Although kamado grills claim to have been used for thousands of years, the modern version is an insulated grill resembling an egg shape that comes with a hinged lid that leaves plenty of room for airflow above and below the grates. Despite some being made of steel or even cast iron, the best kamado grill is still composed of ceramic. They are ideal for both smoking and grilling thanks to their thick walls, which also provide outstanding insulation, high efficiency, and the capability to withstand extremely low and high temperatures.
Initially, it can be a bit difficult to understand how to operate the kamado, but after you figure out how to adjust the temperature, this flexible grill can yield excellent results and might even become your new favorite cooking method.
Below you’ll find the list of the top kamado grills on the market, along with the reviews from one of our top experts.
Top picks
Here are the five best kamado grills that are worth considering in 2024.
Best Overall: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
Best Value: Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Best Small: Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill
Most Flexible: Weber 18201001 Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill, Black
Best Metal: Blaze 20-Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado
In-depth reviews
The reviews of the top five best kamado grills are presented below for your consideration.
1. Best Overall: Kamado Joe Classic Joe III
PRODUCT FEATURES:
Cooking Area: 250 square inches
Weight: 286 pounds
Dimensions: 18 x 18.11 x 50.5 inches
Listed price: $1899
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
PROS:
Ceramic body maintains superior heat
Smoke chamber is provided
Even smoking and consistent temperatures
Easy to maintain and clean
CONS:
Heavyweight
Pricey
Takes time to adjust temperatures
The Classic Joe III has improved upon the previous Kamado Joe Classic, which proved to be of great quality and have solid performance in our tests, by by adding the revolutionary SlōRoller insert, which generates cyclonic airflow that regulates both the smoke and heat or slow and low cooking up to 500 degrees. When it's time to adjust to a higher temperature, which can reach 750 degrees, the SloRoller can be exchanged with heat deflector plates, to get the ideal steak sear or superb restaurant-quality pizza.
2. Best Value: Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
PRODUCT FEATURES:
Cooking Area: 314 square inches
Weight: 97 pounds
Dimensions: 45 x 31 x 47 inches
Listed price: $329
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
PROS:
Affordable price
Exterior remains cool
More lightweight than ceramic kamados
CONS:
No smoking accessories
Heat control requires practice
Instead of being built from ceramic, this grill is made of 22-gauge steel that is triple-walled. Its exterior is coated with powder and interior is coated with porcelain. The price tag is unusual, but so is using steel rather than ceramic. This grill not only works effectively but only costs about a fourth as much.
With 314 square inches of major cooking area on cast iron cooking grates and an extra 133 inches on the top rack, the grill offers ample cooking space. It can sustain temperatures between 200 and 700 degrees for a variety of conditions, from scorching hot to low-and-slow. You can quickly memorize the damper position you choose because the damper has numbers on it.
3. Best Small: Char-Griller E06614 Charcoal Grill
PRODUCT FEATURES:
Cooking Area: 155 square inches
Weight: 33 pounds
Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 26 inches
Listed price: $168
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
PROS:
Compact and easily portable
Provides similar thermal retention as its larger version.
CONS:
Smaller cooking area
Burn-off takes longer than expected to remove undesirable flavors and off-gassing.
The Char-Griller Akorn Jr. has all of the Akorn's features in a smaller package. Its light weight makes it a perfect option for small spaces and patios where regular movement might be required. Meanwhile, its powder-coated, triple-wall stainless steel materials reduce the danger of cracking from jostling . A robust cast iron cooking grate may be found inside. Although the company takes pride in the Char-ash-management Griller's mechanism, some users may find it inconvenient and susceptible to gasket damage after repeated usage.
4. Most Flexible: Weber 18201001 Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill, Black
PRODUCT FEATURES:
Cooking Area: 452 square inches
Weight: 131.7 pounds
Dimensions: 30.6 x 36.8 x 29.3 inches
Listed price: $1,249
TODAY’S BEST DEALS:
PROS:
Lightweight for a kamado
Very flexible in its cooking abilities.
CONS:
The blades of the one-touch cleaning system can become trapped on unburned charcoal
Seasoned kamado users need some time to get accustomed to the damper system.
Not a conventional kamado design, the Summit is Weber's entry into the kamado industry. Weber combines the distinctive kettle grill shape with the more popular kamado style in their grill designs. The end result is a flexible grill that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including slow roasting, baking, searing, and smoking. Of the grills we've reviewed, it also has one of the biggest cooking surfaces.
The construction is made of double-wall enameled steel, which guarantees longevity and allows for quick heating and thermal retention. There will be a learning curve for people who are used to a kamado's normal fittings since the baffles at the top and bottom are more similar to their kettle grill designs. Another homage to kettle grills is the ash management mechanism. Although effective, it is more complicated than the majority of kamados on the market.
5. Best Metal: Blaze 20-Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado
PRODUCT FEATURES:
Cooking Area: 400 square inches
Weight: 161 pounds
Dimensions: 27.87 x 21.87 x 33.87 inches
Listed price: $1,789
PROS:
Nice appearance
Outstanding features
Spacious cooking area
CONS:
When removing the ash pan, all the grates have to be removed as well to access it
Pricey
In contrast to the other metal grills, the Blaze is built from cast aluminum rather than multi-walled steel. The grill's weight is significantly reduced thanks to this structure, which also offers outstanding thermal retention and heating time. The lid has a lift-supportive feature that makes the job more enjoyable.
Additionally, the cast design enables a groove and tongue seal that considerably lowers heat loss instead of the gaskets present on several ceramic grills that degrade over time. The grilling area can be expanded with two cooking racks, or you can install a heat deflector or water pan for offset cooking on the lowest level. The ash monitoring system is a full-width lift-out pan, which is a nice feature.
FAQs
Below you’ll find the most common questions when buying the best kamado grill.
1. What are the advantages of a kamado grill?
The major benefit of owning a kamado grill is flexibility. A kamado can turn into a pizza oven, a smoker, a grill, or a high- or low-heat roasting machine.
2. Can I use lighter fluid in a kamado grill?
You should not use lighter fluid because it can penetrate into the porous ceramic interior of the kamado. If you want your grill to be hot instantly, use a fire starter or a chimney starter.
3. What’s the best approach to store a kamado grill?
Store a kamado in a dry, cool place, such as a shed that has doors or a garage. You should also buy a decent grill cover to protect the grill from bad weather conditions.
Final thought
We sincerely hope you have enjoyed reading about the best kamado grill. Despite the fact that there are numerous choices available for all budgets and needs, we believe the Kamado Joe Classic Joe III to be the best overall kamado available right now. We love it for its durability, quality and user-friendliness. Although it’s a bit pricey for regular users, its superior quality will pay off in the long run.
