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You Got the Kamado—Here Are the Accessories You Absolutely Need

From a pizza stone to a grill expander to a cover, you'll find it here

Best kamado grill accessories collaged against a blue striped background

The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis

Kamado grills are known for their versatility, making them a popular choice for grilling enthusiasts who want to do it all. "One of the biggest benefits of cooking on a kamado style grill is cooking on an open flame—there is nothing else like it," says Chef Joshua Lee. "You can get the temperature up to 750 degrees, or you can sear the meat right on the wood or coals. You can also regulate the temperature, as these ceramic grills hold heat better than a brick oven."

Plus, with the right accessories, a kamado grill can do even more. Whether you want to turn your grill into a rotisserie roaster, pizza oven, or super smoker, there are accessories that allow you to accomplish all these tasks—and more. When shopping for accessories, be sure to triple-check that they're compatible with your particular grill model, as some tools only work with specific grills.

Best Rotisserie

Kamado Joe JoeTisserie Classic

Kamado Joe JoeTisserie Classic

Amazon

What We Like
  • Holds up to 40 pounds

  • Adjustable forks

  • Creates seal to hold in heat

What We Don't Like
  • No speed adjustment

It’s shockingly easy and (relatively) inexpensive to turn your kamado grill into a rotisserie and make juicy meat or poultry with very little effort. Simply attach the Kamado Joe JoeTisserie and enjoy a cold one while your chicken, duck, roast, or prime rib rotates on the stainless steel spit and bastes itself. The motor is powerful enough to handle up to 40 pounds, the spit has adjustable forks to hold any meat or bird in place, and the wedge-shaped design creates a tight seal so you won’t lose any heat while you cook. While this is manufactured by and for Kamado Joe and fits the brand’s Classic I, II, and III, it’s designed to fit any 18-inch kamado grill, including the large Big Green Egg. Size up if you have the Big Joe I, II, or III or the XL Big Green Egg.

Dimensions: 20.5 x 27 x 2 inches | Weight: 10.6 pounds | Compatible Grills: 18-inch kamado grills

Best Cover

Classic Accessories Ravenna 22-Inch Kamado Ceramic Grill Cover

Classic Accessories Ravenna 22-Inch Kamado Ceramic BBQ Grill Cover

Amazon

What We Like
  • Waterproof and UV-stabilized

  • Adjustable cord closure for stability

  • Air vents prevent moisture accumulation

What We Don't Like
  • Not as form-fitting as other covers

Kamado grills are durable cooking vessels built to last, but you still want to protect yours from the elements—especially if you've installed any permanent or semi-permanent accessories. If you don't have a covered grilling area or outdoor storage, a waterproof cover is the next best thing, and this Classic Accessories Ravenna cover checks all the boxes.

Made of black woven polyester, it has a UV-stabilized coating and water-resistant backing to guard against rain, sleet, and snow. An adjustable cord closure at the bottom means it won't get blown off in strong winds, and structured air vents prevent moisture accumulation. Available in large (to fit ceramic grills up to 22 inches in diameter) and extra-large (to fit up to 27 inches) this doesn't offer the sleek, fitted look of some other covers—but a roomier cover is perfect for those late nights when you know you should remove your attachments but just want to wait until the morning.

Dimensions: 31.8 x 40 x 31.8 inches | Material: Polyester with PVC backing | Compatible Grills: Grills up to 22 inches

Best Starter

KamadoJoe Electric Starter For Charcoal

KamadoJoe Electric Starter For Charcoal

Amazon

What We Like
  • Lights charcoal quickly

  • Angled element sits on bottom of grill easily

  • No need for lighter fluid

What We Don't Like
  • Must be close to an electrical outlet

Kamado grill owners might appreciate low and slow cooking, but that doesn't mean we want to rub two sticks together or mess with a flame-throwing charcoal chimney every time we cook. Enter the electric fire starter. While it's not quite as exciting as it looks (it doesn't zap the coals or anything) it does make easy work of lighting your grill. The three loops make contact with more coals for faster lighting—between five and 10 minutes.

