Over the years this very specific type of barbecue has only become more and more popular and now they are one of the most prominent cookers in the world.

What is an offset smoker? That is quite simple to explain and even easier to understand once you take a look at one. When you lay your eyes on an offset smoker, you can see that it is a regular barbecue device that has a slight twist, in length and design.

The offset smoker is a typical smoker that contains a horizontal cooking chamber and firebox on the side. It is made to cook with low and slow heat and its lengthy build provides that. The air flows into the firebox, travels through the body of the oven, then out through the tall stack.

Offset smokers have become one of the favorite home items for people who love to invite friends and family over during the wonderful summer months. There is nothing lovelier than entertaining those closest to you with some outdoor fun and a delicious barbecue feast. That is one of the reasons why offset smokers have exploded in popularity.

Why Offset Smokers?

Their focus on flavor is just another reason why so many people love offset smokers. Typical barbecues can only create so much taste and there isn’t much room for nuance in terms of seasoning. You usually do not get a lot of variety with barbecues.

That isn’t the case with an offset smoker. Because of your ability to cook with smoke and control that smoke in some very important ways, you can create multiple meals that taste vastly different with an offset smoker.

It allows you to hone your talents and try new things. And it allows you to craft some sensationally strong flavors that don’t just feel burnt and well done. This is yet another reason why so many people are flocking to offset cookers.

There is a lot of science behind what makes them so special too. True offset smoker masters perfect their food by opening and closing the vents to give more air and raise the temperature inside the smoker.

It takes a certain amount of skill to create a delicious, mouth-watering meal with an offset smoker. There are a lot of ways to screw it up and do it wrong. But when you do it right, there is nothing as good.

However, you won’t get anywhere if you invest in a cheap and unremarkable offset smoker. As the popularity of this type of barbecue grew, so did the number of knock-off ones on the market.

Therefore, it is doubly important that you purchase the offset smoker that is right for you and will get the job done. It is time to take a look at some of the best high-end offset smokers you can put your time and money and energy into.

Keep in mind that most offset smokers are not cheap. There is a good reason for their hefty price tags: these are barbecue tools that you will be able to use for a long time in a variety of ways. Plus, these are built to last.

Throughout our list, you will see multiple brands that take great pride in creating smokers with only the finest metals and materials. These things are more than just outdoor smoking barbecues, they are works of art.

*Note*  If you are looking for more budget friendly options then please check out our post on the best offset smokers under $1000!

Which offset smoker is right for you? No matter if you are new to the scene or an expert BBQ pro, you have a lot of choices to sort through.

Best High End Offset Smokers

Texas Original Pits Luling Loaded Offset Smoker

Texas Original Pits Luling Loaded Single Lid Offset Smoker

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This name is quite the mouthful but could be better summed up with just one word: wow. This is one of the finest offset smokers in the world and something that will work wonders in the backyard during your next family barbecue.

It features all the hallmarks of a great offset smoker and is a terrific choice for someone who is just starting their grilling career or has been doing it for years already.

The Texas Original Pits Luling Loaded Offset Smoker is a beauty that comes with 703 square inches of total cooking surface area and is made with superior steel that prevents any leaking and keeps the burn consistent no matter how much meat you lay down.

It looks gorgeous and durable on the outside, built to last with American steel. But the interior is great too. The inside of this grill is what sets it apart. This smoker comes with a second-level cooking grate that easily pulls out and greatly expands the amount of room you have. It is almost like two smokers in one.

The smoker also has hand-welded flanges on the doors to seal in heat and smoker. You decide when you want to emit smoke and when you want to keep it inside. You are in control and your food will be better because of that. Simply put, this thing is built to cook and to cook well.

The construction here is what sets this Texas Original Pits creation apart from the other offset smokers available to you. You can tell that this is hand-crafted with care. Sure enough, the company produces their projects by hand in Houston, Texas and it shows.

The little details shine and you can tell that someone with great knowledge inspected this smoker and made sure it was going to hold up. It feels strong, heavy, but also somewhat sleek and attractive. It is odd to say that an offset smoker can be easy on the eyes but this one can be.

The hand-welded smoker is more than just good looks though. It is created to provide a wonderful, thorough smoking experience. The thick steel construction keeps heat in excellently and the valves that you control allow for smoke to be distributed and released at your will.

This gives you a lot more freedom and control over what your meal will taste like. Smoke and heat will not leak out of this smoker unless you want it to.

The size of this smoker is also a strong asset. It has a large, spacious body that allows you to cook something small or possibly multiple briskets.

This means that this Texas Original Pits smoker could be the last one you ever need, capable of feeding your entire family and house guests all at once. You could expertly cook an entire meal at one time with this smoker.

This offset smoker just works smoothly. Everything from the opening of the door to the sliding of the multi-level grates to the management of the smoke and fire inside the cooker is a breeze. Nothing about this smoker is a challenge, it all works with little effort and exactly as it should.

There is a reason so many people sing the praises of this offset smoker: it works. In every sense of the word, this one works amazingly well.

The Good-One Open-Range Charcoal Smoker

The Good-One Open Range Freestanding Charcoal Smoker

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Sometimes what you want and need is just an old-fashioned and reliable charcoal smoker. That is exactly what you get with the Good-One Open Range Gen III. Now, there is nothing wrong with being old-fashioned. Old-fashioned can be great because it is easy to use, does away with all the bells and whistles that other smokers come with, and simply focuses on results.

And what are the results with the Good-One Open Range Gen III? The results are darn good. Your food will come out juicy, soft, and decadent. The flavor will be strong and smokey in the best ways. The internal damper system in this smoker lets you control how much smoke enters the chamber and lets you decide if you want something rich or light with smoke.

Inside this smoker, you have 332 square inches of grilling area. Altogether, the 2 smoke chamber grates will give you 664 square inches to play around with. This may not look like the biggest smoker in the world but it houses lots of space and tall lids. You may not be able to cook a full-sized turkey without a bit of squeezing but you will be able to fit a whole lot of delicious treats in this smoker.

The construction of this creation is fantastic, crafted with 11 gauge US steel. That means that you will be able to take this smoker on the road or let it sit in the backyard during some sunny, hot days without it dulling or scratching. Its dark color makes it stand out, especially during a hot summer day’s barbecue.

Some people are daunted by the idea of buying their first offset smoker. They are overwhelmed by the idea of learning the ins and outs of the system and the cleaning and upkeep.

A smoker like the Good-One Open Range Gen III is perfect for people like that. Not because it is somehow considered a “starter” smoker. No, this is a great approach for a new BBQ pro because it will show just how much power and taste you can create with these.

Cooking on a smoker shouldn’t be that complicated. The little things like adding certain flavors and seasoning might require a learning curve but the actual act of using a smoker shouldn’t be that hard.

Thankfully, you don’t get much complication when it comes to the Good-One Open Range Gen III. You get fantastic food and a lot of fun but you do not get something that feels unseemingly hard to handle. That is why it is one of the best offset smokers for a beginner – or a seasoned pro.

The Good-One Open Range Gen III comes with easy-to-use wheeled and durable handles to grip and open it frequently. It looks great, it is made with superior smoker technology that focuses on flavor and will fit wonderfully even in the smallest areas. It is a freestanding beauty that will do more than just get the job done.

Final Thoughts

There you have it.  Some might think that a high end offset smoker is overkill.  After all, at the end of the day all you really need to make BBQ in a smoker is a cooking chamber and a heat source.  But when it comes down to it, the difference in quality between a cheap smoker and a top notch one is undeniable when you taste the end results side by side.

It’s not without downside though.  High end units are by definition expensive, and might not be worth the price tag unless you are a big time BBQ enthusiast.  Either way, let us know which smoker you ended up with!

Unsure of whether you’re looking for a grill or a smoker?  Check out our resource on the best high end gas grills next to help compare.

The post Best High End Offset Smokers – The Ultimate Cookers for Elite BBQ appeared first on Own The Grill.

Fortunately, you have options to turn to that ensure true BBQ goodness. Thanks to the innovative inventions, you can turn up the flavor of all of your recipes for an experience that rivals wood-fired grills.

Of course, if you’re like most people, you don’t have a lot of free time to research the various types of grills on the market today. That’s where we come in. We’ve narrowed down the top-performing built-in pellet grills for your consideration.

Best Built-in Pellet Grills

Memphis Grills Elite Built-in Pellet Grill

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When it comes to the top of the list, our title goes to the Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S, which comes ready with Wi-Fi to ensure that you can keep a watchful eye on your grill activity.

And when your food has reached the right temperature and is finished grilling, you’ll get text or email alerts letting you know it’s ready to eat. And just like its little brother, the VGB0002S lets you control it using an Intelligent Temperature Control.

As long as you have one mounted near the VGB0002S, you’ll be able to keep your grill in check. Even better, your ITC will lower the VGB0002S’s temperature when peak temperature has been reached.

This kind of accessibility and control is what makes Memphis Grills such a beloved grill manufacturer. If you’re serious about the quality of your food, you’ll want to give this company a look.

So, what is it that makes the Elite VGB0002S more expensive than the VGB0001S? For starters, it’s significantly larger. Whereas the VGB0001S provided you with 562 square inches of grilling room, the Elite VGB0002S increases that to a staggering 844 square inches.

If you’re one who frequently entertains a lot of guests or you have a large family to feed, this may very well be the perfect grilling solution to your needs. Searing makes a return to the Elite VGB0002S, as well, but with even more heat than what was offered by the Pro VGB0001S.

Rather than getting a maximum searing temperature of 650°F, you can now look forward to 700°F! That’s some serious heating capabilities. What’s more, the convection heating system ensures faster cooking, even heating, and no hot spots in the grill.

Another improvement is the hopper area. Instead of 9-pound capacities in each auger, the Elite VGB0002S’s dual-augers hold 12 pounds of pellets for a total of 24 pounds of pellets! Enjoy continuous grilling action for 36 solid hours!

There is a considerable price increase to invest in the Elite VGB0002S. But when you factor in all of the extra perks, you’re looking at what many consider to be the king of built-in pellet grills. We find it hard to argue that point. However, we’re taking the VGB0002S down a notch due to its high price tag.

Unless you have a lot of guests to feed, you can likely get away with the Pro VGB0001S. It’s plenty spacious and delivers a stellar grilling experience from top to bottom.

Weight: 235 pounds

Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets

Best Features: Powerful heating

Louisiana Grills Estate 860B

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Spacious grilling area? Check. Lots of grilling options? Check. High-temperature capabilities? Check. Louisiana Grills’ Estate Series 860BI delivers all of the notable features you’d hope to find in a built-in pellet grill – and then some.

Plus, if you don’t want to invest in a higher-priced grill such as the two previous entries, you’ll save a considerable amount of money by opting for the 860BI. But don’t let the lower price deter you from having a look.

The Estate Series 860BI offers many of the same conveniences and features found in more expensive units. Thanks to the versatile design of the 860BI, not only can you grill your food but also sear, smoke, braise, bake, and char-grill it.

With so many options to choose from, you can be sure to satisfy every guest’s needs. The build quality of the Estate Series 860BI is also on par with Memphis Grills’ units. Made with 304 stainless steel, the 860BI looks like a beauty yet is tough as a beast.

You’re also afforded an impressive amount of grilling space to hone your craft. In the main grilling area, you get 579 square inches of room. However, there’s also an additional upper rack built into the main level. This adds another 281 square inches, giving you a grand total of 860 square inches of grilling space.

And then there’s the heat. This baby can reach a searing-hot temperature of 600°F. But this amount of heat can only go so far on its own. You need an integrated fan system to ensure heat is evenly distributed throughout the grilling area.

Louisiana Grills has that covered. With the Estate Series 860BI comes a powerful proprietary exhaust that does precisely that, keeping your food perfectly prepared from the inside out. Smoking is consistent and provides robust flavor throughout your recipes.

We’re also fans of the electric igniter with auto-start. Simply activate the starter and let the 860BI take care of the rest. Your pellets are fed through automatically, so you don’t have to keep going back to check on them. This lets you focus on your food and spend more time with your friends and family.

If you’ve been hoping to nab a built-in pellet grill with a massive hopper, you’re going to appreciate the Estate Series 860BI. Its hopper supports up to 28 pounds of pellets at any given time, ensuring long-lasting grilling without interruption.

And thanks to the included Digital Control Center, you can set the desired temperature you want, and the grill will automatically maintain it throughout the grilling process. Louisiana Grills includes a handy meat probe that helps prevent possible overcooking. Plus, the lid comes with its own built-in thermometer.

With it, you’ll be sure to get perfect grilling every time. And when it’s time to clean up, a removable grease tray helps eliminate mess by catching run-off.

Weight: 194 pounds

Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets

Best Features: Massive hopper

Coyote 36-Inch Built-in Pellet Grill

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Coyote rounds out our reviews with a built-in pellet grill that delivers the functionality, versatility, and luxury of a high-end oven range – but for the outdoors! As a luxury pellet grill, the coyote 36-inch built in pellet grill represents its title well.

On the face of the unit is an intuitive color touchscreen display. From here, you have full control over the performance and operation of your pellet grill. You can easily adjust the internal grilling temperature to your liking with the gentle tap of the screen.

The touchscreen display is bright and responsive, ensuring that you can clearly see what you’re doing while delivering accurate commands every time. The system is a breeze to learn, thanks to its simple yet inviting design.

We had no problem jumping right in and putting it to work. It offers a natural functionality that complements outdoor grilling for an easy yet enjoyable experience. What’s more, the C1P36 is built like a tank, with attractive yet highly-durable 304 stainless steel surrounding the unit.

Moreover, the hood is double-walled and lined with a gasket to trap heat for maximum grilling efficiency. You also get a convenient Smart Drop system that automatically feeds your pellets so you can focus on your food.

And although the hood is a heavy part of the C1P36 pellet grill, a built-in spring system makes opening and closing it a walk in the park. Coyote also included a wind guard to keep drafts from interrupting your grilling experience.

The Coyote C1P36 is capable of supporting up to 15 pounds of pellets at any given time. As such, you don’t have to worry about having to stop every so often to feed your grill. The dual-auger system accepts a wide variety of wood types, too, so you’ve got plenty of options to work with to keep your grill ignited.

Inside the grill, things get even better. Laser-cut cooking grates line the grilling area to provide your food with perfect sear marks. Not only that, but you’re treated to an additional Versa-Rack system, allowing you to expand the C1P36’s warming rack.

In doing so, you’ll have even more surface area to grill your meals. Converting the pellet grill from smoking mode to searing mode is made easy thanks to the included removal tool and interchangeable burn pot grates.

As with any luxury grill, you can look forward to getting the added benefit of a precision convection system. The Coyote C1P36 comes equipped with a dual-fan exhaust that allows you to cook with temperatures as high as 700°F. Searing has never been so easy!

Also included are three temperature probes, which allow you to easily monitor the internal food temperature via the digital control panel. And to further assist with keeping an eye on your food, the C1P36 features an interior grill light, as well as an LED temperature probe portlight.

Thanks to this handy addition, you can now grill in any environment. If you like to host events that extend into the cover of night, the Coyote C1P36 ensures that you’ll have plenty of light to grill in comfort.

