Weber is one of the best-known barbecue brands and is especially famous for its round kettle barbecue. Still, many people look for an alternative: either because their old kettle needs replacing, or because they want to do more than sausages and burgers. That usually leads to a kamado. In this guide we don't compare brands, but two types of barbecue: the kettle and the kamado. You'll read how they work, where they differ, when you're better off sticking with your kettle and when switching is worth it. With a choice test, a step-by-step plan for switching and alternatives from our range.
In short: a kettle barbecue is light, heats up quickly and is ideal for short grilling sessions. A kamado is heavy and takes longer to heat up, but holds its temperature far more steadily: better for low & slow, smoking and high-heat baking. If you mainly grill quickly, keeping your kettle is perfectly fine. If you want more, look at a 21 inch kamado such as the Keij Pro Large or Legend Large. Not sure? Take the choice test.
Why do people look for a Weber alternative?
When people think of a barbecue, they often think of Weber's rounded kettle. That's no coincidence: it's a well-known brand and the kettle barbecue is a simple, proven design. The search for an alternative usually starts for one of these reasons:
- Your kettle needs replacing. Then it's a good moment to see whether you want the same type again, or something different.
- You want more than grilling. Spare ribs, pulled pork, bread or pizza: all possible on a kettle, but they demand a lot of attention.
- You want to do less adjusting. A long session on a kettle often means topping up the charcoal and keeping an eye on the vents.
- You want to compare. You buy a barbecue for years, so you like to put more than one option side by side.
In this guide we compare the type of barbecue, not the brand. You can also compare Weber here: the Weber brand page lists the brand's kettles, gas barbecues, electric barbecues and pellet barbecues, with the current price at the retailer. Want simply another kettle? Read another kettle after all?
Torn between charcoal and gas? Have a look at the gas barbecues or read kamado or gas barbecue. You'll find an overview of the well-known brands in the top 10 barbecue brands.
Kettle and kamado: how do they work?
A kettle barbecue is a round barbecue made of thin metal on legs, with a dome-shaped lid. At the bottom sits the charcoal on a charcoal grate, and above it the cooking grate. A vent at the bottom and one in the lid let you control how much air flows over the coals. Because the wall is thin, it heats up quickly but also loses heat quickly.
A kamado works on the same principle: charcoal at the bottom, air controlled by a vent below and a damper on top. The difference lies in the wall. The Keij kamados have a dome and firebox made of cordierite ceramic, a thick material that holds heat. The lid seals well, so the fire burns steadily and the temperature stays constant for a long time. You can read how to cook with one in how to use a kamado?
In short: a kettle is a fast grill with a lid, a kamado is a grill and an oven in one.
Kettle and kamado side by side
This table covers the two types of barbecue in general. It may differ slightly per brand and model.
| Item | Kettle barbecue | Kamado |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | Thin metal | Thick ceramic |
| Weight | Light | Heavy, 50 kg or more |
| Moving | Easy | Fixed spot |
| Heating up | Quick | Slower |
| Holding temperature | Sensitive to wind and cold | Very stable |
| Quick grilling | Very suitable | Suitable |
| Low & slow and smoking | Possible, with adjusting | Very suitable |
| Charcoal for long sessions | More | Economical |
| Purchase price | Usually lower | Usually higher |
The table shows that it's not a contest. A kettle is strong at quick and simple cooking, a kamado at anything that takes a long time or needs to get very hot. So the question is which of the two suits the way you barbecue.
Temperature: the biggest difference
On a kettle you control the heat mainly through the position of the coals. For indirect cooking, you place the coals on one side and the meat on the other. That works well, but during a session of several hours you have to top up and adjust the vents, and every time you open the lid, heat escapes.
A kamado suffers far less from this. According to the product information, Keij kamados have a range of 50 to just over 350 °C. That lets you cook low and slow as well as sear at very high heat. With the Divide & Conquer system, which comes with the Pro and the complete Legend models, you cook on several levels and both direct and indirect at the same time: the idea of two zones on a kettle, but set up more permanently.
When you're done, you close the vents of a kamado. The fire then goes out, and the coals that remain can be used again next time.
A kettle wins the first twenty minutes, a kamado wins every hour after that. So count how often your barbecue stays on for longer than an hour.
When you're better off sticking with your kettle
A kamado isn't an upgrade for everyone. Stick with a kettle barbecue if:
- you mainly grill briefly: sausages, burgers, skewers and vegetables;
- you often move the barbecue or put it in the shed after the season;
- your spot can't comfortably bear the weight of a kamado, such as a light balcony;
- you have no desire to learn how to control the fire.
If your kettle still works well, you can get more out of it with two simple things. A breathable cover keeps it dry and clean, and good charcoal burns more predictably. The covers below are, according to the product information, made for 57 cm kettle barbecues. Do measure your own barbecue first, because the catalogue doesn't name a brand or model they fit.
Coverit kettle cover 57 cm
View cover →
AeroCover cover 57 cm
View cover →
Marabu charcoal 10 kg
View charcoal →You'll find more in protective covers and in charcoal and lighting.
