How To Put A Kamado Grill In Outdoor Kitchen

Kamado grills have been a favorite for outdoor cooking for years. If you're interested in installing a Kamado grill in your outdoor kitchen, you've come to the right place.

In this article, we will explore some key information, including the considerations to bear in mind when placing a kamado grill in an outdoor kitchen.

Let's get started.

What Is A Kamado Grill?

Kamado grills are descendants of the Japanese Kamado, which was an earthenware urn three thousand years ago.

Modern Kamado grills serve as ovens, smokers, and of course grills, all in one place!

As Kamado grills are so versatile, they’re incredibly popular amongst outdoor cooking enthusiasts and of course, outdoor kitchens!

Why Are Kamado Grills So Popular?

Kamado grills are hugely popular for a variety of different reasons.

Kamado grills boast unparalleled insulation thanks to their ceramic construction.

As a result, you can use them pretty much all year round! So, even during the depths of winter, you can still smoke your favorite joints of meat or throw a pizza party!

In addition to this, a Kamado grill boasts being able to regulate temperature precisely through airflow.

This provides the grill with more precision than the majority of indoor ovens offer, allowing you to pick a specific temperature and feel confident that the grill is going to remain the exact temperature you selected for up to 18 hours. 

This, as well its ability to maintain moisture, makes it the ideal piece of kit for making deliciously tender smoked meat!

Another reason why Kamado grills are so popular is their functionality. This piece of equipment is impressive to even the most experienced of cooks, knowing that it is essentially a traditional oven, a grill, a smoker, and a pizza oven all in one!

Whether you’re in need of a grill to whip up burgers for a BBQ, or you're looking for the same effect of a fully functional pizza oven, ceramic Kamado grills never disappoint!

Bearing this in mind, these grills make a wonderful choice for avid outdoor cooks!

Shop Kamado Grills →

How To Put A Kamado Grill In Outdoor Kitchen

While installing a Kamado grill in an outdoor kitchen is many cooks' dream, you might not have the option depending on the set up that you already have.

If you intend to change or renovate your outdoor kitchen in order to install a Kamado grill, there are various considerations to bear in mind.

These considerations include but are not limited to:

Height

One of the biggest challenges you will face when installing a Kamado grill is its height. 

This comes down to the fact that a Kamado grill that is elliptically shaped tends to be taller than the average built-in gas grill.

This is why measuring the space is absolutely key to ensuring that the whole installation process is seamless and you don't encounter any issues.

As a result, a Kamado grill will therefore need to be positioned lower in the outdoor kitchen, so that the grilling grid is level with the counter and at a comfortable height for cooking.

You will need to make sure that you accurately measure the space to ensure that you have enough room for a Kamado grill in your outdoor kitchen.

Recessing the Kamado in the island also makes the process of picking up and replacing the Kamado's heavy lid safer and easier during the cooking process.

Air Flow

It's also important to note that Kamados that are fueled by charcoal feature air vents in the base that you need access to.

Some Kamados include fuel inserts, ash clean-outs, or wood chip drawers in the base of the grill.

The Kamado's vents must be exposed and accessible at all times in order to allow for proper airflow and temperature control when you're cooking.

Bearing this in mind, this grill cannot be built into a standard, fully enclosed cabinet that you'd expect to find in a traditional kitchen if you were using another type of grill.

Consider A Kamado Sleeve

Kamado sleeves are essentially liners for your kamado grill.  You simply install the sleeve into your outdoor kitchen cabinet, which in turn houses your kamado grill.

For example, the Blaze Kamado Sleeve is designed to house their cast aluminum Kamado grill safely - plus it comes with a storage drawer.

Consider A Cart

Carts will give your kamado grill a custom fitting vessel to house your grill.  Most are easy enough to move around too with wheel casters being a common feature.

Additional Accessories

Something important to consider when installing a Kamado grill into your outdoor kitchen is how to store all the accessories that it comes with.

Any Kamado owner can attest to the number of accessories that you collect when you own one, such as heat deflectors and pizza stones.

This is before you've even thought about charcoal, wood chips, fire starters, fire tools, and other essential equipment that is useful to keep close but out of sight.

It's good to figure out how much equipment you have to work out a suitable storage solution for your outdoor kitchen.

The main goal for your storage solution should be that you have enough space to keep everything in one space. This will ensure that all of your equipment is safe and organized without you having to run to the garage to find something.

How Do You Maintain A Kamado Grill?

Maintaining a Kamado grill is easy, especially if you follow some basic guidelines.

Cleaning

The easiest way to clean ash and debris from Kamado grills is to use a small vacuum. This comes down to the fact that they are often deep, meaning the vacuum offers you an easier way of reaching in and clearing as much as possible.

Regularly cleaning out the grill is absolutely essential to keep your Kamado grill in the best possible condition.

Moisture

As you will be keeping your Kamado grill outside, there's always a risk of water and moisture being able to enter the grill.

If you fail to clean out your Kamado grill on a regular basis, this can quickly escalate into mold and mildew growing on the inside of your grill if piles of wood or debris are left in that environment for a long period of time.

If this does occur, you can get rid of any mold or mildew by stacking the grill with wood, and setting the grill to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

This will work to burn any unwanted residue as well as help to clean the interior of your grill, ready for your next use!

Also - covering your grill is never a bad idea!

Outdoor Kitchen Ready Kamado Grill Brands

There are many Kamado grill brands, which can make it hard to know which grills are the best on the market.

However, the three most highly rated Kamado grill brands include:

Primo

Primo ceramic grills are made in the USA and are a welcome addition to any back patio.  They are black in color and fit in nicely with any sort of design theme you might be looking for.

Primo grills can be set in a liner - or housed inside of one of Primo's custom kamado tables as well.

Shop Primo Grills →

Blaze

Blaze is a household name when it comes to outdoor kitchen and built-in gas grills.  They also happen to offer one of the most unique kamado grills on the market.

Instead of ceramics, the egg of the cooker is forged of cast aluminum - which is a lighter material that still performs at a peak level.

A nice touch is that the vent of Blaze's kamado grill is also made of cast aluminum - whereas other manufacturers tend to use plastic material for this key piece.

Big Green Egg is probably the most renowned brand out of the three, and their products back it up!  Big Green Egg products are not available for purchase online - they must be bought at a local brick and mortar location.

In Summary

Kamado grills are a great way to add versatility to any outdoor kitchen. They offer a lot of benefits over conventional gas grills, including being able to cook foods like pizza, barbecue, and more.

Hopefully this article has provided you with a better understanding of what to consider when it comes to installing a Kamado grill in your outdoor kitchen.

Good luck choosing the right grill for you!