The SmokeWare ® Story

Kamado-style grilling gained popularity in America during the 1970s with the introduction of the Big Green Egg®. Known for excellent heat retention, fuel efficiency, and precise temperature control, ceramic grills transformed outdoor cooking, making everything from high-heat grilling to low-and-slow smoking possible.

In 2006, I received a large Big Green Egg as a gift and quickly discovered the advantages of Kamado-style cooking. From grilling steaks Pittsburgh-style to slow-smoking whole Texas Tickler Chickens, I was hooked. However, living in Florida, I soon discovered that afternoon thunderstorms could put a damper on an otherwise perfect cook.

After several rain-interrupted cooks, I set out to find a solution that would let me keep grilling, even in the rain. That idea eventually led to the prototype of the SMOKEWARE® Stainless Steel Vented Chimney Cap.

What started as a way to keep rain out of my grill quickly became something much more. The stainless steel design eliminated many common frustrations with traditional cast iron daisy wheels, including rust, sticking from grease buildup, shifting vent settings, and heavy tops falling off and breaking.

I remember sharing my idea with my father-in-law and telling him about my plans to manufacture and sell the chimney cap. His response? "How many of those things do you think you can sell in a year, a dozen?"

Fortunately, he was a little off!

Since then, SMOKEWARE® has continued to develop new designs and improvements, including a tapered vent for better airflow and temperature control at lower settings.

What began with one Big Green Egg and a desire to keep cooking in the rain has grown into a brand dedicated to making Kamado-style grilling easier and more enjoyable.

SMOKEWARE® — Designed by a griller, for grillers.