Weight: 216 pounds

Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets

Best Features: Incredible heating

Memphis Grills Pro VGB0001S

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The Memphis Grills Pro Series VGB0001S is made out of heavy-duty 304 stainless steel, giving you a tough and durable pellet grill that is built to last.

What’s more, it comes armed with 8mm stainless steel cooking rods for added strength and resiliency. All combined, you can look forward to the VGB0001S retaining heat better than lesser grills, as well as providing you with lasting longevity.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the VGB0001S is that it comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi technology. Why is this important? Because you can control your grill from afar via the free Memphis Mobile App (available for both iOS and Android smart devices).

Having the freedom to operate your grill while you mingle with friends and family is something that couldn’t be done until recently. Furthermore, you can set up the app to send you personalized alerts so you can keep a closer eye on your food.

And if you have an Intelligent Temperature Control system mounted near the grill, you can freely operate your unit that way, as well. Memphis Grills throws in a 10-foot wire to assist you in connecting your ITC system with the Pro Series VGB0001S built-in pellet grill.

Thanks to the clever and handy ITC system, your grill will automatically lower its heating temperature when it reaches your desired setting. These kinds of conveniences make the Pro Series VGB0001S the ideal pellet grill for the cook who wants to stay on the cutting edge of technology.

When using the Pro Series VGB0001S, your pellets ignite automatically upon being loaded into the burn pot. That means you don’t have to wrestle with heating your pellets and can get straight to grilling.

Not only that, but this grill comes equipped with two auto-feed augers. Each bin holds 9 pounds of pellets for a total of 18 pounds of pellets at any given time. That equals 36 hours of continuous grilling!

Heating is accomplished through a combination of wood pellets and dual-fan convection. This system works to distribute heat evenly throughout the grill, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection every time.

Inside the main grilling area is an impressive 562 square inches of space, giving you tons of room to prepare and complete your masterpieces. What’s more, you’ll be assisted by the fan convection system, as it helps to cook food faster while eliminating rogue hot spots in the grilling area.

Are you looking for a built-in pellet grill that can sear? Memphis Grills has you covered, as the VGB0001S is capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 650°F thanks to an included Direct Flame Insert.

For added convenience, you also get a Genie Multi-Tool included with the VGB0001S, making it a breeze to remove your piping hot recipes when they’re ready to come off of the grill. You can even use this tool to keep the Pro Series grill spotless.

Yes, you’ll spend a pretty penny on the Pro Series VGB0001S. But you’re afforded some of the best luxuries a grill has to offer. If you want one of the very best built-in pellet grills available, you’ll definitely want to give Memphis Grills a look.

Weight: 175 pounds

Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets

Best Features: 18-pound capacity hopper

What to Look for in a Built-in Pellet Grill

The use of pellets as a fuel source is a revolutionary concept that works wonders to bring flavor to your recipes. And when you combine pellets with accurate temperature controls, you get a grilling experience unlike any other.

Sure, the end result is on par with wood-fired grills. But grilling your food with built-in pellet grills is something you won’t soon forget. Depending on your needs, you’ll be able to BBQ, grill, bake, smoke, and even sear with some grill models.

What’s more, the consistency of built-in pellet grills ensures that all of your foods come out evenly heated and thoroughly cooked. You can’t always say this about charcoal or propane. As such, built-in pellet grills are in a league of their own.

Let’s look at some essential factors you’re going to want to consider to ensure that you end up investing in the best unit for your grilling needs.

Configuration

Pellet grills come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And with them are many different features, ranging from built-in Wi-Fi to automatic temperature settings. If you like to latest and greatest that technology has to offer, you’re likely going to want a luxury pellet grill.

These models are rich in features to ensure a comprehensive and complete grilling experience. With add-ons like Wi-Fi, you can adjust your pellet grill’s temperature from your smartphone! Now that’s handy!

What’s more, you typically get the added bonus of significant grilling space to prepare your meals. If you often serve a lot of guests, you’re probably going to want to stick with a luxury pellet grill just for the sheer amount of things you can accomplish.

That said, there are plenty of premium models that provide you with a lot of grilling space to hone your craft. Moreover, you can find units that are made to the highest standard, offering incredible durability and resiliency.

Even practical pellet grills have a lot to offer. You might not get the same bells and whistles on higher-end models, but you can be sure to get everything you need to deliver a smoky-rich dish. And even practical pellet grills have the ability to sear if you find the right model.

Grilling Area

This is going to be the most important part of a pellet grill for many people. Having a lot of grilling space is essential when you have a lot of mouths to feed. If you often host family gatherings or cookouts, you’re definitely going to want to check out pellet grills with plenty of square inches.

Conversely, if you just want a high-quality pellet grill to put dinner on the table throughout the week, you don’t necessarily need a lot of grilling space. You should easily be able to get by with a smaller unit.

Ask yourself how often you have guests over and gauge your family’s need for freshly-grilled meals. In doing so, you should have a pretty good idea as to how much grilling area you need. And because pellets grills famously work in cold weather, you and your family can enjoy exceptionally grilled foods all year long!

Build Quality

We know how important it is to invest in a pellet grill that will stand the test of time. After all, no one wants to buy a grill, only to have to replace it in a couple of years. Your grill needs to last, and you can ensure that by purchasing a unit that is made with premium materials.

That’s why we included only pellet grills with tough, durable bodies. As you’ll see below in our reviews, these units feature stainless steel to ensure lasting quality and performance. Sure, you can always save money on upfront costs and invest in a lesser unit made with cheap components. But you’re putting yourself at risk of breakage.

It’s better to invest in a high end unit now and save money in the long run. You’ll spend a little more upfront, but you won’t have to turn around and buy a whole new unit in a couple of years.

Temperature

The maximum temperature of your grill dictates what kind of food you can prepare and how quickly. If you want to sear your food, for example, you’re going to need a pellet grill that is capable of reaching higher temperatures.

As you will see below, the best built-in pellet grills are capable of reaching temperatures of 600°F to 700°F. With that kind of heat at your disposal, you’ll be able to prepare a litany of different dishes – and in record time!

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Final Thoughts

As you can see, the best built-in pellet grills have a lot to offer. Which model you ultimately choose will depend on what kind of features you need, how many people you plan on serving, and how you like to grill your food.

With the options we included above, you can trust that you’re investing in a quality unit that will serve you well for years to come.

The post Best Built-In Pellet Grills – Our Top Choices & Reviews appeared first on Own The Grill.

For those unfamiliar, “yakitori” translates to grilled chicken in Japanese.  Yakitori is a traditional Japanese dish that’s skewered meat prepared on a specialized grill and served like a kabob. It’s considered one of the original flat top griddles.

In the United States, yakitori has become synonymous with lots of types of skewered meats, so by acquiring a yakitori grill you aren’t committing to only making grilled chicken skewers!

In this article, we’ll go over our top picks for the best yakitori grill on the market today.  From there, we’ll touch on a few things to look out for during your search.  Then, we’ll go over some of the attributes that make the best yakitori grill.

Best Yakitori Grill Reviews

The Bincho Yakitori Tabletop Japanese Style Grill

The Bincho Grill Yakitori Tabletop Japanese Style Charcoal Grill

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Our top choice for yakitori style grilling is The Bincho Grill’s line of Yakitori Tabletop Charcoal grills.  They offer their flagship product in both a 36″ and a 24″ wide configuration so you can choose a size that fits your table.

The cooker is sleek with a modern look and stainless steel construction.  Two handles on each side of the unit make it incredibly easy to transport around.  At only 34 pounds, you can easily take yakitori style grilling on the go.

The Bincho Grill is well insulated and designed to easily collect ash to make clean up as easy as possible.  Two adjustable dampers make controlling your airflow simple, which in turn makes maintaining steady heat quite easily.

The downside of this grill is that it does not come with grates – so you need to provide your own.  Even though hibachi style grates are widely available, this adds a tiny bit of hassle to the process.

Shichirin Hida Konro

Noto Dia Table-Top Charcoal Grill, Shichirin Hida Konro

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If you’re looking for elegance and artistry, the Shichirin Hida Konro Tabletop Charcoal Grill is made of Paulownia wood and features a beautiful design on the wooden box.

What’s especially rare about this yakitori grill is that it’s fueled by charcoal yet tabletop safe.  The key is to use high quality charcoal, but more on that later.

The mesh grill grate is iron with zinc plating and features about 65 square inches of cooking area, perfect for authentic style yakitori.  It’s also offered in smaller sizes depending on what your needs are.

One other thing to consider with this grill is that none of the parts are dishwasher safe, so plan on washing by hand.

Fire Sense Large Yakatori Charcoal Grill

Fire Sense Large Yakatori Charcoal Grill

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The Fire Sense Large Yakatori charcoal grill differentiates itself by utilizing ceramic clay as the main source of body construction material.

If you’re a fan of kamado grills, you already know that ceramics have been used to construct cooking vessels in Eastern cultures as far back as 3000 years.  You’d also know that ceramic is an excellent insulator, so ceramic made grills do a fantastic job of retaining and evenly distributing heat.

On top of all of that, you get built in adjustable vents to help with temperature control.  Also, there are 170 square inches of cooking area to work with – which is plenty to even throw on a few sausages or hamburgers if you want to.

It also comes backed by a 1-year warranty, which is always a great feature to any grill purchase.

Iwatani Cassette Grill

Iwatani Cassette Feu Butane VA-30 Camp Stove

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The Iwatini Cassette is a bona fide made in japan yakitori grill.  It makes our list because its high quality, portability, and authenticity.

It weighs only about 5 pounds, so it’s super easy to take on the go or to move around the kitchen if you need to.  It’s fueled by Iwatani designed butane packs that will burn long and hot.

Most of the main components like the body, grill net, skewer trays, and water tray are all made of stainless steel for maximum performance and durability.

One of our favorite things about this product is the built in safety features.  An electric ignition system and pressure sensitive safety device ensure that you won’t be dealing with any major safety issues while you grill.

Outsunny Stainless Steel Portable Folding Charcoal BBQ Grill

Outsunny Portable Folding Charcoal BBQ Grill

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The Outsunny  Stainless Steel Portable Folding Charcoal Grill is a step up from the other grills so far on this list in terms of size.  The cooking area is 29″ x 13″ for a grand total cooking area of 377 square inches.  That’s a great size if you’re cooking yakitori for a large group of family or friends.

Double air vents on either end of the grill allow for easy temperature adjustment and control while you cook.  Additionally, it’s designed with portable and lightweight legs for easy transport and storage.

This grill is ideal for the outdoors.  Whether that’s your patio or a campsite is up to you!  The stainless steel material is durable, quality, and built to last.

Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill Barbecue Hibachi Stove

Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Hibachi/Yakitori Grill

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Last but not least on our best yakitori grill list is the Kinka BBQ Diatomite Hibachi Stove.

Technically speaking, it’s a stove and not a grill and is designed for authentic yakitori and hibachi.  One great safety feature is that none of the materials on the outside of the stove will ever get hot enough to burn.  So it’s safe to touch which is great if you have kids who might wonder and touch the stove while it’s in use.

ISUMER Portable Charcoal BBQ

Isumer Portable Charcoal BBQ

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One of the most cost efficient yakitori grills is the ISUMER Charcoal Grill – it’s affordable and does an excellent job cooking yakitori.

A detachable leg design and only 4 pounds of weight make it ideal for transport and storage.  It’s a perfect choice for at home grilling, or for use when camping, backpacking, or picnicking.  The leg’s height can also able to be adjusted to your preference while you cook.

The grilling surface area is approximately 175 square inches, which is a ton of space for a portable grill.  You can cook enough yakitori for a lot of people at once with that much space.

The entire body and grates are constructed of polished stainless steel that is durable and aesthetically very clean to look at.

What is a Yakitori Grill?

Compared to traditional types of grills, yakitori grills are much more compact and lightweight.  Many of them are actually designed for indoor use, unlike traditional charcoal or gas grills.  Typically the cooking grates are long and rectangular, which is an ideal design for grilling skewers on a tabletop.

Heat wise, expect most yakitori grills to operate best with temperatures in the 200-250°F range.

For the most part, you don’t really need accessories or extras when it comes to these grills.  One of the beautiful things about them is their simplicity.  All you need to cook delicious food is skewers, which are used to rotate and place your food while it cooks.

The narrow design helps with this – the edge of the skewer should hang over the edge of the grill.  That means you don’t have to ever put your heat over a flame or hot surface while you cook.

Which Kind of Charcoal Should I Use for Yakitori?

We mentioned earlier that it’s best to use a special type of charcoal for yakitori cooking, especially with tabletop grills that utilize charcoal.

The answer to the question is that Binchontan charcoal is the best type of charcoal for yakitori.  Binchontan lump charcoal burns extremely clean and a shockingly low amount of smoke, which makes it ideal not only for the indoors – it’s a healthier alternative to briquettes.

If you’ve got a larger, outdoor yakitori grill feel free to use briquettes or lump charcoal – but even then Binchontan charcoal is going to produce better results.

The only downside to Binchontan is that it can get pretty pricey, as does anything that is high quality.

What to Look For In the Best Yakitori Grill?

First and foremost for yakitori, your grill should be compact and rectangular.  You should be able to grill your meat while allowing the skewer ends to hang over the edge.  A rectangular shape also allows you to fit the maximum amount of skewers onto your grilling surface.

A grill that’s safe for indoor use is also a great quality for the best yakitori grill.  Traditionally, yakitori is prepared and served at the table, so it’s ideal to have a grill that can accommodate it.

On the other hand, if you need to cook outdoors or for a lot of people, it’s perfectly fine to look at a larger grill that’s ideal for camping and tailgating.

The other thing to pay attention to is heat retention and insulation.  Stainless steel is a fine material, but clay and ceramic are more authentic and do a better job of heat retention and distribution.

What If I Want to Cook Other Foods?

That’s perfectly fine!  While yakitori is traditionally skewered chicken, you should feel free to substitute lamb, beef, shrimp, or anything else that would normally go on a skewer.

You don’t even have to limit yourself to skewers!  After all the best yakitori grill is a perfectly capable cooking vessel, so anything that would normally go on a charcoal grill can likely get done on a yakitori, provided there’s enough room.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, and sausages are great foods that you could also cook, to name a few.  It’s also perfectly conceivable to sear and cook steak if you have one of the bigger outdoor yakitori grills.

Which Skewers Should I Use for Yakitori?

We are fans of either metal or bamboo skewers.  Some people use plastic but we find that the quality of plastic skewers is consistently low.  Plus, you can typically find very cheap metal or bamboo ones at your local grocery store or online.

The only consideration beyond the material is length.  You want to make sure your skewers are long enough so that they have material that hangs off of the grill so that you can rotate your food as it cooks.

How Do You Make Yakitori?

There is no one dead set way to make it, but most recipes broadly flavor the chicken with a sweet soy sauce or basic seasonings like salt and pepper.

Additionally, you can choose which parts of the chicken you want to cook.  You’re not limited and can choose between the thighs, liver, breast, and wings.

Here’s a link to one of our favorite yakitori recipes.  It’s a recipe that uses chicken thigh pieces brushed with a sauce comprised of soy sauce, mirin, kecap manis, sugar, ginger, sriracha, and garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use a Yakitori Grill Inside?

