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Cooking with a Kamado Grill

There is nothing quite like cooking on a Kamado grill. These grills are designed to provide even heat distribution and, as a cooking system, produce excellent results every time. If you are looking for the best way to BBQ, then a Kamado grill is the way to go! This blog post will discuss the many benefits of using a Kamado for your next garden party. We will also provide some tips on cooking with this type of grill. So, whether you are a beginner or an experienced griller, read on for some helpful information.

cooking with a kamado grill

What is a Kamado?

A Kamado barbecue is a ceramic BBQ grill designed to cook food evenly and at a consistent temperature. These grills are known for producing outstanding results, whether cooking slow and low or hot and fast. Throughout history, man has looked for ways to cook food over an open flame. One of the earliest methods was cooking in a kamado. Today, there are many different types of kamado barbecues on the market.

What does Kamado Mean?

The word Kamado comes from the Japanese word “Mushikamado,” which means “stove.” Thus, a kamado barbecue is essentially a type of stove used for cooking.

The Mushikamado found in Southern Japan was initially made from clay. It consisted of a large earthen pot with a dome-shaped lid and a small hole in the top. The pot was set over burning charcoal, and the food was cooked by radiation from the heat of the coals.

The original Mushikamado design has evolved into the kamado barbecue we know today. This type of grill is made from various materials, including ceramic, metal, or stone. It typically has a round or oval shape and a domed lid. The super-insulated ceramic shell design means that cooking temperatures can be easily maintained, regardless of the external weather conditions, which is perfect for inclement weather in the UK.

an old style kamado oven

The Benefits Of Using A Kamado Barbeque

As you now know, the Kamado is a heavy ceramic barbecue that has been around for centuries. The original Kamados were used in Japan to cook rice and have become famous worldwide for their ability to produce outstanding results with every type of food. Here are some of the benefits of using Kamado ceramic cookers:

  • The Kamado grill provides even heat distribution, meaning your food will be cooked evenly every time. This is unlike other types of grills, which can often produce hot and cold spots. This will provide a super high-quality BBQ every time.
  • The Kamado is known for maintaining a consistent temperature and is ideal for slow cooking or smoking.
  • The Kamado is made from ceramic material, so it can withstand a high internal temperature without cracking or warping.
  • The Kamado is a charcoal grill, meaning you can achieve the perfect barbecue flavour with every cookout.
  • The Kamado is fully portable, which makes it perfect for camping trips and garden parties.
  • Another benefit of the Kamado is moisture retention. This means your food will not dry out, even if you cook for a long time. As the cooking process is gradual, the food will absorb all the flavour and moisture, resulting in a delicious meal every time.
  • Restricted airflow means a little charcoal goes a long way, which is economical. You can cook for an extended period without constantly adding more charcoal.

So, in summary, the key take-home benefits of kamado cooking are that food not only remains moist but cooks quicker, with no need for constant tending of the charcoal, and the ceramic grill is remarkably economical on charcoal consumption. It’s this that differentiates a ceramic kamado from other kettle-style smokers.

a plate of grilled prawns

How Do Kamado Grills Work?

Kamados are old and relatively simple designs. Thick walls and egg shape help retain heat and moisture. There’s an air intake underneath it and an air vent above it. This ventilation allows for a controlling temperature. Once you find your temperature, the Kamado sits there with no changes or fluctuations. Fuel is stored in this oven. Once the grill is fueled, a rack can be placed inside. Food is placed on the grill grates.

Is it okay to use regular charcoal briquettes?

Many kamado grill manufacturers recommend using more expensive lump charcoal instead of briquettes. Briquettes produce more ash than lumps, which may block airflow in long cooks.

How To Control Temperature On A Kamado Grill

One of the benefits of cooking with kamado ceramic grills is their ability to reach high temperatures quickly. However, this can also be one of the challenges when cooking with a kamado, as it can be difficult to control the temperature.

One way to control the temperature of a kamado is to use vents. These are located at the top and bottom of the Kamado, and by opening or closing them, you can control the amount of oxygen that gets to the charcoal. This will, in turn, help you control the temperature.

Another way to control the temperature on a Kamado grill is to use a diffuser. A diffuser is a ceramic plate that goes over the charcoal and helps distribute the heat evenly. This is a great way to prevent hot spots from forming on the grill and help regulate the temperature.

How to Smoke Foods with a Kamado BBQ Grill

Kamado BBQs are very capable wood smokers. One way to smoke with a kamado smoker is through indirect cooking. This means you must set up your Kamado for two-zone cooking, with the charcoal on one side and the food on the other. You must also add some wood chips to the charcoal to create smoke. Smoking on a kamado can be done at low temperatures, or you can use the Kamado for cold smoke.

Cold smoking is a method of smoking in which the food is placed in a smoker at a temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a great way to add flavour to meats and fish without cooking them. In order to cold smoke on a kamado, you will need to use a cold smoker attachment, something that cannot be achieved with a gas grill.

Kamados are great for smoking meats, fish, and other foods such as cheese and nuts. If you are looking for a new way to add flavour to your food, smoking with a Kamado BBQ grill is something you should try.

some smoked meat

Kamado BBQ Grill Maintenance

A Kamado can withstand many years when appropriately kept. Like all grills, you should thoroughly clean them after each use. A regular clean-up of the ashes helps the grill breathe. When you do something fast, like grilling or cooking hamburgers, you can stop airflow and put the coals away for your next dish.

What Food Is A Ceramic Kamado Grill Good For?

Steaks, meat, and amazing pizza- you name the food, and your Kamado will cook it. They can keep the low temperatures necessary for barbecue smoking and have the same baking properties as pizza ovens. The Cooking grate means that you can place a pan of water on one side while the charcoal burns on the other to prevent your food from drying out as it cooks. The ceramic kamado grill is also good for searing meat because of its ability to reach high temperatures quickly, making it a very versatile grill.

Best Overall: Kamado Joe Classic Charcoal Grill

For us, this is one of the best kamado grills. It features an eye-catching colour and design with excellent heat retention and is easy to work with. There is no doubt the Kamado Joe is a real pro ceramic charcoal grill and has proved popular with Kamado users across the globe. This grill is very comfortable, from stainless steel hardware to the lid that opens with one touch and keeps in any position to the unique ash cabinet, making cleaning easy and efficient. It has a 400-square-inch cooking area, making the oven suitable for low-and-slow cooking or fast-cooked pizzas. It has an excellent heat deflector set-up and features more accessories than most other manufacturers. Kamado Joe builds high-quality kamado grills.