*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.
Due to the thick clay walls and high temperature, the tandoor allows you to cook meat, vegetables, cereals and fish in a special way. This is an exquisite way for a Russian to make barbecue, pilaf and other dishes that will be distinguished by uniform baking and a pleasant aroma. If you decide to master the oriental oven, then let’s figure out how to choose a tandoor and which models are most liked by customers in the reviews.
Tips for choosing tandoors
Before spending money, pay attention to the key characteristics and features of the tandoor. After that, it will become clearer which one is right for you.
Form is required
Oriental kilns are produced from ceramic clay and fired at 1000-1200º C, which helps to increase the strength. The shape of the body is spherical, bell, barrel or jug. In the first two types it is more convenient to cook cakes and pilaf, in the second two types of tandoor it is more practical to bake long parts of the carcass, whether it is a leg of lamb or a lot of skewers.
Volume and height
In addition to the shape of the tandoor, its volume and height affect its capacity. There are models with an indicator from 75 to 120 cm, which allow you to place only chicken or small carcasses of piglets, turkeys inside. The diameter along the widest part is from 50 to 71 cm and affects the maximum size of the pizza and the number of cakes on the walls.
The weight
All tandoors are divided into stationary and mobile. The first are laid out of brick or stone in place in the yard or under a canopy. Among the mobile oriental stoves there are bowls weighing 120-180 kg, which can only be rearranged by three or four people, so it will often be inconvenient to move them. If you want to have a portable option, look for models with a weight of 80-100 kg, which can be loaded together into the trunk of a car and transported to the country.
How to install skewers
There are two ways that affect the frying of the barbecue. At the first time, the skewers are hung on a cross-shaped lattice inside the neck. To check the condition of the pork or chicken, you will need to remove the large lid and remove each skewer for visual inspection. But this design allows you to better keep the heat in the closed position. The second configuration provides for the presence of grooves in the lid itself, where the skewers are inserted. To assess the readiness of the dish, just lift the lid and everything will be immediately available for review. But through the holes in the upper part there is a constant exit of heat.
Ease of use
When choosing a tandoor, consider whether there are handles to grab them when carrying (the number of handles is 2 or 4 – does it correspond to the weight of the container), are they insulated to protect against burns, can the lid be lifted with one hand, etc.
Wall thickness
The cross section of ceramics is from 30 to 80 mm. The higher it is, the longer the container can retain heat. For example, tandoors with 50 mm walls heat up to 2-5 hours, so for one laying of firewood it will be possible to cook several meals. Below 40 mm, we advise you not to consider the thickness. But the section affects the weight of the model and its cost, so when looking for thicker walls, be prepared to pay more.
Neck diameter
It happens from 25 to 36 cm. The higher the indicator, the larger the carcass can be placed in the oven as a whole. But when you open the lid, a lot of heat will go away. Narrow necks reduce heat loss, but will require a more fractional division of the carcass.
Cover configuration
In addition to the usual lid, like on a saucepan, there are double ones with their own neck. It helps to look through the small viewing window to assess the readiness of the dish and not to let out a lot of warm air.
Equipment
The completeness of the kit affects how many devices you have to buy separately in order to comfortably use the tandoor in the yard or in the country. Usually, the manufacturer applies skewers to each product. It is better to give preference to those made of stainless steel. They will last longer and will not leave marks on the products. In addition to skewers, the kit may include:
grate;
grids for laying out fish (one-, two- or three-tiered);
mount for skewers;
poker;
scoop for cleaning the blower;
scoop for removing cakes;
rack for accessories;
forged stand for the tandoor itself.
Rating of the best tandoors
Next, we present the TOP 7 of the best tandoors, which have already been tested by customers and serve well in summer cottages, private houses and small restaurants. The experts selected the models both because of the positive reviews and because of the worthy characteristics.
| Nomination | Place | Name of product | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating of the best tandoors | 1 | AMFORA Sarmat East | 28 300 ₽ |
| 2 | MD Ceramics Comfort | 21 700 ₽ | |
| 3 | Ekotandir Shar | 33 000 ₽ | |
| 4 | Art Tandoori Legend Premium | 21 500 ₽ | |
| 5 | Technoceramics Cossack | 22 050 ₽ | |
| 6 | AMFORA Ataman | 21 200 ₽ | |
| 7 | Technoceramics Alexander | 17 650 ₽ |
AMFORA Sarmat East
Rating: 4.9
The review was headed by a huge stationary tandoor with a height of 110 cm and a neck diameter of 36 cm, through which it is convenient to lay large products. A capacious oven allows you to bake not only cakes or samsa, but also a whole goose or duck. The vessel is made of ceramic with a wall thickness of 60 mm, providing long-term heat retention. The chan rises on forged metal legs and does not get dirty from the ground. The kit comes with grates, a poker, a “sun” for hanging skewers, a rack and a scoop. In the reviews, the owners like that the large capacity allows you to cook Hawaiian pizza with a diameter of up to 70 cm.
