Can a kamado go in the rain?

A kamado bbq is a popular choice for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, and it is important to know how best to maintain your kamado, especially if you live in the Netherlands, where the weather can be quite unpredictable.

The answer to the question is that a kamado is generally quite resistant to prolonged exposure to rain. Our kamados are made of ceramic, like most other brands, ceramic is prone to water absorption. If you leave your kamado in the rain, the ceramic can absorb moisture, which if heating up too quickly can lead to cracks and long-term damage.

What can you do to protect your kamado from rain?

Here are a few tips:

1. Buy a kamado cover: Invest in a special kamado cover designed for your kamado model. These covers are waterproof and help protect your kamado from rain and other weather conditions.
2. Provide covered storage: If you have the space, it is best to store your kamado under a canopy or in a shed when not in use. This keeps the rain away and extends the life of your kamado.
3. Dry your kamado after use: If you have used your kamado in the rain, be sure to dry it thoroughly and allow it to dry before covering it again. This helps to prevent mold growth.
4. Side tables and handle: Do you have wooden side tables and wooden handle? Then you can treat it with a furniture oil. This will preserve the color longer, and water will be less able to soak into the wood. Our side tables remove from the kamado in 1 second, so you can also store them dry in the shed.
5. Use dry charcoal: If your charcoal has become damp in the kamado or in the bag, that obviously does not help with heating.

In short, although kamados are robust outdoor cooking appliances, it is important to protect them from prolonged exposure to rain to avoid long-term damage. Taking simple precautions, such as using a cover and storing under a canopy, can significantly extend the life of your kamado and certain components.

Pro Tip: How do I prevent damage to damp kamado?

As you did learn in school, moisture expands when it warms up. And if this moisture that’s in the ceramic heats up too quickly, you guessed it, you get a crack in your ceramic. This also applies to your heat deflector or ceramic pizza stone.

1. Warm up your kamado slowly: Preferably an hour at 100 degrees, then you can slowly increase the temperature by 20 degrees at a time
2. Let other ceramic parts like your heat deflector/platesetter heat up quietly in the kamado with you.
3. You do this by opening the air sliders only slightly. Read our‘how to light my kamado manual‘ Or do our free online course.