The modern kamado-style grill is predicated on ancient technology. The earliest cooking vessels were made from clay and located in China, dated to be over 3,000 years old. Everywhere on the planet, these cooking vessels evolved in many various ways, and in Japan a clay pot with a removable dome lid became popular. This device was called a “mushikamado” and it included a damper and draft door for better heat control. It also was fueled by charcoal instead of wood. The mushikamado was introduced to Americans after the Second war. Eventually, it became referred to as a “kamado” which accurately means “cooking range” or “stove” in Japanese.
When we say “time-tested,” we’re not talking about the 20-plus years we’ve been in business — the history of kamado charcoal grills dates back a couple of thousand years to ancient China. They’ve evolved over the centuries, of course, but still believe in the superior heat retention of ceramics and therefore the venting systems of Japanese mushikamado. Those basic properties make modern kamado into all-in-one grills capable of virtually every sort of outdoor cooking style. Grilling burgers for the family? Just stir up the kamado Want to bake a pizza somewhere aside from your indoor oven? Well, you get the thought.
Though kamado grills go back a couple of thousand years, modern technology has placed these versatile cookers on the leading edge of our industry. The way we see it, our experts wouldn’t be doing them justice if our kamado grill reviews weren’t supported scientific findings! That’s why each model we checked out went through a series of tests designed to reveal the depths of its quality, features, and performance — the three factors that matter most in our eyes.
The Louisiana Grills kamado may be a massive and stunningly beautiful grill. Let’s check out what comes standard with this kamado. The evolution of ancient Asian grilling techniques resulted within the kamado, whose distinctive egg or oval shape is that the epitome of cool. Made up of ceramic or metal like cast aluminum; it’s a singular combat charcoal grilling. This is a 24-inch grill that comes with a two-tiered grate system constructed of 304 chrome steel providing 662 square inches of grilling area. The kamado comes with a ceramic heat deflector, metal nest with locking castors, side tables, and a canopy.
The lid is provided with an “Easy-Lift” hinge which makes handling the huge lid very manageable. The lid and body of the grill are both fitted with heat gaskets for a decent air seal.
Pros
- Ceramic kamados are wonderful at retaining heat (which makes them fuel-efficient), while aluminum versions are extremely durable.
- They’re versatile and may be used for everything from baking to grilling; the air vents also make it possible to smoke or roast food.
- You’ll achieve a good temperature range, sustained over an extended period of your time.
- Freestanding models have often moved anywhere for greater flexibility.
- Generally, low airflow from the vents helps cuts of meat retain their juicy flavor for incredible tenderness.
- Kamado are easy to wash.
Cons
- If utilized in a built-in setting, the housing must have many access doors to let the air flow through the vents and permit for cleaning.
- It’s difficult to make different cooking zones during a round kamado grill, though oval models make this easier.
- Ceramic is fragile and may be susceptible to micro fractures, or outright cracks if the lid is dropped too hard on the grill.
- You can’t use lighter fluid or cleaning solvents in ceramic grills because they’re going to leech into the ceramic.
- A selected sort of charcoal could also be required.