Kamado & Charcoal Outdoor Kitchens

Ceramic kamados hold heat for long cooks, sear hot and smoke low and slow. Forge outdoor kitchens can be designed around your kamado, with reinforced aluminium cabinetry and practical preparation and storage space.

Kamados we design around: size comparison

Planning a Big Green Egg outdoor kitchen, a Kamado Joe outdoor kitchen or a kamado table in NZ? Start with your exact cooker model. These published cooking-grid sizes help compare cooking space; they are not cabinet dimensions or installation cut-outs.

Every kamado is a little different, so we confirm your exact model and installation requirements before finalising your design. Got a different cooker? Send us the model and we'll design around it.

What size kamado do I need for brisket?

A whole brisket can be long. Compare the actual cut with the usable cooking space and allow room around it for airflow.

• 46cm grills: a practical option for smaller or trimmed briskets. A full packer brisket may need trimming or a suitable rack.
• 61cm grills: offer more room for larger cuts and extra food. Allow room around the meat for airflow.
• Primo Oval XL: the oval grid gives you more length for a long cut, with options for direct and indirect cooking using the appropriate accessories.

If brisket or groups of ten or more are a regular part of your cooking, consider the larger options. Your menu, portion sizes and rack setup matter as much as grill diameter.

Built for heavy ceramic cookers

Forge cabinets use lightweight aluminium with internal reinforcement and welded joints for a rigid frame. Adjustable feet help level the cabinet on a suitable base.

We check the cooker and its support requirements as part of the design. The final arrangement must follow the manufacturer’s guidance for support, ventilation and heat protection.

Charcoal storage underneath

Plan a dry place for charcoal and tools close to your cooking area. Where the cooker’s installation requirements allow, storage can be incorporated beneath it with suitable separation from heat and clear ventilation paths.

Keep charcoal sealed and store firelighters according to their instructions, away from heat and children. Tell us if you would like lockable storage.

Charcoal, wood or gas: which is right for you?

Charcoal kamado: a versatile choice for grilling, smoking, roasting and baking, with the flavour and ritual of cooking over charcoal. Allow time to light it and settle the temperature.

Wood-fired pizza oven or smoker: brings wood-fire flavour and a focal point for entertaining. Plan for fuel storage, clearances and more attention to managing the fire.

Gas BBQ: convenient for quick weeknight cooking and straightforward heat control. It can sit alongside a kamado for a kitchen that covers everyday meals and longer weekend cooks.

Explore more outdoor BBQ kitchen ideas.

Planning tips

• Allow bench space beside the kamado for trays, ingredients and tools.
• Leave room for the lid to open fully and for access to vents and ash removal.
• Follow the manufacturer’s clearance and heat-protection guidance.
• Keep the cooker clear of overhanging timber and low roofs, following the manufacturer’s required clearances.
• For connected models, plan the electrical supply and weather protection to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Read about Forge’s outdoor kitchen materials and finishes.

Your questions, answered

Can you put a Big Green Egg in an outdoor kitchen?

Yes, when the kitchen is designed around the exact model and follows Big Green Egg’s installation guidance. The support, air gap, ventilation and lid clearance must be checked before the cabinet design is finalised.

Can a Kamado Joe go in an outdoor kitchen cabinet?

Yes, with a cabinet designed for the particular Kamado Joe model and its installation requirements. Tell Forge whether you have a Classic Joe, Big Joe, Konnected Joe or Big Joe Konnected Joe so we can check support, access and heat protection.

Where do you store charcoal in an outdoor kitchen?

Keep charcoal dry in a sealed container, away from heat and ignition sources. Storage beneath a kamado can be included only where the final installation provides suitable separation and keeps ventilation clear. Ask Forge to confirm the storage arrangement and any lock requirements.

Is a kamado better than a gas BBQ?

It depends on how you cook. A charcoal kamado suits slow smoking, roasting and hands-on cooking, while a gas BBQ is convenient for quick weeknight meals. Some outdoor kitchens include both.

Let’s plan your kamado kitchen

Got a kamado or planning to buy one? Send us the make and model and a photo of your space, and we’ll design a kitchen around it.

Enquire about your kamado kitchen

Or call 021 223 1202.

Final layout, appliances and installation details are confirmed with your quote.

Size sources: Big Green Egg models, Kamado Joe range, Kamado Joe connected-grill specifications and Primo Oval XL specification sheet.