Top 6 Best Kamado Grill Reviews

Do you want to know one of the best things about owning a kamado grill?

It’s the taste.

If you invest some money and effort into buying a kamado grill while learning how to properly grill on it, you can have great results on the food you cook by imparting more flavors while making the dining experience more immersive for everyone.

The word “kamado” is a Japanese word that means stove, but it isn’t just any other stove.

It’s a style of grill that gives you a classic approach to the traditional Japanese way to barbecue, smoke, and sear various food types. Thanks to the materials, functionality and other innovations of the grill, this makes it one of the best grills for giving you optimum cooking temperatures.

The oval egg shape of the kamado grill is what helps to create the perfect airflow, allowing you to control the grill heat more easily. It’s distinctive shape also makes it stand out from other grills.

So, if you want to cook on a kamado grill and get great results you should read on and find out the best kamado grill reviews you can buy that fits all your needs and budget.

Let’s get started.

Kamado Grill Reviews 

1. Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill – Beginner’s Choice

If you enjoy cooking in kamado style, then we think you’ll like the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill and Smoker.

With this grill, you can easily sear meat with high heat or enjoy cooking with a low and slow roast. This grill was built to last a long time thanks to it being made from triple-walled, 22-gauge steel which can easily help it maintain cooking temperatures ranging anywhere from 200-700 degrees Fahrenheit.

The grill’s top and bottom adjustable dampers help maintain continuous air flow around the grill while cooking or smoking your food. Having the Kamado design makes this grill very fuel efficient so that you use less fuel when cooking, thus helping you save more in the long run.

The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill has an interior that is porcelain coated steel while its exterior has a power coated finish. It also features a total cooking area of 314 square inches with a cast iron cooking surface that includes a 133 square inch removable warming rack. If you like convenience, then you’ll like the included easy-dump ash pan and the built-in temperature gauge.

However, you may experience some quality issues with the grill as it is prone to rusting and some parts getting damaged after continual usage after a year or two. Other than that, this is still a great kamado grill that can help you fulfill your needs.

PROS	CONS
+ Made from triple-walled, 22-gauge steel which can easily help it maintain cooking temperatures + Total cooking area of 314 square inches with a cast iron cooking surface that includes a 133 square inch removable warming rack + Top and bottom adjustable dampers help maintain continuous air flow around the grill	– You may experience quality issues with the grill as it is prone to rusting and some parts getting damaged after continual usage after a year or two

2. Char-Griller E06614 AKORN Jr, Red Charcoal Kamado Grill – Budget Choice

The Char-Griller Akorn Jr. Red Charcoal Kamado Grill has 153 square inches of cast iron grilling space which gives it plenty of room to cook on especially if you’re going camping, tailgating or having time out in the park. If you enjoy portability, then you’ll like this grill’s two durable handles which makes it easier to grill on the go. Its short sturdy legs keep your grill sturdy and prevents wobbling while grilling.

Thanks to the grill being triple-walled and insulated, it can maintain heat temperatures of around 200 – 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill has 153 square inches of cast iron grilling surface which gives you just enough space to cook your desired foods. Its powder coated steel exterior finish and its porcelain coated steel interior in addition to the grill being made from 22-gauge steel allows it to last a long time.

Lastly, this grill also comes with top and bottom adjustable dampers that allow you to maintain airflow throughout the grill for precise temperature control. The built-in temperature gauge and easy dump ash pan provides you with added convenience in terms of temperature monitoring and cleanup.

Despite that, there may be problems with this grill’s overall quality as it seems to deteriorate and rust after continued usage even if used seldomly. There also may be design flaws with the grill such as the top lid not perfectly fitting with the bottom half of the grill thus causing problems in maintaining grill temperatures

However, this grill is still a solid choice if you prefer portability and the ability to cook in a kamado style grill which brings about great results when used right.

PROS

CONS

Two durable handles which makes it easier to grill on the go and its short sturdy legs keep your grill sturdy and prevents wobbling while grilling Powder coated steel exterior finish and its porcelain coated steel interior in addition to the grill being made from 22-gauge steel allows it to last a long time. Triple-walled and insulated, it can maintain heat temperatures of around 200 – 700 degrees Fahrenheit

May deteriorate and rust after continued usage even if used seldomly Design flaws such as top lid not perfectly aligning/fitting with bottom half, which can cause difficulty in maintaining temperatures

3. Chefood 16″ Ceramic Kamado Style BBQ Cooking Charcoal Grill Pack with a Cover – Comes with a Cover

The Chefood Ceramic Kamado Styl BBQ Cooking Charcoal Grill Pack boasts a 16-inch diameter on the outside of the grill that is also 1-inch thick and with its entire body being made from real ceramic. It features 138 square inches of cooking area with its FDA stainless steel #304 cooking grid.

