Bayou Classic Ceramic Cypress Grill Review

We heard a lot of bad news about Bayou Classic ceramics in the past. These cookers are outsourced to Chinese fabricators. Bayou Classic’s parent company, Barbour International, claims they had quality problems with previous vendors, but have found new sources capable of producing much better product. Indeed, it appears satisfied owners are in the majority now. But, buyer beware, it also seems like many of the older models are still showing up, usually at discounted prices.

From a distance, the Cypress Grill has an attractive, rustic look reminiscent of hand painted Japanese ceramics. Up close, one begins to notice where corners have been cut. Not as cheaply made as Char-Griller’s Acorn Kamado, but not in the same league as competitors like Kamado Joe and Big Green Egg. Like most kamados, it cannot be set up for true 2-zone cooking, an essential technique easily done on other charcoal grills by piling coal to one side to create a direct and indirect zone simultaneously. A few exceptions exist, such as Primo’s Oval Kamados. One useful device that is a match made in heaven for any kamado is the BBQ Dragon, a well-made, battery operated, clip on, variable speed fan that can convert a charcoal bed from quiet gray to rip roaring red hot in a matter of minutes. Very good for switching gears from low and slow to searing hot.  Click here to read more about Kamado and Ceramic Grills and Smokers.

It has an 18.5″ stainless steel rod cooking grates, Retractable side shelves with S-shaped hooks that hang from holes in the shelves and a heavy steel base on locking casters.  It can also be purchased with a matching Cart table with a large work surface on the right and storage shelf underneath.