Another kettle after all?
Has your kettle had its day and do you want the same type back? Then compare the charcoal barbecues. There you'll find Weber kettles in 37, 47, 57 and 67 cm, from the small Smokey Joe to the Original Kettle, Master-Touch and Performer. Two examples in the classic 57 cm size:
Weber Original Kettle Premium 57 cm
Weber Master-Touch GBS E-5750 57 cm
The difference lies mainly in the equipment: the Master-Touch GBS has a GBS grate (Gourmet BBQ System) for insert pieces and, according to the product information, a Tuck-Away lid holder. When buying a new kettle, also check whether your old cover and accessories still fit.
When a kamado is the better choice
Switching pays off if you see the barbecue as an outdoor kitchen rather than a grill. Choose a kamado if:
- you want to do low & slow, such as spare ribs, pulled pork or a whole chicken, without constantly adjusting;
- you also want to make pizza, bread or oven dishes outdoors;
- you want a smoky flavour: the Keij Legend has, according to the product information, a chip feeder for smoking wood;
- the barbecue gets a fixed spot and may stay outside all year: the ceramic is, according to the product information, weather-resistant, with a cover over it.
Keep your kettle as a second barbecue
Switching doesn't have to mean the kettle has to go. Use the kamado for long sessions and the kettle for a quick weekday burger, or as extra grilling space when you have lots of guests.
Choice test: kettle or kamado?
Answer four questions and see whether you should stick with your kettle, switch to a 21 inch kamado, or start small.
Do you stick with your kettle barbecue or switch to a kamado?
How long is your barbecue usually on for?
- An hour, just quick grilling
- An afternoon or longer, it's fine if it runs over
- Briefly, for a few skewers at the table
What bothers you most about your kettle right now?
- Honestly nothing, it does what it needs to do
- The temperature fluctuates during long sessions
- It's bigger than I need
What do you finally want to cook outdoors this year?
- Nothing new, just well-grilled meat
- Pulled pork, spare ribs or a pizza
- Yakitori, satay or vegetables on the table
Where will the barbecue stand?
- After the season it goes into the shed
- On a fixed, sturdy spot on the terrace
- On a small balcony or in a corner
Keep your kettle. You mainly grill briefly and want something you can move easily. A kamado adds little for you. Protect your kettle with a good cover and use charcoal that burns predictably.
A 21 inch kamado suits you. You take your time, want long sessions without adjusting, and want to make more than just grilled food. Choose between the Keij Pro Large and the more complete Legend Large.
Start small: a compact kamado or table grill. You have little space or are cooking for a small group. A 15 inch kamado or the ceramic Shichirin table grill suits you better than a large kettle.
Alternatives from our range
These are three alternatives to a kettle barbecue, each for a different situation. All specs come from the Keij Kamado product information. You'll find current prices and retailers on the cards.
Want to stay with Weber? The brand also has a kamado: the Weber Summit Kamado E6, with, according to the product information, a 61 cm grate. Note: that one is made of steel, not ceramic. You'll find all ceramic kamados, including those from Big Green Egg, in kamados.
The direct step from kettle to kamado: Keij Pro Large (21 inch)
The Pro Large is the 21 inch kamado from Keij's Pro series. The dome and firebox are made of cordierite ceramic, the grate of stainless steel. You get a steel base with wheels, the Divide & Conquer system and a protective cover included. At 91.5 kg, it's a kamado for a fixed spot.
Keij Kamado Pro Large 21 inch
Why: everything you need to get started, without extras you may not use.
Complete with working space: Keij Legend Large (21 inch)
The Legend Large has a 47 cm grate, which according to the product information is enough for 4 to 6 people. Along with the base with large wheels, Divide & Conquer and the cover, you get HDPE side tables with hooks, a chip feeder for smoking wood and an ash drawer. The dome, lid, firebox and fire ring carry a lifetime warranty.
Keij Legend Black Large 21 inch
Why: the side tables give you the working space you often miss with a kettle, and the ash drawer makes it easy to get the ash out.
Small and light: Keij Shichirin table grill
Mainly missing quick grilling and short on space? The Shichirin is a compact ceramic table grill made of cordierite ceramic. It weighs 12.9 kg, burns on charcoal or briquettes and ranges from 100 to 300 °C. Designed for grilling and searing quickly, on the balcony, the terrace or on the go.
Keij Shichirin Hibachi table grill black
Note: this is a table grill for grilling and quick searing, not a replacement for long low & slow sessions. Also smaller, but a genuine kamado: the Keij Pro Compact 15 inch (50 kg, with base, Divide & Conquer and protective cover).
Want to see all sizes and colours side by side? Read buying a Keij Kamado: Legend vs Pro. If you want to compare Keij with other kamado brands, Big Green Egg alternative will help you with a checklist. Or browse all Keij kamados right away.