This grill also promises you with even heating performance and excellent heat insulation which is great if you need to serve for outdoor cooking and plan on cooking during winter or cold season. In addition, its adjustable bottom air damper and top vent temperature control system allows for optimal temperature management and monitoring so that you can reach and maintain your desired heat levels for the best food outcomes.

Lastly, it also comes with a convenient 300D waterproof grill cover so you can protect your grill when bringing it wherever you go or storing it when not in use.

Unfortunately, if you plan on cooking a lot more food, you may want to go for another option as this grill’s cooking surface is very small and may not accommodate your needs in terms of food quantity during grilling. Other than that, this is a great kamado grill that can make delicious food, while also coming with a convenient cover for easy storage.

PROS	CONS
+ Boasts even heating performance and excellent heat insulation, great for cooking in cold environments + Adjustable bottom air damper and top vent temperature allows optimal heat management and monitoring + Comes with a convenient 300D waterproof grill cover	– Its cooking surface is very small and may not accommodate your needs in terms of food quantity during grilling.

4. Kamado Joe BJ24RHCI-A Big Joe III Charcoal Grill – Premium Choice

The Kamado Joe Big Joe III Charcoal Grill boasted a larger cooking surface that is Kamado Joe’s more versatile kamado which is perfect if you have a large family to cook for or if you’re having a party. For reference, you can smoke about three full racks of low-and-slow ribs.

This grill uses the SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber technology that allows cyclonic airflow to control the heat levels and smoke in order to perfect the taste and texture of food on low-and-slow cooks up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also easily swappable for heat deflector plates when you plan on searing or grilling at higher temperatures.

This grill also makes use of the Divide and Conquer Flexible Cooking System that essentially makes your grill grate one of the more powerful tools in cooking. The multi-level, half rack design allows you to cook with a variety of foods in different styles, all with their own respective optimal temperatures at the same time. This is great if you want to cook all kinds of foods that require different cooking methods and temperatures.

In addition, this grill comes with an easy slide-out ash drawer for easy cleanup and a top vent that allows for consistent air settings and precise airflow management.

However, this is the most expensive kamado grill on this list by a long shot. If you want a grill that isn’t as pricey as this one but still offer roughly the same amount of capabilities and quality of cooking, then there are other options available for you. Putting that aside, this is a premium-priced grill that provides you with high quality cooking and is definitely made to last as long as you use it correctly.

PROS	CONS
+ SlōRoller Hyperbolic Smoke Chamber technology that allows cyclonic airflow to control the heat levels and smoke + Multi-level, half rack design allows you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures + Comes with an easy slide-out ash drawer for easy cleanup and a top vent that allows for consistent air settings and precise airflow management.	– The most expensive grill on this list. There may be other options on this that provide you with roughly the same capabilities at a lower price

5. Char-Griller E6520 AKORN Kamado Cart Charcoal Grill – Comes with Food Prep Cart

Enjoy cooking Kamado style with the Akorn Kamado Kooker Grill and Smoker Char-Griller. You can sear meat quickly over high heat or enjoy a low and slow roast. This powerful kamado grill is designed to last thanks to being made from 22-gauge steel that is triple-walled. It’ll easily hold cooking temperatures ranging from 200-700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Its adjustable top and bottom dampers also allow air to flow into and out of the grill when cooking or smoking your favorite food. The nature of Kamado grills makes it fuel-efficient, so you can use less charcoal while cooking which makes you save more.

The Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Cart Charcoal Grill features a powder-coated exterior finish and an interior finish of porcelain-coated steel. It also boasts a 314 square inch cast iron cooking surface that comes with a simple dump ash pan and a temperature gauge for easy temperature monitoring and cleanup. This grill also comes in a cart that you can use for food prep or any other purpose that you can find with the extra surface that you can work with.

However, you may experience quality issues with the grill as the paint on the bottom of the grill may start to deteriorate overtime. You may also find difficulty in maintaining temperatures as they seem to fluctuate during grilling. However, this is still a solid choice of a grill if you need the extra prep work area and the mobility of the cart to move your grill around easily.

