List of Contents
Introduction
The Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill from Grilla Grills is a large ceramic charcoal grill designed for backyard cooks who want one cooker capable of grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, and high-temperature searing. Unlike traditional charcoal grills, a kamado uses thick ceramic insulation and controlled airflow to maintain steady temperatures for both low-and-slow barbecue and high-heat cooking.
This review is based on manufacturer specifications, expert evaluations, and aggregated owner feedback to examine the Kong’s construction, temperature control, cooking performance, usability, and overall value compared with other ceramic kamado grills.
Overview of the Product
The Kong is Grilla Grills’ full-size 24-inch ceramic kamado grill. It is built around the traditional kamado design: a thick ceramic body, charcoal firebox, adjustable air vents, and a sealed cooking chamber designed to retain heat efficiently.
Grilla Grills markets the Kong as a multi-purpose cooker that can:
- Smoke meats at low temperatures for extended periods
- Grill steaks and burgers over direct heat
- Bake pizza and bread at high temperatures
- Roast poultry and larger cuts of meat
The listed price varies depending on promotions, but the Kong is positioned in the premium mid-range kamado category, generally competing with models from brands such as Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg while typically offering a lower entry price.
Key Features and Specifications
24-Inch Ceramic Cooking Chamber
The Kong features a large 24-inch ceramic cooking surface designed for family meals and larger gatherings. Grilla Grills states that the grill provides more than 600 square inches of cooking space through its two-level stainless-steel grate system.
Temperature Range
The Kong is designed for a wide temperature range:
- Low-temperature smoking: suitable for extended barbecue sessions
- High-temperature grilling: capable of reaching temperatures above 700°F for searing and pizza cooking
Temperature control comes from adjusting the upper and lower vents rather than using electronic controls.
Ceramic Heat Retention
The thick ceramic construction helps retain heat and maintain cooking temperatures with less charcoal consumption than many conventional grills. Ceramic kamado grills are known for their ability to stabilize temperatures once properly adjusted.
Stainless Steel Hardware
The Kong includes:
- Stainless steel cart and hardware
- Stainless steel cooking grates
- Dual bamboo side tables
- Heavy-duty caster wheels
Multi-Purpose Cooking
The Kong can be used as:
- Charcoal grill
- Smoker
- Pizza oven
- Roaster
- High-temperature searing grill
Build Quality & Design (From Customer Feedback)
Durability
Many owners report that the Kong feels substantial and well-built, particularly praising the ceramic construction, stainless hardware, and stable cart design. Some users compare its overall cooking capability favorably against more expensive kamado brands.
Because the cooking body is ceramic, owners commonly emphasize careful handling during delivery and movement. Ceramic kamado grills can crack if dropped or subjected to impact.
Assembly Experience
Customer feedback generally suggests assembly is manageable, although the grill’s weight means having assistance during setup is recommended. Expert reviewers have noted that the cart, wheels, and hardware feel sturdy after assembly.
Design and Appearance
The Kong has a traditional kamado shape with a black ceramic exterior, stainless hardware, and folding bamboo side shelves. Reviewers often mention that it has a premium appearance suitable for permanent patio setups.
Size and Portability
The Kong is not designed as a portable grill. While the caster wheels make movement around a patio easier, its ceramic construction makes frequent
Performance (Based on Patterns in Reviews)
Heating and Temperature Consistency
Users commonly report that the Kong performs well once the airflow is properly adjusted. Like most kamado grills, it requires learning how to manage vents because small adjustments can significantly affect temperature.
Many reviewers note that after reaching the desired temperature, the ceramic body helps maintain stable heat for long cooking sessions.
Potential drawbacks:
- Beginners may need practice controlling airflow
- Temperature changes can happen slowly because ceramic retains heat so effectively
Smoke Production and Flavor
The Kong uses lump charcoal, which provides the traditional charcoal flavor associated with kamado cooking.
Owners frequently highlight the ability to smoke:
- Brisket
- Pork shoulder
- Ribs
- Chicken
- Turkey
Compared with pellet smokers, the Kong requires more hands-on fire management. However, many barbecue enthusiasts prefer the deeper charcoal flavor and cooking control of a kamado.
Capacity and Versatility
The Kong’s large cooking area is one of its strongest selling points. The two-level grate system allows users to cook different foods simultaneously.
Typical uses include:
- Large steaks
- Multiple racks of ribs
- Whole chickens
- Pizza
- Bread
- Slow-smoked barbecue
The cooking space is generous for most families but may still feel limited compared with dedicated offset smokers or large competition-style smokers.
Ease of Use (Review-Based)
Beginner Experience
The Kong is more beginner-friendly than traditional offset smokers because the ceramic body helps stabilize temperatures. However, it is still a manual charcoal cooker.
Beginners need to learn:
- How much charcoal to use
- How to adjust vents
- How quickly temperatures rise
- How to manage indirect cooking setups
Common Complaints
Recurring owner concerns include:
- Heavy weight
- Learning curve for temperature control
- Ceramic requiring careful handling
- Limited automation compared with pellet grills
Pros & Cons (Summarised From Patterns)
✅ Large 24-inch cooking area
✅ Excellent heat retention from ceramic construction
✅ Can grill, smoke, bake, roast, and sear
✅ High-temperature capability above 700°F
✅ Stainless steel hardware and sturdy cart
✅ Strong value compared with some premium kamado competitors
❌ Heavy and difficult to move
❌ Requires learning charcoal and airflow management
❌ No digital temperature control or automation
❌ Ceramic construction requires careful handling
❌ Less convenient than pellet grills for set-and-forget cooking
Who Is the Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill Best For?
Best For:
Backyard barbecue enthusiasts
The Kong suits cooks who enjoy controlling the fire and experimenting with different cooking styles.
People who want one grill for everything
Its ability to smoke, sear, bake, and roast makes it a versatile replacement for multiple outdoor cookers.
Charcoal lovers
Those who prefer authentic charcoal flavor will appreciate the Kong’s design.
Families and entertainers
The large cooking area makes it practical for weekend gatherings.
Who Should Skip It?
The Kong may not be ideal for:
- People who want push-button temperature control
- Users who prefer pellet grills with automated feeding systems
- Anyone needing a lightweight portable grill
- Beginners who do not want to learn charcoal temperature management
Final Verdict: Is the Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill Worth It?
The Kong Ceramic Kamado Grill is a capable, full-size kamado that delivers the core advantages ceramic grills are known for: excellent heat retention, versatility, and the ability to cook everything from smoked brisket to high-temperature pizza.
Based on manufacturer specifications, expert testing, and owner feedback, the Kong represents strong value for cooks who want a premium charcoal cooking experience without moving into the highest-priced kamado category.
It is not the easiest outdoor cooker for beginners, but for someone willing to learn charcoal management, the Kong can serve as a long-term backyard centerpiece capable of replacing a grill, smoker, and pizza oven in one unit.
Overall rating: 4.5/5