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REAL FYREKamado Grill Comparison: Best Kamado Grills from Kamado Joe, Coyote, and Lynx
Why Kamado Grills Dominate Backyard Cooking in 2025
A kamado grill is more than just a charcoal cooker—it’s a ceramic heat-retaining powerhouse that can sear steaks at 700 °F, hold a steady 225 °F for low-and-slow smoking, and even bake wood-fired pizza. If you’ve been eyeing the category for 2025, you’ll notice three standout brands dominating backyard wish-lists: Kamado Joe grill, Coyote grills, and Lynx grills. Each brings its own spin on craftsmanship, accessories, and price, and by the end of this guide you’ll know which model truly deserves the title of the best kamado grill for your cooking style.
What Is a Kamado Grill?
Modern kamados take inspiration from ancient Japanese clay cookers but swap mud for thick, heat-soaking ceramic—typically 1 to 1.5 inches (Coyote sits at 1″, Kamado Joe at 1¼″, Lynx at 1½″). That dense shell traps heat and moisture, so foods stay juicy while charcoal lasts longer. Inside, lump charcoal burns in a stone or stainless firebox. A bottom draft door and a cast-aluminum or ceramic top vent work together like a dimmer switch: crack them wide to blast past 700 °F for steakhouse sears, or choke them down to hold 225 °F for a 12-hour brisket.
Grates vary by brand—split stainless racks on Kamado Joe and Lynx, a single diamond-cut grate on Coyote—but all three give you about 250–510 sq in of cooking space across optional multi-tier systems. Thanks to the curved walls, heat and smoke circulate evenly, reducing flare-ups and producing crisp crusts on everything from pizza to pork ribs. In short, a kamado’s fuel efficiency, broad temperature range, and compact footprint make it a versatile centerpiece for any outdoor kitchen.
Kamado Joe Classic III — The Feature-Rich “Kamado Joe Grill” Flagship - $1,699.00
The 18-inch Kamado Joe grill earns its reputation by layering smart engineering on top of thick, heat-soaking ceramic. Here’s why it stands out:
Three-Tier Divide & Conquer™ rack — stacks up to 510 sq in of cooking space and lets you run different foods at different heat zones simultaneously.
Harvard-designed SloRoller insert — creates a rolling wave of heat and smoke that bathes food evenly for cleaner burns and richer bark.
Air-Lift™ hinge — trims roughly 96 % of the dome’s weight, so opening the lid feels almost effortless.
Kontrol Tower™ vent (cast aluminum) — keeps airflow steady, sheds rain, and stays locked at your chosen setting even when you lift the lid.
AMP segmented firebox & stainless charcoal basket — resists thermal cracking, sifts spent ash for quick cleanup, and saves unburned charcoal for next time.
Premium cart & side shelves — galvanized-steel frame and powder-coated aluminum shelves shrug off rust while giving you plenty of prep real estate.
Why pick Kamado Joe?
If you want the widest temperature range, the most built-in accessories, and a lid that’s effortless to lift, the Classic III packs the most capability into a single kamado—making it the clear choice for cooks who want maximum versatility from day one.
Coyote Asado Ceramic Grill — Charcoal Control, Signature Sear - $1,199.00
For cooks who love the unmistakable snap and smoke of lump charcoal, the Coyote Asado brings kamado versatility to any outdoor kitchen—built-in or on a mobile cart.
Thick ceramic shell locks in heat and moisture, holding rock-steady temps for marathon brisket sessions or 600 °F steak sears.
Dual airflow vents (top and bottom) make dialing in low-and-slow or blazing-hot zones as simple as sliding a lever.
Diamond-cut stainless grate (≈ 254 sq in.) adds restaurant-style grill marks while giving you room for a couple of beer-can chickens or a family pack of wings.
Integrated thermometer sits eye-level, so you can glance at the dome temp without lifting the lid and losing heat.
Accessory bundle includes a dedicated ash tool for painless clean-up, ceramic feet for drop-in installs, and touch-up paint to keep the exterior looking fresh.
Choose your format — drop it into a masonry island or opt for the freestanding cart if you need to roll the party poolside.
Why it shines: Fans of coyote grills praise the Asado for combining precision airflow with ceramic fuel efficiency, giving you that deep charcoal flavor without constant babysitting—perfect for backyard chefs who want kamado performance wrapped in Coyote’s rugged styling.
Lynx 18″ Kamado Grill — Polished Power in a Small Footprint - $2,499.00
The Lynx Kamado gives you charcoal flavor with a high-end look. Its thick, glossy-black ceramic dome holds heat for hours, letting you smoke ribs at 225 °F or blast past 700 °F for steak sears—all without using much charcoal.
Heat-locking ceramic (1.5″ thick) keeps temperatures steady and stretches a single load of lump up to 18 hours.
Three-tier stainless rack (≈ 250 sq in.) lets you sear, roast, and warm sides at the same time.
Top vent and bottom draft door work together for precise airflow, even when you open the lid.
