Kamado grills are often referred to as ceramic grills or ceramic smokers
. Learn the benefits of a kamado and how they compare to conventional charcoal grills.
Kamado Grills
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Charcoal Grills
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Taste | Ceramic grills give a true charcoal flavor by using natural lump charcoal that is made from charred hardwoods like oak, hickory and maple. Excellent for grilling and especially for smoking meats. | Charcoal grills add a charcoal smoked flavor to the grilled food and even more so if used in a smoker. Briquettes contain additives like borax, starch, and sawdust from waste lumber. "Ready to Light" briquettes can leave an after taste to food. |
Ease of Use | Ceramic grills are less convenient than gas grills and the desired temperature is achieved by adjusting the air flow. Includes an easy-to-read thermometer. | Charcoal grills are less convenient than gas and requires a little guesswork to achieve the desired temperature. |
Start Up Time | 15 minutes and you’re ready to cook | 20 – 30 minute start up time required |
Temperature Range | Consistent temperatures as low as 225°F and as high as 750°+ F can be achieved easily. Low temperatures can be retained for 12 hours or longer for smoking. | Low temperatures can be achieved. Depending on the amount of briquette charcoal, you can achieve temperatures near 700°F. Average high temperatures hover around 500°F for most models. |
Heat Sources | Natural Lump Charcoal | Briquette Charcoal |
Fuel Cost | $1.50 – $1.75 per use depending on the brand. | $3.00 – $3.50 per use depending on the brand. |
Assembly | 15-30 minute assembly time. | 15-30 minute assembly time. |
Maintenance | Annually check the tightness of the band screws that hold the base and lid and connect to the hinge. Replace felt gaskets as needed; generally every 2-3 years. | Charcoal grills are typically a very simple design, so there is not a lot to maintain other than replacing the cooking grate if it begins to chip or rust. |
Cleaning | Natural lump charcoal produces one-third the ash of traditional briquettes, however an ash tool is usually provided to easily remove it. Brush or scrape the cooking grate before cooking. | Briquette charcoal produces a lot of ash residue. If you grill often, consider a model with an ash catcher can. Brush or scrape the cooking grate before cooking and occasionally clean the outside. |
Space | Kamado grills work well in a limited outdoor space. They can also be inserted in a grill table for an additional working surface and storage. | A small area is needed and they are a good choice for limited outdoor space like an apartment balcony. Check your rental agreement for restrictions. |
Price Ranges | Kamado grills range in price from $600 – $1,000. If you add a grill table plan to spend $250 – $750 more. | Tailgating style grills can cost as low as $29.00. Standard models will run $75 – $150 and up to $4000 for deluxe models. |
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