This starter delivers 600 watts of fire-starting power while you focus on something else. Just tuck it into your charcoal (it's angled to better fit a kamado's round shape), and in about 15 minutes you'll have a perfect fire. The only drawback is that you need to plug it in, but that’s nothing that a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord can’t fix.

Dimensions: 16.5 x 5 x 2.75 inches | Compatible Grills: Any | Power: 600 watts

Best Insert

Onlyfire Stainless Steel Grill Expander

Onlyfire Stainless Steel Grill Expander

Amazon

What We Like
  • Increases cooking area on grill

  • Heavy-duty construction

  • Easy to access food on lower level

What We Don't Like
  • Screws can come loose if not tightened properly

For the most part, kamado grills are amazing, but they do have one drawback: Unless you spring for the biggest models, they’re pretty limited when it comes to the cooking surface area. This grill expander somewhat solves that problem by working as a “second story” grill grate. Made of durable stainless steel, the Onlyfire Stainless Steel Grill Expander Cooking Grate sits 3.5 inches above your grill's main grates creating an additional surface for indirect cooking, warming, and more. It's also just a bonus space if you use your kamado for smoking. At 15.6 x 13.2 inches (it's not quite a complete circle, making it easier to access items on bottom) it fits many kamado grills, including the Large Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe Classic. It can be used on bigger grills, too.

Dimensions: 13.2 x 15.6 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 3.4 pounds | Material: Stainless steel | Compatible Grills: Weber, Char-Broil, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe Classic, Pit Boss

Best Basket

Kamado Joe JoeTisserie Basket Kit Grill Rotisserie

Kamado Joe JoeTisserie Basket Kit Grill Rotisserie

Amazon

What We Like
  • No rod in the center of the basket

  • Easily adjustable

  • Kit fits multiple rotisserie sizes

  • Super durable

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

If you already have a rotisserie, this basket set will take it to the next level. Unlike other baskets, the rotisserie rod doesn’t go through the basket, so food won’t get caught in the middle, and there’s a bit more space for those chicken wings to tumble. A well-engineered frame holds the basket securely, for a sure spin. Even better, the kit includes rods of different lengths, so the same basket kit can be used on Kamado Joe, Classic Joe, and Big Joe rotisseries, as well as other compatible rotisseries in those sizes.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though. The set comes with two rounded basket halves, and two flat halves, and the frame allows adjustments for those halves. That’s particularly useful for cooking steaks, fish filets, or even for keeping vegetables in place inside the flat basket since you can adjust for thick or thin foods. It also means you can keep a whole chicken or roast (up to 10 pounds) snugly contained in the basket without tying.

Like the Kamado Joe itself, this set is robustly built, with heavy gauge rods and wires that won’t be bending or breaking, no matter how much those roasting peppers bounce around. Cleaning is a snap, too, since the baskets are dishwasher safe.

Dimensions: 30.1 x 10.3 x 6.7 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Compatible Grills: Kamado Joe charcoal grills

Best Pizza Stone

Kamado Joe Ceramic Pizza Stone

Kamado Joe KJ-PS23 Ceramic Pizza Stone

Amazon

What We Like
  • Large 15-inch diameter

  • Heavy-duty construction that delivers crispy crusts

  • No seasoning required

What We Don't Like
  • Needs to be used with heat deflector

No need to splurge on a pizza oven if you have a kamado grill in your yard—instead, just buy this ceramic pizza stone, which will help you make restaurant-quality pies in the comfort of your own home. This pizza stone is 15 inches in diameter, and the ceramic construction distributes heat and absorbs excess moisture for a perfectly a crispy crust. The stone arrives ready to use—no seasoning needed—but you may need to use a heat deflector on your kamado grill to prevent the top of your pizza from getting burned. When it comes time to clean, it's important to know that ceramic pizza stone just need a brushing off or light wipe down, and shouldn't be submerged in water.