Built-in thermometer means no guessing—just glance and adjust.
Slide-out ash drawer & charcoal basket make cleanup quick and clean reloads easy.
Rotisserie-ready mounts (spit sold separately) for self-basting chicken or porchetta.
Glossy fire-glazed shell resists fading and looks sharp against any countertop.
Why pick Lynx?
If you want luxury fit-and-finish plus rock-solid charcoal performance, this 18-inch kamado brings both. It drops neatly into a grill island, but inside there’s room for pizzas, briskets, or a weekend’s worth of burgers—all while the polished vents and soft-close lid give every cook a premium feel.
Side-by-Side Kamado Grill Comparison
Not sure which kamado fits your cooking style? The table below lines up the three models head-to-head—so you can scan cooking area, build materials, temperature control, and clean-up features in seconds. Use it as a quick reference before diving into prices or add-ons.
| Kamado Joe Classic III - Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,699 |
| Class | Premium |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal (wood chunks optional) |
| Size | 18″ diameter dome |
| Configuration | Freestanding cart & side shelves |
| Exterior Material & Color | 1¼″ red ceramic |
| Cooking Area | Up to 510 sq in (3-tier rack) |
| Grate Type | Split 304 stainless steel |
| Spring-Assist Hood | Yes – Air-Lift™ hinge |
| Special Features | SlōRoller insert, slide-out ash drawer, Kontrol Tower vent |
| Warranty | Lifetime ceramic • 5-year metal • 1-year remaining parts |
| Coyote Asado - Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,199 |
| Class | Premium |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal |
| Size | 19⅜″ diameter dome |
| Configuration | Built-in or optional cart |
| Exterior Material & Color | 1″ black ceramic |
| Cooking Area | 254 sq in diamond-cut grate |
| Grate Type | One-piece 304 stainless steel |
| Spring-Assist Hood | No |
| Special Features | Dual vents, ash tool, ceramic feet, touch-up paint |
| Warranty | Lifetime ceramic • 5-year metal • 1-year remaining parts |
| Lynx 18″ Kamado - Key Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $2,499 |
| Class | Luxury |
| Fuel Type | Charcoal |
| Size | 18″ diameter dome |
| Configuration | Built-in drop-in |
| Exterior Material & Color | 1½″ gloss-black ceramic |
| Cooking Area | 250 sq in 3-tier racks |
| Grate Type | Split 304 stainless steel |
| Spring-Assist Hood | Yes |
| Special Features | Rotisserie mounts, slide-out ash drawer, precision vents |
| Warranty | Lifetime ceramic • 5-year core parts • 1-year parts & labor |
Conclusion — Choosing Your Best Kamado Grill
Every backyard chef has different priorities. If you need the widest temperature range and the most built-in accessories, the Kamado Joe Classic III is hard to beat. Prefer straightforward charcoal flavor in a versatile ceramic shell? The Coyote Asado delivers solid heat retention and easy airflow control at a friendlier price. Craving a premium finish that looks as good as it cooks? The Lynx 18″ Kamado combines luxury styling with precise vents and rotisserie-ready mounts.
Whichever model fits your cooking style, you’ll find them all at Best of Backyard—online or in person:
Shop online: BestofBackyard.com
Visit our showroom: 9901 Indiana Ave Unit 109, Riverside, CA 92503
Stop by or browse the site to compare specs, see current promotions, and pick up everything else you need—from lump charcoal to cover kits—to start enjoying that signature kamado grill flavor at home!
❓Frequently Asked Questions on Kamado Grills
How much lump charcoal will I use in a kamado?
Because the thick ceramic shell traps heat, a single load of lump charcoal can power 12–18 hours of low-and-slow cooking (225 °F) or several rounds of high-heat grilling. You’ll burn roughly 30–50 % less fuel than in a comparably sized metal grill.
What temperature range can I expect?
With both vents wide-open, modern kamados easily top 700 °F for steakhouse searing. Close the vents down and you can cruise at 225–250 °F for ribs and brisket. That 500-plus-degree swing makes a kamado one of the most versatile outdoor cookers.
Will the ceramic crack or fade over time?
The domes are kiln-fired at very high temperatures and won’t crack under normal cooking heat. Hairline crazing is cosmetic only. Fading is minimal—especially on glazed finishes like the glossy black Lynx or the red Kamado Joe—but a fitted cover extends life even further.
What’s the easiest way to clean a kamado?
After cooking, let the grill run hot (500 °F) for 15–20 minutes to burn off grease. When it cools, sweep ash: Kamado Joe & Lynx use slide-out drawers; Coyote includes an ash tool. Stainless grates lift out for a quick brush or a soak in warm, soapy water.
Where can I buy a kamado grill in Riverside, California?
Visit Best of Backyard at 9901 Indiana Ave Unit 109, Riverside, CA 92503 to see Kamado Joe, Coyote, and Lynx models in person, or shop anytime online by clicking down below!
