Kamado Grills

Today's Kamado grills can trace their lineage back thousands of years to clay vessels unearthed in Japan, China, and India. Kamado is the Japenese word for "stove" and it serves as a general term for vessel-style grills. Traditionally made from ceramics, terracotta, and cement, these cookers are prized for their kiln-like insulator properties and wide and consistent temperature range (from under 200 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit). A small vent in the bottom provides air to the charcoal and an adjustable vent on top controls airflow.

What's Cooking

These vessels are ideal for ribs, pork shoulders, turkeys, pizza, and bread. If it can be roasted or baked in an oven, it can be roasted or baked better in a Kamado grill. Less airflow means less moisture escapes, leaving your meat juicier than it would be in a traditional charcoal-fired model.

Hayneedle Serves up Variety

We offer traditional ceramic designs, heavy-gauge steel designs with double-wall insulation, and top brands like Saffire, Bayou Classic, Char-Griller, and American-made Primo.

Preparing a Bed of Coals

Kamado grills do more than their peers with less oxygen and charcoal. Manufacturers recommend higher-quality lump wood charcoal over charcoal with additives to preserve the taste advantage of ceramic construction. Other charcoal varieties produce more ash and can obstruct airflow. Light the lump charcoal patiently, maybe speed the process up with an electric charcoal starter, but never use lighter fluid. Lighter fluid will damage the interior of a ceramic body and affect taste.

Putting Safety First

Remember, there's very little oxygen inside a Kamado grill. The sudden rush of oxygen that follows you removing the lid could create a condition known as flashback, popularly known as a fireball. This condition is easy to avoid. First, open the top vent and wait a few minutes before removing the lid. Second, stand back and off to the side as you slowly open the lid with a pair of fire-resistant gloves. It's best to assume flashback conditions are present so safety remains top of mind. Young adults adults should be allowed to remove the lid only with strict adult supervision.

Caring for Your Grill

Ceramic models are quite heavy and intended to stay in place. Dropping or tipping them is the only threat to their lasting quality. Brushing the ash out of the bottom and scraping the cooking grates takes care of the cleaning concerns. Avoid using damaging wire brushes. A cover is recommended for keeping the elements out.

Stock up on the Accessories

Our selection of accessories includes teak cooking carts, ceramic pizza stones and heat deflectors, cooking grid elevators, natural lump charcoal, multifunctional grates and dividers, vinyl covers, and much more. Once you have all the tools, get grillin'!