Pit Barrel vs Kamado: Which Cooker Wins for Your Weekend Feasts?

If you are weighing up a Pit Barrel Cooker against a kamado, you are already on the right track. Both will elevate your outdoor cooking, but they excel in different ways. The trick is matching the cooker to how you actually like to cook and the space you have.

Below, we compare flavour, learning curve, versatility, fuel use, capacity, accessories, portability, winter performance and maintenance. You will also find simple decision paths to help you choose with confidence ahead of spring. Where helpful, we reference Garden Chefs’ ranges and UK delivery so you know what is available.

What each cooker is, in plain terms

Pit Barrel Cooker: A steel drum cooker designed around vertical airflow and hook-and-hang cooking. It runs on charcoal with vents set at a factory sweet spot, so you get predictable results with minimal fiddling.

Kamado: A thick-walled ceramic cooker with tight seals and precise vents. Monolith is a leading brand in this category. Kamados hold steady temperatures for hours, from low-and-slow to searing-hot, and they support a wide range of accessories.

Flavour profile

Pit Barrel: Hanging meat in the centre of the drum lets juices drip onto the fire, creating a savoury, smoky, slightly charred edge. Bark formation on ribs and brisket is often excellent with relatively little effort.

Kamado: The ceramic body moderates airflow and retains moisture, giving a clean smoke flavour with gentle wood notes. Searing steaks or pizzas benefits from the kamado’s ability to reach high radiant heat without drying food.

Learning curve and day-to-day control

Pit Barrel: Very approachable. Light the charcoal, hang or grate your food, and the cooker does the rest. Vent adjustments are minimal.

Kamado: Friendly once you learn vent control, but small vent tweaks have big effects. After a couple of cooks, most people find it easy to hit and hold target temperatures for hours.

Versatility across styles

Both can smoke, roast, and grill, but their strengths differ.

• Smoking: Pit Barrel is a smoker first. Kamado also excellent for smoking using deflectors for indirect heat.
• Roasting: Both produce superb results; Pit Barrel excels with hanging birds, Kamado delivers steady humidity.
• Grilling: Both work well; Pit Barrel for direct heat, Kamado for direct or two-zone setups.
• Pizza: Pit Barrel possible but limited; Kamado excels with high dome heat and pizza stones.

Fuel use and efficiency

Pit Barrel: Uses charcoal efficiently for the cook time it delivers. Expect several hours from a standard load.

Kamado: Ceramic construction is extremely efficient. Once hot, it sips charcoal and holds temperature for long sessions.

Capacity and crowd size

Pit Barrel: Hanging maximises space. Can cook multiple racks of ribs, several chickens or a large brisket. Excellent for family-sized weekend feasts.

Kamado: Capacity depends on size. Monolith’s Smart Grid System allows multiple levels/zones for simultaneous cooking.

Accessories and expandability

Pit Barrel: Simple hooks, skewers, and a grate cover most needs.

Kamado: Extensive accessory ecosystem: heat deflectors, rotisserie kits, planchas, pizza stones, wok stands, smoking rails. Explore Monolith range.

Portability and space

Pit Barrel: Lighter, easier to move or store.

Kamado: Heavier; usually stays in place. Compact models exist but full-size units prefer stable home.

Winter performance

Pit Barrel: Steel loses heat faster in cold, but works well with windbreak and full charcoal.

Kamado: Ceramic insulation maintains steady heat in cold conditions, minimal fuel adjustments.

Maintenance and longevity

Pit Barrel: Empty ash, scrape grates, lightly oil drum. Lasts many years with normal care.

Kamado: Ceramic resists corrosion. Gasket system is durable. Avoid thermal shocks; use a fitted cover. Decades-long companion possible.

Simple decision paths

Choose a Pit Barrel if:

• You want authentic smoke flavour with almost no learning curve.
• You prize capacity-per-footprint and easy weekender cooks.
• You plan to move or store the cooker between uses.

Choose a Kamado if:

• You want one cooker to smoke, roast, grill and make pizza with precise control.
• You cook year-round and value winter performance.
• You enjoy adding accessories and experimenting with techniques.

Garden Chefs picks with UK delivery and support

• Pit Barrel Cooker: see our Pit Barrel Cooker
• Monolith Kamado range: explore the Monolith collection
• Tools category: browse grills and accessories

Quick answers to common questions

• Is the Pit Barrel Cooker a smoker? Yes. Primarily for smoking, optional grilling.
• Can you grill on a Pit Barrel Cooker? Yes. Use the grate for burgers, steaks, veg.
• How long does a Pit Barrel Cooker last? Routine care, dry storage, fitted cover → many years.
• Are kamado grills worth it? Yes, if you want versatility, fuel efficiency, year-round stability.
• Can you smoke a brisket on a kamado grill? Absolutely, use indirect heat and wood chunks.
• Best kamado grill for beginners? Mid-size with stable cart and heat deflectors; Monolith Smart Grid recommended.
• Best outdoor barbecue? Depends on style: Pit Barrel for simple smoky feasts, Kamado for all-in-one capability.

Summary and next step

Both cookers are outstanding, but suit different cooks. Pit Barrel → quick smoke, low fuss. Kamado → precision, year-round performance, accessory expansion. Start with the cooker that matches your space and cooking style, then add accessories over time.

Need help choosing sizes or accessories? Speak to Garden Chefs for guidance and tracked UK delivery across the United Kingdom.