No, we are sorry to inform you that you should not use a yakitori grill inside. Don’t be disheartened by this, though, as it is for your safety! Yakitori grills are not safe for use indoors and can actually be very dangerous.

A yakitori grill has an open fire feature on it, so of course, this means flames can flow freely. This is very dangerous, and can easily set alight your home. It should only be used on a fireproof surface, meaning your kitchen counters, tables, carpets, and tatamis will not be safe!

Not only are Yakitori grills a fire hazard, but they also use charcoal which can pose a health risk if inhaled. They can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if not used in a ventilated area. As such, using your yakitori in a well-ventilated outdoor spot is by far the safest option.

What Kind of Charcoal Do You Use for Yakitori?

Typically, the charcoal that is used for yakitori is white charcoal. This is also known as binchō-tan which literally translates to white charcoal! This charcoal is usually made from oak which is a type of hardwood.

Typically, since yakitori grills are Japanese, Japanese oak will be used for this charcoal. The reason why hardwoods like oak are used for white charcoal is that they can burn at a high temperature for a long period of time.

In general, you can expect white charcoal from oak trees to burn for around 4 to 5 hours, and it can handle temperatures as high as 1600 degrees Fahrenheit (this is 871 degrees Celsius for our metric folk).

Of course, this charcoal is what has been used traditionally. Nowadays, especially in the Western world, yakitoris can be used with lump charcoal and briquette. However, you will not get the same results when using these two types of charcoal and it will not taste as authentic.

Is Yakitori Only Chicken?

The translation of yakitori is literally a grilled bird. This has meant that many people assume that yakitori is only used in reference to grilled chicken. However, in Japan, yakitori restaurants also serve pork yakitori.

It is more common to find chicken being served when you eat yakitori, and certainly, this is what is served from street food vendors. However, you can also find pork, especially pork ribs being served in the same style.

You may find chicken breast pieces, chicken thighs, chicken livers, and even chicken hearts being served in this skewered style. Yakitori, whether that be chicken or pork, is seasoned with tare sauce which is made from sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.

What is the Difference Between Robatayaki and Yakitori?

There is some confusion when it comes to robatayaki and yakitori, as both of them are grills! However, the main difference is the food that is served from these grills.

Typically, yakitori serves chicken. Although, as you will know from the previous section, it can also serve pork ribs.

Robatayaki, on the other hand, serves a far wider variety of food. From a robatayaki grill, you can expect to find the likes of grilled seafood, grilled vegetables, and other meats.

Robata is actually a direct reference to the style of cooking used by Japanese fishermen from the Northern areas of the country who would cook together around a large hearth.

This concept became very popular throughout the whole of Japan, with restaurants opening to emulate this tradition. Food (usually seafood and meat) would be cooked on one big hearth and served to guests who are all seated around the hearth.

Wrap Up

If you’ve ever had yakitori out at a restaurant or at home before, you know how delicious it is.  When properly made it’s not only delicious, it’s an experience you get to share with those around you.

Hopefully, this best yakitori grill round up helps you to find the perfect grill so that you can start to make those memories at home or out on the campsite.

Which one did you end up with?  We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below, along with any other recommendations you might have!

The post Best Yakitori Grills – Our Top Picks and Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

However, in recent years some clever manufacturers in the outdoor lifestyle space had the bright idea of combining the two.  A few of these manufacturers executed the fire pit grill to perfection – and they’re epic centerpieces that just have a special way of bringing people together.

We’ve created this list of the best cooking fire pit (or fire pit grill combos) to help get you started with your search!  We’ll highlight some of our favorite options on the market and also highlight some of the features you should consider when deciding which pit is best for you.

Best Cooking Fire Pits

Arteflame 40″ Contemporary Grill

Arteflame Classic 40" Grill w/ Tall Round Base

• Uses both wood and / or charcoal
• Removable cooktop is laser cut from 1/2" steel
• Optional center grill grate
• Can be used as a fire bowl with, or without the cooktop
• Cooktop "lift and remove" tool included
• Virtually maintenance-free: all residue can be scraped into the fire
• Fire bowl is spun from a single piece of corten steel without seams or welds
• After cooktop cools, wipe clean with a cloth or paper towel and food safe oil
• Can be left outside year-round; base develops a beautiful, maintenance free patina over time
• Includes seasoning puck for seasoning of cooktop
• Designed and Made in the USA using US steel
• DIMENSIONS: 40" Wide x 18" High, 290lbs. (102cm x 46cm, 132Kg)
• Base diameter is 21"
• Arteflame Grills are all steel making the grills quite heavy, shipping weights can be over 500lbs!

Check Price on Arteflame

When it comes to all around performance, durability, and aesthetics – the Arteflame Contemporary Fire Pit Grill is hard to beat.  That’s why gets our pick as the best cooking fire pit currently on the market.

Arteflame grills almost look like they’re pieces of art – and they’re designed to draw people in to gather and enjoy excellent food.  The cooker comes in a few different configurations; the flagship grill comes with a tabletop height cabinet, but you can also opt for a shorter base cabinet or a built-in configuration.

The fire bowl (where your charcoal or wood fire is built) is made of corten steel, which is a special type of corrosion resistant metal.  The round cooking surface is made of high quality 1/2″ carbon steel, which is considered to be a superior cooking surface to cast iron, generally speaking.

The diameter of the cooking surface is 40″, and is suited to cook everything from the largest ribeye steaks to veggies and sides.  The inside of the ring (closest to the fire) reaches 500ºF and above to get that perfect sear, while the outside of the cooktop usually reaches 250ºF – which is ideal for peppers, veggies, or just to keep food warm before serving.  Of course, you can make the cooktop temperature hotter or cooler than this by adjusting the size of your fire.

Arteflame also knocks it out of the park in the accessories department – there are more than a handful of add-ons to choose from to elevate your cooking experience:

• Center grill grate (for cooking directly over your fire)
• Grill grate riser (lifts center grill grate 9″ above the cooking surface)
• Food saver (prevents food from falling into the centerfire)
• Rotisserie kit
• Pizza oven
• Various clean up accessories

The downside to the Arteflame is the price point – it’s on the more expensive side of the spectrum for sure.  However, if you have the coin to pick one up, you won’t be disappointed.

Check out our full Arteflame review here for more on this high-end brand!

Cast Master Bon 2000 Bonfire Pit

Cast Master Bon 2000 Bonfire Pit

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If you’re looking for a cheaper or more portable option, the Cast Master Bon 2000 Dual Purpose Bonefire Pit is an excellent choice.  At only 32 pounds and with a carrying case included, it’s easy to take with you on the go for a camping trip or tailgate before the game.

The unit is constructed of stainless steel and does an outstanding job of channeling heat to deliver a hot fire that you can gather around to keep warm or cook some burgers.  The Bon 2000 is actually designed to be a smokeless fire pit, which may be a positive or a negative depending on your preferences when it comes to cooking and enjoying fireside warmth.

However, you can load lump charcoal or briquettes into the charcoal grate and you’ll still get some smokey flavor.  You likely will not get much smoke flavor in this pit from traditional hardwoods like oak, hickory, etc.

A cooking grate is included that sits perfectly on top of the firepit where you can cook your food.  The grate has a 19″ diameter, which translates to about 283 square inches of cooking surface area to work with.  It’s enough space to comfortably fit 4 large burgers at once or potentially 6-8 smaller ones.

Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit

Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit

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The Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit is another option that is primarily marketed as a smokeless fire pit, but can easily be converted into a cooking fire pit with a few extra attachments.

Namely, Breeo developed the Outpost Grill attachment – which is an adjustable height grate attachment that allows you to cook directly over your pit.  It comes with a carry bag and is completely adjustable, so you can use it over a campfire in addition to the smokeless pit.

The Breeo X Series comes in a few different sizes – there’s a 19″, 24″, and 30″ option.  For the 19″ version, the only way to convert it into a fire pit grill combo is via the Outpost attachment.

But for the 24″ and 30″ options, you can actually choose to add on a SearPlate rim, which gives you the ability to sear steaks, burgers, and more on the outer rim of the fire pit.  Functionally, the SearPlate works similarly to the way the Arteflame grill works – this is just a smaller and less expensive option.

Bali Outdoors Wood Fire Pit

Bali Outdoors Wood Fire Pit with Cooking Grid

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Our budget pick for the best fire pit grill goes to the Bali Outdoors Fire Pit – it’s one of the least expensive options on our list.  Even though it’s cheap, it provides a reasonable amount of performance in the cooking department.

The grill grate is elevated from the rest of the pit, but you can adjust the height by a few inches depending on how hot you need your grate to be.  Also, the grate swivels 360º – which comes in handy if you ever need to let a steak rest at a warm temperature after searing.

You’re afforded roughly 270 square inches of cooking surface area on the 18.7″ diameter grill grate, so it’s an ideal size to cook for 2-4 people.  Any more than that you’ll probably need to cook in multiple batches.

This fire pit only weighs 27 pounds, so its quite possible to take it with you on the go, but it doesn’t break down into a more compact size for travel.  Four legs fixed on a circular steel ring provide sturdy footing no matter where or on what surface you choose to place your pit on.

Best Cooking Fire Pit – What to Look For

When it comes to choosing the right fire pit grill combo, there are a few things to be aware of – especially if it’s your first time picking one up.  Here are a few of the top things we think you should consider when comparing products.

Cooking Surface Material & Style

On typical grills, the cooking grates are made of either stainless steel, enameled porcelain, or cast iron.  You’ll want to make sure that your cooking fire pit uses one of these materials in the construction of the grate.

The reason has to do with heat distribution and consistency – these materials are proven to create consistent heat zones, which becomes even more important when cooking over an open fire.  Furthermore, inferior metals won’t last nearly as long as stainless steel, enameled porcelain, or cast iron.

Also consider whether you want a traditional grill grate, a flat top grill, or both!  Some fire pit grills only have a grill grate over the centerfire.  Others have a flat top cooking surface around the outside of the fire pit.  A few have both of these cooking styles available on the same pit.

Cooking Surface Area

It’s important to consider how many people you plan to cook for in any given setting.  Many of the smaller, portable fire pits are only suitable for cooking for about 4 people, which would make things tough if you needed to grill burgers for a party of 12.  Obviously, if you hope to have your fire pit grill be the centerpiece of your back patio, you should opt for a bigger size that will accommodate the party size you’d like.

Cooking Grate Adjustability

No two fires are the same, so when it comes to cooking over a fire it’s ideal to have an adjustable grate.  The reason is so that you can easily set your food at an ideal distance from the flame so that it cooks exactly how you want it to.

It’s not that you can’t cook on a fire pit grill without an adjustable grate, you just have to be more precise and consistent with your fire building.

Portability

Some cooking fire pits are designed to be more or less permanent fixtures on your patio – and others are designed to be taken on the go.  The permanent options are typically better suited for those looking to create an outdoor kitchen or hang out area on their patio, whereas the portable options are ideal for things like camping trips and tailgates.

Ideally, a portable option should weigh less than 40 or so pounds and come with a carrying case so that it can easily be taken with you in your vehicle.

Price

Obviously, price is a consideration any time you are comparing one product to another.  Generally speaking, high end fire pit grill combos run in the range of $500 to $2,500, depending on the configuration and setup you choose.

On the other end, a budget friendly cooking fire pit runs in the range of $100 to $300.  Anything below $100 I would begin to have serious doubts about the quality of materials used to construct the pit – remember, if you plan to cook on these units you want the grate to be at least a certain baseline level of quality.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to all around fun and memory making, it’s hard to beat gathering around a fire, pulling up some fire pit chairs, and cooking up a delicious meal.  The best cooking fire pits do just that – draw people in and deliver outstanding quality food.

We hope this resource was helpful for you in comparing fire pit grill combos – at the end of the day, there are quite a few different options out there that cater to different experiences and goals.  Hopefully, some of our suggestions above helped to clear the air on these similarities and differences.

Which pit did you end up with?  Do you like it?  Or did we omit an excellent cooking fire pit from our list?  We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

The post Fire Pit Grill Combo for Cooking appeared first on Own The Grill.

Kamado grills, in particular, provide an excellent cooking environment – which is why they have become so popular.

A kamado grill creates that consistent cooking environment and will allow the cook to prepare anything that you could normally prepare on a grill, smoker, or even an oven.

Since they use hardwood lump charcoal you have a much wider range of flavor and smoking possibilities than with almost any other type of grill. One of the leaders in the modern Kamado grill is Blaze – and specifically their 20″ Kamado grill.

We’ll take a closer look at Blaze’s Kamado grill and go over its strengths, limitations, and more!

Blaze Kamado Grill Review

Blaze 20-in Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill

• 1.25" thick cast aluminum body has excellent heat retention & durability
• Cast molded exhaust cap allows precise heat control
• 20" diameter stainless steel cooking greats

Check Price on BBQGuys Check Price on Elite Patio Direct

The Blaze Kamado is a unique kamado grill that brings all the benefits of traditional ceramic kamado grills, enhances them, and adds to them.

Whereas most kamado grills are ceramic, the Blaze Kamado is made from cast aluminum and is up to an inch-and-a-quarter thick in some places.

This all-aluminum design provides unmatched levels of robustness and durability to the amazing temperature and heat retention that Kamado grills are known for.

From The Top…

These grills are hefty, no question. So Blaze’s decision to pre-install a hinged lid with assisted lift. This makes the grill easy to open and close securely.

The 304 stainless hinge hardware means not only will it not bend or distort easily, but it won’t rust, so you can have it stored outside with confidence. If you live in an area where it rains or snows routinely throughout the year, knowing you won’t have to replace the hinge hardware on your grill can be a pleasant change of pace.

Since one of the main attractions of the Blaze Kamado is its ability to control the temperature to a very fine degree, that means you can’t have a lot of heat loss.

The tongue-and-groove fit of the lid and the cooking vessel ensures that there is minimal loss of heat or smoke and that the airflow inside is unaffected by the outside weather.

This lid fit also removes the need for a gasket, as you would see in a ceramic kamado. One less thing to worry about, and one less thing to have to spend money on in the future. Win-win.

One of the most common pain points with ceramic kamados is the exhaust cap – which controls your airflow and therefore temperature. It’s typically made of inferior plastics on a ceramic grill – but the exhaust cap on the Blaze Kamado is molded cast aluminum, so you won’t ever have to deal with the hassle of a faulty exhaust cap.

…To The Bottom…

The all-metal construction means the Blaze Kamado is non-porous, and thus will not absorb the flavors and tastes of anything you cook on the grill. Your grill will stay hotter, longer, and more of that wonderful smokey flavor will have time to cool and condense on the food, giving it the taste you are after.

Feel free to use any sort of ignition fluid, material, or device to start your coals, you do not have to worry about the unit absorbing any of that flavor into the housing or combustion chamber.

This all-metal design also means the grill is more robust and durable overall. Especially compared to modern ceramics, which are definitely far more advanced than their Asian counterparts from a thousand years ago, but are still delicate in many ways and prone to breaking under certain circumstances.

The silver finish and stainless accents really make the whole appearance look modern and sleek.

