It wasn’t long ago that I found myself constantly battling with my old, inconsistent grill, trying to get the temperature just right for everything from quick burgers to slow-smoked ribs. The frustration was real, leading to unevenly cooked food and wasted charcoal. I knew I needed a more reliable solution for my small patio cooking needs, one that could offer better heat control and efficiency. Finding the right kamado griller felt essential; otherwise, I’d be stuck with disappointing results and continued culinary struggles.
If you’re on the hunt for a new grill, especially one that offers versatility beyond simple grilling, you’re likely looking to solve problems like inconsistent cooking temperatures, excessive fuel consumption, or the inability to smoke or bake outdoors. A portable kamado grill like the London Sunshine Ceramic Charcoal BBQ Kamado Griller – Portable Tabletop The Cadet Series Smoker addresses these issues by leveraging the insulating properties of ceramic.
The ideal customer for a portable kamado is typically someone with limited space, such as a small patio, balcony, or RV owner, who values flavor, temperature control, and fuel efficiency. It’s also great for campers or picnickers who want serious cooking power on the go. If you primarily cook for large crowds (more than 2-3 people at a time) or prefer the instant on/off convenience of gas or electric grills, a small charcoal kamado might not be your best fit. For large groups, you’d need a bigger grill, and for ease of use, gas or electric is simpler, though they won’t replicate the unique charcoal flavor or smoking capabilities of a kamado. Before buying, consider the size of the cooking area you need, the weight and true portability of the unit, the required maintenance (cleaning ash, handling ceramic), and your willingness to learn temperature control using vents.
- INGENIOUS ENGINEERING – 0.8” thick and strong ceramic wall, Japanese dome shape design to maximize air flow while minimizing fuel input
- MADE for Grill Kings & Queens – Wide cooking temperature range (180°F~750°F, 82°C~399°C) allows you to smoke, bake, grill, broil. The ceramic wall insulates and evenly distributes heat and air...
- Portability – We have added robust bamboo handles and a steel stand for enhanced sturdiness. So you can carry and place it anywhere. Body 13” Ceramic size is perfect to carry around in your...
Introducing This Specific Grill
The London Sunshine Cadet Series Smoker is a compact, tabletop ceramic kamado grill designed to bring the benefits of traditional kamado cooking – excellent heat retention, precise temperature control, and fuel efficiency – to a smaller, more portable format. Its promise is high-quality, versatile cooking in a convenient size. When you purchase this unit, you typically receive the pre-assembled ceramic body and lid, bamboo handles, a steel stand, a glass fiber gasket, a thermometer, a cast iron top vent, a stainless steel bottom vent, an inner fire bowl, a cast iron charcoal grate, and an 11” stainless steel cooking grate.
Compared to larger, more expensive kamado market leaders, the Cadet Series aims to provide a similar cooking experience at a more accessible price point and size. It’s designed for individuals or couples, unlike its larger counterparts intended for families or entertaining.
Here’s a quick look at the ups and downs:
Pros:
* Excellent temperature retention and control due to thick ceramic.
* Versatile cooking (grill, smoke, bake, broil).
* Fuel-efficient, using less charcoal than many grills.
* Portable size with robust handles and stand.
* High-quality materials like cast iron and stainless steel where needed.
* Relatively quick and simple assembly (body is pre-assembled).
Cons:
* Limited cooking surface area (90 sq inches) suitable for only 1-2 people.
* Cooking grate height can be low for low-and-slow cooking, potentially requiring accessories.
* Ceramic is heavy and fragile if dropped, despite portability features.
* Some users have reported minor issues like missing or damaged small parts upon delivery.
- 811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker
- This Weber kettle grill has space to hold up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; The durable-plated steel cooking grate, crafted from premium steel, offers a resilient surface that stands up...
- Main Smoking Area: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook large cuts of meat.
Exploring the Features and Benefits
Having used the London Sunshine Ceramic Charcoal BBQ Kamado Griller for quite some time now, I can delve into what makes this little unit punch above its weight class. Its design and features work together to deliver a quality cooking experience that rivals much larger, more expensive grills.
The Heart of the Cooker: Thick Ceramic Construction
The foundation of any good kamado is its ceramic body, and the London Sunshine Cadet doesn’t disappoint here. It boasts a substantial 0.8” thick ceramic wall. This isn’t just a spec; it’s the core reason this grill performs so well. Over my months of using it, I’ve consistently been impressed by how quickly it comes up to temperature and, more importantly, how incredibly stable it holds that temperature.
The benefit is twofold: precision and efficiency. Once you dial in the vents (which takes a little practice, as with any kamado), this cooker maintains its set temperature for hours on end. This is crucial for smoking, where consistent low heat is key, or for baking, which requires stable temperatures. The insulation means external conditions (like a chilly evening or a breezy day) have minimal impact on the internal temperature, leading to more reliable results. Furthermore, this insulation minimizes heat loss, meaning you use significantly less charcoal compared to thin-walled metal grills to achieve and maintain the same temperatures. This saves money and makes the cooking process more predictable. The Japanese dome shape design also contributes to efficient airflow and fuel use, creating a convection effect that helps distribute heat evenly.