Dimensions: 14.9 x 14.9 x 0.6 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Material: Ceramic | Compatible Grills: 18-inch kamado grills (and larger)

Best Chimney Upgrade

SMOKEWARE Vented Chimney Cap

SMOKEWARE Vented Chimney Cap

Amazon

What We Like
  • Keeps water out of grill

  • Three vents for better temperature control

  • Easy to install

What We Don't Like
  • Material is extremely reflective in sunlight

Kamado grills usually come with a daisy wheel and porcelain cap, but sometimes the daisy wheel will either stick or close on its own when you open the lid (meaning you have to continuously adjust it throughout your cook), and long-time users know the ceramic cap is a little too easy to break.

A budget-friendly, low-maintenance upgrade, the stainless steel Smokeware Vented Chimney cap won’t stick or break. This all-weather cap has three tapered vents for easy temperature control (even at super-low temps) and a built-in awning to keep rain and snow out of your grill. It's easy to install, fits securely, and maintains your settings when opening and closing the lid.

Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.8 x 5.1 inches | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Material: 304 stainless steel | Compatible Grills: Kamado Joe Classic and Big Joe models

Best for Smoking

Kamado Joe Classic Joe SloRoller with Rack

Kamado Joe BJ-Hyper Classic Joe SloRoller with Rack

Amazon

What We Like
  • Delivers even heat and smoke

  • Maintains a low temperature for smoking

  • Compatible with various kamado models

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Large meat may not fit on rack

If you're planning to use your kamado grill for smoking, the Kamado Joe SloRoller will make it easier to cook deliciously flavorful and evenly cooked meat. This accessory replaces the brand's Divide & Conquer rack within your grill, and it creates a smoke chamber that evenly distributes heat and smoke throughout the grill. It includes a stainless steel rack on top where you can place your meat, and it's engineered to slow cook at temperatures between 150 and 500 degrees. The only downside is that the rack sits fairly high in the grilling chamber, so there may not be enough clearance to close the lid over large pieces of meat.

Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 5.25 inches | Weight: 9.46 pounds | Compatible Grills: Kamado Joe Classic I, II, Large Big Green Egg

Best Grate Lifter

KAMaster Grill Grate Lifter

KAMaster Grill Grate Lifter

Amazon

What We Like
  • Keeps hands away from heat

  • Can operate with one hand

  • Anti-slip hook

  • Durable cast iron

What We Don't Like
  • May be too wide for some grates

If your kamado grill has multiple levels of grates, chances are you'll often need to lift upper grates to access the lower levels. You can make this task significantly easier (and safer) with the KAMaster Grate Lifter, which works with 0.5-inch grate bars. It's made from cast iron, allowing it to lift even the heaviest grates without distortion, and it has a hook on the end to prevent the grate from slipping off. This grate lifter can be operated with just one hand, and it helps to keep your hands away from hot grates while cooking.

Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.38 x 0.98 inches | Material: Cast iron | Compatible Grills: Grates with 0.5-inch bars and 5/16 inches between bars

Best Grill Light

Cave Tools Barbecue Grill Light

best grill light

Amazon

What We Like
  • Compact and easy to store

  • Brightness of 100+ lumens

  • Water and heat resistant

What We Don't Like
  • Cumbersome to remove

"A night light for the handle of the grill is great for grilling at night," says Lee. "If it's dark out, your floodlights might not provide enough light, and holding a flashlight is inconvenient. So the handle light makes a perfect addition to your kamado grill."

At under 8 inches long, the compact Cave Tools Barbecue Grill Light is long enough to light the grilling surface, without getting in the way. It can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to get the perfect angle. The LED light puts out over 100 lumens, which is more than adequate for illuminating the grill at night. The body of the light is made of heat-resistant ABS plastic and the clamp is made of aluminum, so you shouldn’t experience any melting.

Turning the light on is as easy as a push of a button, just tap the logo to turn on and choose one of the three brightness settings. This light can withstand the heat from the grill cover, as well as light rain. It’s best to remove the lamp after finished grilling and store indoors until the next use, which can be cumbersome, but will result in a long-lasting grill light. As an added bonus, the Cave Tools Barbecue Grill Light comes with a downloadable cookbook and access to a video library. The light does require three AA batteries that are not included.