…And Everything In Between

Blaze 20-in Cast Aluminum Kamado Grill

• 1.25" thick cast aluminum body has excellent heat retention & durability
• Cast molded exhaust cap allows precise heat control
• 20" diameter stainless steel cooking greats

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With a 20” diameter cooking surface that consists of hex-shaped stainless steel grill grates that produce perfect sear marks and char lines, while aiding the heat retention even further. The cast molded exhaust cap allows the best way to regulate the heat, without the usual risk of falling and breaking.

This exhaust cap will give the user precise control over the internal temperature, though it does have a learning curve that will take a little practice to get really good at. But, like with anything, you only get better by using it more.

Beneath the main cooking grate, and nearly doubling your cooking area, there is an 18-inch multi-purpose grate that can be used for grilling as well. Being closer to the primary heat sources, it is a good place to put a final sear on the meat, or anything that may need a higher degree of heat than the top rack.

Additionally, it can hold liquid like broth or drippings used for additional moisture and flavor, or wet wood for additional smoke production. With both of these grates being stainless steel, cleanup is a breeze.

Super-Easy Clean-Up

Even though the Blaze Kamado uses hardwood lump charcoal, there really is no way the cleanup could be any simpler. There is a full-width ash pan that just lifts out.

This is arguably one of the greatest improvements that the Blaze Kamado grill has over its ceramic competitors. The lift-out ash pan means there is no more scraping the ashes out manually. Since the interior is the same cast aluminum surface as the outside, dirt and debris simply have a hard time adhering to the aircraft-quality metal.

Cook Outside Year-Round

Not only is the inside easy to clean and low maintenance, but the outside is as well. It stands up to the wettest and coldest weather you can throw at it, and it will still let you cook in most of it!

The plenty thick cast aluminum construction retains heat just as well as ceramic kamado grills, and with the tight fit of the lid and vent, you can grill, roast, bake, and even smoke for more of the year than ever before. The heat retention and cooking ability of the Blaze Kamado won’t let a little snow rain on your parade.

Buy It For Life

While the price point of a Blaze Kamado certainly isn’t in the “impulse buy” category, you still want to make sure that you are getting a good value for your money. With the Blaze Kamado, there really is no better feature than the lifetime warranty.

Blaze backs their Kamado grills fully with a lifetime warranty from defects in workmanship or manufacturing, on every single part from the body to the hinges. Make sure you register within 30 days of purchase though, that is their one catch for covering your new Kamado grill.

F.A.Q.

What Is A Kamado Grill?

What we recognize currently as a “kamado” grill is actually a method of cooking that goes back thousands of years in Asia. The earliest examples are made of clay and date to older than 1,000BCE.

It revolves around a large jar-shaped vessel usually constructed from ceramic material and has a removable dome-shaped lid. The lid will contain a vent or damper of some sort to facilitate air movement. The word “kamado” is Japanese and translates roughly to “cooking stove”.

The kamado grill was introduced to the US, for all intents and purposes, following World War II. Members of the military had seen them used extensively overseas and had brought some back. Recently they have seen a surge of popularity as a result of the artisan barbecue and smoking communities.

Since they have such masterful control over the temperature, they can rival some of the most expensive digitally controlled electric smokers, and produce dishes that are like nothing else you have had from a grill.

The use of ceramics brings advantages like heat retention and airflow precision. Kamado grills will retain the heat for quite some time, allowing them to be used for much longer and lower temperature cooking, like smoking and baking.

They can be held at consistent temperatures starting around 200 degrees for as long as they have sufficient charcoal and air. Because of this precise airflow management and temperature control, kamado grills often find function as a wood-fired oven surrogate, being used to roast or bake just about anything from meats to bread, pizzas, and cakes.

How Are Kamado Grills Different From Other Grills?

The main differences can be summed up by saying that a kamado grill looks differently, feels differently, and most importantly, works differently than a conventional grill whether it is gas or charcoal.

Shape

First of all, and probably the most notable factor is their shape. They are not shaped like any other grill you have likely used in your life. They are generally shaped like a large ellipsoid, or egg, with the top being hinged or otherwise removable, to allow access to the interior. Inside they will have a round grill surface similar to the one you would see inside any other charcoal grill. There may or may not be other dividers or heat reflectors to assist with indirect cooking or smoking, depending on the options of the grill or dealer.

Weight

Another difference that is immediately noticeable, is the weight. They are quite dense and are frequently much heavier than expected. Small ones can clock in around a hundred pounds, while large ones may be in the 500-pound range.

Because of their size, they often come with or have available as an option, a stand or nest that will support the grill and allow it to be moved or repositioned. When looking at a larger grill, be sure you can either move it yourself or be able to get a stand for it.

Operation

Beyond the obvious appearance differences in appearance or weight, kamado grills will operate in a different way than your traditional charcoal grill. With a conventional charcoal grill, you need to buy conventional charcoal, which is less consistent and efficient than hardwood lump, and it does not last as long. The food is cooked over the burning coals, utilizing the direct heat from the coals as the cooking heat.

A kamado grill uses its thermal mass to absorb a large portion of the heat energy generated by the burning coal and radiates it back in a uniform fashion to the food.

To do this, a kamado grill needs large amounts of mass. In most models, this is why they are made from incredibly thick ceramic materials. The Blaze Kamado is actually made from a single piece of cast aluminum, so not only do you get the benefits of the radiant heat, you have less weight and no porous interior for odor or taste to cling to.

Since they have a vent at the bottom, and a vent to damper at the top, they are able to precisely control the air movement inside the cooking vessel. This allows for extremely consistent temperature regulation since the vessel itself helps buffer against sudden temperature changes by absorbing and releasing heat from its mass. Once they are preheated they can offer incredible temperature stability.

Final Thoughts On the Blaze Aluminum Kamado

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with Blaze grills in general.  They make fantastic built in grills, luxury grills, and as you just read, they make a fantastic kamado grill too. 

It’s in our opinion their kamado is one of the highest performing grills on the market, regardless of shell material. While it’s expensive, we find that it’s a fair price for how good it is.

The post Blaze Kamado Grill Review – How Does It Stack Up? appeared first on Own The Grill.

You should air fry chicken wings at 400 for 20 minutes, checking every 5 minutes. Give them a shake each time you check to move the chicken wings around and allow them to crisp on all sides.

Step By Step Instruction To Air Fryer Chicken Wings At 400

Let’s go over the steps to prepare and air fry those crispy chicken wings.

1. Choosing your wings

It’s important to note that all wings in the air fryer should NOT be frozen. You can purchase fresh or frozen wings, just make sure the wings are completely thawed before seasoning. This will prevent undercooking the wings, and we all know that uncooked chicken is not something we want to eat.

Please Note: If you do plan to air fry the chicken frozen, it is important to extend the time to at least 30 minutes or when the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

I personally prefer the drumette and wingette to be separated. If you should get the full wing in one piece, you can either use scissors (the easiest way) to separate them or just leave them whole.

2. Seasoning the Wings

Before seasoning, just take a paper towel and pat them dry. You can place them in a bowl and drizzle olive oil, salt and pepper, and garlic powder(optional). Give the bowl a shake or use a spoon to evenly distribute.

If you’re a grill seasoning expert then add your favorite flavors, but I can promise you sticking with just the basics will not disappoint.

3. Air Frying the Wings

Start by adding a batch of wings to the air fryer. Don’t overcrowd.  Start the air fryer and adjust the temperature to 400 and the timer to 20 minutes. Push start and get those wings cooking.

4. Checking on the Wings

It’s good to stay close by and open the air fryer every 5 minutes. You’ll want to shake up the air fryer basket or use a wooden spoon to stir them up. Make sure they’re still laying flat and not on top of each other to prevent areas from not crisping. At the end of 20 minutes, you should have crispy wings.

If you prefer extra crispy wings or super crispy chicken wings, then feel free to cook a little longer.

5. Easy Optional Buffalo Sauce

The hard part here is to give you the correct measurements. I honestly just throw it all together and adjust if necessary. The air fryer wings sauce consists of butter, ketchup, franks hot sauce, sugar, and honey. I will get more precise in the actual recipe card listed below.

Place all the ingredients into a small saucepan and allow to melt and then simmer on low. Make sure to stir to avoid burning. If the chicken wings are not finished you may want to pull the sauce off the heat and then turn it back on a few minutes before using it to heat through again.

6. Serving Chicken Wings

Once the air-fried chicken wings are perfectly crispy, remove them from the fryer basket with tongs and place them in a shallow bowl (or any bowl you have on hand).

Pour the sauce over the wings and mix. Make sure to save a little on the side for extra dipping. You can also use blue cheese or ranch dressing to dunk them in for added flavor. Yum!

What is the Best Air Fryer?

Here are our top 3 Air fryers:

The best Nuwave XL Air Fryer

Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven, X-Large Family Size, Powerful 1800W, 4 Rack Positions, 50 -425 F Temp Controls, 100 Presets & 50 Memory, Integrated Smart Thermometer, Linear T Tech.....

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The Best Ninja Dual Air Fryer

Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey

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Most Popular Ninja

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer that Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, & Dehydrates, for Quick, Easy Meals, 4 Quart Capacity, & High Gloss Finish, Grey

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What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Wings?

You can serve air fryer chicken wings as an appetizer and pair them with other small plates like these 17 BBQ Appetizer Ideas.

If you’re thinking of serving the air fryer chicken wings as a meal then our tater tot casserole and smoked baked beans are a perfect match.

What Are Some Healthy Chicken Wing Recipes?

Once you start creating healthy chicken wing recipes, it’s kind of hard to go back. Take a look at our 23 favorite ways to cook grilled chicken wings.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings

A few simple tips for the best air fryer chicken wings are to use fresh nonfrozen wings, air fry them for 20 minutes at 400 and check on your wings frequently when air frying. Shake them up every five minutes to help give them the crispy skin they deserve.

How many Chicken Wings Per Person for Serving?

The recommended amount of chicken wings per person varies, but a general guideline is about 6-8 wings for a main course and 3-5 wings for appetizers or party platters.

How To Store Air Fry Chicken Wings?

To store air-fried chicken wings for leftovers, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2-3 months. Make sure to discard any wings left at room temperature for over two hours or showing signs of spoilage.

How to Reheat Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer?

You can reheat chicken wings in the air fryer by cooking them at 350 for 5-8 minutes. Always check every few minutes and shake the air fryer basket around to move the wings around and heat through evenly.

Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken Wings

There are endless possibilities when it comes to ingredients for air fryer chicken wings. We suggest you keep it simple for the cooking process. All you need is olive oil, salt and pepper. Once the chicken wings are closer to being finished you can season with your favorite rub or sauce and finish cooking those last 5 or so minutes.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Wings in an Air Fryer?

If you are cooking fresh chicken wings, cooking for 20 minutes in an air fryer set to 400 will give you perfectly cooked chicken wings. If you are cooking frozen chicken wings, increase the cooking time to 25-30 minutes or until you reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Are Air-Fried Wings Unhealthy?

Air-fried chicken wings can be a healthier option. Since you’re using less oil compared to deep frying, the wings are lower in fat content. Air frying also reduces the amount of harmful compounds, such as acrylamide, that can form during deep-frying at high temperatures.

More Air Fryer Recipes

Here are a few other air fryer recipes we love:

1. Air fryer potato skins
2. Air fryer carrot fries
3. Air fryer buffalo cauliflower

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few added questions we know others ask:

Can you Air Fry Frozen Raw Chicken Wings?

Yes, you can technically air-fry frozen chicken wings. It’s recommended to increase the cooking time compared to fresh wings. This ensures that the wings cook through and reach a safe internal temperature.

Can I put raw chicken wings in an air fryer?

You can put raw chicken wings in an air fryer. We recommend air frying fresh raw chicken wings at 400 for 20 minutes to create a perfectly crispy wing.

Why isn’t my Air-Fried Chicken Crispy?

If your chicken wings are not crispy, they may be overcrowded in the air fryer basket. It’s always better to cook in smaller batches to avoid them overlapping each other. The chicken will not crisp on the areas that are covered.

Print

Air Fryer Chicken Wings at 400 degrees

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, BBQ

Keyword air fryer, Chicken Wings

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Author Jenna Hansen

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 1 dozen chicken wings
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder optional

Wing Sauce

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/8 cup franks hot sauce
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/8 cup honey
• 1 tbsp Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing optional

Instructions

• In a bowl mix together the chicken wings, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (optional).
• Place the chicken wings in the air fryer basket and air fry on 400 for 20 minutes.
• Make sure to check on the chicken every 5 minutes and shake them around to allow the chicken to move and crisp on all sides.
• While the chicken is cooking, place all the wing sauce ingredients (butter, ketchup, hot sauce, sugar, and honey) into a small saucepan and heat through on medium to med-low heat. Once the sauce starts to bubble turn off the heat a set aside.
• When the chicken wings are fully cooked, place them in a new clean bowl and drizzle the wing sauce over top.
• You can save a bit of the sauce to place on the side to dip the chicken wings into. You can also serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3g

The post How Long to Air Fry Chicken Wings at 400 / Tips and Tricks appeared first on Own The Grill.

Having to grill before can also be inconvenient because it means your food won’t be kept warm and fresh. Having a pontoon boat grill is a great way to grill while on the go. Pontoon boat grills though need to have certain qualities that make them easy and efficient to use while out on the water.

Use this guide to see the features you have to look for when searching for a pontoon grill. We will also review our top choices to help you choose the best one!

Best Grills for Pontoon Boats

Blaze Professional LUX Marine Grade Portable Grill

Blaze Professional LUX Marine Grade Portable Propane Gas Grill

• 316L stainless steel exterior for higher resistance to saltwater corrosion
• Same push and turn flame-thrower ignition as Blaze built-in and freestanding grills
• Two front-facing clasps for locking the lid in place during storage or transport

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You’ll see a few of the grills on this list are Blaze brand. They make some of the best grills for boating and being out on the open water. They are known for offering the perfect balance between cost and quality.

This means you get an amazing grill at a price that you can afford and enjoy. If you already own a Blaze grill, you know how functional and budget-friendly they can be. You can always upgrade to one of the higher dollar ones though if you want. This way, you can have more features and all the bells and whistles.

If you own a Blaze grill for your home or backyard, you probably know the amazing features and qualities they have. The LUX Marine Grade grill has many of the same great qualities, but it’s built offshore.

It’s built with 316L stainless steel that won’t rust or damage when exposed to saltwater or freshwater. It has a 12-gauge stainless steel flame tamer and a 12,000 BTU cast stainless steel H burner.

The cooking rods are also stainless steel with a 12mm hexagon shape. All of these features allow you to reach extremely high searing heat while still riding along safely in the water. You get 201 square inches of cooking space. This should be more than enough when cooking for the entire family or a large group of friends.

The push and flame ignition are reliable and safe. It’s sure to ignite every time, so you don’t have to worry about getting into the open water and having a grill that won’t start. When you aren’t using the grill, you can clasp it shut with the front-facing clasps.

For fueling the grill, you can use a 1-pound propane cylinder or a 20-pound tank with the included tank adapter.

