Charcoal Grills (Kamado Style)

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About Charcoal Grills

It’s “Back To the Future”. The “Kamado” style, clay cooker, charcoal grills are simply amazing. Don’t confuse these grills with thin steel, Weber  “kettle” style grills. Komodo style charcoal grills are made of very heavy, thick walled ceramic clay material and are based on a 2,000 year old design. This ceramic allows the grill to retain heat for hours while using very little fuel. While they can quickly grill steaks at high temperature, they are the perfect way to slow cook most any food and they easily add smoked flavor. The two leading brands are the “Big Green Egg” and “Primo”.

"Kamado" Style Charcoal Grill Advantages:

1. Kamado style grills literally slow cook food better than any other kind of grill, including pellet grills!
2. They use pure lump charcoal, not the briquettes with all the additives.
3. They provide the highest retained moisture of any way to cook food!
4. They can easily add a light or a heavy smoked flavor.
5. They can grill steaks at 600F.
6. They are very durable.

"Kamado" Style Charcoal Grill Disadvantages:

1. Handling lump charcoal can be messy.
2. They need regular ash cleaning to function properly
3. Starting them can be time consuming

Some serious grill users have both a gas grill and a Kamado style grill. If you think that a Kamado style charcoal grill sounds interesting, here’s more information:

Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg, Kamado style, ceramic grills started it all about 35 years ago and are the largest manufacturer. They come in five sizes from Mini to XL. In our experience, the three larger sizes, are the best sizes to use. Yes, all Big Green Eggs are green in color. Be sure to check out their website: http://www.biggreenegg.com/index.html

Primo

Primo Kamado style grills are a newer grill brand and are the only ceramic grills made in the USA. They are available in a patented oval shape and their split cooking grids with height adjustment do a better job of high temperature grilling than other ceramic grills. And, Primo ceramic grills are finished in black porcelain, not green. For more information, check out their website: http://www.primogrill.com/home.html
                                                        
We usually have a nice selection of both Big Green Eggs and Primo grills to look at. Be sure to stop by Fireside and see what the ceramic charcoal grills are all about.