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Today I’m talking about one of the most popular Kamado Joe accessories. You guessed it right. It’s the half-moon soapstone from the brand. It’s an excellent option for people who love cooking on smooth surfaces.
You will be introduced to an amazing method of searing when using this accessory. People using cast iron wonder whether this soapstone is worth the money or not.
This Kamado Joe soapstone review will help them decide whether to go with it or not. So, let’s get started without delay.
Unlock the Versatility of Kamado Joe Soapstone – An In-Depth Review
This soapstone from Kamado Joe is a whole other thing. You can take your searing to next level by using this accessory. The smooth surface will reach a very high temperature to cook a variety of dishes, including delicate food like fish.
Whether you’re searing a ribeye or cooking scallops, this stone will not disappoint you at all. It’s also non-porous and anti-bacterial. I’ve explained these features in detail. However, let’s take a look at the top features first.
Top Features
- Easy to use
- Minimizes flare-ups
- Non-porous surface
- Even heat distribution
- Compatible with Kamado Joe I, II, and III
| Specifications | Parameters |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Kamado Joe |
| Dimensions | 17.75 x 8.74 x 0.75 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.5 pounds |
| Compatible with | Classic I, II, III Model |
Perfect For Searing
This stone can reach a very high temperature. Even though it takes some time to reach a high-temperature level, when it does, it retains the heat perfectly to make your recipe the way you want.
This ability contributes a lot to searing. Whether you’re doing a regular sear or a reverse one, the smooth surface will help you get the sear you want.
Even-Heat Distribution
This soapstone is also great when it comes to distributing heat. It retains and spreads the heat evenly throughout the surface to make sure that the food is perfectly cooked. This also means minimizing flare-ups and preventing the food from burning.
There won’t be any uneven parts of your food while cooking, even if you’re a beginner at using the Kamado Joe. Speaking of the grill, you can use the stone with Kamado Joe I, II, and III.
Easy To Use
The first thing I would like to add to this review is how easy this accessory is to use. No extra installation is required. The only thing to do is to place it on top of your Kamado Joe.
If you’re cooking something heavy, it’s better to use another support below the soapstone. So, place the soapstone on top of the cooking rack for added stability and efficiency. In addition, the stone is naturally stain-resistant too.
Non-Porous
If you closely observe the soapstone, you will notice that it comes with a smooth surface. The stone is non-porous, even under the microscope. So, why is that a good thing?
When you cook on a porous surface, the accessory absorbs some of the meat juice, resulting in a reduction in flavor.
The soapstone does not absorb any juice and the meat absorbs the entire flavor, making a perfect result.
Another benefit this non-porous feature gives you is that it doesn’t retain any flavors from your previous cooking session, making it easy to use for the next cooking session.
The smooth surface also makes this soapstone perfect for cooking tender meat like scallops and fish. Overall, this feature keeps this accessory way ahead of others.
Pros
- Retains heat for a long time
- Reaches high temperatures
- Easy to use on your Kamado Joe
- Perfect for searing and reverse searing
- A smooth surface facilitates cooking tender meat
- Non-porous surface prevents juice from soaking inside the accessory
Cons
- Comparatively pricier
- Heating it can take some time
As you can see, if you have the budget for an accessory, this is one of the best you can get. There isn’t anything faulty that will make you want to choose other products over this one. If you love cooking with diverse accessories, I highly recommend this one.
Also Read: Ultimate Kamado Joe Slow Roller Review: Is It Worth the Investment?
Kamado Joe Soapstone Vs Cast Iron
Now, we will discuss the most controversial debate regarding the soapstone offered by the brand. Which one is better? The soapstone or cast iron?
As you can imagine, there are arguments in favor of both. So, I’m going to explain the pros and cons of both of these options so that you can make the choice on your own.
Kamado Joe Soapstone
You’ve already learned what benefits you’ll be getting from the soapstone. Let me remind you with a small summary.
The soapstone is a multipurpose cooking surface that you can use to cook and sear different kinds of meat. It’s not only great for searing steak and large meat cuts but also efficient when it comes to cooking tender meat like scallops and fish.
One of the significant features of this soapstone is its non-porous surface. The juices released from the meat are not absorbed by the surface, which results in the most flavorful outcome ever.
Then comes the benefits of heat retention and even heat distribution. You can cook with perfection using this stone. Besides, it’s super easy to use too.
On the downside, it takes some time to reach the desired temperature level. However, once it does, it retains the heat for a long time.
The price point also goes to the cons list. At least when compared to cast iron. You can get a cast iron griddle by spending a lot less compared to this soapstone.
Cast Iron
Kamado Joe offers a few cast-iron accessories too, which are comparatively less expensive than the soapstone. You can either get a reversible cast iron grill/griddle or go for a cast iron cooking grate.
Both of these items will fit your Kamado joe effortlessly since the brand designs these products specifically for their unit.
The first upside of getting a cast iron accessory is that it won’t take much time to reach the temperature you want. Compared to soapstone, cast iron heats up quicker. Some people like the effect and flavor cast iron can offer to the food.