Magma Marine Newport II Infrared Gas Grill

Magma Products Newport 2 Infrared Gas Grill

With marine grade stainless steel, this grill is an ideal on-the-go choice that can grill on a tabletop or even be mounted to a boat.

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Most Magma grills are specifically designed for marine outings and water activities. This makes their grills one of the top choices when trying to pick the best grill to bring out on the pontoon boat.

The construction is completely stainless steel, so you never have to worry about them getting rusted. The features are extremely functional and give you everything you need to grill out on the open water. Some of their grills are more budget-friendly than others. It just depends on the features you want.

The Newport II has many similarities to the Magma Marine Chefs Mate but has some upgraded qualities that are worth mentioning. It also has a lockable lid and fold-away trays like the Chefs Mate.  Also, it is an infrared grill that utilizes infrared grilling technology.

It comes with several infrared radiant screens that are combined with a stainless-steel dual-element infrared radiant plate. This allows you to have intense heat perfect for searing and grilling. The stainless-steel grill grates are 9×18 inches, so you have plenty of space to grill and keep food warm. The ultra-high temperature glass viewing window is also perfect for keeping an eye on your food.

Overall, this is a great basic grill that gives you all the grilling features you need from the comfort of your own boat. You can use a single-pound propane canister just like most other boat grills.

Magma Marine Monterey II Infrared Gas Grill

Magma Marine Monterey II Infrared Gas Grill

• 18-8 stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance
• 420 sq. in. total cooking surface area
• Integrated fold-away legs ideal for on-shore use
• Even heat distribution and reduced flare-ups with infrared radiant screens

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This Magma Marine Monterey II is a little pricier compared to the other pontoon boat grills on our list, but it’s well worth having the extra features if you think you will use them. It’s built to last with 304 18-8 polished stainless steel with marine-grade qualities.

It provides more stability and performance than the other Magma grills with infrared radiant screens combined with dual-element infrared radiant plates. This allows the grill to produce intense heat that can vaporize drippings. You can sear, slow cook, or just warm up some side dishes on this grill.

The grill is 12 x 24 inches and the warming rack is 5.5 x 24 inches. You can see all the food you’re cooking through the window which makes grilling and cooking that much easier. Easily keep an eye on your food without having to open the lid and lose heat while out on the water is an awesome grill quality.

You can purchase a single mount to go with it or get a heavy-duty double mount. The anti-blow-out burner design is perfect for boating on windy days. Some additional features that make this grill fantastic for bringing it out on the pontoon boat are the lockable front-access grease tray, swiveling control valve, and the simple and safe canister exchange.

Magma Marine Catalina II Infrared Gas Grill

Magma Marine Catalina II Infrared Gas Grill

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Another great multi-functional grill from Magma. It has a stainless-steel interior and exterior which makes it extremely rust and corrosion-resistant. The anti-blow burn-out feature will ensure you still get a flame perfect for grilling even if you are having a windy day on the water.

You can sear, slow cook, or warm sides on this 12 x 18-inch grill grate. The secondary warming rack is also highly functional and measures 5.5 x 18 inches. It has a hermetically-sealed thermometer and a stainless steel viewing window perfect for keeping an eye on your food when you need to.

The ignition is pushed to start and is extremely reliable. All you need for this grill is a one-pound propane canister and a single AAA battery.

Magma Marine Cabo Gas Grill

Magma Marine Cabo Propane Gas Grill

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The Magma Marine Cabo Gas grill has amazing quality and performance at an economical price. It’s made from 304 18-8 mirrors polished stainless steel which keeps it safe from rust and corrosion.

The snap-out radiant plate is easy to clean and also gives you extremely even heat distribution. This means everything you are grilling will be able to reach the same perfect temperature at the same time. No more worrying about some items being done before others.

The lid is fully lockable and has a tight latch. It also has foldable legs and a locking grease tray. This makes it extremely easy to load onto the boat and bring the grill along for your summer water fun.

Unlike other Magma Marine grills, this one also has an anti-blowout burner design. If you happen to encounter a ton of wind while out on the water, you won’t have to worry about the flame going out.

The grates are only 9×18 inches, so you can easily fit them into the sink or dishwasher when you get back home. This makes cleaning up extremely easy. The single mount is sold separately, but it is worth the extra money. It will ensure the grill is stable on the boat and you won’t have to worry about anything falling.

Magma Marine ChefsMate Gas Grill

Magma Marine ChefsMate Gas Grill

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If you are looking for a pontoon grill while on a budget, the Magma Marine Chefs Mate will be a good choice for you. It comes at a low price but still with all the features you need to have a safe and easy grilling experience while out on the water.

This grill is one of the easiest in terms of portability because it has fold-away legs and a lockable lid. You can easily load it onto the boat from your car or the dock. It’s constructed with 304, 18-8 stainless steel. This is some of the most top-graded steel when it comes to being rust and corrosion-resistant.

The sectional grill grates are 9×18 inches and are completely removable. This makes them extremely easy to clean. The locking front access grease tray is perfect for traveling and ensuring you don’t get any grease stains on your boat.

The grill is sold as a single or double mount spending on your needs. You only need a standard 1-pound propane canister as well, which makes it even easier to move around with. The radiant plate is snap-out which allows you to give you extremely high temperatures. The superior high heat allows you to sear things easily on your boat.

Solaire Anywhere Marine Grade Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill

Solaire Anywhere Marine Grade Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill

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Solaire grills are known for their tough structure solid performance. People who get Solaire grills say they last for years and years to come. You can be sure that their marine-grade grills are no different. They have intense heat structures allowing you to easily and efficiently grill your meat or veggies.

The high heat found in all their grills gives you a superior burner and makes grilling while out on the water easier than ever before.

Check out the details of this top-rated marine graded grill from Solaire.

If you own a Solaire grill for your background, you will find many of the features on this marine grill the same. This makes it easy to use because you will already know the ins and outs. It has the same push-button ignition as the built-in and freestanding grills made by Solaire.

The carry bag makes it great for bringing it onto the boat and putting it in the car if you happen to be taking it somewhere else. It comes with 316 marine-grade stainless steel and 14,000 BTU infrared burners. They can easily be screwed and unscrewed for better cleaning.

The 140 square inches of cooking surface give you enough space to grill for everyone coming out onto the boat with you. The stainless-steel V shape is perfect for catching drippings and enhancing the flavor. It will also reduce flare-ups.

The total weight is less than 20 pounds which means you can easily bring the grill wherever you want.

Best Pontoon Boat Grill – Final Thoughts

Finding a marine graded grill for your boating and pontoon needs is important. Getting the wrong grill could be very inefficient and even dangerous. Choosing a grill from Blaze, Magma, or Solaire will ensure you are getting a good brand.

Many of the grills listed in this review are also budget-friendly and won’t break your wallet. They are also spacious enough to grill for a large family or group of friends

The post Best Pontoon Boat Grill – Top Choices For On The Water Grilling appeared first on Own The Grill.

The hallmark of infrared grills are grills that utilize infrared technology – which heats your food with infrared waves as opposed to traditional grills, which use burners to heat air, which in turn heats your food.

Because of this, the infrared heat can’t actually touch the grates of your grill – so heat radiates and is distributed evenly throughout the cooker.

In this post, we’ll highlight the best infrared grills on the market today. We’ll also touch on some buying tips, things to look for, and infrared grill’s pros and cons to assist you in your research.

Infrared Grill or “Infrared Grill”?

Before we begin, it’s important to note that not all infrared grills are created equal.

A true, proper infrared grill is a cooker where at least one of the main burners utilize infrared technology.

A common feature amongst higher end gas grills – they’ll have a rear infrared burner that pairs with a rotisserie kit. These grills may be marketed as “infrared grills” – which is technically true – but the main burners cook with traditional heat, not infrared burners.

One of these configurations is not necessarily better than the other, it’s just important to be aware that not all brands mean the same thing when they use the term.

We’ll do our best to point this out as we go through our list of the top grills that feature infrared cooking technology.

Top Infrared Grills – Our Picks

TEC Sterling Patio 2FR Infrared Grill

TEC Patio 2 FR Infrared Grill On Stainless Steel Pedestal with Two Side Shelves and Full Warming Rack (PFR2NTCABS-PFR2WR39), Natural Gas

The Sterling Patio 2FR is TEC's most popular chocie - TEC invented infrared grilling over 40 years ago and to this day make some of the best infrared grills on the market.

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When it comes to all around quality and performance, it’s hard to dispute that the TEC Sterling Patio 2FR infrared grill isn’t one of the absolute best infrared grills on the market.  The main downside of this grill is that it’s quite expensive – but if you have the coin you’re handsomely rewarded with a commercial grade grill.

The other thing is that all of the burners on this grill are infrared burners – unlike many other grills that only feature one or a couple of infrared burners while the others are traditional.

TEC actually invented infrared grilling over 40 years ago – and they have remained at the forefront of innovation ever since.  All of their grills are proudly made in the USA with a high level of craftsmanship.

These grill are powered by powerful burners – their flagship grill is 44 inches wide on the cooking surface with 592 square inches of cooking surface area, but only has 2 burners.  Many other grill brands would have 3 or maybe 4 burners powering a grill this size.  Even though there are only 2 here, the burners can get up to a scorching 900ºF.

TEC offers a ton of accessories to elevate this grill too – they have a smoke rack that essentially turns your grill to a smoker, a pizza rack, a fry pan, and much more.

Their grills come in 1 burner and 2 burner options, and each comes in a built-in or freestanding configuration.  So no matter what your ambitions are for your outdoor kitchen, odds are they have a grill that will fit in.

If you’re interested in a deep dive, check out our TEC Grill Review resource next!

Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 Propane Gas Grill

Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Infrared Gas Grill

Elite performance and features galore is the name of the game with Napoleon's flagship Prestige Pro 500 Gas Grill.

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The Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 Grill is an all-around beast, there’s really no other way to put it.  You can do absolutely anything with this grill, and if we were strictly talking about performance – it’s hard to beat.

The only downside of this grill is that it’s pretty expensive.  At Own the Grill, we try our best to take bang for your buck into account.  You won’t be disappointed at all if you purchase this grill, but we also recognize that it might be outside of some budgets.

With that said, let’s get into the features of this bad boy.  There are 4 stainless steel main burners that can crank out an impressive 48,000 BTU’s across 500 square inches of primary cooking surface.  There’s also a 260 square inch swing away rack that you can use for keeping food warm.

That’s impressive, but where this grill really shines is in its secondary cooking areas.  First, it features a 140 square inch infrared side zone sizzle burner that can heat up to 1,800(!!) degrees and is perfect for searing a steak or making a sauce.

Second, and this one is my personal favorite, there’s a rotisserie infrared rear burner that’s designed to let you cook perfect rotisserie food.  I don’t know if you’ve ever cooked your own rotisserie chicken before, but it’s spectacular.

You can also use the rotisserie basket for chicken wings and other similar styles of food.  And the infrared technology will ensure that you get a perfectly even cook every time.  A heavy-duty rotisserie kit is included with every purchase.

It also comes will all of the basic features you’d expect from a quality infrared grill.  There’s a built-in thermometer gauge, a quick ignition button, and plenty of cabinet storage space for your grill accessories.

We have experience with the next size up of this grill, so be sure to check out our review if you want to learn more about the Prestige Pro series at Napoleon.

Pros:

• 48,000 BTU’s heat and 500 square inches of primary cooking.
• Swing away warming rack and infrared side burner.
• Infrared rotisserie rear burner adds ultimate versatility.
• Stainless steel, durable design.
• Lots of extra working and storage space.

Cons:

• It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Saber Deluxe 500 3 Burner Infrared Gas Grill

Saber Deluxe Stainless 500 Infrared Propane Gas Grill

Saber grills utilize patented infrared cooking systems which allow you to cook up juicier and more flavorful meals than systems that use dry convection air.

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The Saber Deluxe 500 is definitely on the more expensive side of the spectrum, but if you have the coin you’re handsomely rewarded with a top of the line infrared grill.  There really isn’t much that you can’t accomplish on this grill.

It also comes equipped with a 10,000 BTU side burner that can be utilized to whip up a side sauce or sauté healthy veggies on the grill while the main course cooks on the primary grate.

The entire unit is constructed of high quality 304 stainless steel – so if you care for your grill properly you can expect this thing to last you for years and years.

One really cool feature of this grill is that it actually has three separate grate level temperature gauges built in to it.  This essentially means that you can set up multiple temperature zones and know exactly just how hot each section of your grill is – which is extremely valuable information to have handy.

Pros:

• 500 square inch primary cooking area.
• 3 grate level temperature gauges
• 304 stainless steel construction throughout
• Rotisserie kit, side shelves, tool holders, and towel bar add to versatility
• Heavy duty locking wheel casters

Cons:

• This grill is expensive

Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Metallic Gray

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If you’re looking on a smaller budget, Char-Broil also makes a cart style gas infrared grill that won’t break the bank.  It’s made of a stylish stainless steel and is built to last for years and years.

The grill obviously features infrared technology, which prevents flare ups and ensures extremely consistent temperatures across the entire cooking surface.  The even heat distribution also helps your food lock in delicious juices as it cooks.

With the Signature TRU-Infrared 3 Burner grill, you’re treated to 450 square inches of primary cooking space, which is more than enough to handle the needs of most cookouts.  Remember with the infrared technology, you’re getting even heat throughout that entire space.  There’s also a 150 square inch swing away warming rack to assist in your grilling.

Features wise, everything in the design of this grill is made with the grill master in mind.  An electronic ignition system allows quick and reliable ignitions at the push of a button.  There’s also a 10,000 BTU lidded side burner that’s great for sautéing veggies or keeping a sauce warm.

Pros:

• Traditional cabinet grill with infrared technology built in.
• 420 square inches of primary cooking area.
• 24,000 BTU’s of heat across 3 primary burners.
• Swing away warming rack and side burner add additional cooking space.
• Even heat throughout and no flare ups.
• Lid mounted temperature gauge.

Cons:

• Some assembly required, but it’s not too difficult.
• Great for back yard or patio, but not ideal for frequent transport.

Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared Gas Grill

Solaire Everywhere Portable Infrared Gas Grill

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Solaire is a lesser known brand in the world of grilling, but don’t let that scare you off.  They actually specialize in infrared grills though, so if you go with one of their products you are in good hands.

What we like most about their SOL-EV17A model is that it’s by far the most portable infrared grill on the market today.  The entire unit weighs only 15 pounds and is 20 inches wide, so it’s the perfect grill for space savers or if you are buying for camping trips or tailgating.

Now obviously, you sacrifice a little bit of cooking space to be able to have a grill that’s so portable.  This model only has 140 square inches of primary cooking area, which is definitely less than some of the other options on this list.

That’s enough space to grill up to 6 burgers at once though, so if you’re rarely going to need more space than that, there’s no reason that this grill can’t be a great fit for you.

In addition to infrared technology, this grill is kitted with unique v shaped grates that help to enhance flavor and lock in juices to your burgers, steaks, and other cuts of meat.  These features also virtually eliminate flare ups.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight and portable
• Perfect for camping, vacations, and tailgating.
• 14,000 BTU’s of heat.
• Slim profile is rare for a grill with this much power.
• V shape grate and infrared technology combine for even cooking.
• Assembly takes about 2 minutes.