Which one suits you?
| Your situation | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mainly quick grilling | Your kettle | Light and heats up quickly |
| First kamado, family | Pro Large | 21 inch, complete |
| Need lots of working space | Legend Large | Side tables, ash drawer |
| Small terrace, 1 to 3 people | Pro Compact | 15 inch, 50 kg |
| Balcony or grilling at the table | Shichirin | 12.9 kg, compact |
How to tell whether switching makes sense
- Your barbecue regularly stays on for longer than an hour
- You want to smoke, cook slowly or bake pizza
- You have a fixed, sturdy spot for 50 to 95.5 kg
- You enjoy learning to control the fire with the vents
Still unsure which type of barbecue or garden furniture suits you? Try the selector tool.
From kettle to kamado in 4 steps
A kamado works slightly differently from what you're used to. These steps will make the switch go smoothly.
A kamado can easily weigh 50 to 95.5 kg. Place it on a flat, sturdy surface, away from anything that could catch fire, and check with a wooden deck or balcony what the floor can bear.
A kettle is usually described by its diameter in centimetres, a kamado in inches. Those numbers can't be compared directly. Measure the grate of your current barbecue and place it next to the grate diameter of the kamado, such as 47 cm for the Legend Large.
Use large pieces of charcoal and lighting blocks, not liquid. Let the fire get going with the lid open, then close the lid. Adjust in small steps: a kamado responds more slowly than a kettle.
The first few times, grill something you know, such as burgers or chicken. That way you learn how your kamado responds to the vents. After that, a long low & slow session becomes much easier.
Before you order, run through these points:
- You know how often your barbecue stays on for longer than an hour
- Your spot is flat and can bear 50 to 95.5 kg
- You've compared the grate diameter in cm, not just the inches
- You know what's in the box: base, cover, Divide & Conquer
- You have large pieces of charcoal and lighting blocks at home
- You've decided whether your kettle stays as a second barbecue
You can read which accessories you really need in kamado accessories: what do you need? Or browse the barbecue accessories.
Common mistakes when switching
Comparing inches with centimetres
A 21 inch kamado doesn't have a 21 inch grate. The Legend Large has an outer diameter of 55 cm and a grate of 47 cm. Always look at the grate diameter.
Cooking the way you do on a kettle
Anyone who piles in as much charcoal as on a kettle and opens the vents wide will overheat it badly. The ceramic holds heat, so cooling down takes a long time. Start with less air than you're used to.
Flinging the lid open all at once
A closed kamado with little oxygen can produce a flashback if you suddenly open the lid wide. Lift it a few centimetres first, wait a moment, and only then open it fully.
Underestimating the weight
You can lift a kettle easily, but not a kamado. Choose the spot before it's delivered, and expect that you won't move it often afterwards.
Assuming your kettle accessories will fit
Grates, covers and other parts of a kettle barbecue are made for that barbecue. Whether something fits a kamado is listed in the product information for that part. Your tongs, gloves and thermometer, of course, you can keep using.
Cleaning works differently
You clean a kamado with heat and a brush, not with water and soap on the ceramic. Remove the ash once it has cooled down completely. The full step-by-step is in cleaning a kamado.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to a Weber barbecue?
That depends on what you're missing. If you mainly want to grill quickly, a kettle barbecue does exactly what it should. If you also want to cook low & slow, smoke or bake pizza, a kamado is the logical next step. On this site you can compare, for example, the Keij Kamado Pro and Legend, the Big Green Egg and the Weber Summit Kamado E6, and for those who want to grill small, the ceramic Shichirin tabletop grill from Keij. If you'd rather go back to a kettle, you'll find Weber's kettles among the charcoal barbecues.
Is a kamado better than a kettle barbecue?
Not better, just different. Thanks to its thick ceramic walls, a kamado holds its temperature much more steadily, which makes it stronger for low & slow cooking, smoking and high-heat baking. A kettle barbecue is lighter, heats up faster and is easier to move. If you mainly grill briefly, a kamado offers little extra.
Can you cook low & slow on a kettle barbecue?
Yes. Place the coals on one side and the meat on the other, so it cooks indirectly. Because the thin metal wall loses heat more quickly, the temperature fluctuates more, especially in wind and cold. Expect to adjust and top up more often than with a kamado.
Which kamado size suits me if I currently have a kettle barbecue?
For a family, 21 inch is the usual size. Note that the size in inches is not the grill diameter. The 21 inch Keij Legend Large has a grill grate of 47 cm according to the product information, enough for 4 to 6 people. Measure the grate of your current barbecue and compare centimetres with centimetres.
How heavy is a kamado?
Considerably heavier than a kettle barbecue. According to the product information, Keij kamados weigh from 50 kg (15 inch) to 89 kg (Legend Large), 91.5 kg (Pro Large) and 95.5 kg (Legend XL). They stand on a base with wheels, but a kamado is best placed in a fixed, level spot.
Can I compare Weber and gas barbecues here?
Yes. Weber's kettles, gas barbecues, electric barbecues and pellet barbecues are on Weber's brand page, with the current price at the retailer. All of Weber's gas barbecues, such as the Weber Q, Spirit and Genesis, are also listed under gas barbecues. If you're torn between charcoal and gas, read our comparison of kamado and gas barbecue.
