Can a kamado be left out in the rain?

The weather is unpredictable, and a kamado is big, heavy and often simply sits in the garden. So the question comes naturally: can a kamado in the rain stay where it is, or does it have to go inside after every shower? The honest answer is that it is not too bad, as long as you get a few things right.

In this article you will read what moisture does to your kamado, when a cover helps and when it does not, what to do if there is mould inside and how to get through the winter.

A kamado in the rain: what happens to the ceramic

Ceramic is a porous material. A glaze on the outside keeps out most of the water, but the inside of the dome and the firebox is untreated and can absorb moisture, especially through an open lid or the vents. As long as that moisture can evaporate calmly, nothing is wrong.

It only becomes a problem when the kamado is wet and you heat it up quickly. Moisture expands when it evaporates and turns to steam. If that is inside the ceramic, the material can crack. The same goes for your heat deflector or a ceramic pizza stone. A shower on your kamado is not a problem, but a weekend in pouring rain with the lid and vents open is a lot less healthy.

The answer is not panic but patience: let the ceramic dry first, then warm it up slowly. You can read more about that further down.

The cover: when yes and when no

A dedicated kamado cover is the simplest way to protect your kamado from rain. Choose one that fits the size of your model, so it does not flap about or let water pool. You can find covers and other accessories in the kamado accessories.

Keep these rules in mind:

• Only on a fully cooled kamado. A cover over a hot kamado can be damaged or even catch fire.
• Let it ventilate. A cover that fits tightly and is completely closed traps condensation. Choose a model with ventilation or lift the cover now and then.
• Take the cover off during a long dry spell. Otherwise moisture lingers under the cover and you get mould.
• Close the lid and the vents before you put the cover on, so no rainwater runs into the dome.

Do you have a canopy, shed or carport? That is still better than a cover alone.

Mould in your kamado and how to burn it off

A kamado that stands closed and damp for a long time can grow mould inside. It looks nasty, but it is usually easy to fix. The best approach is simply to make a good session of it.

1. Take out the grid and loose parts and brush or wipe visible mould away dry with kitchen paper or a brush.
2. Light the kamado calmly with clean charcoal. Do not use cleaning products on the ceramic, because they soak in.
3. Warm up to about 100 °C and hold that for an hour, so the moisture can leave first.
4. Then raise it in steps of 20 degrees to 250 to 300 °C and let it burn for an hour or two. The heat kills the mould and burns off residue.
5. Let the kamado cool completely and sweep out the ash.

To keep it clean from now on: leave the lid open a few centimetres once it has cooled, or ventilate the cover, so that no damp, stagnant climate builds up.

Wet charcoal and a damp fire

Rain on the kamado is one thing, damp charcoal is another problem. Wet or clammy charcoal is hard to light, smokes a lot and burns unevenly. So keep your charcoal dry: in the original bag in a dry place, never loose in the rain or in an open bucket.

Has some got wet anyway? Spread it out in a dry, warm place and only use it when it is truly dry. Never add a wet piece to a fire that is already going: it hisses, cools the fire and gives your food an unpleasant taste.

Frost and winter

The most dangerous moment for the ceramic is a cold, wet spell. When absorbed water freezes, it expands and the material can crack. A kamado that stays outside in winter therefore has to stay as dry as possible: under cover, with the lid closed and a well ventilated cover.

Are you going to cook in winter? Then warm up extra slowly, an hour at around 100 °C, and only then raise the temperature in small steps. A cold, damp kamado does not tolerate a sudden jump in temperature. The same goes after a rainy week in spring or autumn.

Metal parts, stand and side tables

Rain also affects everything around the ceramic. Metal hinges, the band around the dome, the vents and the grid can rust if they stay wet for long. Dry them after a wet spell and rub hinges and vents lightly with oil if needed. Cast iron parts should be kept properly dry anyway, which you will also see in the cast iron accessories.

Do you have a kamado with wooden side tables or a wooden handle? Treat the wood with furniture oil. That keeps the colour looking good for longer and stops water soaking in so easily. Side tables can often be lifted off the kamado easily and stored dry. Also check that the stand is level and stable: soft, wet ground can sink, which makes the lid sit crooked. Make sure the surface is flat and firm, such as paving.

Do you see moisture damage, such as cracks in the ceramic? Then please contact us.