Cons:

• Only 140 square inches primary cooking space.
• No grease management system or easy clean system.

Magma Products Newport 2 Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill

Magma Products Newport 2 Infrared Gas Grill

With marine grade stainless steel, this grill is an ideal on-the-go choice that can grill on a tabletop or even be mounted to a boat.

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The Magma A10-918-2GS Newport 2 is a professional grade option if you’re looking for the best infrared grill.  From an all-around perspective, it does everything you need it to and the polished stainless-steel finish makes it one of the most aesthetically beautiful infrared grills on this list.

The unit is constructed of 100% 18-9 marine grade mirror polished stainless steel and has a built-in thermometer gauge.  As far as portable infrared grills go, it’s got a respectable 162 square inches of primary cooking space.

In addition, the Newport 2 features a removable, front access grease tray to help with cleanup.  This is a great thing to have and isn’t always included with many portable grills.  The legs are foldable and the unit uses standard 1 pound propane tanks to make transportation as easy as possible.

Another neat feature – this grill is actually designed to be mounted on a boat with a separate mounting kit.  So if you happen to be looking for a boat grill, this one is a great choice.

You can also buy a serving shelf that’s sold separately which will can effectively double your workspace.  All things considered, this is a great choice and one of the best infrared grills.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight and portable
• Aesthetically beautiful polished stainless steel finish.
• Super convenient serving shelf is a great accessory.
• Foldable legs and 1 pound propane tank input.
• 163 square inches of primary cooking space.
• Grease management tray accessed from the front of the unit.

Cons:

• Serving shelf is sold separately.

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill

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Char-Broil has been making grills for over 70 years, and you don’t stick around that long without making spectacular products.  The Char-Broil Big Easy TRU-Infrared Grill gets our vote for the best infrared grill due to its versatility, outstanding features, and reasonable price.  It’s a perfect option for turkey, ribs, roast, or any other cuts of meat you enjoy grilling.

The Big Easy lets you grill, smoke, and roast all in one unit thanks to a 180 square inch grilling surface which removes to reveal a roasting basket which fits large cuts of meat – up to 21 pounds.  This can be a great option to roast a Thanksgiving turkey!

Additionally, a side mounted smoker box opens up from the outside of the unit.  This lets you add wood chips easily during your cook without having to mess with the lid.  It’s super nice to be able to add that delicious smoky flavor without the hassle of building a fire in a charcoal grill.

The Big Easy also couldn’t be easier to use.  It weighs less than 23 pounds and features handles on either side, which makes transporting the unit a breeze.  All you need to do to get cooking is connect a propane tank, then turn two knobs to light the flame.  There’s also a removable grease tray to help with cleanup.

The temperature range goes from 9,000 BTU’s to 18,000 BTU’s, which is a great range for both low and slow cooking along with hotter temperatures needed to sear a steak.  As you’d expect from the best infrared grill, the Big Easy has no flare ups, cooks food perfectly evenly, and locks in an incredible amount of juiciness on every cut of meat.

Pros:

• Versatile with the ability to be a smoker and grill combo.
• Very light and easy to transport.
• Temperature range from 9,000 to 18,000 BTU’s.
• 180 square inches of cooking area plus roasting basket.
• Even heat throughout and no flare ups.
• Great option for tailgating or camping.

Cons:

• Some assembly required, but it’s not too difficult.
• A few customers have had issues with the quality of the smoke box handle.

Char-Broil TRU Infrared Patio Bistro Electric Grill

Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Electric Grill

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If gas grills aren’t your thing, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro is an electric grill alternative that still features the infrared technology you are looking for.  It has a respectable 240 square inch primary cooking area (enough for about 10 burgers) with an 80 square inch warming rack to boot.

As with most Char-Broil grills, it has porcelain-coated cast iron grates that are easy to clean and have anti rust qualities.  Operation wise, it’s super easy to use since it’s an electric grill.  All you have to do is plug it into an outlet and you are ready to go.

For how big the unit is, there’s actually quite a bit of storage and shelf space, which makes prep and organization much easier.  There’s also a cord management system built in and an easy to remove grease tray for easy clean up.

You really couldn’t ask for a more simple, easy to use grill than this one.  It’s a great option for beginners or anybody who doesn’t want to mess with gas or charcoal grills.

Pros:

• Good price point for budget shoppers.
• Electric grills can be great for people who don’t want to deal with gas or charcoal.
• Lots of shelf space.
• 240 square inches of primary cooking space.
• Grease management tray is easy to remove.

Cons:

• Decidedly less horsepower than the other grills on this list.
• Electric grills result in different flavor profiles vs gas or charcoal grills.

Infrared Grill Pros and Cons

We’ve touched on specific pros and cons for individual grills on our best infrared grill list, but we want to take a moment to talk about the good and bad things about infrared grills as a product class.  Here’s a look at infrared grill pros and cons:

Infrared Grill Pros

Uniform Heat: most notably, infrared grills will create an environment where heat is distributed uniformly throughout the grill.  This is a really nice feature, because you can cook with the confidence that your food is being cooked evenly.  This virtually eliminates the possibility of cold spots on your food.

Uniform heat also helps to lock in juiciness in your food.  With non-infrared grills, you run the risk of the air around your food being inconsistent.  Infrared grills perfectly crisp the outside of your food to keep all of that delicious juice in.

Reduced Flare Ups: Especially for beginners, flare ups and flame management can be a difficult thing to stay in control of.  Even for more experienced grillers, flare ups can easily happen if you get distracted during your cook.  In that regard, infrared grills are safer because the technology ensures that the flames never reach the grates and get out of control.

Quick Heat Up:  On average, infrared grills heat up much faster than charcoal or gas grills, which is in part due to the uniform heat distribution.  Quick heat up means you can spend less time waiting around and get to searing or cooking your meat faster!

Great for Outdoors:  One of the best infrared grill attributes is that they are largely unaffected by wind and gusty weather.  On a charcoal or gas grill, a windy day can seriously damper your outing and slow down the heating process of your grill.  That’s not a worry with infrared grills, as the technology creates a cooking environment that is not affected by wind.

Because of this, we think infrared grills are the most reliable class of grill for camping, tailgating, and any other outdoor setting where you are traveling with a grill.

Safety:  We’ve touched on elements of safety a little bit, but it’s important to reiterate that infrared grills are one of the most safe ways to cook your food.  Infrared grills do use electromagnetic energy, but it’s in such low levels that there is absolutely no risk associated health wise with using an infrared grill.

Infrared Grill Cons

Generally Best for Meat:  This might not be necessarily a con for you, but since infrared grills run so hot and heat up so quick, it’s a lot easier to cook meat on them.  If you aren’t careful, things like fish or veggies can get burnt or over cooked really quickly.  That’s not to say you can’t use an infrared grill for foods like this, but it takes a little practice and a lot of focus to get it down.

Quality of Build:  Frankly, there aren’t a whole lot of quality infrared grills out there at an entry level price point.  Most of the quality infrared grills out there have a four figure price tag on them.

I don’t know why that is, but you just have to be careful that you don’t buy something that is underpowered, cheaply made, or difficult to clean.  Do your research and make sure you buy from a reputable brand.

Of course, we think that this list of our picks for the best infrared grill is a great starting point for your search!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Infrared Grills So Expensive?

Simply put, proper infrared burners require superior materials and design compared to a traditional gas burner. These come at a cost, and the cost is ultimately reflected in the price of the end grill product.

Are Infrared Grills Better Than Regular Gas Grills?

You know, this is a tricky question to answer. The truth is that while infrared grills have many advantages, they also have several disadvantages too…

The pros are as follows. They provide a uniform distribution of heat, there’s reduced flare-ups, they heat up quickly, they’re great for the outdoors, unaffected by wind, and they’re also one of the safest ways to cook.

But on the other hand, there are the cons. The top quality grills are rarely available at a good price point. And while infrared grills are often great for grilling meats, it can be a little too easy to burn veggies on an infrared grill.

Can You Convert an Infrared Grill to Regular?

It certainly is possible to convert your infrared grill to a regular gas grill if you wanted to…

You would have to remove the infrared grill emitter plates, and replace them with stainless steel grill plates that are of the same size as the infrared grill plates were. Then, to make it into a regular gas grill, all you would need to do is to supply the gas, and it becomes a standard grill.

There is a clear drawback to doing this, however. The converted grill will only cook meat on its far side, since the heat will be mostly on the far side only.

So, the real question is why would you want to convert your infrared grill to a regular grill in the first place? Infrared grills have a number of benefits over a regular grill.

They provide a uniform distribution of heat, there’s reduced flare-ups, they heat up quickly, they’re great for the outdoors, unaffected by wind, and they’re also one of the safest ways to cook.

Can You Slow Cook on an Infrared Grill?

We are pleased to confirm that it is, in fact, true. In addition to being able to sear meat at really high temperatures, infrared grills are also versatile enough for low and slow cooking too.

This is because they offer oven-like temperature control, with temperatures as low as 100 degrees Fahrenheit at the lower end of the spectrum. While the typical temperatures for low and slow cooking are between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Of course, some cuts of meat lend themselves better to low and slow cooking than others. Be sure to go online to find tips on how to cook your meats low and slow on your infrared grill before you start. And be sure to come to https://ownthegrill.com/ first.

Are Infrared Grills Hard to Clean?

We’re pleased to report that infrared grills are not hard to clean. The basics for cleaning an infrared grill are pretty much the same as for a regular grill…

First off, if there’s a drip tray, you should clean this out after every use.

You should always wait until the grill is completely cool before handling it for cleaning purposes. When ready, you can remove the grill grate to clean it…

If the grill gate is of a metal construction, all you need to do is use a wire brush to remove any debris that remains from your cooking. If however the grill grate is coated with porcelain, as they often are, then a soft brush is best, and a stiff brush won’t be required.

We recommend that you clean your infrared grill out about once every 6 months or so. At the same time, you should check your infrared grill for signs of wear, and especially look out for damage to the heating element.

How Do You Cook a Steak on an Infrared Grill?

How you cook steak on an infrared grill depends very much on how you like your steak. But, here we will provide some general instructions…

First preheat the grill to between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and meanwhile season your steaks to taste. Once the grill has preheated for at least 10 minutes, it’s time to sear the steaks. Just 60 seconds on each side should cover it.

Then you should use indirect heat to gently cook the insides of the steaks, by moving them further away from the main grilling area. You can do this for anywhere between 5 and 25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steaks used and how you like your steak cooked.

And remember to let the steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before serving up.

Is Infrared Cooking Healthy?

It’s true that infrared heat is a type of radiation, and there are some that claim that this infrared heat penetrates and agitates food molecules within your food…

However, infrared grills simply do not have enough power to alter or denature the protein on foods, thus we can confirm that infrared grills are perfectly safe to cook with and will not endanger your health.

It is generally the oil that you put on the food to cook it that most strongly affects how healthy the food that you grill is for you.

Can You Cook Vegetables on an Infrared Grill?

We’re pleased to report that infrared grills are not just for grilling meat, and that you can also grill vegetables there, too. And this is a great way of improving the healthiness of the meals that you grill, since vegetables offer quite a lot in the way of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

The best way to grill vegetables on an infrared grill is to set the grill to a medium to high heat and lightly spray the vegetables with olive oil before adding them to the grill. This really adds to the flavor and promotes sear marks, and it also keeps them from drying out and sticking to the grill.

Smaller vegetables such as mushrooms can be grilled whole, while larger vegetables will need to be sliced first, or cut into wedges. To tell if your vegetables are cooked, simply pierce them with some cutlery. If it slides in easily, then you know your veggies are sufficiently cooked.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list of the best infrared grills proves to be beneficial to you in your search.  Infrared grills are a fantastic cooker for lots of people compared to other grill types – most importantly, you can make some incredibly delicious food using one.

Which one did you end up with?  Tell us about it in the comments section below.

The post Best Infrared Grills – Our Top Choices and Buyer’s Guide appeared first on Own The Grill.

Hand crafting your own pizza at home is a great way to make delicious food and memories with your family and friends.  There isn’t a better way to run a make your own pizza night than with your own outdoor pizza oven.

In this post, we’ve pulled together our picks for the best outdoor pizza oven, so you can have the research all in one place!  After some product reviews, we’ll get into buying tips and what to look for when shopping for the right fit for your home.

Best Outdoor Pizza Oven Reviews

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni's flagship portable outdoor pizza oven is fueled by propane and can heat to a whopping 900ºF in less than 15 minutes.

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Ooni is one of the premier names when it comes to outdoor pizza ovens, and the Ooni Koda 16 Outdoor Pizza Oven is their flagship portable outdoor oven.

Fueled by a 20 lb propane gas tank, it can heat up to over 900 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 15 minutes, with the pizza stone capable of being heated to around 750 degrees.  From there, it can crank out Neapolitan style pizzas is as little as 60 seconds.

This oven comes in a second size that’s a little bit smaller, the Ooni Koda 12.

Set up and use of this oven also couldn’t be easier.  It’s basically ready to go out of the box, and thanks to a slim profile it’s easy to handle while being sturdy at the same time.  At under 30 pounds, it’s perfect for outdoor cooking or for taking on the go.

The shell is insulated steel, which is what makes the oven capable of reaching such high temperatures.  Foldable, yet sturdy legs anchor the oven on whichever flat surface you choose to cook on outdoors.

I would add that with this outdoor pizza oven probably more than others, you have to pay close attention while cooking since the heat gets so high!  If you stop paying attention, that delicious golden crust can quickly burn.

Check out our post on Ooni vs Napoli Pizza Ovens if you want to see how these ovens stack up to other popular brands.

Things We Like:

• Great price point for the level of performance.
• The oven can get up to 930 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes.
• Capable of making Neapolitan style pizzas in as little as 60 seconds.
• Adjustable valves let you have complete control over temperature.
• Insulated steel shell does a fantastic job with heat retention.

Things We Don’t:

• The opening is a tiny bit narrower than we’d like, it’s not a deal breaker but it can take a few tries before mastering how to perfectly navigate your pizza cook!

CBO 750 Countertop Wood Fired Pizza Oven

Chicago Brick Oven 750 Countertop Wood Fired Pizza Oven

• Cooks two 12" pizzas at once
• Certified for indoor and outdoor use
• Commercial grade refractory cement interior can hold heat in excess of 1000ºF

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If you are in the market for a commercial grade, high end outdoor pizza oven, the Chicago Brick Oven 750 Countertop pizza oven is an excellent choice.

It’s big enough to accommodate two 12″ pizzas at once, and potentially three smaller pies at the same time. The hearth cooking surface measures 38″ x 28″.

On the temperature front, this oven can get up to a whopping 1,000ºF thanks to a commercial grade refractory cement shell – so you can easily cook a pizza in less than a minute.

The shell is designed with Chicago Brick Oven’s FlameRoll technology, which ensures even temperatures throughout the oven while you cook.

It’s important to point out that this specific unit is a wood fired pizza oven, although a similar product is available that is both a gas and wood fired hybrid pizza oven.

