temperatures” - Best Kamado Grill For Entertaining: Louisiana Grills Kamado Charcoal Grill
“spacious cooking area allowed us to cook for a large group of people with ease” - Best Small Budget: Char Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Grill
“convenient handles and compact frame make this one of the best Kamado grills for camping trips” - Best Luxury: Broil King Keg Kamado Grill
” upper cooking grate rotates out of the way for easy access to the lower grate making the whole process pain-free” - Best for Beginners: Primo Oval Charcoal Grill
“oval shape gives you a wide cooking area and is perfect for cooking a rack of ribs”
Things to consider when buying a Kamado Grill
A Kamado Grill is a great investment. There are a few factors to keep in mind when purchasing the best kamado grill for you though.
Shape
Most Kamado grills look like an egg, which is where the well-known Big Green Egg got its name! An egg shape offers a healthy airflow, a large cooking surface, and amazing heat retention. Many Kamado Grills will also have two adjustable cooking grates. One lower, and one upper, to create a sort of two-zone cooking mechanism. This is all made easy with the tall egg shape.
There are also oval-shaped Kamado Grills like the Primo Oval Charcoal Grill. This has the advantage of more cooking area and ease of grilling long items like ribs.
Grill Grate
The material of your grill gate can make or break your cooking experience. Most high-quality units have cast iron, enamelled steel, or stainless steel grates. These materials are perfect for retaining heat and conducting even heat throughout the entire surface area.
If indirect cooking and smoking is more your style, look for a grill that has its grates at a far enough distance away from the charcoal box.
Vents
Like any other grill in the market, a kamado grill also requires vents to keep a steady airflow within the unit. Good ventilation will help keep the temperature steady and make the whole grilling experience easy.
Most Kamado Joe grills have high-quality and easy-to-use vents. Some of the higher-end grills even have automatic vent and temperature controls! This means you can skip the learning curve associated with this crucial step. Integrated lid-thermometers can also help you when you’re trying to find the perfect airflow control.
Aesthetics and Accessories
From Kamado grills, standard charcoal grills, and even electric grills, we love when they come with bonus accessories!
If you’re looking at a higher-priced grill, consider all the bonus accessories it comes with. Use these to justify your decision. Things like grill covers, side tables, and utility tools can account for a large part of the price.
BBQ Hero Tip: When preheating your Kamado grill, make sure all air vents are open to let the most amount of oxygen in while the lid is closed. This will save you time and effort!
Features to consider when choosing a Kamado Grill
Here are a few more key features to consider when choosing the best Kamado grill.
Construction Materials
A traditional Kamado Grill will have a heavy-duty ceramic construction. It will also have a sturdy base to handle the weight of the unit. A pro ceramic charcoal grill with thick walls will retain heat very well. One thing to keep in mind when handling ceramic grills is that if the unit gets knocked over it will cause great damage to the body.
If you’re looking for a lighter kamado grill, there are some that have a stainless steel body. For example, the Weber Summit Kamado Charcoal Grill. While steel is lightweight and doesn’t shatter when dropped, it does not offer the same heat retention that ceramic units would.
Dimensions
Take into consideration the number of people you generally grill for. Think about when you host BBQ parties or casual dinners on the patio.
If you often find yourself preparing food for 10-20 people at a time, it’s a good idea to invest in a decent-sized ceramic grill. One that has a cooking area of at least 400 square inches.
If you want a grill to go with you on your camping trips or tailgating parties, a portable kamado grill like the Char Griller Akorn Jr. Kamado Grill will serve you right. The good news is that you will find a wide variety of these sizes in the market. For more small grill options, check out our recommendations for the best small charcoal grills.
Also to keep in mind is the differing fuel source between small and large grills. Large grills will need more charcoal to maintain a steady temperature because the space is much larger.
Warranty
When you make a big purchase like this one, it’s important to consider what kind of warranty you’re protected by. Even when maintained, things can go wrong and you might have no control over the outcome. There may be faulty parts, or you might not happy with your decision. This is where a warranty comes in handy.
When a company offers a free lifetime warranty like the one on the Kamado Grill, you know it’s a good product that the company trusts will do its job.
Safety Tips for Kamado Grills
Charcoal grills of any kind should be handled with care and caution. Especially small grills that you can move around. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when handling your Kamado grill.
Outdoor Use Only
Kamado grills give off a lot of smoke. It is not recommended to use these grills indoors or in any enclosed space. Even partially enclosed spaces that lack air circulation can be dangerous.
Don’t Touch Anywhere Except Handles
A ceramic grill body will get hot while grilling. Steer clear of all external surfaces to avoid burning yourself. You should only touch designated parts like handles and side tables.
Do Not Add Lighter Fluid To Lit Coals
It might seem like a good idea to speed up the preheating time by adding lighter fluid to already lit coals, but this can lead to disaster. It’s best to practice patience and give your coals a solid 15 minutes to ignite before adding your meat to the grill. There’s no other way around it!
BBQ Hero Tip: To avoid a flare-up, open the lid for a few seconds before opening it all the way. This reduces the initial influx of oxygen and can save your eyebrows!
Kamado Grills FAQs
How Long Have Kamado Grills Been Around?
The original concept behind a Kamado grill traces back about 3,000 years ago. This is when the Chinese developed the first ceramic cooking device. Over time, the use of ceramic took off because of its ability to retain moisture and create an excellent cooking environment. In the 1970s the Big Green Egg was born and since then, Kamado Grills have been getting better and better.
Are ceramic Kamado grills best?
Ceramic is still the best way to go! Ceramic bodies offer thick walls with amazing insulation. They can hold variable temperatures from 200F all the way to 700F or higher. These versatile grills are great for grilling, searing, and smoking.
What is a divide and conquer cooking system?
Kamado Joe developed and patented the well-known Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System. This is a multi-level, multi-rack design. It lets you cook different foods at different temperatures all at the same time. This process saves you plenty of time by allowing you to cook all portions of your meal at once.
Can I reignite leftover coals?
If you have coals left over from your previous cook, it’s more than acceptable to reuse them on your next cook. As long as they haven’t turned to ash, they can be reignited and used again.
