London Sunshine Kamado Grill Review: Great Heat Control, Limited Portability

Introduction

Kamado-style grills have a reputation for one thing above all: temperature control. The London Sunshine Kamado Grill is a smaller take on that classic ceramic egg design, and after a large multi-meat cook with it, the picture is fairly clear. It does the one thing kamados are famous for extremely well, it barely uses charcoal, and it is built solidly. Everything else comes with trade-offs that narrow who this grill is really for.

First Impressions and a Big Party Cook

This grill earned its test under pressure. For a large family gathering, it handled a single cook of beef ribeyes, bison, and elk steaks, with burgers and dogs running on a separate grill nearby. The initial burn-off to sterilize the grill pushed it to around 300 degrees before being dialed back toward the mid-200s for cooking.

The construction is genuinely solid. This is a ceramic egg through and through, with walls roughly an inch thick and an inner cauldron holding the fire. Even at cooking temperature the exterior is only warm to the touch, manageable with gloves, which says a lot about the insulation.

Temperature Control and Charcoal Efficiency

Here is where this grill shines. Once set, the temperature stayed locked in with minimal drift, and bringing it down to the mid-200s was simple thanks to the top and bottom vents. Low-and-slow is no problem either: it held just under 200 degrees for an extended period without difficulty.

Charcoal consumption is equally impressive. A large bag of charcoal turned out to be overkill; a couple of handfuls once the fire was going was enough to keep the whole cook running. If fuel efficiency and stable temperatures are your priorities, this design delivers exactly what kamados are rated for.

Cooking Steaks: The Weak Spot

As a steak grill, it falls short. The core issue is that you cannot change temperature quickly. For a proper steak you want to cook it up to temperature, then sear hard, which means cranking the grill roaring hot. On this kamado, that means pulling the steaks off, waiting for the grill to climb, and putting them back on. Doable, but a real hassle. And once it reaches high temperature, it stays there for a long time, which also makes shutting it down slow.

The grill does not include a plate setter or similar accessory either, so projects like pizza are not possible out of the box without buying additional gear.

The Portability Problem

At roughly 23 kg, about 50 pounds, this is not a lightweight grill. The lid does not lock, which is a serious concern for a ceramic product that could crack if the lid flops around in transit. The stand is fiddly to assemble, and the grill is not secured in it: it rotates and can lift out. It is portable in name only, or as the older term goes, luggable.

Full-time RVers could make it work with bungee or ratchet straps and some padding, but it was not designed from the ground up for travel. It feels like a large kamado shrunk down and labeled portable.

Who This Grill Actually Suits

There is a real niche here. If you are a dedicated griller and smoker cooking for one or two people, in a small patio space or at a long-term RV site, this could be a genuinely satisfying setup. It should handle whole chickens, pulled pork, and good low-and-slow smoking without issue.

For most people, though, it will read as too small, too finicky, and too breakable, and there are more versatile grills at similar money. At around $230 to $240, it is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option in the category. Buying through Amazon rather than the third-party storefront may offer more peace of mind, though both sell it at the same price.

Buying Advice

Use quality fire starters to get it lit cleanly, and if you want to bring it up to temperature fast, a low-power job site blower aimed at the fire works remarkably well. The grill reached maximum temperature in about ten minutes with that trick.

If you live in that narrow niche of solo or couples’ low-and-slow cooking in a small space, this is worth a look. If you want quick-sear steak performance, easy portability, or versatile accessories out of the box, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The London Sunshine Kamado Grill is a well-made ceramic grill with outstanding temperature stability and remarkably low charcoal use. Its weaknesses, slow temperature changes, awkward portability, and a lid that does not lock, mean it suits a small audience rather than everyone. For the right buyer, it is a fun and capable little egg; for most, better-fitting options exist.