Ooni Karu 16 Pizza Oven

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven

• Operates with both wood fired and gas fired heat
• Reaches 950ºF in only 15 minutes
• Hinged oven door with viewing window

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The Ooni Karu 16 is king when it comes to portable multi-fuel pizza ovens.  The base unit is ready to use for wood fired pizzas, but you can also add on a gas attachment that lets you easily switch back and forth between wood and gas fired pizza.

This really is a great feature when you consider the differences between the two fuel types.  Wood fire means you get access to that authentic, delicious, hint of smoke flavor on your pizza.  Gas sacrifices a little bit of flavor in exchange for ultimate convenience and no clean up.  Sometimes it’s nice to be able to switch between both.

As with other Ooni ovens, the Karu can get up to 950ºF in just 15 minutes, which is hot enough to cook a pizza in about a minute.

A new feature with the Karu 16 is the hinged oven door that includes a viewing window.  Doors are nice because they keep uniform heat inside the cooker, but the problem is that with most doors you can’t see inside to determine whether or not you pizza is done cooking.

That’s not a worry with the Karu 16 as you get the best of both worlds – heat stays inside and you can visually monitor your pizza while it cooks through the viewing window.

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven

Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven

• Great price to quality ratio
• Heats up to 700ºF in about 15 minutes

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Camp Chef is a very well known and reputable brand in the world of cooking.  They also happen to make one of the best outdoor pizza ovens with their Camp Chef Italia Artisan Pizza Oven.  What I especially love about this product is that it comes at an extremely reasonable price for how high quality it is – you can make some spectacular artisan pizza with this unit.

The ceiling is double layered, which makes the oven cook like a brick oven with enhanced heating dynamics.  Stainless steel is the primary material used for construction, which heats up well and is super easy to clean after you’re done cooking.

Oven temperatures can reach up to 700 degrees, so it can handle any of your pizza firing needs.  A valve control and micro adjust system is built in so you have complete control over how hot you want to go when cooking.

The unit is also well ventilated and features a ceramic pizza stone which helps to distribute heat evenly across your pizza.

Read our full review of the Camp Chef Pizza Oven here if you would like a more detailed look at this cooker!

Things We Like:

• Great price point considering performance, features, and quality.
• The oven can get up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes.
• Good ventilation and double layered construction to emulate a brick oven.
• Micro adjust valves let you have complete control over temperature.
• Fueled by a standard propane connection to a 5 lb tank.

Things We Don’t:

• At 47 pounds, it’s a little bit of a hassle to move around.

Roccbox Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

ROCCBOX Gozney Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Heats as high as 950ºF
• Unique rolling flame flow creates incredibly even heat
• Silicone outer body skin reduces danger of burns

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The Roccbox Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven is about as premium as it gets.  To be transparent about it up front, this is the most expensive product on our list, and is most definitely an option for those that have a little more of a budget.

The thing that makes the Roccbox stand out the most to me is that it’s designed with safety in mind.  We are talking about temperatures nearing 1,000 degrees when we talk about pizza ovens, and the thought of a curious kid touching the shell of a pizza oven keeps me up at night.

Roccbox by far has the safest design.  Their unit’s body insulation and outer silicone skin greatly reduce the danger of skin burns that come into play on other pizza ovens (you still should try to avoid touching the outer shell as a good practice).

Beyond that, the Roccbox is built as a turn-key portable outdoor pizza oven.  An inbuilt thermometer, retractable legs and detachable dual-fuel burners make it easy to transport and set up – all you have to to is flip the switch to begin cooking.

All in all, it’s a fantastic product, and if the price is in your wheelhouse you most definitely won’t be disappointed.  Note that we’ve done a deep dive comparison of Roccbox vs Ooni pizza ovens for a closer look at these brands!

Things We Like:

• Safety first.  The body insulation and outer silicone skin greatly reduces the danger of skin burn.
• 60 second Neapolitan pizza results are achievable with temperatures reaching 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
• General ease of use.  The design is intuitive and ready to go right out of the box.
• Choose between gas or wood as your fire’s fuel.
• Detachable fuel burners and retractable legs make the Roccbox incredibly easy to store and transport.

Things We Don’t:

• Price.  There’s no way around it, it’s an expensive oven.  But many who have bought are still quite pleased, despite the high price tag.

Ooni Pro Outdoor Pizza Oven

Ooni Pro Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven

• Multiple fuel options (wood or charcoal ready out of the box, can also use gas with a separate attachment)
• Reaches 950ºF in under 20 minutes
• Can cook a 16" pizza in 60 seconds

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Ooni takes the second spot on our list too, because their Ooni Pro Outdoor Pizza Oven is an exceptional pizza cooker too – it’s just a little more expensive than some of our other picks.

As the old saying goes though, you get what you pay for.  Just because the Ooni Pro is more expensive than products doesn’t mean you still aren’t getting great value.

It’s similar to the other Ooni ovens in that it heats up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit and can cook delicious pizza in less than 60 seconds.

The Pro version begins to separate itself with an extra 3 inches of opening, meaning you can cook a 16 inch pizza.  While that might not sound like a lot, there’s actually a pretty big difference in surface area between a 13 inch pizza and a 16 inch pizza.

Size isn’t the only consideration though.  What makes the Ooni Pro truly special is its versatility.  If you’re looking for an easy set up, you can fuel your pizza oven with a propane connection.  If you want a little more flavor and have the time, you can fuel your fire with charcoal, wood, or wood pellets.  All in the same unit.

Check out our Ooni Pro pizza oven review for a more detailed look at this cooker.

Things We Like:

• All components and the general design is extremely well made.
• Versatility.  With the Ooni Pro, you can take the easy route and use gas for fuel, or you can go the flavorful route and use charcoal, wood, or wood pellets.
• Temperature cranks to up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit.  60 seconds is all it takes for delicious cooked pizza.
• Custom made cordierite stone baking board is perfect for baking pizzas.

Things We Don’t:

• The price is higher than the other options on this list.  The value is still 100% there with this oven, but we recognize that the Ooni Pro might be out of budget – and you might find better bang for your buck elsewhere.
• At 67 pounds, it’s not really a portable grill.  It’s easy enough to move if you need to, but it’s probably better off remaining in place.

Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven

Bertello Outdoor Pizza Oven

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The Bertello Wood Fire and Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven checks all of the boxes that you want checked when it comes to a great cooker.  It’s compact, lightweight, and versatile.  Most notably, it offers the ability to fuel with charcoal, wood, or wood pellets for traditional flavor, or with propane gas for a more hands off approach.

Temperature wise, the Bertello can reach temperatures over 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  That’s more than enough to achieve quick and delicious results in less than 60 seconds.

The opening for pizzas is 12.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep, which is perfect for a personal sized pizza.  Also included as accessories with this oven are a cordierite pizza stone, wood chip/pellet scoop, and wood/charcoal/pellet tray to help make the experience as easy as possible.

Things We Like:

• Very reasonable price point relative to other ovens.
• The oven can get up over 900 degrees Fahrenheit – which lets you achieve delicious pizza in 60 seconds.
• Choose which fuel you use.  A gas input is more of a hands off approach.  If you want to maximize flavor, you can use wood, charcoal, or wood pellets as your fire’s fuel source.
• Under 30 pounds and has a compact frame, so it’s easy to take on the go or to stow when not in use.

Things We Don’t:

• Same as the Ooni Koda, the opening is ideal only for pizzas up to 13″.

Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

Pizzacraft Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

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When it comes to pizza ovens, you want a product that makes creating delicious pizza as easy and hassle free as possible.  That’s exactly what you get with the Pizzacraft PC6000 Pizzeria Pronto Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven.

Fueled by propane, there’s an easy ignite system built in that lets you get up and running in just minutes.  In fact, you can preheat this oven to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 10 minutes.  From there it only takes around 5 minutes to cook your pizza, and potentially less depending on the type and thickness of your crust.

A common frustration with pizza ovens is that if they aren’t designed properly, you could end up with a soggy center or uneven heating across the pizza.  Pizzacraft included specific design elements into the PC6000 to make these factors a non-issue.

First, the lid has a concave curve to reflect heat back onto the pizza.  In the center of the lid, there’s a vent which lets moisture escape during the cooking process, which is a HUGE help to avoid soggy results.

Second, a flat built in pizza stone heats evenly and distributes that heat across the entire pizza.  The stone does wonders in ensuring an even cook and helps your pizza get that delicious, crispy crust.

On top of all of this, it’s lightweight, has a small profile (it’s only 16 inches tall) and is quite safe to use.

Things We Like:

• Pizza stone perfectly distributes heat and helps to achieve a crispy crust.
• The unit heats quickly, it can get up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit in 10 minutes.
• Lid design includes a vent which helps to eliminate soggy results.
• Lightweight, portable design (only 26 pounds).  Incredibly easy to take on the go, or store when not in use.
• Fueled by a standard propane connection to a 20 lb tank.  You can also use a 1 lb tank with the included adaptor.

Things We Don’t:

• Some customers have reported inconsistent temperatures

BBQSTAR Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven

BBQSTAR Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven

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BBQSTAR is a relative newcomer to the pizza oven scene, but as it turns out their Outdoor Wood Fired Pizza Oven is one of the most affordable on the market.  It’s without a doubt one of the most price friendly options on this list for those shopping on a budget.

The BBQSTAR is fueled by either charcoal, wood pellets, or both.  It can achieve temperatures up to 900 degrees and has a compact design, weighing only 19 pounds.

The fire box on the back is an incredibly easy way to manage your pellets or charcoals, and the opening is capable of wood firing an 11 inch pizza.

Things We Like:

• The price is right.  If you’re shopping on a budget, you’d be hard pressed to find a better price point than this.
• Wood pellet or charcoal fuel means more flavor on your food.  Not ideal if you’d prefer the convenience of gas.
• You can achieve temperatures up to 900 degrees which is more than enough for home pizza.
• Weighs less than 20 pounds, so it’s very easy to move around.

Things We Don’t:

• Only cooks 11 inch pizzas.  That’s the smallest cooking stone by a fairly wide margin of all the choices on this list.
• With a newer product that lacks reviews, I worry about quality of build and how well it insulates.  It may be worth waiting to see if additional reviews pop up with comments on how well this oven retains heat.

Pizzacraft PizzaQue Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

Pizzacraft PC6500 PizzaQue Portable Outdoor Pizza Oven

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We wanted to include one more budget option on this list, the Pizzacraft PC6500 PizzaQue Portable.  At under $150, you really aren’t going to find a better price for a pizza oven.

Temperature wise, it maxes out around 700 degrees, which means you won’t be able to have 60 second pizzas like some of the other products on this list.  But if you have the extra patience, the PC6500 will cook delicious pizzas in 6 minutes or less.

It operates on a standard 20 lb gas tank, and has a 14 inch pizza stone which does a great job of distributing heat evenly.  At 25 pounds, it’s also a great choice to take on the go.

Things We Like:

• The cheapest price of any oven on this list.
• The 14″ pizza stone is actually quite wide, especially considering the price point.
• Pizza stone does a great job of evenly distributing heat.
• Weighs around pounds for easy transport.

Things We Don’t:

• Max temperature is only 700 degrees Fahrenheit, so the 60 second Neapolitan style pizza isn’t achievable.
• It’s not insulated, which might make heat retention and evenness when cooking difficult.

How to Choose the Best Outdoor Pizza Oven

Choosing the right product for you is a process.  I wanted to list out some helpful tips in this guide to be on the lookout for during your search!

Temperature Range

Most wood fire pizza recipes call for temperatures around 800 degrees or higher.  That’s also the temperature range where the coveted 60 second pizza becomes possible.  If time spent cooking isn’t a concern for you, this may not matter, but I will say from personal experience that the flow of a pizza making party with family or friends just goes a lot smoother when you can do a pizza in 60 seconds.

Many of the units on this list have a maximum temperature of 932 degrees Fahrenheit, but some top out in the 700 degree range.  Just be sure that the oven you end up with fits your needs in this regard!

Insulation

Insulation does wonders in the cooking process of your pizza.  We always recommend insulated pizza ovens to people, as the experience will just be easier and better.  With insulation, heat retention and even cooking become a lot easier and simpler.

Stainless steel and ceramic material are probably the most common and best materials when it comes to retaining heat.

Portability

All of the ovens on this list are portable to a degree, with some more-so than others.  Think about the space you would use your outdoor pizza oven in, and how often you’d use it.  If you have a tight space or don’t think you’ll use it super frequently, it might be worth looking at a more portable and lightweight unit.

On the other hand, if you want the pizza oven to be the centerpiece of your outdoor cooking space, you may want something that’s more of a cornerstone and a statement piece, like the Ooni Pro.

Price

Obviously, price is a major factor in any purchase decision.  When it comes to the best outdoor pizza oven, you could be looking anywhere between $200 and $2,000.  Generally speaking, the more expensive the unit, the better the construction and more feature rich it will be.

As we pointed out above, quality construction is important for good insulation, which leads to more consistent results.

That being said, there are some great pizza ovens for $300 or less.  It just depends on what your budget is, how often you’ll use the oven, and what your goals are.

Fuel Source

As with grills it goes with pizza ovens.  Which fuel source is best?  Purists might argue that the classic taste of a wood fire pizza is better.  Some might prefer the convenience of gas.

At the end of the day, you need to think about whether you value the wood fire flavor that comes with wood or charcoal more.  Or do you prefer the quick start, press and go convenience of gas?  Both fuel sources make absolutely delicious pizza, but there is a small difference.

If you’re stuck in between, then consider purchasing a pizza oven that can switch back and forth between both.  That way, you get the best of both worlds and can fuel with gas or wood/charcoal depending on what kind of mood you’re in.

Note – check out our article on the best types of wood for pizza ovens right here!

Pizza Stone Size

How big do you want the pizzas you make to be?  For me personally, anything 13 inches or above is a perfect size for make your own pizza nights.  You might want something a little bigger, or you might also be ok with a smaller size.  Most of the ovens on this best outdoor pizza oven list range between 13 inches and 16 inches wide on the pizza stone.

Wrap Up

My mouth is watering just thinking about all of this delicious pizza!  An outdoor oven might seem like a splurge or an unnecessary appliance, but I can assure you it’s a fantastic addition to your outdoor cooking space, and you’ll undoubtedly make some great memories firing up the pizza in your back yard.

Which one did you end up with?  We want to know!  Let us know which one you got in the comments section below.

The post Best Outdoor Pizza Ovens – Our Picks For Epic Patio Pizza appeared first on Own The Grill.

In case you’re unfamiliar with kamado grills, they’re pretty different from your “traditional” grill.  Instead of a barrel-style cooking chamber, these grills look more like eggs in shape and are typically constructed from ceramic.

The question is though; when it comes down to it which is the best between Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg, who takes the cake?

The answer to that question is definitely up for debate.  Both brands are honestly great and each has a dedicated follower base.

In this article, we’ll give our unbiased review of which brand makes the all-around better grill by going over a high-level comparison of each brand.  From there, we’ll get into some reviews of individual grills offered by both of these brands.

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg – Brand Overviews

Big Green Egg Overview

Big Green Egg is probably one of the most recognizable brand names in the outdoor cooking space.  They first came onto the scene in 1974, when the first Big Green Egg store was opened in Atlanta by Ed Fisher, the founder of Big Green Egg.

