Cooking methods

1. Direct cooking
The principle of direct cooking involves placing food directly on the Kokko barbecue's stainless steel grill, directly over the fire. This cooking technique is one of the most common methods when it comes to barbecue cooking.
This cooking method is very effective for foods that require a short cooking time, such as skewers, sausages or cutlets, for example.
Direct cooking, over the fire, is a quick cooking method that does not exceed 10 minutes.

2. Elevated direct cooking
Elevated direct cooking is made possible thanks to the stainless steel cooking grid which can be placed at different heights. Thanks to elevated cooking, the food benefits from the radiant heat of the dome. Placed approximately 40 - 45 cm from the embers, the food benefits from slower and therefore more flavourful cooking. This cooking method also makes it possible to obtain crispier and crunchier foods. Elevated direct cooking is made possible thanks to the stainless steel cooking grid which can be placed at different heights. Thanks to elevated cooking, the food benefits from the radiant heat of the dome. Placed approximately 40 - 45 cm from the embers, the food benefits from slower and therefore more flavourful cooking. This cooking method also makes it possible to obtain crispier and crunchier foods.
Among the various barbecue cooking methods, direct elevated cooking stands out for its ability to preserve flavours while delivering a crisp, golden texture.

3. Indirect cooking
Indirect cooking involves using the heat of the fire without direct contact between the food and the flames. The Kokko barbecue allows this type of cooking thanks to the heat deflector that can be positioned inside the barbecue. There are 2 types of deflectors: the ceramic stone, which can also be used to cook pizzas or bread, and the lava stone, which can also be used to cook meat or fish, giving them a particular flavour.
The ceramic or lava stone heat deflector is very thick. It acts as a thermal barrier and provides constant heat.
Its purpose is to maintain the airflow to regulate the temperature inside the barbecue and thus obtain a strong and homogeneous heat, transforming the Kokko barbecue into a real oven.

4. Combine direct and indirect cooking
The Kokko barbecue allows you to cook foods that require different cooking methods. It can combine direct and indirect cooking in a single appliance. Thanks to the ceramic half-plate, it is possible to have two distinct cooking zones. You can alternate between different cooking methods, cooking like an oven while grilling and searing your cuts of meat.

5. Hot smoking on the barbecue
Smoking food means exposing it to smoke, without cooking it. The temperature must be low, around 100°C (225 F). The smoking time should be slow, between 5 and 15h.
Barbecuing is traditionally slow and low, bringing out the best of the food's flavours. The result is exceptional.
In more technical terms, during slow cooking, the meat's connective tissues and collagens melt, leaving only the tender, juicy tissues. This type of cooking is ideal and can easily be achieved with the Kokko ceramic grill.

6. Cold smoking
Cold smoking involves exposing food to smoke without cooking it, at temperatures below 30°C (86°F).
This process can take from 6 to 12 hours, allowing flavours to develop slowly and deeply. Unlike hot smoking, cold smoking preserves the texture and tenderness of food while delivering a rich infusion of smoky flavours.
This technique is one of the ideal cooking methods for fish, meat or cheese, and can be easily carried out with the Kamado Kokko, which offers precise temperature control to guarantee an optimal result.