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Tom's Guide
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
What is a kamado grill, and how do they work?
Grilling season is here, and it's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide. As the weather heats up, you might be rethinking your current grill situation. And if you're considering investing in the best grill for your yard this year, you may well have come across the name 'kamado grill.' So, what is a kamado grill, and how do they work? A kamado grill is a type of ceramic charcoal grill characterized by its distinctive egg-shaped design. They've gained popularity in recent years thanks to their versatility, easy temperature control, and great flavor. We tapped two grilling experts to learn more about kamado grills and determine whether they live up to the hype. Kamado grills have been used for centuries by chefs in China and Japan. Archaeologists have discovered clay cooking pots dating back 3,000 years, which they believe are the earliest examples of the modern ceramic kamado grill. The word 'kamado' translates to 'stove' or 'cooking range' in Japanese, providing insight into their functionality. Essentially, a kamado grill functions like a charcoal stove, capable of searing steaks, grilling burgers, baking pizzas, smoking brisket, and more. Today, kamado grills are more popular than ever, with several brands offering models at various price points to accommodate a range of needs and budgets. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. As kamado grills have grown in popularity, several brands have jumped on the bandwagon. The two most popular brands in the U.S. today are Big Green Egg (the kamado grill pioneer in the American market) and Kamado Joe. However, established grill-makers like Weber, Char-Griller, and Grilla Grills have also entered the kamado grill market. There's more choice than ever before. You can get a basic kamado grill from Char-Griller for $200 to $400. However, you can also spend as much as $1,000 on a Kamado Joe Classic Joe grill or $1,600 on a Big Green Egg XLarge. Essentially, there's a kamado grill for every budget. The OG Kamado Joe, this bold red option offers 250 square inches of cooking space and a cast iron top vent to maintain a consistent temperature in the grill. It also comes with a stand and side shelves. 'Kamado grills are made of ceramic and operate in the same function as a drum smoker,' explains Shannon Snell, pitmaster at Sonny's BBQ. 'Coals and wood are started with fire and placed in the bottom of the kamado. Air vents located at the bottom are used to control oxygen airflow and regulate temperature.' Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor-in-chief at Kitchen Deets, explains how kamado grills utilize airflow to regulate temperature and cook a variety of foods. 'By adjusting the top and bottom vents, I regulate oxygen flow to the charcoal, controlling temperature from 225°F for smoking to over 700°F for pizza,' he says. 'The thick ceramic walls create consistent, radiant heat that circulates efficiently.' This unique design enables kamado grills to excel at heat retention. 'Ceramic grills hold heat better than any grill on the market,' Snell says. 'They are generally sealed very well and are nearly indestructible.' The dome shape allows for heat distribution from all directions, so food cooks evenly. Traditional rectangular grills often have hot and cold spots because of their shape. Kamado grills are also extremely fuel-efficient compared to other types of grills. 'The fuel efficiency amazes me—I can smoke for 12+ hours on one load of charcoal,' explains Craig. 'Kamado retains moisture better than any other grill I've used, preventing that dry barbecue I occasionally get from my offset.' 'Ceramic grills hold heat better than any grill on the market' The efficiency and versatility of the kamado grill mean you can cook a wide variety of foods. You can use a low and slow heat to cook ribs, pork butt, spatchcock chicken, and more. You can also crank it to a searing high heat for steak, pizza, and burgers. Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting—the kamado can do it all. If you're thinking of buying a kamado grill, there are several factors to consider first. Kamado grills are more complex than other types of grills, especially for beginners. 'The learning curve frustrated me initially — temperature adjustments take time, and I've overshot my target more than once,' Craig says. 'The ceramic can crack if heated too quickly, as I learned with my first unit.' Snell agrees. 'This grill does require a bit of flame management, and the temperature can be a little tricky when trying to even it out,' he says. However, if you're willing to learn proper kamado grilling techniques, the result is unmatched. 'Kamado bridges the gap between my gas grill's convenience and my offset's flavor capability,' says Craig. 'It produces better smoke flavor than pellet grills while being more user-friendly than traditional smokers.' 'It is nearly indestructible, does not rust, and lasts quite a while before you have to replace it,' says Snell. 'Also, once the vents are set and the temperature evens out, this grill is one of the most consistent when it comes to using charcoal and wood.' Consider your available space before purchasing a kamado grill. Although the grill itself doesn't take up a lot of space, you'll need to ensure the grill has proper airflow beneath it for optimal cooking. You'll also need to consider space for food preparation and trays—many kamado grills have side shelves to accommodate this, but others do not. You can also choose from several different sizes to fit your space, though smaller-sized grills will have less room for cooking food. Ultimately, your decision on whether to buy a kamado grill depends on your budget, experience level, and willingness to learn. 'Kamados work best for patient grillers who enjoy the process,' says Craig. 'I recommend them for cooks wanting versatility without multiple units, those interested in both grilling and smoking, and anyone who values fuel efficiency over convenience. They're perfect for the enthusiast willing to master temperature control through practice.' Snell agrees. 'Intermediate grillers would do well with this grill,' he says. 'This grill requires some understanding of how oxygen affects the temperature of the grill, but it's also user-friendly and controlled by a single air vent.' If you love the taste of grilled, smoked, and wood-fired food and want to learn a more traditional grilling technique, you can't go wrong with a kamado grill.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Gas vs. charcoal grill — which one should you choose?
