It may look like a giant egg, but the unique shape and the specific materials chosen to construct a Kamado grill make it a multi-use outdoor cooking phenomenon.
History Lesson
Since man learned how to create and control fire on which to cook his hunting trophies, cooks have searched for a material that would help them maintain an even temperature. Thousands years ago, innovative individuals determined clay was their best option, and it became a universal choice. Scientists have uncovered evidence of ancient clay pots from all over the globe.
Plus, some of those ancient cooking techniques have been carried on from one generation to the next, and continue to be used today. For example, a tandoor, or cylindrical clay oven, is still popular throughout the Middle East, India, Pakistan and Central Asia. For centuries, the Japanese cooked rice in the mushikamado, which featured a removable clay dome lid, and it’s still used today for special occasions.Of course, as technology improved over the past few millennia, so have the materials used to create cooking vessels. Instead of clay (although, it’s still a traditional choice for a tandoor ), modern manufacturers often use stainless steel. Also much of our current cooking is done indoors on a stovetop or in an oven, except for those days when we crave the taste of food cooked directly over a flame.
Current Kamado grill models have elevated the ancient cooking style by utilizing materials with an inherent heat-retention factor, such as high-fire ceramics, refractory materials or a mix of Portland cement and crushed lava rock. In addition to preventing hot and cold spots for even temperatures, these substances are less likely to crack, which also means better heat control.
Several styles on the market also use a ceramic or stainless steel bowl inside the grill to hold the fuel—usually wood charcoal. Plus, there are typically two vents — one upper; one lower — that allow cooks to adjust airflow to maintain low temperatures over a long period for slow-cooking methods, or conversely, drive up the heat to cook items hot and fast. Many manufacturers claim temperatures can reach as high as 750° Fahrenheit.
Multifunctional
Serious outdoor chefs choose these types of grills for all the heat-control options, but there are other functions they appreciate, too.
- Smoker
The oval shape and tight seals create a contained environment in which you can slowly develop delicious smoky flavor.
- Oven
The design’s ability to trap the heat means you can bake and roast items, including pizza.
Product Showcase
Are you finding yourself intrigued by these grills that have ties to ancient times? Then check this out one:
Char-Griller 16620 Akorn Kamado Kooker Charcoal Barbecue Grill and Smoker, Black You can grill an entire meal for the family on the 300-plus square inches of cook space along with the 165-square-inch warming rack. The interior is finished with a coat of porcelain and a double wall of insulation for super heat control that you can monitor with the built-in heat gauge.
$316.56
