The Big Green Egg is a popular kamado grill, but there are comparable options available that offer similar performance and features. compare.edu.vn provides detailed comparisons to help you find the best alternative. Explore ceramic grills, aluminum models, and app-enabled options to discover your ideal grill for searing, smoking, and long-lasting performance.
Table of Contents
- Straight to the Point
- Our Top Picks
- The Tests
- Anatomy of a Kamado Grill
- What We Learned
- Our Favorite Kamado Grills
- The Best Ceramic Kamado Grill
- Another Great Kamado Grill
- The Best Kamado Grill From a Reliable Brand
- The Best App-Enabled Kamado Grill
- The Best Budget Kamado Grill
- The Best Portable Kamado Grill
- The Best Kamado Grill for Tailgating
- The Competition
- FAQs
- Why We’re the Experts
1. Straight to the Point
Kamado smokers excel due to their ceramic construction, offering superior heat retention for both smoking and grilling. The Kamado Joe Classic Joe stands out in performance tests, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy both smoking and grilling. For a more budget-friendly option, the Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Grill offers similar capabilities at a lower price. These cookers are ceramic or aluminum and sometimes swap the oval shape for a circle. After testing 14 kamados across various prices, seven top picks were found. Which one should you get? Well, it depends on what you want to cook and how much you’re willing to spend.
2. Our Top Picks
Here’s a quick rundown of our top kamado grill recommendations:
- The Best Ceramic Kamado Grill: Kamado Joe Classic II
- Another Great Kamado Grill: Weber Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill
- The Best Kamado Grill From a Reliable Brand: Big Green Egg Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker
- The Best App-Enabled Kamado Grill: Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Kamado Grill E6480
- The Best Budget Kamado Grill: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
- The Best Portable Kamado Grill: Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill
- The Best Kamado Grill for Tailgating: Broil King Keg Kamado Charcoal Grill
3. The Tests
To evaluate the kamado grills, we conducted several tests to assess their performance in various cooking scenarios:
- Assembly Test: We timed the assembly process, noting the ease and time required.
- Smoked Chicken Wing Test: We assessed the grill’s ability to maintain a consistent temperature for an extended smoking session.
- Reverse Seared Ribeye Test: We evaluated the grill’s performance in searing and transitioning from smoking to high-heat grilling.
- Cleaning Test: We determined how easy each grill was to clean after use.
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Heat deflector placement inside Weber Summit E6 grill during testing.
4. Anatomy of a Kamado Grill
Understanding the components of a kamado grill is essential for effective use:
- Body: The main structure, typically made of ceramic or aluminum, that houses the cooking elements.
- Fuel Grate: Located at the bottom, holding lump charcoal for fuel.
- Cooking Grate: Positioned above the fuel grate, where food is placed for cooking.
- Heat Deflector: Used to distribute heat evenly for low and slow smoking.
- Lid/Lid Vent: Hinged lid with vents to regulate airflow and temperature.
- Temperature Gauge: Displays the internal temperature of the grill.
- Dampers: Adjustable vents at the bottom to control airflow and temperature.
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Illustrated view of Char-Griller Akorn Auto Kamado grill and its components.
5. What We Learned
Our testing revealed several key insights about kamado grills:
5.1 Ceramic Was Tops for Heat Retention
Ceramic kamado grills excel at maintaining consistent temperatures, ideal for both low and slow smoking and high-heat searing.
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Big Green Egg temperature gauge showing consistent heat levels.
5.2 Aluminum Ruled for Affordability and Nimbleness
Aluminum kamados offer a more budget-friendly option while still providing excellent grilling capabilities.
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Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill showcasing its manageable size.
5.3 App-Controlled Kamado Smokers Were Ideal for Beginners and Aluminum Builds
App-enabled kamados simplify temperature control, making them ideal for beginners and aluminum models prone to temperature swings.
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Adjusting the temperature using the app-controlled Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Grill.
5.4 Heat Deflectors Were (Usually!) Appreciated
Heat deflectors help maintain low temperatures for slow smoking, but can sometimes be cumbersome to manage.
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Positioning a heat deflector inside Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Grill.
5.5 What Can and Can’t You Cook on a Kamado?
Kamados are versatile and can cook a wide range of foods, making them ideal for outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
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Grilling meat on the Kamado Joe Classic II.
6. Our Favorite Kamado Grills
Here’s a detailed look at our top kamado grill picks:
7. The Best Ceramic Kamado Grill
7.1 Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill
The Kamado Joe Classic II is a well-constructed grill with excellent heat retention, making it a top choice for ceramic kamados.
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A Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill in action.
