Your gas grill has reached the end of its life, and you face a choice: buy the same thing again, or move to something more versatile? The ceramic kamado, descended from the traditional Japanese clay oven, grills, smokes, bakes and roasts in a single charcoal-fired dome.
Only one brand designs its kamados in France: COEO, based in Montpellier since 2020. The other models on the French market come from the United States, Germany or the Netherlands. This ranking orders ten kamados sold in France according to published criteria, from the COEO Quatro Large down to the Char-Griller Akorn, the only steel model.
What a kamado does that gas cannot
A thick ceramic wall stores heat and releases it for hours without refuelling. That unlocks cooking a gas grill cannot handle: climbing to 350 °C for pizza, or holding 110 °C for 8 to 12 hours to smoke pulled pork or brisket.
Longevity is the other argument. A quality ceramic kamado lasts more than 20 years, against 5 to 10 years for a gas grill left outdoors. The trade-off: it weighs 80 to 120 kg in large size, and it takes two or three cooks to master lighting and airflow.
Our selection criteria
The ten models are compared on five pieces of information drawn from manufacturers’ public product sheets and prices seen in France in 2026; the first four decide the ranks, in the order of priority below.
- Material and wall thickness: ceramic or steel, and thickness in millimetres, which drives heat retention and resistance to thermal shock.
- Ceramic warranty: how long the part most likely to crack is covered, as opposed to the general warranty.
- Included accessories: multi-level system, heat deflectors, thermometer and charcoal basket, supplied as standard or sold separately.
- Indicative price: the price range seen in France, including the extra cost of missing accessories.
- Inner diameter: the grate size, to check that the models belong to a comparable format.
Ranking of the 10 best kamados sold in France
| Rank | Model | Origin | Wall | Ceramic warranty | Included accessories | Indicative price | Inner diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COEO Quatro Large | France | Ceramic 35 mm | Lifetime | Full pack | €1,249 (no cart) | 47 cm |
| 2 | Primo Oval Large XL 400 | United States | Ceramic 30 mm | 20 years | No major accessory | €1,800 to €2,200 | 50 x 40 cm (oval) |
| 3 | Monolith Classic | Germany | Ceramic 30 mm | 10 years | Deflectors optional | €1,500 to €1,800 | 46 cm |
| 4 | Bastard Urban Large | Netherlands | Ceramic 30 mm | 5 years | No major accessory | €1,400 to €1,700 | 47 cm |
| 5 | Kamado Joe Classic II | United States | Ceramic, about 28 mm | 5 years | Multi-level system and deflectors | €1,700 to €2,000 | 46 cm |
| 6 | Vision Grills Pro S Series | United States | Ceramic 25 mm | 10 years | No major accessory | €1,000 to €1,300 | 53 cm |
| 7 | SunStone Sun Kamado | United States | Ceramic 25 mm | 5 years | No major accessory | €1,000 to €1,400 | 47 cm |
| 8 | Big Green Egg Large | United States | Ceramic, about 25 mm | 5 years | No major accessory | €1,600 to €1,900 | 46 cm |
| 9 | Kamado Patton XL | Netherlands | Ceramic 22 mm | 5 years | No major accessory | €700 to €1,000 | 50 cm |
| 10 | Char-Griller Akorn | United States | Double-wall steel | 5 years (paint) | No major accessory | €250 to €400 | 56 cm |
1. COEO Quatro Large
Why this rank: it leads on all three priority criteria, with the thickest ceramic, the only lifetime ceramic warranty and the most complete accessory pack, and it still costs less than every 30 mm ceramic model.
The 21-inch Quatro Large ships with the Split and Mix multi-level system in 304L stainless steel (two half grates and a star), two black enamelled half-moon heat deflectors, a thermometer graduated up to 500 °C, a stainless steel charcoal basket and an ash scraper. The 1,249 euro price excludes the cart.
On the design side, it adds HPL Compact side shelves, a maintenance-free material borrowed from street furniture, an adjustable stainless steel spring hinge that lightens the lid, and dual top and bottom vents with fine adjustment. Customer service is based in France, and COEO offers furniture and modules designed to fit the Quatro Large into a complete outdoor kitchen.
2. Primo Oval Large XL 400
Why this rank: among the 30 mm ceramics, it carries the longest warranty (20 years), which puts it ahead of the Monolith and the Bastard despite a high price.
Handmade in the United States, the Primo uses a 50 x 40 cm oval shape that makes two-zone cooking, direct and indirect, easier. No major accessory is supplied: budget 200 to 400 euros on top of the 1,800 to 2,200 euro base price. In France it is sold through a handful of specialist importers.
