With this guide to the best kamado grills on Amazon…
…we review some of the best models on the market…
…a hand picked collection of the most popular…
…advanced and proven models to consider.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of cooking on a kamado…
…what to expect from the experience…
…and what to look for in such a quality grill so that by the end of the article…
…you’ll know which is the best kamado grill for you.
Whatever your hobby or passion may be…
…there is almost always a time when you want to take it to the next level.
Outdoor enthusiasts get a bigger trailer…
…photographers get a better lens, model railroaders build a mountain.
But what about grillers?
Well, many go out to the store and buy a big…
…and shiny new outdoor kitchen.
Still others master the art of making charcuterie.
However, purchasing a Kamado grill might be the answer for some.
We’ve put together the following comprehensive buyers guide…
…that you’ll definitely want to look over if you’re considering…
…making the jump and going Kamado.
The ceramic material used in Kamado grills offers excellent insulation…
…which makes them highly efficient smokers.
However, unlike charcoal smokers…
…they also make excellent pizza ovens, roasters, and grills.
Are you in a hurry? The Kamado Joe Classic II is the best value…
…for most people, even beating out the ceramic Big Green Egg.
While there are plenty of Kamado brands to choose from…
… we’ve selected the best options across a range of price points to make your job easier.
In addition, we’ll show you how to set up…
…and start cooking on your new Kamado grill, so let’s get started right away.
Here are a few words from Shaun…
I love the way this Kamado bakes, grills, smokes, and cooks.
There’s nothing better than infusing the food with smoke. It tastes so good.
As for my only complaint, the air vent on the bottom didn’t close well enough…
…and the daisy wheel vent on the top leaked even when closed.
Putting a gasket around the backside of the sliding vent door…
…and around the inside sealing edge of the daisy wheel vent solved the problem.
If they buy one, I have no doubt that they will love it.
I have already recommended this Kamado to relatives.
Now let’s jump right in!
Best Kamado Grills on Amazon
| Image | Brand | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Kamado Joe | Check Price on Amazon |
 Top | PIT BOSS | Check Price on Amazon |
 Top | Char-Griller | Check Price on Amazon |
Let’s go through them one by one…
Kamado Joe Classic II 18″ Charcoal Grill
- Product 1: Premium 18″ Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels – The Kamado Joe Classic II gives the perfect cooking size of 18 inches along with its Premium cart that comes with the purchase of your grill, including locking casters and wheels.
Known for their innovative, high-quality kamado grills…
…Kamado Joe has made a name for itself.
Despite the fact that kamado grills have been around…
…for thousands of years, the company remains focused on innovation and improvement.
Even some Big Green Egg fans (known for their fierce loyalty)…
…have been won over by Kamado Joe’s recent offerings.
Kamado Joe Classic II 18′′ Kamado features some nice innovations…
…including the airlift hinge, which reduces the weight of the dome by about 96%.
In addition, the Classic II features a redesigned…
…double-thick wire mesh fiberglass gasket and six-piece firebox design.
Kamado Joe has since released the newer Classic III…
…which does include some nice innovations…
…like the SlowRoller hyperbolic insert to distribute heat and smoke better.
Having the latest version at any cost is definitely a better product…
…but with the price hike, we think the Classic II is probably…
…the better deal for most people.
Kamado Joe Classic’s multilevel “divide and conquer”…
…cooking system also lets you cook different foods on different surfaces.
Furthermore, it doubles the cooking surface area of the unit, making it more versatile.
But how does it work? Rather than a full grill rack…
… you get two half racks at different levels.
You can cook different foods at different temperatures…
…at the same time with different heat zones.
The grill can hold temperatures from 250 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
Designed to be rust- and rain-resistant, the top vent is responsible…
…for finer temperature adjustments.
Kamado Joe’s build quality and versatility..
…make it our favorite grill smoker combo.
“Low-cost Kamados may have thinner walls that will struggle to hold a constant temperature. The whole point of a Kamado is heat retention, so why would you want to give that up? Fit and finish may also be an issue on a cheaper model. Watch for low-grade metal fittings that might rust, and thin gaskets that may not seal tightly.”
MARK JENNER – Chief Editor at FoodFireFriends.com
There is also an easy-to-clean, slide out ash drawer…
…redesigned 6 piece firebox with a reduced risk of breaking…
…and a double-thick, fiberglass gasket that promises…
…to last longer than its predecessors.
What we like:
- Construction & design – It is impossible to overlook the thought that has gone into this grill, from the cast iron cart to the locking wheels.
- The divide and conquer multilevel grilling system – This is a great innovation that solves the problem of two zones of grilling faced by those using round kamados.
