How do you choose a kamado barbecue?
Choose kamado barbecue
To choose the best kamado barbecue for you, it's important that you ask yourself these questions:
- Which grill surface do you need?
- Which kamado brand to you want?
- Do you need an underframe or side tables?
- Which accessories do you need?
Which grill surface do you need?
How many hamburgers, drumsticks, or corn you can prepare at the same time depends on the size of the grill surface. Do you often grill for a large group? In that case, it's important that you have enough space to serve a meal to all your guests at the same time. A large grill surface is also useful if you want to prepare multiple dishes at the same time. Do you grill for only your family, or do you like to make small dishes on the barbecue? In that case, a small kamado is a good choice.
Which kamado brand do you want?
Big Green Egg
Big Green Egg is the most famous kamado brand, and you can recognize them by the green color. You can place these ceramic barbecues on an underframe, or you can use them as built-in barbecue for your outdoor kitchen. To use different cooking techniques, you need accessories. You have to buy these separately.
Kamado Joe
You can recognize kamado Joe barbecues by their red look. These ceramic barbecues are available with an underframe and as a built-in barbecue. Unlike Big Green Egg, a Kamado Joe barbecue comes with various accessories, like an ash toot and heat deflector. This way, you don't need accessories right away to use different cooking techniques.
The Bastard
Just like Kamado Joe, The Bastard offers ceramic barbecues with an underframe and built-in barbecues. You can recognize these barbecues by their black look, and they're available in matte black and glossy black. The Bastard also comes with various accessories, like a charcoal basket and a plate setter that makes it more easy to grill.
Arpe
You can also recognize Arpe kamados by their black look. Just like The Bastard, these come in matte and glossy black. All ceramic Arpe barbecues come on an underframe. This way, they're unsuitable to use as a built-in barbecue. These ceramic barbecues don't come with accessories.
Do you need an underframe?
Not all kamados have an underframe. There are special models which you can build into a special table, for example. With the underframes and side tables, you'll easily have everything you need within reach while you grill. A kamado with underframe is a bit higher, so you won't get a sore back when you grill.
Which accessories do you need?
Plate setters
Do you want to use your kamado as an oven? In that case, you need a plate setter. Some models come with one by default, but you need to purchase it separately for most barbecues. Be sure to check which accessories come with your kamado and which you have to buy separately.
Barbecue covers
Do you leave your barbecue outside the whole year? It's important to buy a barbecue cover. The cover protects your kamado from the weather. This way, you can be sure your barbecue still looks nice next season.
Cooking expansions
To get the most out of your kamado, there are various expansions available. This can be pizza stones, meat thermometers, and pans. Each brand offers different cooking expansions, so make sure the accessory fits.
