A kamado grill is a thick-walled, egg-shaped charcoal cooker that holds heat well and lets you grill, smoke, bake and roast with the dampers set to match. Bodies come in ceramic, insulated steel or cast aluminum, and sizes range from tabletop models to full carts.
The six grills below span a portable steel unit, small and large ceramic models and a cast aluminum kamado. Dimensions, materials and cooking areas come from each product’s listing page, and a few of those figures conflict, which we flag. We have not used these grills ourselves. Temperature and durability statements are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size and weight | Ceramic bodies are heavy; portable models are lighter but smaller |
| Material | Ceramic, insulated steel and cast aluminum each handle heat and weather differently |
| Cooking area | The grate diameter decides how much food fits |
| Vents and seal | Adjustable dampers and a good lid seal help hold steady temperatures |
Specs at a Glance
| Grill | Body and size | Cooking area | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Sunshine 15 in | Ceramic; about 21 x 20 x 33 in | 13.2 (unit unclear on listing) | 42 kg; 180 to 750 F claimed; 4-leg stand |
| Char-Griller AKORN Jr. | Triple-wall steel; 20.5 x 20 x 26 in | 155 sq in; cast iron grate | 33 lb; locking lid; 200 to 700 F claimed |
| Kamado Joe Joe Jr. | Ceramic; 13.5 in; cast iron stand | 150 sq in | Stainless grate; heat deflectors; temp gauge |
| Primo Oval XL 400 | Ceramic; oval; 21.5 x 28 x 27.5 in | 680 sq in | 250 lb; lump charcoal only per listing |
| Blaze 20 in | Cast aluminum; 27.9 x 21.9 x 33.9 in | 20 in hex grates | 161 lb; tongue-and-groove lid seal |
| Saffire Platinum 19 in | Ceramic; 28 x 48 x 49 in | Main grate plus second grid | 250 lb; 304 stainless cart; chip feeder |
The 6 Best Kamado Grills
1. London Sunshine 15 Inch Ceramic Kamado Grill
A 15 inch ceramic kamado with a 1 inch thick wall, a dome shape, a glass fiber gasket, stainless grates with foldable side shelves and a four-leg stand. The maker claims a 180 to 750 F range. The cooking area field reads 13.2 square inches, which may be a 13.2 inch grate diameter, so check before buying.
Suits: a ceramic patio grill without a large footprint. Strengths: thick ceramic walls and side shelves. Weaknesses: about 42 kg, and a mislabeled area figure. Skip it if you want to carry it often.
View London Sunshine 15″ Ceramic Kamado Charcoal BBQ Grill and Smoker, Green on Amazon
2. Char-Griller AKORN Jr. Portable Kamado
A triple-wall insulated steel kamado with cast iron grates, a locking lid, side handles, dual dampers and a built-in temperature gauge. The listing gives 155 square inches of cooking area and a weight of 33 pounds, with a claimed 200 to 700 F range.
Suits: tailgates, camping and small patios. Strengths: a light steel body with a locking lid. Weaknesses: a small cooking area. Skip it if you cook for a crowd.
3. Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-inch Portable Ceramic Grill
A 13.5 inch ceramic grill with a cast iron stand, a 304 stainless cooking grate, a cast iron air vent, a built-in temperature gauge and heat deflectors. The listing gives 150 square inches of cooking area and 75.6 pounds, next to an unexplained second set of dimensions.
Suits: a small ceramic kamado for two. Strengths: a stand, heat deflectors and a gauge. Weaknesses: heavy for a portable grill. Skip it if weight matters.
View Kamado Joe Joe Jr 13.5-inch Portable Ceramic Charcoal Grill with Grill Stand on Amazon
4. Primo Oval XL 400 Ceramic Kamado Grill
An extra-large oval ceramic head that the maker says works as a grill, oven, roaster or smoker, with a 680 square inch cooking area and stainless grates. The listing notes lump charcoal only and a weight of 250 pounds. This is the grill head, so check what is included.
Suits: large cooks with more space. Strengths: the biggest cooking area here and an oval shape. Weaknesses: 250 pounds and a head-only listing. Skip it if you need to move it.
View Primo Oval XL 400 Ceramic Kamado Grill with Stainless Steel Grates – PGCXLH (2021) on Amazon
5. Blaze 20 Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill
A kamado made of cast aluminum rather than ceramic, with 20 inch hex stainless grates, a tongue-and-groove lid seal that skips the gasket, a hinged lid with lift assist and a removable ash pan. The body thickness reads 1 inch in the title and 1-1/4 inches in a bullet.
Suits: a weather-resistant alternative to ceramic. Strengths: a gasket-free seal and a lift-assisted lid. Weaknesses: 161 pounds and inconsistent thickness figures. Skip it if you want classic ceramic.
View Blaze 20-Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill, BLZ-20-KAMADO on Amazon
6. Saffire Platinum Kamado, 19 Inch Ceramic Grill
A 19 inch ceramic kamado on a 304 stainless steel cart with side shelves, a Smokin’ Chip Feeder, a secondary cooking grid and a heat deflector. The listing calls it both Medium and Large, and weighs it at 250 pounds.
Suits: a complete cart-based setup. Strengths: a stainless cart and extra cooking grid. Weaknesses: a big, heavy footprint and unclear size naming. Skip it if you want a tabletop model.
Care and Setup
- Follow the manual for placement and setup.
- Follow the maker’s break-in and first-light steps.
- Empty cooled ash before each cook.
- Use a cover for outdoor storage.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating the weight of a ceramic grill when choosing where it sits.
- Reading a ceramic body and a cart as the same listing.
- Opening the lid too quickly on a hot fire.
- Ignoring the lid seal and dampers.
Kamado Grill FAQ
Ceramic or steel?
Ceramic walls hold heat well but are heavy. Insulated steel is lighter and easier to carry.
What fuel do they use?
All six list charcoal. The Primo listing specifies lump charcoal only.
The Short Version
For a compact ceramic patio grill, the London Sunshine. For a light portable, the AKORN Jr. For a small ceramic on a stand, the Kamado Joe Joe Jr. For the most cooking area, the Primo Oval XL. For cast aluminum, the Blaze. For a cart with extras, the Saffire.