Nothing screams 'summer' quite like a freshly grilled burger or hot dog. But if you're looking to buy a grill, you might be stuck on the decision between a gas vs. charcoal grill. It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, meaning we're here to help you prepare for a summer of al fresco entertaning. And for some, that means choosing the best grill for your yard, whether that's a gas or charcal model. We consulted three grilling experts for their thoughts on gas vs. charcoal grills. Below, learn what they told us about food flavor, cooking experience, ease of use, and cost. Gas grills are fueled by a propane tank, which attaches to the grill and allows it to fire up. Once the tank is connected, you can simply push an ignition button, select your temperature, and start cooking immediately. This makes them ideal for quick weeknight meals or for busy families who need to get a meal on the table before soccer practice. However, gas grills don't impart the same flavor to foods that charcoal does, which could be a deal-breaker for some. Some of the best gas grill brands include Weber, Traeger, Charbroil, Monument, Blackstone, and Nexgrill. Charcoal grills are the more traditional option. Rather than gas, these grills use charcoal briquettes or lumps to create even heat that you can cook over. Charcoal grills take longer to heat up and cool down than gas grills and require additional clean-up. However, they give food a rich, smoky flavor that most people associate with barbeques; gas grills simply can't match this flavor. Some of the best charcoal grill brands include Char-Griller, Weber, Oklahoma Joe's, Masterbuilt, and Royal Gourmet. Gas Grills Charcoal Grills Flavor No flavor enhancement Adds a smoky flavor Cooking Experience Fast and easy Slow and more complex Ease of Use Simple for beginners Takes time to master Cost Higher initial cost, lower ongoing cost Lower initial cost, higher ongoing cost The most significant difference between gas and charcoal grills is the food's flavor profile. Charcoal grills give food a classic, smoky flavor, while gas grills do not. For many, that alone might be the deciding factor that pushes them toward a charcoal grill over a gas one. 'Charcoal can impart a wood-fired classic BBQ flavor that adds a layer of enhancement to many foods,' explains Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador. 'There is no flavor enhancement from propane. It is clean-burning with no added wood-fired flavor.' Charcoal grills can also offer a better and more authentic cooking experience However, gas grills are a more convenient option for weeknight cooking. 'Heat management is very easy,' says Shannon Snell, head pitmaster at Sonny's BBQ. 'Turn the gas on, fire it up, and it's good to go.' Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets, agrees. 'My gas grill offers convenience I appreciate on busy weeknights—instant heat and precise temperature control,' he says. 'It provides more even cooking but lacks that distinctive smoky flavor I crave.' A charcoal grill is the best option for cooking over low, indirect heat. Therefore, if you're preparing an entire pork shoulder or rack of ribs, you can place them on the charcoal grill opposite the hot coals and let them slowly smoke. However, they can take 15 to 20 minutes to heat, which makes them less practical when you're trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Gas grills have better temperature control, so you can cook a variety of foods on them. At high heat, you can sear meat or grill burgers to perfection, though you can also cook more delicate foods on a lower heat. 'On a gas grill, typically, quick-grilled items are more suitable (thin meats, seafood, and slices of vegetables),' says Bennett. Winner: Although gas grills are more convenient, nothing beats the smoky taste of food cooked on a charcoal grill. Winner: Both types of smokers produce a rich flavor, but offset smokers create a more traditional smokiness preferred by professional pitmasters. Anyone can learn to grill, but the type of grill you choose will determine how easily you can master your cooking techniques. 'Gas grills are the easiest to use and maintain,' says Snell. 'Most gas grills have easy start-up instructions, and they require very minimal cleaning.' Simply push a button to ignite the grill and start cooking—no need to wait for the grill to preheat. Craig agrees about the simplicity of gas. 'I can cook within minutes and cleanup is simpler—no ash removal required as with my charcoal grill,' he says. The only potential downside is your propane tank running out of fuel partway through dinner preparation. Some gas grills have fuel sensors or gauges that will let you know when your tank is low so you can have a replacement ready to go and continue cooking. Charcoal grills are harder to use. Before you can grill your food, you'll need to set up the grill and preheat it to the proper temperature. When you're finished cooking, you'll need to let the coals cool down before cleaning up, which can take some time. Cleaning a charcoal grill involves emptying the ash collector after each use, which can be messy, whereas cleaning a gas grill is as simple as scraping leftover food off the grates using a grill brush. Winner: Gas grills are easier to use and clean than charcoal grills. The