Another plus side of having a cast-iron accessory is sear marks. You can get beautiful sear marks with both the accessories.
One of them is a cooking rack so it will certainly leave marks on your meat. The other one is a grill/griddle, which will also offer sear marks with the grill side. Besides, you can also use the griddle side if you don’t want marks.
On the downside, cast iron won’t retain the heat as efficiently as the soapstone would. In addition, it’s not non-porous either so some of the flavors will get absorbed.
Because both products have some upsides and downsides. So, in this argument of Kamado Joe soapstone vs cast iron, the winner is entirely determined by the user.
Some people use both accessories, depending on what they need at the moment. If you’re thinking about a low-cost and affordable option, cast iron is better. However, if you can increase your budget, the soapstone is worth it.
Also Read: Kamado Cooking 101 Including Best Kamado Recipes
What Is The Soapstone For Kamado Joe
The soapstone is a unique accessory offered by Kamado Joe. It is compatible with Kamado Joe I, II, and III. To define it using simpler words, it’s a cooking surface for your Kamado Joe, much like cast iron accessories.
You can use it for searing and cooking tender meat pieces because it can reach a very high temperature.
The accessory is basically a soft stone with a non-porous surface. It’s great for cooking because it doesn’t absorb the flavor of the food.
Also Read: Kamado Joe Charcoal Basket Vs Kick Ash Basket – Which Is Worth The Money?
How To Use Kamado Joe Soapstone
Using the Kamado Joe soapstone is not very different from using cast iron. Both are half-moon accessories that you can easily fit on your Kamado Joe.
Even though you can place the stone directly on the grill, it’s better if you place it on top of the cooking grate. This will ensure a sturdy base for your food.
The first thing you will have to do is to coat the soapstone with your preferred oil. You can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or anything else you feel comfortable with.
Now, keep the soapstone aside and light the Kamado Joe. It is recommended to use cowboy lump charcoal for your Kamado Joe.
Close the lid and let the grill preheat before you place the stone inside. Once the grill is preheated, place the stone inside and close the lid.
Allow the grill to heat for about an hour to make sure that the stone is thoroughly cured. The oil will get absorbed in the meantime.
You can cure it for longer if you want. Once the stone is done seasoning, open the lid and check the temperature using a thermometer. If the oil is still too much for your recipe, you can wipe some of it off. However, be careful because the stone will be hot.
Does Soapstone Make A Good Pizza Stone?
You can use the soapstone as a pizza stone. It makes a good pizza stone but not the best one. The major reason behind this is the non-porous feature of soapstone. However, you can certainly use it with Kamado Joe Dojoe to make a good pizza on your grill.
The heat retention, even heat distribution, and reaching high-temperature points certainly contribute to making soapstone one of the best pizza stones ever.
How Thick Is Kamado Joe Soapstone?
The soapstone is 0.75 inches or 1.9 cm in thickness. It weighs about 10.5 pounds. The thickness and the weight also keep this accessory ahead of the others. It can retain heat more efficiently compared to other thin accessories.
What Can You Cook On Soapstone?
The soapstone offered by Kamado Joe is very versatile. So, you can cook everything on top of it. May it be roasting, searing, or traditional cooking. If you are asking what this stone is particularly good at, the answer will be different.
As I have mentioned before, it’s great for searing and reverse searing any meat cuts. In addition, you can beautifully cook soft and tender meat like scallops and different fish.
The stone is also very efficient in making breakfast. You can make omelets, bacon, and pancakes on top of it too. So, there isn’t anything the soapstone is not able to do.
How Long Does It Take To Heat Up Soapstone?
If you’re using the soapstone for searing, allow it to heat up for about 45 minutes. It will reach a very high temperature. For instance, if your Kamado Joe is around 400 degrees F, you can expect the soapstone to get around 650 degrees F.
Note that if you’re making breakfast or cooking something else, the temperature won’t need to be so high. The best way is to use a temperature gun to determine what the current state is and adjust accordingly.
How To Clean Kamado Joe Soapstone
Kamado Joe soapstone is a natural soft rock. So, it will require extra care to clean. You cannot use harsh abrasives to clean this soapstone.
The first step to clean the soapstone is to scrape off the food residue using a non-metallic scouring pad. You can also use a spatula if you want. Make sure that you do this while the stone is still hot.
Before moving to the next cleaning, you have to ensure that the soapstone has completely cooled down. As you know, the stone can get very hot. So, to avoid burning your hand, allow the stone to cool down.
The final step is simple. You have to wash the stone using soap and water. Make sure no harsh chemical is involved. Note that the stone will discolor with each use.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this Kamado Joe soapstone review will help you decide whether to go with this or not. As you can see, you will have to add a few more bucks to the budget compared to cast iron. But then again, the soapstone is better than cast iron accessories. If you want to get a better cooking surface, the price naturally increases. This soapstone will certainly broaden your area of cooking experience, and let you experiment with your Kamado Joe in a new way. Overall, there is no doubt that the soapstone is completely worth it.
