Char-Griller Kamado Kooker

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

The Kamado is a Jewel. I have smoked babybacks, ordered accessories to grill beer can chicken and smoked Grouper on a plank.

The price is great compared to the ceramic versions and you can find the covers at a local hardware store for outside storage.

The reduced smoke time is great, as I have reduced the babyback rib smoke time from 3 hours to 2 hours and reduced the amount of charcoal usage from a 10lb bag to 1/4th the amount. I can also close off the vents to quickly smother the fire in a few hours and use remaining coals for the next grill period after conveniently dropping the ashes from the drop trap.

It's great to find accesories locally. I purchased the cedar planks at local hardware store to grill whole Grouper but, I also purchased the drip pan and pizza stone online for the Grouper recipe. The cooktime was about 25-30 minutes on 325 degrees but the flavor was out of this world. I made a honey, molasses, green chilli pepper sauce with herbs and brushed it on during the smoking process.

If you love backyard grilliing and bar-b-que. You can't go wrong as it provides a more evenly cooked meal, in reduced time. It allows you to steam vegetables and smoke meat simultaneously.

I recommend it to my sons, so they can enjoy the great tastes of quality cuisine prepared in the backyard.

It cooks like a convection oven with great smoke flavor, so there is nothing not to like for me.

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

I recently purchased a Kamado Kooker and I love it for grilling & smoking, because of the quality and durability in comparsion to the ceramic versions.

I save more in charcoal compared to my previous grills and smokers. I had no issues with airflow adjustments and I recently ordered a drip pan to stop juices from falling onto coals.

I smoked my babybacks in less time and my steaks turned out great. I had easy access to my grilled vegetables simultaneously.

I love the $$$s in savings compared to many other websites.

I will encourage my sons to purchase their own, as it shall allow them to create their own great backyard bar-b-que. Just like Dad...

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

I've had a basic Weber grill since forever, but was intrigued by the kamado grills (Big Green Egg and others) because you could smoke low and slow for long periods without adding charcoal, and because it was possible to grill at super-high temps (700F). But the price for the ceramic eggs is prohibitive, three to four times that of this Char-Griller.

At first, I was a bit leery of the Char-Griller because the lid didn't have the heft of the ceramic kamado-style grills. But after reading some positive reviews that stated the Char-Griller retained its heat very well, I decided this might be a good grill to invest in.

Assembly was simple. One person can put it together in a half an hour at a leisurely pace. The first time using it I decided to do a brisket, so I was aiming to maintain a temp of about 250F for about 6 hours. The trick so far has been getting the knack of regulating temperatures, knowing when and how far to close up the draft door and top vent. I've been getting a better feel for that, but I was unable to get the grill to stay at 250F without going out, and settled for 275F.

Later, I was able to use the same load of coals to grill fish and veggies at around 400F. Taking the heat up is a quick process, much faster than my old grill. I finished by cranking it up to 650F for rib steaks steaks with a perfect sear outside, but medium-rare inside, done in just a couple of minutes. Perfect. I still haven't gotten this baby up to 700F yet, but maybe a fresh load of coals will accomplish that.

So far, the Char-Griller has been fun and turned out great food, but as noted, it might take a while for the new user to be able to set a temp and keep it at target. The other issue I have is that the outside of the egg surface gets hot to the touch, unlike some kamados, so be careful. That caveat would hardly be worth noting except that the latch (egg must be latched closed when cooking) to seal the unit also gets hot, and I have the blister to prove it. Definitely need a mitt or a sturdy leather work glove to open and close the unit.

Some design features that I liked were the removable insert in the middle of the grill surface, which allows new coals to be added; the fact that the grill surface is cast iron, which creats beautiful sear marks; and the warming rack, which I used for indirect smoking of the brisket (placed a water pan on the grill surface).

The only design negatives would be the locking latch being hot to the touch (as noted), flimsy looking gaskets, and the fact that if you do use non-wireless meat thermometers, closing the lid tight will zap the wiring of the thermometers. So you have to test the meat on the go or go wireless.

Overall, a really great grill.

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

This cooker compares to the Big Green Egg, but has better features for removing the ash (the pan slides out without effort, dump the ash and reinstall the pan) also, a center circle of the grate lifts out to easily add wood chips or lump charcoal and to move the coals around if you need to. The grate is cast iron and seasoned beautifully. There is a round stainless steel rack that sits several inches above the grate. This rotates easily, lifts out if you don't need it and cleans up well. We are able to adjust the heat, it takes time, we're dealing wtih wood charcoal here, not gas! And it holds the temperature well for hours.
This kamado cooker is a great value, we have been very pleased with it.

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

Got this grill on sale at Gander Mountain with a coupon it was reasonably priced despite the extra $40.00 shipping fee. So far it's great for indirect grilling\smoking. Don't leave this grill in the rain uncovered or the ashbin will fill with water! Gander Mountain should carry the cover and accessories for this grill as I would surely buy them. I found the assembly easy as all the parts lined up..

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

Huge waste of money I bought this as a cheaper alternative to the Big Green Egg I wish i would have bought the real thing, this thing is junk the outside gets scorching hot not safe around kids. The wheels are flimsy the stand is very wobbly theres no alternative way to store it like building your own table. Bottom line DONT BUY THIS PIECE OF JUNK!!!!!

Comments about Char-Griller Kamado Kooker:

I have used this in BBQ competitions and love it. The insulated design is great for holding a steady temp when smoking even when it is cold outside. Stays much cooler on the outside when grilling so it is much safer around kids.