What we liked: The Classic Joe stands out for its durable ceramic construction, ensuring longevity and exceptional heat retention. Its mobility is enhanced by four wheels, including two locking ones, making it easy to move despite its weight. The “Air Lift” hinge reduces the lid’s weight, allowing it to open to a full 90-degree angle effortlessly. A notable design feature is the easy removal of internal cooking mechanisms, such as the cooking grate and heat deflector, facilitating the addition of fuel while in use. Like most ceramic kamado grills, it excels in heat retention, requiring minimal damper adjustments to maintain the target temperature.
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Close up of opening a vent on the Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill.
What we didn’t like: It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for heat adjustments to register, which is typical for ceramic kamados due to their excellent heat retention. The Classic Joe is also one of the more expensive options, though a version without the stand can lower the price.
Key Specs:
- Materials: Ceramic
- Dimensions: 46.5 x 46.5 x 48.5 inches
- Cooking area: 250 square inches
- Weight: 231.5 pounds
- Warranty: Lifetime on ceramic parts, 5 years on metal parts, 3 years on electric parts, and 2 years on other/miscellaneous parts
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Chicken cooking on the Kamado Joe Classic II Charcoal Grill.
8. Another Great Kamado Grill
8.1 Weber 18201001 Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill, Black
The Weber Summit Kamado E6 combines Weber’s reliability with kamado-style cooking, offering a durable and versatile grill.
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A sleek Weber 18201001 Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill.
What we liked: The Summit comes from Weber, a brand renowned for its dependable charcoal and gas grills. This kettle-kamado hybrid promises years of reliable performance, backed by a generous warranty. With over 450 square inches of cooking space, it offers ample room for grilling and smoking. The well-sized and positioned heat deflector is ideal for indirect cooking, while the built-in cleaning system with three blades that sweep ash into a catch below is delightfully innovative. The Summit requires regular temperature adjustments, appealing to grillers who enjoy tinkering.
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Adjusting heat settings on the Weber Summit Kamado E6.
What we didn’t like: Assembling the legs with the base proved challenging, requiring a full 30 minutes. The internal components must be removed to add fuel when the deflector is in place, and the intake damper can become clogged with ash, making temperature adjustments difficult. Additionally, it is quite pricey for an aluminum grill.
Key Specs:
- Materials: Aluminum with stainless steel parts
- Dimensions: 35.8 x 34.8 x 44.9 inches
- Cooking area: 452 square inches
- Weight: 117 pounds
- Warranty: 10 years for bowl and lid, 5 years for cleaning system, 5 years for plastic components, 2 years for all remaining parts
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Opening the Weber 18201001 Summit Kamado E6 Charcoal Grill.
9. The Best Kamado Grill From a Reliable Brand
9.1 Big Green Egg Large Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker
The Big Green Egg is a well-known and reliable kamado grill, offering excellent heat retention and sturdy construction.
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Big Green Egg grill.
What we liked: The Big Green Egg is more than just a household name; it pioneered kamado grills in the U.S. Its eye-catching design is matched by its exceptional build quality and sturdiness. The responsive dampers, especially the intake damper with its mesh grate, offer superior airflow control. Thanks to its ceramic construction, it maintains target temperatures beautifully, and the on-lid thermometer accurately reflects the internal temperature. Both chicken and ribs emerged tender with a delightful smoky flavor.
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Chicken being cooked on the Big Green Egg Large Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker.
What we didn’t like: Assembly was a complex process, involving three separate manuals and tedious steps. While it took under an hour (56 minutes), it required unscrewing pre-attached bolts and using a wrench not included in the kit. Adding fuel mid-smoke was challenging with the heat deflector in place, and cleaning required removing all internal parts, a task made easier with the Kamado Joe.
Key Specs:
- Material: Ceramic exterior
- Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 31 inches
- Cooking area: 262 square inches
- Weight: 162 pounds
- Warranty: Lifetime limited on ceramic parts, 5 years on metal parts, 1 year on wood parts, 1 year on temperature gauge and gaskets
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Opening the valve on the Big Green Egg Large Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker.
10. The Best App-Enabled Kamado Grill
10.1 Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Kamado Grill E6480
The Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado features app-controlled temperature settings, making it easy to maintain consistent cooking temperatures.
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Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Kamado Grill.
What we liked: This smoker is controlled via an app, and it was admired more than once during testing that the only thing the Char-Griller Auto-Kamado doesn’t do for you is light the coals. It features warming and cooking grates that were simple to set up. Adding fuel could be done without removing the grates if the heat deflector was not in use. The app was easy to master: An internal fan would activate if a new target temperature was set.
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Adjusting temperature on the Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Grill.
