Kamado Grill 101

Jul 6, 2017
Kamado Grill 101... Kamado Charcoal Grills are not your typical grills. The size, shape, and material are not necessarily what comes to mind when dreaming of a new grill for your patio. But on the other hand, maybe it’s time to take a look at these different grills. They are versatile to say the least and extremely enjoyable to use.  Kamado grills are great for grilling, smoking, baking and even roasting; because of their high heat-retaining characteristics.  They have excellent internal heat and moisture retention levels and can stay as low as 150 degrees or approach temperatures as high as 900 degrees.  Often, they come on some type of stainless steel cart or can be built right into your outdoor kitchen.  Needless to say, they are certainly a conversation starter in anyone’s backyard.

What is a Kamado Grill Anyway?

rendering of a Kamado grill

The Kamado is a traditional Japanese cooking stove dating back thousands of years.

They look more like bongo drums than grills, but don’t let that deceive you. They’re often made of ceramic but some have a one-of-a-kind double layer 304 stainless steel structure and there are some cast aluminum models as well.

Kamado grills typically use charcoal for fuel, however you can use wood chips, as well. The unique design allows your food to be more evenly cooked by retaining and circulating the heat, also conserving more fuel than you would in a traditional grill. It’s small size makes it easy to fit in virtually any outdoor cooking space.

Best of all? They’re easy to setup, easy to use, and easy to clean. A thermometer is located right on the lid , so you can monitor and adjust the temperature by letting more or less air into the cooking space.

 

 






Kamado Charcoal Grill Pros


Kamado Grill 101: Kamado grills are not your typical grills. They are versatile to say the least and extremely enjoyable to use.

    • Low Maintenance: They’re easy to clean and require little upkeep. You can keep it on your patio all year long and expect it to last for years.
    • Better Temperature Control: The thick ceramic walls retain heat, allowing for more evenly distributed cooking and more control over the temperature.  They can maintain temperatures as low as 150 degrees for smoking fish to as high as 900 degrees for searing steaks.
    • Versatile: Because of that heat retention, it’s possible to prepare a variety of foods on a Kamado grill. Try smoking your favorite meats or making a pizza!  Also, some of the kamados
    • Sear Marks: There’s just something about those beautiful dark lines on a juicy steak! A Kamado grill has a cooking grate like other charcoal grills, so you’ll be able to enjoy those lovely sear marks.

Kamado Grill Cons

a close up of the cooking surface of a Blaze Kamado grill

    • Heavy: The larger Kamado grills can weigh a lot, thanks to those thick walls. No problem as long as you don’t plan to move it very often, or if you get a cart to go with it!
    • Small: If you regularly entertain large groups of people, you’ll probably want a larger grill that allows you to cook more food at once.
    • Set up time: It only takes 15 minutes to set up, but still isn’t quite as easy as flicking on a switch to get the gas going.  They are airtight and can be adjusted with air vents.

Popular Kamado Grill Brands

a black Kamado grill on a stainless steel cart

Kamado Grills We Recommend

a stainless steel kamado grill

Caliber Pro Kamado Grill on Stainless Steel Cart

The Caliber Pro has an inner and outer layer of professional quality, 304 grade stainless steel while the inner layer is filled with ceramic insulation which delivers superior heat retention and distribution for more consistent cooking results. Notably, the dual layer design creates a durable grill that weighs less than all other ceramic kamado-style grills while using less charcoal for cooking.

Blaze 20 inch Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill 

Made from one inch thick solid cast aluminum, the Blaze Kamado offers superior durability and outstanding temperature control. The non-porous grill body allows you to use any type of charcoal or wood, as well as any material for lighting the charcoal without worry of damaging or absorbing into the grill body.  In addition, the heavy-duty 12mm hexagon, 304 stainless steel cooking grate retains heat and helps you achieve an excellent sear. Whilst, the 20-inch diameter cooking grate is hinged on both sides so you can easily add wood or charcoal without completely removing the cooking surface.
Considering the Kamado grill’s versatility, durability, and ease of use, the deciding factor may be size and weight, understandably. If you think a Kamado would be ideal in your backyard, give us a call. We’re happy to answer any additional questions you might have about it and we will help you pick out the brand and style that makes the most sense for your needs.

We have the expertise and high-quality products to turn your outdoor cooking dreams into a reality. So, roll up your sleeves. Put on your chef’s hat. Get ready to create culinary masterpieces in your small but sensational outdoor kitchen! Connect with us on LinkedInFacebook, and Instagram for more tips on enhancing your outdoor kitchen.