Unlocking Culinary Versatility: The Wide Temperature Range
One of the most compelling aspects of kamado cooking, especially with a well-designed unit like the Cadet Series smoker, is its ability to handle a vast range of temperatures – from a low 180°F for true low-and-slow smoking up to a scorching 750°F for searing. I’ve pushed this grill across its spectrum, and it genuinely delivers.
At the lower end, holding 225-250°F for several hours to smoke ribs or chicken quarters is completely achievable. The thick ceramic and precise vents make maintaining these low temperatures surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it. The benefit? Fall-off-the-bone ribs, moist brisket (if you size it right for the small grate!), and flavorful smoked poultry.
Cranking it up to the high end is where it excels for searing steaks, burgers, or chops. Hitting 600-750°F creates that perfect crust, locking in juices. The benefit here is restaurant-quality searing right on your patio. And in between, you have the perfect range for grilling (burgers, chicken, veggies) or even baking (pizza, bread – again, size permitting). This wide range means this single unit can replace a dedicated smoker, a standard grill, and perhaps even supplement your oven for certain outdoor cooking tasks. It truly allows you to smoke, bake, grill, and broil with confidence.
Convenience on the Move: Portability
While it’s not feather-light (it weighs around 46 pounds, which feels substantial but speaks to the ceramic thickness), the London Sunshine Cadet is genuinely portable for its class. The addition of robust bamboo handles makes lifting and moving it much easier than it would be otherwise. The included steel stand provides a stable base when placed on a tabletop, picnic bench, or tailgate.
The benefit of this portability is huge for anyone with limited permanent space or who wants to take their kamado cooking beyond the backyard. I can easily move it from the patio table when not in use, take it camping (though be mindful of the weight), or bring it to a friend’s house for a cookout. The 13” ceramic body size is compact enough to fit in a car trunk or sit neatly on a small table without dominating the space. This means you don’t have to sacrifice the quality and versatility of a kamado just because you don’t have room for a full-sized model.
Hassle-Free Setup: Minimal Assembly Required
Unlike some grills that come in dozens of pieces, the Cadet Series kamado griller simplifies the initial setup significantly. The main ceramic body and lid are already pre-assembled, which is a relief. You just need to attach the handles and put together the steel stand.
The benefit here is you’re up and cooking much faster. There’s less frustration with complex instructions and hardware. This “one piece” body design means you can get the grill out of the box, spend minimal time on assembly, and move on to the crucial initial burn-in and then, quickly, to cooking. It’s designed to be user-friendly right from the start.
Thoughtful Touches: Griller-Minded Design Features
Several smaller design elements in the London Sunshine Cadet Series demonstrate that it was built with the user experience in mind. It features a premium glass fiber gasket around the lid, which creates a tight seal – essential for temperature control and preventing smoke leakage. The built-in thermometer on the lid is convenient for monitoring the chamber temperature (though for precise low-and-slow cooks, a separate grate-level probe is always recommended).
Temperature regulation is managed by the cast iron top vent and the stainless steel bottom vent. These allow you to control airflow, which in turn controls the heat. The cast iron top vent is robust and allows for fine adjustments. The stainless steel bottom vent is durable and easy to open or close. Inside, you find an inner fire bowl and a cast iron charcoal grate to hold your fuel efficiently. The 11” stainless steel cooking grate is easy to clean after use.
While the cooking surface area is limited (90 square inches), it’s sufficient for two decent-sized steaks, a few chicken breasts, or a small rack of ribs coiled up. A minor challenge I’ve encountered, as noted by others, is the proximity of the cooking grate to the charcoal when cooking low and slow. This can sometimes require using an indirect setup or heat deflector (often a third-party accessory) if you’re aiming for very long, low cooks to prevent the bottom of the food from getting too much direct heat. However, for direct grilling and searing, this proximity is actually a benefit, helping achieve that excellent crust. Overall, the combination of these features makes managing the fire and cooking on this portable tabletop smoker intuitive and effective.
Discover What Others Are Saying
After spending significant time with this kamado grill, I also looked online to see what other users thought. It seems many share my positive experience. People frequently praise its solid construction and aesthetic appeal. Several reviewers highlighted its ability to heat up well and hold temperature impressively, especially considering its compact size. Many echoed its suitability for cooking for 1-2 people, noting it uses charcoal very efficiently. Users have reported excellent results on various cooks, including searing steaks and smoking ribs and salmon. Some mentioned it performs much like larger, more expensive kamado brands but at a more affordable price point, making it a great entry into kamado cooking or a perfect supplement for smaller cooks. While overwhelmingly positive, a few reviews did mention checking the packaging carefully upon arrival for any potentially missing or damaged small parts.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling with inconsistent grilling results, wasting charcoal, or wishing you could achieve that perfect smoky flavor or high-temp sear in a small space, the complications are clear – disappointing food and inefficient cooking. The London Sunshine Ceramic Charcoal BBQ Kamado Griller – Portable Tabletop The Cadet Series Smoker is an excellent solution. Its thick ceramic construction provides unmatched temperature control and fuel efficiency for its size. The wide temperature range allows for true versatility, from low-and-slow smoking to high-heat searing. Plus, its thoughtful portable design makes it perfect for small spaces or cooking on the go. If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor cooking and enjoy consistently delicious results without needing a huge grill, click here to check out the London Sunshine Cadet Series .
Last update on 2025-08-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API