cost of a gas vs. charcoal grill might be your deciding factor. According to Craig, 'Charcoal grills are cheaper upfront but costlier to operate. I spend nearly twice as much annually on charcoal compared to propane, making gas more economical for frequent grillers like myself.' If you're working with a limited budget, it might be worth choosing the best gas grill your money can buy rather than taking on the ongoing cost of charcoal fuel. As Bennett explains, 'An inexpensive $100 charcoal grill may be initially cost-effective vs. a $500 gas grill, but the durability of the gas grill may be 5 to 10 years with proper maintenance, whereas the charcoal grill, depending on the thickness of the metal, may need to be replaced multiple times.' If you like the idea of having a covered storage area for your propane tank, the E-210 is a great option. It offers 450 square inches of cooking space total, with 360 inches of this sitting on the main cooking grid, a good amount of space for a two-burner grill. Winner: Gas grills are more expensive upfront, but cheaper to maintain over time. At the end of the day, your choice between a gas and charcoal grill will come down to your budget and your preferences. Charcoal grills are cheaper initially and give food a unique smoky flavor, but they take time to heat up, require extra clean-up, and can be more expensive to fuel over time. Gas grills often cost more initially but are cheaper to fuel. They also heat up faster than charcoal grills and have simpler maintenance requirements. Charcoal grills are better for those who crave the smoky flavor of traditionally grilled meat and want the rustic experience of cooking over hot coals. Meanwhile, gas grills are better for quick meals and weeknight cooking. The right choice depends on individual priorities.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Grill vs griddle: which is best for summer entertaining?
It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, and we're laying out all the must-have information you'll need to choose the ideal al fresco cooking setup for your yard. Chief among the things you'll need to decide when buying a new grill is choosing between a conventional grill and a flat-top griddle. But which is right for you? Grills and griddles can both cook various foods, from burgers and steaks to vegetables. But despite their similarities, grills and griddles have plenty of differences that might make you favor one over another for the best grill for you. I consulted three outdoor cooking experts to get their take on the grill vs. griddle debate. This article combines our research with expert opinions to compare how each scores on food variety, ease of use, ongoing maintenance, and price. Before you can choose between a grill and a griddle, you need to understand the fundamental differences between the two. A grill has open grates and cooks food using direct heat, leading to that distinct charred flavor associated with summer cookouts. 'Grills allow you to have this wonderful smoky charred flavor that brings both proteins and vegetables up another level,' explains Shannon Snell, head pitmaster for Sonny's BBQ. Meanwhile, griddles have a flat, solid surface and distribute heat more evenly, making them ideal for cooking a wide range of foods. 'Griddles offer a consistent cooking surface for multiple items simultaneously without food falling through grates, making them versatile for diverse menus,' says Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets. Even among grills and griddles, there are differences to consider. When you buy a grill, you can choose between gas, charcoal, and pellet grills, while griddles come as standalone or grill-top versions. You can get a basic appliance that does its job and nothing more, or a more complex (and expensive) one with multiple heat zones, storage bins, and accessories for holding drinks, paper towels, and cooking utensils. Some of the top grill brands include Weber, Blackstone, Traeger, and BroilKing. Traeger, Blackstone, and Weber are also known for their griddles. Other griddle brands include Pit Boss, Halo, and Royal Gourmet. Your choice between a grill and a griddle may come down to the types of foods you want to cook. Both appliances can cook a wide range of foods, but there are some subtle differences to keep in mind during your search. You can cook typical barbecue foods like burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and kebabs on either a grill or a griddle, though grills have the edge. 'Grills provide excellent smoke flavor and distinctive char marks, creating better caramelization on proteins,' explains Craig. 'Griddles lack that smoky flavor, can't achieve the same char, and typically require more cooking oil.' A griddle can also cook these items, but more evenly and without the hallmarks of grilled food. If you love the taste of a freshly grilled burger, a griddle might not be the best choice. However, you can cook an entire breakfast on a griddle, including bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns—something you couldn't do on a grill. Griddles are also ideal for more delicate foods like flaky fish and shrimp, as well as a variety of vegetables and even popcorn. This flat-top from Weber is one of the best grills we've tested. We gave it a perfect 5-star rating in our Weber Slate 36 review because of its consistently excellent cooking performance, pre-seasoned griddle top and roomy capacity. We even called it "the only griddle you'll ever need." 