Part 1 of the kamado guide · Choosing without regret

Buying a kamado

Buying a kamado BBQ is not something you do every day; it is an investment in years of outdoor cooking pleasure. It is not a standard barbecue but a fully ceramic cooker you use to grill, smoke, bake and cook low & slow, on one device and all year round.

That is why we see many customers who only lit their BBQ 2 or 3 times a year gradually start using it every week, or even every day. That is what cooking on a kamado does.

What should you look for when buying a kamado BBQ?

Buying a kamado BBQ comes down to three choices: size, model and accessories. Size weighs heaviest: buying too small is the most expensive mistake, because accessories are size-specific. For 80% of buyers a Large (21 inch) is the right size. Above €1000 the ceramic is comparable across virtually every brand; the difference sits in finish, gasket and what is included as standard.

Size: Large (21 inch) suits 3–6 people and most buyers
Model: Classic to learn on, Pro II for daily convenience, Pro III complete
All three models cook identically: the ceramic is the same
Torn between two sizes? Always choose the larger one

Every Grill Bill kamado with its price

Classic, Pro II and Pro III in every size, with current price and stock.

01 / 10

Buying guide

Which kamado suits you?

How many people do you cook for on a busy day? (not the average)

So far

Answer the questions to see the model, the price and the delivery time.

View all kamados →

The 5 questions every kamado buyer has

Anyone looking to buy a kamado BBQ runs into the same five questions. Here they are, with the short answer and the article that works it out. Completely new to this? Start with which kamado suits you?

What to look at
Nine criteria, three decisive
Ceramic quality (wall thickness and manufacturer), the right size and what is included as standard. Above €1000 the ceramic is comparable; the difference sits in finish and accessories. Read: what to look for in a kamado
Which size
In doubt: go bigger
Size determines what you can prepare and for how many people. Across more than 6,000 Grill Bill kamados we see one pattern: buyers choose bigger than they expected, and are glad they did. Read: which kamado size should I buy?
Cheap or expensive
Cooks no better, just more pleasantly
The price difference sits in glaze, gasket, hardware and included accessories. A Classic and a Pro III give identical cooking results; the ease of use differs considerably. Read: difference between cheap and expensive kamados
For beginners
Start with a Large
Versatile enough to learn every technique without getting boxed in. The model depends on how much comfort you want straight away. Read: what is the best kamado for beginners?
Which model
Classic, Pro II or Pro III
Classic to get started and learn, Pro II for daily convenience, Pro III if you want everything complete right away. Technically they cook identically. Read: Grill Bill Classic, or a Pro after all?
First use
Burning in is mandatory
A kamado has to be burned in correctly on first use. It is also the condition for the warranty on the ceramic. Read: breaking in a kamado

Which size kamado BBQ should you buy?

Feature	Small (13")	Medium (16")	Large (21")	XL (23.5")
People	1 – 2	2 – 3	3 – 6	6 – 12
Best for	Balcony, 2nd kamado	Compact household	Most users	Large groups / pitmaster
Available in	Classic, Pro III	Classic, Pro III	Classic, Pro II, Pro III	Classic, Pro II, Pro III

Which size & which model?

Two questions decide your choice when buying a kamado BBQ: how many people do you usually cook for, and how much comfort do you want straight away?

Choose by size

Small / Medium1 – 3 people
Balcony, small household or a second kamado. Compact, quick up to temperature and economical with charcoal.
Large3 – 6 people
The most popular size and the right one for 80% of buyers. Room for every technique without getting boxed in.
Extra Large6 – 12 people
For large groups and anyone preparing several dishes at once. The seasoned pitmaster's choice.

Choose by model

Choose ClassicGetting started & learning
Gloss black glaze, felt gasket, stainless steel grate and heat deflector included. Accessories you buy later.
Choose Pro IIDaily convenience
Matt black, fibreglass gasket, plus charcoal basket, ash drawer, cast iron and the Smart Qooking System.
Choose Pro IIIComplete from day one
Ultra-matt glaze, Grate Organizer, 12 cm wheels and hardwood tables. Everything as standard in the box.

Frequently asked questions about buying a kamado BBQ

What is a kamado BBQ?

A kamado is a ceramic barbecue that runs on charcoal and airflow. Thanks to the thick ceramic a kamado holds heat extremely well, giving stable temperatures from 50 °C to 400 °C and beyond. You can grill directly, cook indirectly, smoke, bake and go low & slow on it — all on one appliance.

What does a good kamado cost?

A Grill Bill kamado starts from €189: that is where the Classic Jr. (Small, 13 inch) begins. For a Large (21 inch), the size most buyers choose, budget €800 or more for a kamado that lasts for years with full functionality and a warranty on the ceramic.

Which size kamado should I buy?

For most users a Large (21 inch) is the best choice — suitable for 3 to 6 people and every cooking technique. A Medium (16 inch) works for small households but gets tight quickly. An XL (23.5 inch) is ideal for large groups. Buying too small is the most common mistake: accessories are size-specific, so upgrading costs double.

Can a kamado stay outside all year round?

Yes. Ceramic is frost-resistant and stands up to all weather conditions. Protect the metal parts with a cover during longer periods when you are not using it.

Is a kamado difficult for beginners to use?

No, but there is a small learning curve. After 2 or 3 sessions you understand how airflow and temperature work together. A stable, good-quality kamado forgives mistakes better than cheaper models.

What is the difference between a kamado and an ordinary BBQ?

An ordinary BBQ works with direct heat and little insulation — the temperature is hard to control and charcoal burns up quickly. A kamado works with convection heat and thick ceramic insulation: the temperature can be controlled precisely, charcoal burns far more economically and you can run sessions of 16 hours and longer on a single fill.

How much charcoal does a kamado use?

Significantly less than an ordinary BBQ. At low & slow (110 °C) a Large kamado uses roughly 2–3 kg of charcoal for a 12-hour session. At high temperatures (230 °C and above) roughly 1–2 kg for 2 to 3 hours.

What warranty do I get on a Grill Bill kamado?

Grill Bill provides a 10-year warranty on the ceramics. The condition is that you burn in the kamado correctly on first use. On the Pro II and Pro III you extend the warranty to 20 years by completing the GB Academy (e-learning).

More from the kamado guide

Buying a kamado is part 1 of the complete kamado BBQ guide. The other parts:

02 · Basics
Kamado basics
Kamado basics: what a kamado is, how ceramic holds heat and why it cooks differently from an ordinary barbecue.
03 · Using
Using your kamado
Using your kamado: lighting, controlling the temperature with the vents, the right charcoal and seasonal maintenance.
04 · Techniques
Kamado techniques
Kamado techniques: direct and indirect cooking, low and slow, smoking, reverse sear and baking. Technique over recipe.
05 · Compare
Compare kamado brands
Compare kamado brands: Grill Bill next to Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, The Bastard, Monolith and Primo on warranty, price and terms.
06 · Deals
Kamado deals
Kamado deals: the current offers on Grill Bill kamados and how to recognise a genuine deal.