Dimensions: 7.5 × 3.5 × 1.8 inches | Type: LED | Lumens: 100

Best Griddle

Kamado Joe Karbon Steel Classic Griddle

Kamado Joe Karbon Steel Classic Griddle

Walmart

What We Like
  • Large cooking surface

  • Easy to install

  • Available in two sizes

What We Don't Like
  • No multi-level cooking

Outdoor griddles offer cooking options that a regular grill can’t handle—like making a full breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. They’re also great for fajitas, vegetables, burgers, delicate fish and more. While half-moon cast iron or soapstone griddle can be handy for some of those tasks, the Kamado Joe Karbon Steel Griddle turns the entire grill into a griddle, so there’s more space and less chance food will fall over the edge. A grease drain on one side disposes of drippings, so food will cook properly without steaming.

Since the griddle is made from carbon steel, it heats quickly and stays hot for perfect searing and stir frying, and it’s just as good for lower temperature, gentle cooking, like making eggs for a crowd. Cleaning is simple, too, since the griddle is practically nonstick, and gets better over time as it picks up seasoning from repeated cooking. Handles on the sides make it easy to move on and off the grill as needed.

This griddle comes in two sizes. One fits 18-inch grills, like the Classic Joe, and the other fits 24-inch grills like the Big Joe.

Material: Carbon steel | Weight: 16.7 pounds | Dimensions: 18.9 x 18.4 x 3.2 inches

Final Verdict

No matter what kamado grill you have, you need a grill cover. We stand behind the Classic Accessories Ravenna 22-Inch Kamado Ceramic Grill Cover. The Cave Tools Barbecue Grill Light will also come in handy if you plan on post-sunset grilling.

What to Look for in Kamado Grill Accessories

Fit

If you’re buying an accessory that’s not the same brand as your kamado, it’s important to get a good fit. In addition to checking—and double-checking—all the specs to make sure your new accessory will actually work with the make, model, and size of your kamado grill, read the reviews to make sure whatever you’re buying actually fits your grill. Try filtering all the reviews to see if people who own your exact kamado grill have used this accessory. It’s a little extra work when you’re shopping, but it can spare you a lot of hassle later. 

Purpose

It might be tempting to load up on seemingly useful grilling accessories, but you don't really need a rib rack to cook ribs or a poultry frame to cook a turkey. Instead of buying a bunch of gadgets that will ultimately end up cluttering your cabinets or collecting dust in the garage, opt for more versatile accessories that can do more than one thing. Since you can absolutely cook a turkey on a rotisserie and make more room for ribs with a grate expander.

Ease of use and cleaning

For the most part, accessories are meant to make your grilling easier—or at least kick your cooking up a notch. But before you buy, be realistic (with yourself) about how much work you want to do to cook dinner. The rotisserie is a versatile accessory, but will you put off making rotisserie chicken because setting it up on a weeknight sounds like a drag? Then maybe it’s not the right gadget for you. Will other accessories just become more things you have to put away and clean? On the other hand, something like an electric starter might make your prep even easier and doesn’t really require any cleaning. 

FAQs

Is a grill cover necessary?

Grill covers are important to protect your investment from the elements, and they’re especially necessary for ceramic kamado grills. “The porous nature of the ceramic material will absorb rainwater over time, and when heated to high temperatures, that water gets forced out of the ceramic,” says Matthew Eads, cookbook author, gourmet griller, and founder of the blog Grillseeker. When this happens, your grill will look like it’s sweating, which won’t damage it, but it will leave some unsightly stains that will need to be cleaned.

Eads adds that since kamado-style grills create a tight seal to keep heat in, any moisture that’s trapped inside the grill will cause mold to grow, particularly if you live in a super humid environment. Lastly, it’s important to make sure the grill surface is cool before putting the cover on to avoid a melted mess. “This style of grill stays hot for a long time even after the coals have been snuffed out,” Eads says. “That’s how they are designed.” 

Can you put a grill cover in the washing machine?