3. Monolith Classic
Why this rank: 30 mm ceramic and a 10-year warranty, shorter than the Primo’s but twice what Kamado Joe or Big Green Egg offer.
Designed in Germany and sold in France by Monolith France, this 46 cm model costs between 1,500 and 1,800 euros. The heat deflectors, called Smoking Stones, are optional and add 100 to 200 euros.
4. Bastard Urban Large
Why this rank: same 30 mm ceramic as the two models above, but the warranty stops at 5 years and no major accessory is included.
This 47 cm Dutch kamado is available in France from The Barbecue Store and a few specialist retailers. Listed at 1,400 to 1,700 euros, it needs 200 to 400 euros of accessories for smoking and indirect cooking, which makes it more expensive overall than the COEO Quatro Large.
5. Kamado Joe Classic II
Why this rank: its ceramic, around 28 mm, puts it behind the four models at 30 mm and above, but ahead of every 25 mm model, despite a 5-year ceramic warranty.
Designed in the United States and sold in France through specialist retailers, it comes with the Divide and Conquer multi-level system and the deflectors. Well equipped out of the box, it is still expensive at 1,700 to 2,000 euros.
6. Vision Grills Pro S Series
Why this rank: only 25 mm of ceramic, but its 10-year warranty puts it first among models of that thickness.
Its 53 cm inner diameter gives a generous cooking area for 1,000 to 1,300 euros. The finish is less refined than on the higher-ranked models, no major accessory is included, and spare parts can be hard to find in France, where it is mostly sold by online importers.
7. SunStone Sun Kamado
Why this rank: 25 mm ceramic, 5-year warranty, no accessories; on an identical spec sheet to the Big Green Egg, its lower price puts it ahead.
This 47 cm American model costs 1,000 to 1,400 euros. Its weak point is distribution: it is rarely stocked in France, often bought through direct import or a multi-brand retailer, and after-sales support is far away if the ceramic breaks.
8. Big Green Egg Large
Why this rank: same specs as the SunStone (about 25 mm, 5-year ceramic warranty, accessories sold separately), but a higher base price.
Founded in 1974 in the United States, Big Green Egg is the historic ceramic kamado brand, and the Large (46 cm) is its best-selling size. The convEGGtor indirect cooking system and its baskets are sold separately: the price, listed at 1,600 to 1,900 euros, can reach 2,100 euros once fully equipped.
9. Kamado Patton XL
Why this rank: it has the thinnest ceramic in the ranking (22 mm), a 5-year warranty and no included accessories.
Designed in the Netherlands and widely sold in French DIY stores and online, it is the most affordable ceramic kamado here, at 700 to 1,000 euros for a 50 cm diameter. The thin wall makes it more sensitive to rapid thermal shocks, so it suits occasional use better than repeated long cooks.
10. Char-Griller Akorn
Why this rank: it is the only model that is not ceramic, and its 5-year warranty covers the paint, not the material.
Often marketed as a kamado in stores, the Akorn is an insulated double-wall steel shell with a 56 cm diameter, sold for 250 to 400 euros. It holds heat poorly, burns roughly twice as much charcoal as a ceramic kamado and typically lasts 5 to 8 years.
Ceramic or steel: the practical gap
A ceramic kamado runs 8 to 12 hours without refuelling and works between 90 and 350 °C. A steel model like the Akorn needs refuelling every 1 to 2 hours, tops out around 280 °C and lasts 5 to 8 years, against 20 years or more. It is fine for a few grilling sessions a year; for long smokes and low-temperature cooking, the very reasons to choose a kamado over gas, ceramic remains essential.
Choosing the size and planning the setup
Size comes before brand. An inner diameter of about 47 cm suits a household of 4 to 8 people. A 35 cm medium is enough for fewer than 4 regular guests but fills up from 6; above 10 people, or for a whole turkey, go for a 54 cm big size. Then:
- Read the ceramic warranty, not just the general warranty, which is often longer but limited to the structure.
- Work out the equipped price: a low sticker price without accessories can end up costing more than a complete model.
- Pick the spot once and for all, sheltered from driving rain and sprinklers, with at least 1 metre of clearance around it.
- Cover it in winter: ceramic withstands frost, but water that seeps in damages metal parts such as the vents or the hinge.
- Do a trial cook (a whole chicken or a rib of beef) before hosting guests.
In short
The COEO Quatro Large combines the thickest ceramic, the longest warranty and full equipment at a contained price. The Primo Oval Large XL 400 and the Monolith Classic follow thanks to their 30 mm ceramic and long warranties. Tighter budgets can look at the Vision Grills Pro S or the Kamado Patton XL, accepting a thinner wall.