Best Small Kamado Grills


Our review process

Ever consider how you can enhance your next backyard picnic? There are tons of options of grills to choose. How do you know which one is the right one for your home? Fortunately, we spent countless hours assembling, researching, and analyzing more than 1,300 grills, each one having 89 different data specifications. During our time reviewing each grill, we found three small kamado grills. Our final objective is to offer you handy facts so that you can find the most-fitting grill for your patio. We took into account first-hand customer experiences and included key aspects, notably body construction material and burner type. Furthermore, we are pleased to display the following guide that will highlight some of the pros and cons in order to assist you in finding the grill of your dreams!

There are some things you should know about small kamado grills. Kamado grills are built with ceramic materials to retain heat for an extended period. They use charcoal, which gives a caramelized texture and smoky flavor. They help meat retain flavor and moisture, which is done by frequent and constant rotation of the grill's interior, grilling only the best results. Kamado grills have ventilated heat regulation, enabling you to cook meat or seafood at a steady temperature without it overcooking or burning. Offering enough space to comfortably cook, they let you prepare all of your favorite dishes. Usually designed with two burners, they will be great for simultaneously searing at high temperatures and slow cooking at low temperatures. They are not hard to move, which will allow you to place them anywhere in your patio.

Our Top Ranking Grills:
Product NameBrandFuel TypeCooking Grate MaterialBody ConstructionCooking Area
Best Overall Score
1
An image of Char-Griller 06614 Akorn Charcoal Cast Iron Portable Kamado Grill
Char-Griller 06614 Akorn Charcoal Cast Iron Portable Kamado Grill
Char-Griller
charcoal
cast iron
cast iron
153 sq. in.
Runner Up
2
An image of Char-Griller 16620 Akorn Charcoal Steel Freestanding Kamado Grill
Char-Griller 16620 Akorn Charcoal Steel Freestanding Kamado Grill
Char-Griller
charcoal
cast iron
steel
471 sq. in.
Best Affordable Option
3
An image of Vision Grills CS-TE19C1CBVDX-S7 Charcoal Ceramic Portable Kamado Grill
Vision Grills CS-TE19C1CBVDX-S7 Charcoal Ceramic Portable Kamado Grill
Vision Grills
charcoal
stainless steel
ceramic
137 sq. in.
Our Top Ranking Grills
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Griller
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Grate Material
cast iron
Body Construction
cast iron
Cooking Area
153 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Char-Griller
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Grate Material
cast iron
Body Construction
steel
Cooking Area
471 sq. in.
Customer Rating
Brand
Vision Grills
Fuel Type
charcoal
Cooking Grate Material
stainless steel
Body Construction
ceramic
Cooking Area
137 sq. in.
Best Overall Score
An image of Char-Griller 06614 Akorn Charcoal Cast Iron Portable Kamado Grill

The Char-Griller Akorn Charcoal Vessel/kamado Grill is a superb choice for those who enjoy a tasty barbecue experience. Manage the amount of heat with this cast iron grill's adjustable air vents. It includes a cast iron cooking grate, supplying a dependable non-stick surface that you can rely on for a long time. It features a portable design, which makes it perfect for weekend trips. This charcoal grill cooks your meat and gives it a deep, smoky taste.

    Pros
    • Grease pan collects grease from your food and prevents it from damaging the grill
    • Charcoal cooks your food for a long period of time to ensure the meat remains soft for an authentic barbecue experience
    • Fitted with adjustable air vents to control the temperature within your grill
    Cons
    • Cast iron construction has a much bulkier structure than stainless steel
    • Features a cast iron cooking grate, taking a considerable amount of time to get hot
    • Charcoal is difficult to use during colder seasons because it requires more time to get to its ideal cooking temperature
Runner Up
An image of Char-Griller 16620 Akorn Charcoal Steel Freestanding Kamado Grill

The Char-Griller Akorn Charcoal Vessel/kamado Grill is an excellent addition to any patio. Designed with a warming rack, this kamado grill is perfect for keeping food hot until you are ready to eat. It has a storage rack, which provides enough storage space for easily organizing all your tools and utensils while grilling. This kamado grill features a tool holder, providing you with extra room for your accessories. It has a temperature gauge and adjustable dampers, giving you more control over your grill.

Quickly and easily get rid of ashes accumulated during grilling with this kamado grill's ash tool. It features a freestanding design, allowing you the freedom and flexibility to move it out of the way when you are done grilling. It features a cast iron grill grate, providing a high-quality cooking surface that you can rely on for a long time. With a steel construction, this kamado grill is able to withstand harsh conditions. It has lockable casters, making sure your grill stays in one place when there's a strong storm. It uses charcoal, grilling the food slowly to develop stronger flavors for an authentic barbecue experience. It features two locking wheels for additional stability when barbecuing. This kamado grill is designed with folding side shelves to provide extra surface space.

