Best Kamado Grills for 2021
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Egg-shaped Grills are Versatile & Efficient
Want one charcoal grill for everything? Consider the kamado, a modern spin on a centuries-old Asian cooking style. Kamados grill, smoke, and bake — effectively, they’re three outdoor kitchen appliances in one. Their insulating properties and ovoid shape rewrite the book on heat retention while encouraging delicious smoky flavors… but not all kamados are created equal! Over two decades of in-house testing by our experts support these hand-picked superstars based on their quality, performance, and features.
Quality - When judging kamado grills, our experts look for thick ceramic insulation, or some equivalent material. Kamados need mastery of heat absorption, retention, and radiation for that excellent indirect heating. Kamados are built to last — we don’t accept weak cart construction or short warranties. Every component should be of utmost quality.
Performance - A kamado grill should produce, and hold, a very wide range of chamber temperatures — and provide relative ease in adjusting them. Performance is where lesser kamados are weeded out, as there’s no clean-cut secret to ceramic grilling success. This is why we eagerly examine each new improvement.
Features - Nothing breaks up a neck-and-neck competition like quality-of-life changes. Kamado lids are heavy, so an easy-lift hinge should be standard. Rainproof airflow control towers are major plusses. But, from our personal wish list, we want easy fire access for adding fuel or subtracting ash on every single kamado grill.
Best Overall Kamado Grills
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- One of the biggest ceramic cookers on the market
- Evenly distributes heat across 400 sq. inch cooking surface
- Oval design allows 2-zone cooking at different temperatures
- Primo offers the highest sitting lid available
- Cast-iron firebox divider makes it easy to use indirect heat
Primo Oval XL Expert Review
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- SloRoller insert turns kamado into hyperbolic smoking chamber
- Air lift hinge allows you to lift the kamado lid with ease
- 2-tiered rack provides 2 levels of cooking surface area
- Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System allows you to cook food at multiple levels & at different temperatures simultaneously
- Includes two split heat deflectors for direct or indirect cooking
Kamado Joe II Expert Review
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- Latch-secured lid with better seal and spring-assisted hinge
- Extra-thick 1 1/4-inch ceramic wall retains more smoke and heat
- 304-grade stainless cooking grids, vents, rainproof cap, cart
- Top and bottom vents feature marked airflow settings
- Includes ash scraper, grate lifter, and kamado cover
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Best Ceramic Kamado Grills
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- Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System allows for cooking versatility
- SloRoller insert turns kamado into hyperbolic smoking chamber
- Air lift hinge results in a lighter lid and easier lifting
- Durable cast aluminum Kontrol Tower keeps air moving, rainfall out
- Includes a durable steel cart with powder-coated aluminum shelves
Big Joe III Expert Review
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- SloRoller insert turns kamado into hyperbolic smoking chamber
- 2-tiered rack provides 2 levels of cooking surface area
- Durable wire mesh fiberglass gasket creates air-tight seal
- Air lift hinge allows you to lift the kamado lid with ease
- Cast aluminum Kontrol Tower top vent allows consistent airflow
Kamado Joe II Expert Review
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- Ceramic body is backed by a phenomenal 20-year guarantee
- Most efficient ceramic kamado composition on the market today
- All-in-one grill includes several accessories to perfect your experience
- Also available in a built-in configuration
- Proudly manufactured in the USA since 1996
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Best Built In Kamado Grills
These kamados can be built-in to your outdoor kitchen. Their seamless integration will drastically increase the versatility of cooking in your outdoor kitchen space. Matching outdoor kitchen components are available for most models.
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- One inch thick solid cast aluminum provides unmatched durability
- Cooking grid is hinged on either side for adding additional charcoal
- Cast aluminum body looks great paired with stainless appliances
- Removable stainless steel ash pan with handles makes cleanup easy
- Convenient lift-assist hinge for easy opening and closing
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- Proudly made in the USA since 1996
- Highest sitting lid on the market allows cooking turkeys vertically
- Primo SuperCeramic offers superior heat & moisture retention
- Ceramic body is backed by a phenomenal 20-year guarantee
- Easy lift-and-lock hinge system keeps the lid raised in place
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- Pull out ash drawer makes Kamado Joe the easiest kamado to clean
- One of the only ceramic grills with an available rotisserie accessory
- Air-lift hinge creates the lightest lifting lid in the kamado industry
- Kontrol Tower design keeps top vents firmly in place when lid is lifted
- Fiberglass mesh gasket will last years without needing replacement
Kamado Joe II Expert Review
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Best Oversized Kamado Grills
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- One of the biggest ceramic cookers on the market
- Evenly distributes heat across 400 sq. inch cooking surface
- Oval design allows 2-zone cooking at different temperatures
- Primo offers the highest sitting lid available
- Cast-iron firebox divider makes it easy to use indirect heat
Primo Oval XL Expert Review
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- Latch-secured lid with better seal and spring-assisted hinge
- Extra-thick 1 1/4-inch ceramic wall retains more smoke and heat
- 304-grade stainless cooking grids, vents, rainproof cap, cart
- Top and bottom vents feature marked airflow settings
- Includes ash scraper, grate lifter, and kamado cover
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- 24-Inch diameter makes the Big Joe Grill a kamado heavyweight
- 2-tiered cooking rack gives 904 sq. inch cooking area when full
- Stainless steel lid latch self activates when lid closes
- Air lift hinge reduces the dome weight by 96 percent
- Top vent is made from cast aluminum for superior rust resistance
Kamado Joe II Expert Review
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Best Small Kamado Grills
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- Made of premium grade SuperCeramic that offers superior heat
- All-in-one grill includes cradle, grid & ash tools, & side shelves
- Smoke meat at temperatures from 180F up to 500F
- Easy lift-and-lock hinge system keeps the lid raised in place
- Primo Grills are proudly manufactured in the United States
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- Total weight of kamado is a mere 68 pounds, making it portable
- Cast Aluminum Kontrol Tower prevents rain from entering grill
- 1 1/4-inch thick ceramics allow it to maintain proper heat
- Stainless steel draft door allows you to control the airflow
- Comes with a free grate gripper, ash tool and heat deflector
Related Articles:
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Kamado Grill Buying Guide
Kamado grills come in a variety of materials and sizes. Learn how to choose the one that's right for you!
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Kamado Grill Expert Reviews
Our experts evaluate and test all of our kamado grills to really understand the differences and advantages between different models.
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Kamado Grill Comparison Chart
We have taken the top kamados & compared them to help you decide which one is best for you!
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