Why you should buy a Kamado BBQ and which are best

Spring has started, the weather is getting warmer and nicer, and that means it’s time to start using your garden or terrace a lot more again. Ideally, you combine that with eating outdoors – and what’s better for cosy, delicious meals in the garden than having a BBQ? Exactly: there’s no way around it, it’s time to buy a barbecue.

Right now, the Kamado is the most talked‑about and best BBQ around, especially considering the very sharp price, quality and impressive performance. There’s really no contest anymore with the Big Green Egg (part of the Kamado range, but far too expensive and time‑consuming) or Weber (old‑fashioned, less capable and producing lower‑quality food).

You can buy Kamado BBQs from various online shops and have one at home ready to use the very next day.

Kamado offers several models, and the best ones are listed and described one by one below.

Origin of the Kamado BBQ

Kamado is the Japanese word for ‘stove’ or ‘cooker’. Archaeologists have discovered that the earliest remains of today’s Kamado models are about 4,000 years old, and since then this barbecue has evolved into a true all‑rounder in many Michelin‑starred restaurants. Over the years many different models of varying quality have come onto the market: small, large, and everything in between. All of these models fall under the Kamado label and each one stands for quality!

Thanks to the excellent heat‑insulating properties of the ceramic shell, meat juices are retained better than with any other barbecue, and with this precise airflow control you can not only grill and smoke, but also bake pizzas or bread.

Models, reviews & experiences 

Kamado Bastard

The Kamado Bastard came onto the market in 2013 and with this ceramic BBQ you can enjoy cooking outdoors. Even in the depths of winter this model performs perfectly. The Kamado Bastard ceramic barbecue is made up of several ceramic layers and is of very high quality.
With The Bastard you can quickly prepare delicious fish, meat or vegetable dishes.
Unlike a standard barbecue, a Bastard BBQ is made from cordierite. The main advantage of this material is that it performs better for grilling than clay. Cordierite is a very high‑grade type of ceramic, allowing the BBQ to withstand temperatures of up to 450 degrees Celsius. The ceramic ensures the heat inside the barbecue remains constant. This makes a Bastard BBQ suitable for many different cooking methods, including smoking, steaming, baking and slow cooking.  
The Bastard also has a built‑in thermometer that shows you the exact temperature inside your Kamado. On top of that, the barbecue features a "triple spring hinge". This makes it easy to lift the lid, and it stays open effortlessly. The lid on the Kamado BBQ ensures that heat circulates inside your barbecue, so you can also use it in the rain or in winter.
Finally, there are four Bastard sizes: the Small, the Compact, the Bastard Medium and the Bastard Large.

Kamado Joe

With the Kamado Joe you’re all set, because this versatile barbecue offers everything you need: smoking, stewing, baking and grilling, among other things. Thanks to the ceramic dome, firebox and fire ring, you can really do it all with this BBQ. The Joe is also equipped with a built‑in thermometer so you can always set the right temperature. You control this by adjusting the vent at the top or bottom, adding more or less oxygen to the Kamado. Each Kamado Joe barbecue also comes with a wheeled stand. These are swivel casters, so you can easily manoeuvre the Kamado. This makes the barbecue easy to move and very user‑friendly. 

The grill grate lets you cook on different heat zones. You can influence a heat zone by changing the height at which the grate sits. This allows you to apply different cooking methods at once. For example, you can grill meat on the lower grate while roasting vegetables on the upper grate. This makes cooking even more versatile than on a Kamado where you can’t adjust the grate height.

The Kamado Joe Classic and Kamado Joe Junior both have a handy pull‑out ash drawer. The ash from the barbecue falls neatly into this drawer, making cleaning very easy. The ash drawer also incorporates a built‑in temperature control. With a small slider you add more or less oxygen to the Kamado, allowing you to adjust the temperature manually. In addition, the Joe has two foldable side shelves that are easy to fold in and out.

The Kamado Joe Junior is considered the most convenient Kamado when you want to barbecue away from home, because it’s small and light (about 30 kg) and therefore suitable for taking to the beach, the woods or the campsite. This Kamado also features handles and a grill grate. It can handle temperatures up to around 400 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for a huge range of cooking methods. The Kamado Joe is also equipped with a practical hinge, so the lid opens and closes smoothly.

Kamado Patton

Partly thanks to the arrival of the Patton Kamado, the cooking and grilling craze has blown over to the Netherlands. With this model you can prepare the most beautiful Angus beef, picanha, tomahawk steaks and all kinds of fish and vegetables, and even experiment with veggie dishes on the grill.

For about the last ten years, this Kamado model has been leading the way and setting the trend in the world of culinary barbecuing. Despite numerous copies from competitors, none has ever managed to match it.

Thanks to its high‑end quality and finish, Patton continues to set itself apart in the ceramic barbecue market.

Other Kamado BBQ models

In addition to the models above, there are also lesser‑known ones such as Grill Guru, Primo Grill, Inferno Kamado and Harlem BBQ.

View all KAMADO models here

What’s the best way to clean your BBQ grill grate?

This is a frequently asked and searched‑for question online. Apparently it’s tricky to get your grill grate clean again after using your BBQ and ready for next time. That’s why you’ll find a few tips below to get the grate clean quickly, easily and effectively. 

1. After using it, wrap the grill grate in newspaper, wet the paper, and the next day you can simply wipe the grate clean with some kitchen paper and a sponge.
2. Cleaning the grill grate is also very easy with a ball of aluminium foil. Rub lightly and everything comes off.
3. You can also choose not to clean the grill grate straight away and wait until next time. When you’ve just lit the coals and the flames are coming up nicely, carefully brush the grill grate with a barbecue brush and it will be ready to use.
4. If you prefer soapy water and a brush, use a soft sponge. If you do this right after using the grill grate, grease and food residue are still easy to remove.
5. If you have a lawn nearby, another option after barbecuing is simply to leave the grill grate out on the grass overnight. The next day you can wipe off the dirt with kitchen paper.
6. Another option is to put the grill grate in a bin bag. Lay the bag flat on the ground, add some Biotex and pour in a kettle of boiling water. Tie the bin bag shut while the steam is still escaping, leave the barbecue grate to soak overnight and the next day you can clean it effortlessly with a sponge and some more warm water.

BBQ safety tips

• Place the BBQ on a flat surface and never move it while it’s in use.
• A charcoal or gas barbecue needs plenty of space outdoors.
• Fill a bucket with water or sand and keep it within reach so you can extinguish any fire.
• Don’t use highly flammable liquids such as methylated spirits or petrol.
• Pay close attention when lighting and stoking the fire, and take the wind into account.
• Never leave the BBQ unattended and keep children and pets at a distance.
• After use, extinguish the fire immediately and let the barbecue cool down completely before you tidy up and clean it.