'Griddles provide full-contact flat surface cooking opportunities,' explains Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador. 'Stir fries, vegetables, and smash burgers all benefit from the direct contact. The juices and the fat stay within the area of the food.' Here are some of the best foods to cook on a grill and a griddle: Grill Griddle Burgers Steaks Kebabs Ribs Pork chops Turkey and chicken breast Dense vegetables and fruits Breakfast items (pancakes, eggs, and bacon) Smash burgers Stir-fry Rice Delicate fish and shrimp Ground beef Ground sausage Winner: Griddles can cook more varied foods than grills, making them ideal for summer entertaining. There's a learning curve with both outdoor cooking appliances. Griddles have a more consistent cooking temperature, while grills may have hot and cool spots. You'll also need to learn the proper temperatures for cooking your chosen food, which can take time to get right. Novice chefs might find it easier to use a grill than a griddle. Foods can stick to grill grates if they're not oiled properly. Because griddles have a flat, seasoned surface, it's less likely (though not impossible) that foods will stick. It's also easier to overcook food on a grill, especially if you're cooking a thinner piece of food at a high heat. You'll need to monitor the grill closely while cooking to ensure you don't accidentally burn the food. And flipping foods can be challenging, as there's a chance it will fall between the grates. Because griddles retain juices and fats, your finished dish might be greasier than if you grilled it. Learning to manage excess grease can take time—you might need to occasionally wipe away grease with a paper towel to prevent the food from becoming too greasy. Winner: Grills tend to be more beginner-friendly than griddles. Both grills and griddles require frequent cleaning and routine maintenance to keep them in good shape. However, griddles are slightly easier to manage on a day-to-day basis. 'Griddles require simpler daily maintenance—just scrape and wipe down,' explains Craig. Grills are trickier and more time-consuming to clean. 'The grates require constant brushing and cleaning to remove food particles,' says Bennett. Additionally, she explains that 'ash cans need to be emptied…for a clean cooking environment. The amount of time to clean depends on the grill's design.' Deep-cleaning grills and griddles takes time and plenty of elbow grease. 'Both appliances require minor disassembling to clean and sanitize, and you always run the risk of minor burns as it is recommended to clean both while they are still hot,' warns Snell. You should also consider that griddles require additional maintenance. 'Outdoor griddles should be oiled once a week, regardless of usage, due to the griddle retaining moisture, and rusting can occur,' Snell adds. Winner: Griddles are easier to clean because they have fewer parts to remove. Grills and griddles are both available at various price points, so you can usually find one that fits your budget. However, grills are generally more cost-effective overall. 'Grills come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties,' explains Snell. '[Griddles often] have to be ordered or purchased from a specialty store, [while] grills are readily available most places and for affordable prices.' However, the initial cost of the appliance is only one price factor to consider. You'll also need to cover the long-term operating costs, including fuel and accessories. Grills and griddles both require some form of fuel to operate. Depending on your chosen type, you might need to budget for charcoal, wood pellets, or propane gas. 'For summer entertaining, a quality grill offers better value for typical outdoor cooking,' says Craig. 'Grills generally provide more cooking space per dollar and handle traditional summer fare well. However, griddles offer superior versatility if you frequently host breakfast gatherings or cook for diverse dietary preferences.' If you like the idea of having a covered storage area for your propane tank, the E-210 is a great option. It offers 450 square inches of cooking space total, with 360 inches of this sitting on the main cooking grid, a good amount of space for a two-burner grill. For the best of both worlds, you can purchase a griddle insert for a grill. However, there's no option to buy a grill insert for a griddle. Winner: Grills are typically the more cost-effective option. Ultimately, the choice between a grill and a griddle will come down to your budget, preferences, and the types of food you want to cook. 'My recommendation would always be to have a grill first,' advises Bennett. 'Due to the design of the grill and the variable price points and qualities, you can always add a cast-iron pan or a griddle plate to a grill, but you can't add a grill to a griddle.' However, either appliance can become an outdoor living staple. Grills are better suited for those on a limited budget or who want their summer barbeque food to have seasonal grill and char marks. Griddles are better for cooking more delicate foods outside, like eggs, flaky fish, or stir-fries.