What we didn’t like: Assembling this smoker was one of the lengthiest processes of all those tested—an hour and 24 minutes. Concerns were raised about the plastic parts degrading over time, and the lid latch made one-handed opening difficult. Although maintaining a consistent temperature proved challenging initially, it was due to an improperly installed damper. The warranty covers just one year.
Key Specs:
- Material: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 30.9 x 45 x 48.2 inches
- Cooking area: 445 square inches (314 square inches of primary cooking space)
- Weight: 91 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year for both grill and grates
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Meat cooking on the Char-Griller Akorn Auto-Kamado Grill.
11. The Best Budget Kamado Grill
11.1 Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado offers a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential kamado-style cooking features.
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The Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill.
What we liked: Setting up this kamado, the app-free version of the Auto-Kamado, took only 33 minutes. Its lightweight design allows for easy maneuvering around the yard. It includes a grate removal tool that’s handy for pulling them out mid-smoke. Once target temperatures were reached, minimal adjustments were needed, and the dampers were easy to master. The chicken wings cooked on this grill were outstanding, featuring glossy tan skin and an enviable smoke flavor.
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Closing the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill.
What we didn’t like: Some parts, like the clip attaching the lid to the base, felt cheaply made. The cooking grate sits about a foot away from the charcoal grate, which isn’t ideal for high-heat cooking but creates excellent smoking conditions. It also doesn’t come with a heat deflector.
Key Specs:
- Materials: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 31 x 46 x 48 inches
- Cooking area: 314 square inches
- Weight: 97 pounds
- Warranty: 5 years for grill, 1 year for parts and accessories
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Installing a side shelf on the Char-Griller E16620 Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill.
12. The Best Portable Kamado Grill
12.1 Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill
The Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr. offers portability without compromising on the quality and performance of a kamado grill.
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Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill.
What we liked: Assembling this smoker took just five minutes and seven seconds. The lid hinges open smoothly to a full 90 degrees and has a cushioned lining between its bottom and the smoker base. Two dampers were included, and the top one proved useful for making small adjustments as we approached our target temperature. Once there, heat retention and distribution were excellent. The steak turned out great, and the wings were decent.
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Flipping meat on the Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill.
What we didn’t like: Only 16 out of 20 chicken wings fit on the cooking grate, which is understandable given its 150 square inches. Adding fuel during a smoke would require removing the heat deflector, which we hesitated to do. While portable due to its small size, it isn’t lightweight.
Key Specs:
- Materials: Ceramic
- Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 27 inches
- Cooking area: 150 square inches
- Weight: 77 pounds
- Warranty: Lifetime on ceramic parts, 5 years on metal parts, 3 years on electric parts, and 2 years on other/miscellaneous parts
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Opening the smoke valve on the Kamado Joe KJ13RH 13.5 inch Joe Jr. Charcoal Grill.
13. The Best Kamado Grill for Tailgating
13.1 Broil King Keg Kamado Charcoal Grill
The Broil King Keg offers a large cooking space and durable construction, making it perfect for tailgating and cooking for crowds.
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Broil King Keg Kamado Charcoal Grill.
What we liked: This kamado grill offers a generous 480 square inches of cooking space, making it ideal for large-format smoking and cooking for a crowd. The main cooking grate, made from heavy cast iron, is excellent for searing. Its efficient standard grilling, combined with its generous size, lightweight design, and fun aesthetic, make it perfect for tailgates or backyard barbecues. Adding the reasonably priced hitch adapter allows for easy transport on the back of a truck.
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Chicken being cooked in the Broil King Keg Kamado Charcoal Grill.
What we didn’t like: Moving the Keg could be easier if it were fitted with caster wheels. The lid doesn’t open to a full 90 degrees, and there was significant temperature fluctuation, even when the dampers were adjusted. However, with persistent monitoring, a nearly perfect steak with nice caramelization and wings kissed with just the right amount of smoke were achieved.
Key Specs:
- Materials: Steel
- Dimensions: 27.5 x 41 x 47 inches
- Cooking area: 480 square inches
- Weight: 126 pounds
- Warranty: 10 years for body, 2 years for all remaining parts
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Opening the vent on top of the Broil King Keg Kamado Charcoal Grill.
14. The Competition
While the above grills are our top picks, other models on the market offer similar features. Comparing these options based on your specific needs and budget is essential.
15. FAQs
15.1 Is a kamado a smoker or a grill?
Kamados can be used for both smoking and grilling, and even baking. Ceramic models excel at temperature retention, ideal for low and slow smoking. By adding more fuel and opening the dampers, they can reach high temperatures perfect for searing.
15.2 Are ceramic kamado smokers worth it?
Ceramic kamado smokers are worth the investment due to their longevity and superior heat retention. Though more expensive than steel models, they are built to last