- The easy clean ash system – It does exactly what it says, which makes one of the most dreaded jobs associated with grilling a breeze.
- No required accessories – Unlike the Big Green Egg, everything you need to smoke and grill is included with the unit, including the stand with wheels, flip-top tables, and slide out ash drawer and ash tool.
What we don’t like:
- Price to size ratio – It’s a lot to pay for a relatively small grill with 406 square inches of cooking space.
Big Joe Classic II is more than just an alternative to the big green egg.
There isn’t much else to criticize the Classic Joe II…
…for as a testament to its quality. The kitchen is large enough…
…to cook for a small or medium group.
You can always go for the Big Joe II if you think you’ll need more space.
There are different warranty levels for different parts as well.
You get a lifetime warranty on the ceramic…
…5 years on the metal parts, 3 years on the heat deflector…
…and 1 year on the thermometer and gaskets.
Keep reading…
Pit Boss 22″ Kamado Ceramic Grill
- Featuring a heavy ceramic body the kamado is the ideal environment for efficiently burning charcoal
When you can’t quite justify the price of the Kamado Joe…
…the Pit Boss Kamado Grill is a perfectly acceptable alternative.
While saving a few bucks, you get all the features…
…you would expect from a high end kamado grill…
…including ceramic construction and excellent temperature control.
The Pit Boss is capable of temperatures up to 700°F for searing…
…making it one of the best Kamado grills.
The cast iron tamper on the top of the grill…
…allows you to control the temperature.
You will need to pick up the heat deflector…
…if you are planning on smoking or doing indirect cooking.
This grill comes with two bamboo side shelves that can be folded down.
A sturdy set of swiveling casters makes it easy to position and lock the Pit Boss.
With the two-tiered stainless steel grill racks, you get 662 square inches of cooking area.
What we like:
- Excellent value – The ceramic cooker is a much better value than the Big Green Egg and even the Kamado Joe.
- Heat control & retention – With a Kamado, you can expect excellent heat retention and fuel efficiency. Ceramics on the Pit Boss seem as good as those on more expensive models. There is no comparison between the Pit Boss and a big green egg. There is no need to babysit this smoker.
- Heavy duty wheels – The swivel caster wheels roll easily and lock, making this grill very portable.
What we don’t like:
- Seal on lower vent – Might require a little tweaking to get a proper airtight fit.
- Have to purchase the heat deflector – Since I can’t imagine buying a Kamado grill without the heat deflector, I wish manufacturers would simply include it in the price.
Go on…
Char-Griller Akorn Kamado
- KAMADO CHARCOAL GRILL - Kamado style BBQ Grill & Smoker perfect for both high heat grilling and low and slow cooking
The cost of a Kamado grill is typically far higher…
…than that of a conventional charcoal grill.
Especially if this is your first kamado grill…
…and you don’t want to invest a significant amount of money…
…without trying it out first, the Char-Griller Akorn is very affordable.
The company specializes in producing affordable barbecues…
…for the budget-conscious consumer.
Despite their products not being ‘top of the line’…
…the company strives to deliver grills that are reliable…
…and do the job, without breaking the bank.
Akorn’s body is made from 22 gauge steel and its grill grates are cast iron.
Powder coating covers the unit’s outside, and porcelain coating covers its inside.
By folding the shelves back, you can easily add charcoal throughout the cook…
…(although you rarely have to add charcoal during a cook when using a kamado).
Even though it is an entry level model, it has some nice features…
…such as an easy-to-empty ashtray and a temperature gauge.
The Akorn is double walled for insulation.
The lid has a locking mechanism to prevent heat from escaping through the door seal.
The main cooking area is 314 square inches…
…plus an additional warming rack of 133 square inches.
What We Like:
- Value for money – Compared to other models, this Kamado is much less expensive. In addition to this, the grill is reliable and will give you a good idea of what it is like to cook with a kamado before you invest in a more expensive model (should you choose).
- Hard to break – The traditional kamados are made of ceramic materials, but this one is made of steel to keep the price down. It will not shatter or crack when dropped. Obviously, it is difficult to drop something too heavy to lift, but you would be surprised what can happen in the backyard.
- Fuel efficiency – It is still an efficient grill, so you will enjoy the savings associated with not having to purchase so much fuel, even though it is at a lower price point.
What We Don’t Like:
- Inconsistent quality control – Before you begin assembling your Akorn, be sure you have all the parts and that they are not damaged. It will save you a lot of time taking the unit apart if you need to send something back. However, when the unit is in good condition and everything works as promised, it’s a great purchase.