    Pros
    • Warming rack helps keep food from cooling down without it overcooking
    • Features a storage rack, providing enough storage space for conveniently tucking away all your tools and utensils
    • Charcoal cooks your food for an extended period of time to ensure the meat remains juicy for an authentic barbecue experience
    Cons
    • Cast iron cooking grate doesn't provide a smoky taste to your food
    • Uses charcoal, getting dirty and tougher to clean
Best Affordable Option
An image of Vision Grills CS-TE19C1CBVDX-S7 Charcoal Ceramic Portable Kamado Grill

The Vision Grills Charcoal Vessel/kamado Grill is a superb addition to any outdoor grilling area. This kamado grill is made with a portable design, so you can easily bring it for tailgating parties. It includes a stainless steel cooking grate, supplying a trustworthy non-stick surface that will last a long time. Fueled by charcoal, it grills the meat and infuses a rich, smoky taste. It features a temperature gauge and adjustable air vents, allowing you more control over your grill.

    Pros
    • Charcoal infuses your meat with a smoky flavor for an authentic cookout experience
    • A temperature gauge ensures that you won't overcook your meat
    • Anti-tip stainless steel stand makes packing up hassle-free
    Cons
    • Ceramic construction is at a greater risk of having cracks
    • Stainless steel cooking grate is much more costly than other grate materials
    • Uses charcoal, getting incredibly messy and harder to clean
How to Pick Out Your New Small Kamado Grill: Additional Factors to Keep In Mind:
The Ins and Outs of Body Construction for Small Kamado Grills
Cast Iron Grills

There is one small kamado grill with a cast iron design. Manufactured with heavy-duty materials, cast iron grills withstand the stresses of frequent use. They have flame-resistant technology, so they can stand up to the damaging effects that heat can cause. Featuring heat retaining materials, they stay hot for longer. However, they require more maintenance than other types of grills, so they take more time and work to clean up. Also, cast iron grates tend to rust easily, but this can be somewhat prevented if you don't keep them outdoors and always dry them right after you wash them. Check out this small kamado grill that we found.

Ceramic Grills

There is one small kamado grill available with a ceramic design. Check out this one to see if it's what you'd like. Weather-resistant ceramic grills will tolerate rough conditions. They have flame-resistant technology, so they can protect against the damaging effects of heat exposure. Built with heat retaining technology, they remain at a proper cooking temperature for longer.

Steel Grills

There is one small kamado grill available with a steel design. Stainless steel grills are built with anti-corrosion materials, so they can be used for years to come. They are easy to clean, so you don't need to waste time on maintenance. They are bacteria-resistant to ensure that your food will not be contaminated. Something to consider is that they don't retain heat very well, so they won't maintain a high cooking temperature once you've removed the heat source.

Understanding Installation Types for Small Kamado Grills
Freestanding Grills

Want to learn more about freestanding grills? Well then, keep reading the following paragraph to learn more about them, specifically in accordance with small kamado grills. And if you think that a freestanding small kamado grills is good for you, then check out this grill. Freestanding grills are especially great for grilling novices since they don't demand the same long-term commitment that built-in grills do and don't come with the same price tag. They are easy to move, giving you the freedom and flexibility to push them out of the way when you are done preparing your food. With a compact design, they are a fantastic option for patios with limited space. They have internal storage compartments, which are convenient for storing extra barbecuing items. One downside is that these freestanding grills don't have any prep space, unlike built-in grills, so if you're trying to install a whole outdoor kitchen, they're not the best choice.

Portable Grills

Want to learn more about portable grills? Well, keep reading the following paragraph to learn more about them, specifically in concurrence with small kamado grills. Portable grills typically feature internal storage compartments, making them great for keeping all barbecuing supplies in one convenient place. With a compact design, they are a great choice for small outdoor locations. However, they often don't have safety mechanisms, so if you want to get one, you'll have to make sure that you're following the safety guidelines and tips. Ready to pick out the right small kamado grill for you? Get started here.

You'll Want to Consider Cooking Grate Material for Small Kamado Grills
Grills with Stainless Steel Grates

If you want a small kamado grill with a stainless steel grate design, you can find a great one here. Built with anti-corrosion properties, stainless steel grates provide long-term durability even after repeated use. These grates are designed with heat retention technology, reducing fuel consumption while cooking. With a non-stick surface, they make sure that food does not stick to the grate after grilling. These grates are easy to clean, so most standard grill brushes will do the trick. They feature a low maintenance design, so it won't be a hassle to make sure that they are kept in great shape over time.

Grills with Cast Iron Grates

With one small kamado grills with a cast iron grate design, there's lots to know about what makes them unique. Cast iron grates can transmit temperature evenly, making them great for ensuring that meat is thoroughly cooked. The grates are heat retentive, decreasing fuel consumption while grilling. They feature a non-stick surface, which will prevent meat from sticking to the grate after grilling. However, these grates require careful maintenance since they can rust and corrode easily if they're not oiled before use and can't be cleaned with all types of detergent. Moreover, they are quite heavy, making them more cumbersome and harder to handle and install. Now that you're feeling more confident about cast iron grates, check out this highly-rated small kamado grill.