PROS	CONS
+ Comes in a cart that you can use for food prep or any other purpose that you can find with the extra surface that you can work with. + Boasts a 314 square inch cast iron cooking surface + Adjustable top and bottom dampers also allow air to flow into and out of the grill when cooking or smoking your favorite food	– You may experience quality issues with the grill as the paint on the bottom of the grill may start to deteriorate overtime – Difficulty in maintaining temperatures as they seem to fluctuate during grilling

6. ARTEFLAME Replacement BBQ Grill Cooking Grate, Carbon Steel Griddle and Grate Combo – Grill Grate Accessory

The ARTEFLAME Replacement BBQ Grill Cooking Grate accessory is part teppanyaki griddle, part traditional BBQ grate for your grill which is made to fit the 29″ XXL Kamado, Green Egg, Acorn, and other round grills measuring 29″ in diameter.

It is made from carbon steel which is much harder than cast iron, thus giving you more durability and optimal temperature control. If you take the time to properly season this grill accessory, then it’ll also be a great non-stick surface for you to use that won’t rust so that you can have the best grilling experience.

The surface of this grill accessory, which is in teppanyaki style, helps you to cook vegetables, seafood and burgers on the outer rim while preserving juices and adding a smoky flavor to the food while the middle is reserved for direct heat cooking. Its solid 1/4″ thick carbon steel was designed to last a lifetime; it also comes with non-slip edges so that you can easily lift it up and take it off when needed.

However, you can only make use of this cooking grate if you already have a kamado grill at hand. If you do have a grill that you can use that is also with the same dimensions as this grill cooking grate, then this is definitely a great option for you to widen the different style of cooking you can do on a kamado grill.

PROS	CONS
+ Made to fit the 29″ XXL Kamado, Green Egg, Acorn, and other round grills measuring 29″ in diameter + Made from carbon steel which is much harder than cast iron, thus giving you more durability and optimal temperature control + Let’s you cook different foods in different styles depending on where you place the food on the grill grate	– Requires that you already have a kamado grill to put it on in order to use

See also: Top 3 Best Kamado Grills Under 1000 Reviews

Kamado Grill Buyer’s Guide

Kamado grills are designed to last a long time. Owning one can certainly change the way you enjoy food; others would go so far as to claim that these grills are needed in every home. Such grills will give you the chance to prepare your meal in a special manner and in a way that is both enjoyable and tasty for everyone involved. Once you’ve decided to buy a kamado grill, it’s important to remember the following things before you make your purchase.

Size and Portability

While some kamado grills are small and seem compact, there are some kamado grills that are not really designed to be taken along everywhere you go, which is more so if you have grills that are full on ceramic. Nonetheless, there are ways for you to choose a simpler and more accessible grill when it comes to taking it along with you everywhere you are headed. Determine if you need a big, stationary kamado grill or a small but portable kamado grill, then take that into account when buying your first grill.

Type of Cooking Surface

Various cooking surfaces can give you different outcomes based on the type of food you want to grill with. That’s why you should consider what kind of food you’re going to eat on your kamado barbecue grill. While most come with a grill, you do have other choices to choose from.

Construction Material

When it comes to the materials used to make kamado grills, there are three major categories. Each has its own characteristics and leads to improving the heat retention and distribution in a particular way. Ceramics (best to maintain heat), stainless steel (heats up quicker than ceramics, though decent to preserve heat) and aluminum (heats up easily, easily cools down; easier to clean and lighter) are the three types of material used to make kamado grills.

Heat Regulation and Temperature Ventilation

Most kamado grills come with a ventilation system which you use to control heat inside the grill. Increasing airflow through these vents would cause the fires to rise further, thereby increasing the overall temperature of the grill and vice versa. Each grill has various ventilation systems but almost every grill has a top and bottom ventilation. Look for the grill that will suit your needs with the ventilation you’re comfortable with.

Conclusion

After careful consideration on the kamado grills on this list, we determined that the Char-Griller E6520 AKORN Kamado Cart Charcoal Grill provides you with the most value. This is because it comes in a cart that you can use for food prep or any other purpose that you can find with the extra surface that you can work with.

It also boasts a 314 square inch cast iron cooking surface and its adjustable top and bottom dampers also allow air to flow into and out of the grill when cooking or smoking your favorite food. Just make sure to purchase the right kamado grill that fits your specific needs and budget.