- However, steel kamados will eventually rust out. If you want to get the most from your Akorn, make sure you season the grill grates and keep it dry and out of the elements.
Remember that the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado units are more expensive…
…because they don’t last as long as ceramic kamados.
That doesn’t stop it from being a great entry-level kamado grill.
If you follow the instructions and have a 7/16′′ nut driver…
…assembly should be fairly straightforward.
While it may not last as long as the more expensive ceramic options…
…the manufacturers have reflected this in the affordable price point.
As a result, this grill performs well, and it is likely to get you hooked on kamado cooking.
Perhaps you are wondering…
What Is a Kamado Grill?
Although they have gained popularity in recent years, Kamado grills are not new.
They date back at least 3000 years.
Originating from China or Japan is the concept of the Kamado.
The Indian tandoor oven follows a similar concept.
Around the end of the second world war, Americans began to notice these grills.
The concept started to take off after some were shipped over to the US.
Kamados are made of refractory materials…
…such as ceramic, terracotta, cement, or lava rock.
They have incredible insulation properties.
Consequently, these grills are excellent when used as ovens or smokers.
Because of their inherent insulative properties…
…the cooking temperature inside them remains constant and even.
Due to their reputation, you may also hear people refer…
…to this type of grill as a Kamado or ceramic smoker.
The terms do not mean anything different.
We’ll break it down further and consider the pros and cons of the kamado grill.
Pros of Kamado Grills
- Ceramic kamados will last a very, very long time if they are properly maintained. Therefore, think carefully about the model you purchase, as it might even be passed down to your children. Make it a good one!
- Despite inclement weather, these units are easy to start due to their top-notch insulation. Smoking through the winter in a cold climate with Kamados is a great option, as they have excellent heat retention and even cooking temperatures.
- A Kamado grill is very efficient. For the amount of time you can smoke, you will chew through relatively little charcoal.
- Due to the distance between the meat and the coals, ceramic cookers are less likely to cause flare-ups.
- You will have moist and juicy meat when using a ceramic cooker. Due to decreased airflow, less moisture is able to evaporate from the meat.
- Kamados require a different method for lighting than other charcoal grills. It is very easy to get started, however, once you have mastered this technique.
- These units allow you to cook at a wide range of temperatures. Once you master the temperature control on these, you are able to do a lot, from cold smoking jerky to cooking a pizza.
Cons of Kamado grills
There are some people who shouldn’t buy a Kamado grill.
Here are a few reasons why you may not want to use this type of cooker:
- Kamado grills aren’t the best option for people on a budget because the best kamado grills are expensive.
- Before purchasing a smoker, make sure you understand what you are getting, and do some research on what you should add to get the most out of your smoker. You will need to pay for these.
- When you overshoot your target temperature in a kamado, it takes a while for it to come down again. These units might take some practice to master the temperature control, but once you do, they will maintain a nice consistent temperature throughout your cooking.
- Restricting airflow will allow you to reduce the temperature. The coals will smoulder as a result. Smoke from this process is white and billowy, not the thin blue smoke that produces the best results.
- Kamado smokers are great. However, smaller models don’t lend themselves to a two-zone setup. There is an option to set up the bigger, oval shaped models for this.
- It is not possible to move the larger kamado grills. Due to their weight and awkward shape, they cannot be moved. Ceramic models will also crack easily if dropped. Decide where to place your kamado before installation, and make sure it stays there.
- They do come in smaller, camping-friendly versions, but they really only cater to cooking for two people.
- Pay attention to how they top up the coals and collect the ashes. In many models, you must remove everything to top up the coals. This rarely needs to be done due to their efficiency, but it is certainly a pain if you must.
- In addition, ash production can be an issue for these smokers, so you want to make sure that any ash produced does not interfere with airflow.
Sum Up!
Thank you for taking the time to read our review of the best kamado grills.
Kamado Joe Classic II represents the best all-round kamado you can buy right now.
While there are options out there to suit…
…all kinds of people and at various price points…
…the Classic II represents the best value for money.
This will be a grill that you will have for a long time…
…and may be able to pass on to loved ones once you’re done with it.
You get great accessories included in the price…
…high quality workmanship, innovative design features…
…and a price tag that won’t make your eyes water.
Conclusion
They are efficient, easy to use, and produce deliciously juicy results…
…which are why kamados are loved by so many.
With the Kamado Joe Classic ll…
…Kamado grills’ natural characteristics have been capitalized on…
…making an already appealing barbecue option the only viable option for some.
Do you have a kamado grill? If so, what are your thoughts?
What other questions do you have that were not answered here?
Feel free to leave a comment below.
Don’t forget to share this article if you found it helpful.
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