Ed was overseas when he was first exposed to food that had been cooked in a domed clay cooker.  He was impacted by how much better the food tasted after being cooked in these looking vessels, and was inspired to create a grill of his own utilizing the same technology.

At first, the simple design was akin to what you’d have found in Eastern cultures thousands of years ago.  Even though the cooking results were spectacular, the clay was brittle and fragile and didn’t last long enough to be a viable purchase.

As the cookers gained popularity, Big Green Egg invested heavily in improving their product.  They opened a state of the art manufacturing facility and had skilled ceramic artists design and manufacture their kamado grills.

The modern Big Green Egg relies on quite a few technological improvements compared to the cookers they sold in the 1970’s.  They use ceramics initially developed for the NASA space program, and made their design more durable, stronger, and better.

Nowadays their design is one of the best grill designs on the market, regardless of which type of grill we’re talking about.  It’s well built in every way, and has lots of great features which we’ll touch on later in this article.

Kamado Joe Overview

Kamado Joe was founded fairly recently in 2009.  While they have a shorter track record compared to Big Green Egg, their brand more than stands up to the competition.

Kamado Joe was founded by Bobby Brennan and Kerry Coker, who were dissatisfied with the lack of quality options in the grilling space.  They wanted to create a premium brand, founded on the pillars of quality and innovation – to build the best kamado grill in the world.

And Kamado Joe has done just that.  For a little over a decade now, Kamado Joe has constructed some of the finest ceramic grills on the market.  Not only do they sell their signature red kamado grills, but they also have a line of premium lump charcoal and grilling accessories to contribute to the premium Kamado Joe experience.

At the end of the day, you can count on quality and innovation when it comes to Kamado Joe.

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg – Grill Reviews

Kamado Joe  Classic Joe III

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The Kamado Joe Classic III is the latest and greatest, and a newer version of the Classic II.  At 18″ in diameter, it’s the same width as the Classic II, but comes with a few extra features.

First, the Divide and Conquer system goes one step further and adds a third layer of grates for even more cooking space.  You’re spoiled with 6 half moon style grates that you can customize your cooking experience on.

Second is the inclusion of a feature Kamado Joe calls the SloRoller.  Essentially, it’s a hyperbolic smoke chamber that distributes heat and smoke in rolling, circulating waves.  It’s hard to imagine a Kamado grill making even tastier food than they already do, but SloRoller technology helps to do just that.

Last, it has a galvanized steel rolling cart that’s markedly stronger and more durable than the Classic II’s cast iron cart.

As with anything new, it comes at a higher price point compared to the Classic II line, but you’re more than rewarded with extra value for the higher price point.

*Note* You can read our more in depth review of Kamado Joe Classic II and III right here.

Large Big Green Egg

Big Green Egg’s most popular iteration is their Large grill, which has a 18.25″ diameter grate for a total cooking area of 262 square inches.

That’s enough space to cook a 20 pound turkey, 12 burgers, 6 chickens, 8 steaks, or 7 racks of ribs vertically!

It accommodates Big Green Egg’s extensive line of accessories, and is a true all in one solution for weekend cookouts or an impromptu pizza party.

Big Green Egg comes in a wide array of sizes – everything from Mini (10 inch grid diameter) all the way to a XXL size (29 inch grid diameter), and everything in between.

Kamado Joe Big Joe III

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(You can also check out our extensive review of the Kamado Joe Big Joe right here)

Ah, my old friend the Kamado Joe Big Joe III.  She’s a beauty and undoubtedly one of the best grills you could ever end up with, period.

With a 24 inch diameter cooking area and Kamado Joe’s 3 tier divide and conquer system, you’re afforded nearly 1,000 square inches of total cooking area.  On top of that, the Big Joe III features SloRoller technology that enhances flavor and increases consistency while you cook.

It comes with a heavy duty galvanized steel cart that’s incredibly durable, sturdy, and easy to move around when it needs to be.

All of the features that come standard in the Kamado Joe Classic grills also come kitted on the Big Joe.

Kamado Joe Classic II

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Kamado Joe’s bestselling grill is the Kamado Joe Classic II 18″ diameter charcoal grill.  It’s a bestseller for good reason and all things considered is our favorite pick as far as Kamado Joe’s go.

Everything you need is at your fingertips here, and an included cast iron cart with locking wheels let you move your grill around and secure it into place when it’s time to grill.

It has a 2 tier patented Divide and Conquer system, which Kamado Joe developed to allow you maximum grilling space inside of your kamado grill.  A multi level, half moon grate design allows you to easily set up two zone cooking and cook different foods at different temperatures at the same time.

Of course, the two tier grate is great even if you just needed the extra space!  It really maximizes use of space inside of the grill.

Kamado Joe grills also feature an advanced ventilation system that allows you precise control over the temperature of your grill.  You simply light your lump charcoal, adjust your vents to control airflow, and the ceramic cooker does its magic by holding a steady temperature.

On top of all of that, it’s capable of maintaining low 200°F temperature ranges for smoking and 700°F+ temperatures for baking pizza and searing.

Kamado Joe Joe Jr Charcoal Grill

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The Kamado Joe Jr is a perfect, miniature alternative for anybody who’s tight on space but still wants the enjoyment of ceramic cooked food.

Whether that means you’re an apartment dweller, outdoorsperson, or just tight on space on the patio, this 13″ grill has a small profile but delivers delicious results.

Check out our Kamado Joe Jr review here!

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg – Features

When it comes to grilling, and kamado grills in particular, there are a few key attributes to compare.  In this section, we’ll compare these attributes for each brand to help paint the picture of which brand is best.

Temperature Control

One of the best things about kamado grills in general is their ability to precisely control and retain heat.  A proper ceramic grill can be used as both a grill and a smoker, meaning the same unit can achieve both scorching hot searing temperatures and also maintain lower temperatures around 225°F for low and slow smoking.

Both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg do a fantastic job of heat retention and distribution.  Kamado Joe advertises a temperature range of 225-750°F, which is more than enough range to smoke, sear, or even bake pizzas.  Temperature is controlled primarily by a ventilation system they’ve named the Kontrol Tower Top Vent.

This control vent greatly helps to maintain consistent air flow during all aspects of your cook.  An additional vent at the bottom of the grill lets you control how much air enters the grill too.

In regards to temperature control, Big Green Egg is pretty similar.  Their units are also built to smoke, sear, and bake, and can sustain temperatures in the 225-600°F range, with the ability to max out in the 750°F range.

Temperature control is also quite intuitive on Big Green Egg.  A patented multi-variable top vent allows you to precisely control oxygen flow into your grill, thus allowing you to precisely control your heat.  A draft door at the bottom of the cooker also lets you control how much air flow enters the bottom of your grill.

Winner (Temperature Control) – Tie

You really can’t pick one winner over the other here.  At the end of the day, outstanding heat retention and temperature control are both what make Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg so great.  Both of these cookers provide maximum versatility and consistency when it comes to temperature control.

Cooking Surface Area

When it comes to cooking surface area, we really just want to know how many options are out there.  It’s important for either brand to offer options suited for different needs – whether you only plan to grill for two or if you consistently grill for big groups of people.

Kamado Joe currently offers the following different main grills:

• Big Joe – 24″ diameter (452 sq in primary cooking, 864 sq in with extra grates Divide and Conquer system)
• Kamado Joe Classic – 18″ diameter (254 sq in primary cooking, 510 sq in with extra grates Divide and Conquer system)
• Joe Jr – 13.5″ diameter (148.5 sq in primary cooking)

Big Green Egg offers the following grill sizes:

• 2XL Big Green Egg – 29″ diameter (672 sq in primary cooking)
• XL Big Green Egg – 24″ diameter (452 sq in primary cooking)
• L Big Green Egg – 18.25″ diameter (262 sq in primary cooking)
• M Big Green Egg – 15″ diameter (177 sq in primary cooking)
• S Big Green Egg – 13″ diameter (133 sq in primary cooking)
• Mini Big Green Egg – 10″ diameter (79 sq in primary cooking)

Winner (Cooking Surface Area) – Big Green Egg

At first glance, this might not seem like that close of a race, but the difference here really isn’t that big.

Kamado Joe has found a way to get a lot more versatility out of their products.  They essentially only offer 3 grill sizes, but their Classic and Big Joe lines are designed with the ability to fit two or 3 grates on different vertical layers inside the cooking chamber.

Because of this, Kamado Joe gets a ton more cooking surface area out of their grills than meets the eye.  For example, the Kamado Joe Big Joe has an extra layer of grate that gives you a total of 864 square inches of cooking surface area.

Big Green Egg also offers grill expander attachments that increase your cooking area, but they get the slight edge here simply because they offer so many different sizes of the actual grill itself.

Warranty

I preach on this website all the time that a warranty (or lack thereof) is a pretty telling indicator of how trustworthy a brand is and the level of quality you can expect out of the product covered by the warranty.

Generally speaking, competent brands offer the best warranties.  It’s because they stand behind the quality of their product and and put their money where their mouth is.

Kamado Joe warranty covers:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty on all ceramic parts
• 5 year warranty on all metal parts
• 3 year warranty on heat deflector and pizza stone
• 1 year warranty on thermometer and gaskets

Big Green Egg warranty covers:

• Limited Lifetime Warranty on all ceramic parts
• 5 year warranty on all metal parts
• 3 year warranty on heat deflector and pizza stone
• 1 year warranty on thermometer and gaskets

Winner (Warranty) – Tie

The fine print of each warranty is different, but for all intents and purposes they’re the same.  Relative to the rest of the industry, both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg offer some of the most generous warranties in the grilling space.

Ease of Use

Any time you’re dealing with a charcoal grill, there are a few features you like to see to make life as simple and easy as possible for the grill master.

We’ve already covered temperature control features, which definitely play into the ease of use conversation.  But in this section, we’re going to focus on charcoal fire management and clean up features.

Kamado Joe first features a specially designed built in charcoal basket that makes things incredibly easy to clean after a cook.  The basket allows you to quickly separate leftover and reusable charcoal from ashes.  You can easily dispose of the ashes and be ready to rock for your next cook in minutes.  On top of that, there’s a built in, removable ash tray to easily remove any ash build up underneath the basket.

Big Green Egg does not come with a built in ash management system so the process for cleaning a Big Green Egg is a little more manual.  You have to use a tool to scrape ash from the inside of the egg onto a pan.  The good news is, if you use quality lump charcoal a Big Green Egg will produce minimal ash, so you won’t need to do this often.

Winner (Ease of Use) – Kamado Joe

This one feels like splitting hairs, because cleaning a Big Green Egg isn’t all that hard, but Kamado Joe took the extra step of a built in ash management system.  Combined with an advanced charcoal basket, that makes Kamado Joe the grill of choice when it comes to ease of use.

Check out our guide on how to clean a Big Green Egg here for an idea of what it takes to keep these cookers in prime condition.

Included Features

One of the biggest knocks on Big Green Egg is that a lot of features you’d think should be included standard cost extra.

Mostly, I’m thinking about the grill’s stand and side tables right now.

Unless you are opting for a custom built in kamado grill table, you’re going to need a stand to house your grill.  Kamado Joe includes a grill stand with the purchase of all of their standard grills (you can also buy a built in version without a stand if you want to).  With Big Green Egg, you are looking at paying a minimum $150 or so extra for a

additional purchase of side shelves

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Same story for side shelves.  Kamado Joe comes with side shelves included on their flagship grills, where Big Green Egg requires an

additional purchase of side shelves

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Kamado grills are high quality and an investment, but it’s just one of those things that you don’t want to have to spend an extra $300 for features that should already be there.  Especially when you’re looking at an entry level price point in the thousands for most Big Green Egg grills.

Winner (Included Features) – Kamado Joe

It’s not really close on this one.  My personal opinion is that when you’re buying a premium product, you shouldn’t have to pull out the wallet to pay an extra 20% for basic features that are required to operate the grill normally.  In this department, Kamado Joe delivers and Big Green Egg falls a little short.

Add On Accessories and Features

One of the things that set both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg apart from the rest of the competition is their versatility beyond the “normal” functions of a grill.

Both of these brands offer a plethora of add ons and accessories to customize your grilling experience to the utmost degree.  Everything from a wok insert for stir fry to pizza baking stones to griddles are possibilities when it comes to inserts and add ons for both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg.

Winner (Add Ons) – Tie

It’s really hard to pick a winner here as both brands offer pretty similar add ons and accessories, and both offer great ones at that.  While it would be splitting hairs to pick a winner, I will say that typically Kamado Joe is the more innovative brands out of the two.  They’re more likely to develop a new attachment and Big Green Egg might make a comaprable add on 12 months later.

Availability

This category might not matter to some of you, but generally speaking, Kamado Joes are easier to get ahold of.  Big Green Egg actually doesn’t allow the online sale of any of their grills, so you’ll need to physically go to a store, make an order, and schedule a delivery to pick one up.

Kamado Joe grills on the other hand can be ordered online and shipped to your doorstep after a few clicks.

Winner (Availability) – Kamado Joe

Some people prefer to see things in person before they make a big purchase.  I totally get it!  Both Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg are available at various outdoors retail stores across the USA.  Kamado Joe gets the edge here because of their ability to deliver the modern day online sales experience.

Customer Support

Customer support is an often overlooked feature on the front end when buying a grill.  It’s not until you need some help with set up or a warranty that you wish you had paid attention to how good the customer support is!

Big Green Egg has okay customer support.  They do what they’re supposed to do, but frankly they can be pretty tough to get ahold of.  Most egg owners I know have said that they have way more luck getting support by using the retailer they bought their grill at as a proxy.  That’s fine, but it just feels like Big Green Egg wants to keep things pretty arm’s length.

Kamado Joe is a clear step up in this department and offers a class customer service experience.  No matter where you bought your grill from, be it a retailer or directly from Kamado Joe’s website, their support team is responsive and eager to help you out.

Winner (Customer Support) – Kamado Joe

Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg – Overall Winner

The Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg debate is a close one but for my taste, Kamado Joe is the clear winner.  Their product is premium, impactful, and will make delicious food for a long time.  There’s an endless amount of ways to customize your cooking experience on a Kamado Joe.

Frankly, a lot of the same things can be said about Big Green Egg.  It’s another great brand with a loyal following – and for good reason.  If you end up with a Big Green Egg, I can assure you you won’t be disappointed.

When comparing two extremely high quality brands, the verdict often comes down to the little things.  That’s definitely the case here.  Kamado Joe just tends to stay a little bit ahead of the technology curve, their grills come with complete features so you don’t have to pay extra for things like a stand or side tables, and their customer service is better.

Final Thoughts on Kamado Joe vs Big Green Egg

Even though it’s a close call, Kamado Joe is an all around better choice for our taste.

With that in mind, both of these are world class brands and they are competitive with one another when it comes to the really important things.  As far as design and quality of construction goes, both a Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg can be the kind of grill that gets passed down from generation to generation – that’s how good they are.

No matter which you choose, you really can’t go wrong.  I hope this post has helped you on your journey to deciding which is better for you between Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg!

Which one did you end up with?  Let us know about it in the comments section below!

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