While you technically can put most grill covers in a washing machine, experts don’t recommend it. The first reason is because throwing it in the washing machine isn’t the most effective way of cleaning it. Instead, Eads recommends cleaning grill covers while they’re actually on the grill so that you have access to the full surface area. “Use some mild dish soap, a scrub brush, and warm water to scrub the cover thoroughly before rinsing it off with a hose and allowing it to dry in the sun,” Eads says.

The other reason why you don’t want to put a grill cover in the washing machine is because they get pretty gross from being exposed to the elements. You don’t want to put something covered in grease and mold into the same machine you wash your clothes in.

What can you cook in a rotisserie basket?

Chicken wings, sausage, root vegetables, peppers, french fries, and even nuts are just a handful of things that you can cook in a round rotisserie basket. “Rotisserie baskets are a fun way to experiment with several different types of foods,” Eads says.

Flat baskets can be used to cook both sides of a fish evenly without having to flip it like you would with a traditional grill grate. “Fish tends to stick to cooking grates, so the basket is a nice alternative,” Eads says. “Just be sure to give it a light coating of cooking spray before putting the fish inside.” Depending on the size of the basket, you can also cook pork ribs.

How do you clean a pizza stone?

Since kamado grills can reach such high temperatures, you can clean a pizza stone right inside one. It’s pretty much like cleaning an oven on a self-cleaning cycle––just crank up the heat. With the pizza stone inside, heat up the grill to about 700 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 to 60 minutes. This will bake off any cooked residue. “Any food cooked onto the pizza stone will be reduced to ash at that point, and can easily be wiped off with a damp cloth,” Eads says. Having the pizza stone inside the grill as it’s preheating will help to avoid cracking due to thermal shock.

How do you season a pizza stone?

Unlike a cast iron pan, a pizza stone doesn’t need to be seasoned with oil in order to work well. “In fact, wiping oil on a pizza stone and seasoning it isn’t recommended at all by nearly every stone manufacturer,” says Eads, who explains that pizza stones are designed to operate at wood-fired grill temperatures of around 700 degrees Fahrenheit. “Even high smoke point oils will burn well before that.” Rather than oiling a pizza stone, simply allow it to season naturally over time with use. With each cook, you’ll add flavor to your pizza stone––it’s an excellent excuse to eat more pizza.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Emily Farris is a food and lifestyle writer and recipe developer who has written about grilling for Bon Appetit. She obsesses over kitchen design and is married to a four-seasons griller. She’s also embarrassingly good at buying expensive things online and can see straight through a fake review.

This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, who has written dozens of grilling articles for The Spruce Eats. She spoke with Chef Joshua Lee, cofounder of The Soulful Company Restaurant Group, and Chef Rusty Bowers, a whole-animal butcher and owner of Pine Street Market, for their tips on selecting the best kamado grill accessories.

Abigail Abesamis Demarest tested grilling tools and interviewed grilling experts to learn about kamado grill accessories. In the summertime, she helps her husband make grilled burgers and sausage at their lake house.

Rachel Knecht, a food writer located in Seattle, learned which grill light works best for a kamado grills. She spent thinks everything tastes better on the grill.

Donna Currie, who's tested many kamado grills for us, also contributed products. She recently tested the new Konnected Joe and highly recommends it.

Sources

Additional reporting by
Camryn Rabideau,
Camryn Rabideau

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer. She's an expert on all things home, including kitchen appliances, grills, and other cooking gadgets.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Abigail Abesamis Demarest,
Abigail Abesamis Demarest
Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a freelance writer, editor, and former New Yorker based in sunny Panama City Beach, Florida. Her writing has been featured in HuffPost Food & Drink, Forbes.com, Insider, The Kitchn, MarthaStewart.com, Thrillist, and more.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Rachel Knecht,
Rachel Knecht

Rachel began writing for Spruce Eats in 2022. She started her food blog in 2017 and taught children's baking classes around Seattle.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
and
Donna Currie
Donna Currie
Donna Currie is a food writer and blogger specializing in recipes and kitchen gadgets. She covers kitchen tools and gadgets for The Spruce Eats and is the author of Make Ahead Bread.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
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