Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What is that strange ceramic egg on the neighbor’s patio?” Is it a storage container? Is it some sort of appliance? Actually, this unique device is a kamado grill. Kamado grills look and operate very differently than traditional barbecue grills that many Americans are accustomed to, but this versatile device can be used to cook a number of favorite backyard barbecue favorites. Plus, their egg-like design ensures that your food will be juicier and tastier than a traditional grill. Read on to learn more.
What is a Kamado Grill?
A kamado grill is a large domed container made of ceramic with a tight-sealing lid. They often feature a striking high-gloss glaze in multiple colors and an egg-like design that gives them their distinctive look. These grills use lump charcoal as fuel and typically feature removable grates. These outdoor appliances use a method similar to a convection oven and cook meals by sealing the food into the main chamber and surrounding it with hot air to cook it evenly and quickly.
These modern grills are descendants of an ancient form of cooking that originally began in Japan over 3,000 years ago. Originally called mushikamado (which translates to “furnace” or “stove” in Japanese), kamados were originally made out of clay with a removable domed lid and were designed to primarily cook rice. These grills were introduced to the Western world during WWII when Americans stationed in Japan were learned the concept and brought them home when they returned. Kamado grills as we know them now first hit the market in the 1970s and have shown no sign of slowing down since!
How Do You Light a Kamado Grill?
Lighting a kamado grill is simple, but it does require a bit of preplanning. Kamado grills use lump charcoal, which is wood that has been burnt down until it is pure carbon. Unlike regular charcoal, lump charcoal contains no additives so it is easier to ignite and burns hotter. Plus, there is no need for lighter fluid so your food will not have any unpleasant aftertaste.
Depending on your desired temperature, a kamado grill will typically take between 15 and 45 minutes to preheat so it is wise to plan accordingly. To light the grill, simply place the lump charcoal in the kamado grill chamber, light the charcoal, open the vents, close the lid tight, and wait until the chamber reaches the desired temperature. To adjust the temperature, you can adjust the vents. Extinguishing the kamado is just as easy. Simply close up the vents, shut the lid, and allow the fire to die naturally. NEVER extinguish a kamado grill by dumping water on it as this could damage the grill.
What Can You Cook with a Kamado Grill?
One of the best advantages of a kamado grill is its versatility. A kamado grill can be used like a traditional grill to cook classic barbecue food like burgers, steaks, chicken, and kabobs. But its dome-like design also allows it to be used as a smoker for food like briskets, fish, vegetables, or ribs. It can even be used to whip up pizzas and side dishes.
How Do You Clean a Kamado Grill?
Not only are kamado grills easy to set up and use, they are also easy to clean. In fact, for the most part kamado grills are self-cleaning. To clean your kamado grill, all you need to do is heat the grill up to 500 degrees and allow it to run for half an hour. This will scorch off any remaining food. To clean the grills and grates, simply remove them from the grill and give them a good scrub after you are done cooking for the day.
The one important thing to note about cleaning your grill is that you should NEVER use water or any cleaning product inside the chamber of the grill. Due to its ceramic design, the walls are porous and will absorb any fluid that are used which could cause the grill to crack. If you do need to clean out the soot, use a wire brush to remove any carbon remnants. If you need to clean the outer metal surfaces, be sure to wait until the kamado is cool to the touch before applying a damp cloth with mild detergent.
Kamado grills provide a world of culinary possibilities for your next outdoor gathering or cookout. Best of all, they are easy to use, clean and light so you can spend less time slaving over a hot grill and more time enjoying the tasty food you created.
For additional outdoor cooking supplies, check out our selection of fire pit grill grates and cast iron cookware.