We recommend the tandoor for use in restaurant cuisine in order to delight visitors with delicious food. The Eastern oven will cope with the preparation of large portions, for example, it can simultaneously fry shish kebab on 20 skewers.
Advantages
height 110 cm;
stands on elevated legs;
the ability to simultaneously fry meat on 20 skewers;
two handles for lifting the lid.
Disadvantages
weighs 180 kg, so a trolley is needed for transportation.
MD Ceramics Comfort
Rating: 4.8
The “Comfort” model in the line of the manufacturer MD Ceramics is the penultimate one in terms of maximum size and has a height of 1.05 m with a diameter of 60 cm. The tandoor has a wall thickness of 50 mm and a neck of 31 cm. more convenient. The kit includes a second stand for accessories and the location of the tandoor cover when removed. The ceramic walls of the container are decorated with relief images, giving the model a more rare look, which the owners like in the reviews.
Experts appreciated the tandoor because of the presence of a thermometer, which allows you to more accurately set the temperature for certain products. For example, meat will bake well at 220-300º C, vegetables will not burn at 110-150º C, and fish will not dry out if you maintain 160-180º C. Without a thermometer, temperature control is “blind”, so it will take longer to adjust to get the best result.
Advantages
four rings for rearranging the tandoor;
beautiful forged stand;
two handles on the lid;
stand included so that there is where to put the cover when removing.
Disadvantages
difficult to rearrange due to the weight of 115 kg.
Ekotandir Shar
Rating: 4.7
And here is another tandoor with a thermometer, the scale of which is designed for 800 degrees, in order to more accurately select the cooking temperature. The model is made of ceramic with a thickness of 60 mm and covered with a matte dark brown glaze. The 29 cm neck diameter makes it easy to place flatbread or whole chicken. The set includes a scoop, spatula, cross and 16 skewers. The latter have very reliable clamps at the ends, preventing the meat from falling out. The size of the spherical bowl allows you to bake pizza with a diameter of 60 cm. Customers in the reviews like that the tandoor handle rings are insulated with genuine leather, which protects against burns when transferring the container shortly after use.
We liked the tandoor with a hinged lid mechanism that allows you to hold it on the side, instead of laying it next to it. This simplifies the process of loading and unloading products, and helps to reduce the space occupied in the yard.
Advantages
beautiful pattern with fish;
four handles for transportation;
skewers with reliable fixation of meat at the ends;
high-quality decorative coating of ceramics with matte glaze.
Disadvantages
Sold without accessory rack.
Art Tandoori Legend Premium
Rating: 4.6
The model has a height of 1 m and weighs 100 kg, providing a capacity for up to 10 skewers with meat at the same time. The tandoor is made of ceramic with a wall section of 6 cm, which helps to maintain the temperature for 6 hours. There is one stone handle on the lid, which allows you to open the mouth of the furnace with one hand. The walls of the container are decorated with three-dimensional bas-reliefs depicting bunches of grapes and bulls. According to reviews, buyers in it appreciate the compact ash cleaning compartment, the door of which is securely fixed with a crimping metal ring.
This is another tandoor that takes up less space in the yard. Enhanced ergonomics are possible with a looped center ring that allows all accessories to be attached to the chassis instead of a separate stand.
Advantages
large neck 30 cm;
you can cook pizza 64 cm;
two rings for carrying;
beautiful bas-reliefs.
Disadvantages
weight 100 kg;
the edges of some forged elements are not very neatly processed.
Technoceramics Cossack
Rating: 4.5
Continues the review of the tandoor in the form of a barrel. Its bottom is wider than competitors, which allows you to use a thick layer of coals and create more heat. This speeds up the cooking process and helps to bake up to 5 meats on one tab. In the kit, the manufacturer attaches a “cross” to the oven to accommodate 15 skewers, a poker and grates. According to reviews, buyers like the thick layer of glaze that protects the tandoor from dirt and moisture penetration into the pores. The manufacturer claims that the eastern oven will last at least 10 years.
We singled out the tandoor due to the presence of a large and small lid for adjusting the temperature. This design also allows you to check the condition of the dish without releasing heat from the container, as happens when you open a large lid.
Advantages
beautiful ornament;
grid-irons and a lattice for skewers in a set;
you can cook up to 5 kg of food in one ignition;
convenient handles on the main cover.
Disadvantages
there is no stand, so you need to find a heat-resistant base;
total weight 155 kg.
AMFORA Ataman
Rating: 4.4
Tandoor “Ataman” has the shape of a jug, convenient for laying a whole leg of lamb. But the small diameter of the bottom will not allow placing a high layer of heat there, so before a new laying of meat, the firewood will have to be burned again. Another solution to the problem is to create a high layer of coals, and place the products in a smaller volume and higher. The height of the tandoor is 107 cm, and the neck passes carcasses up to 34 cm thick through itself. The kit comes with 12 skewers with a working part of 470 mm for stringing 7 pieces of meat at once. The tandoor also has a grate, a scoop, a poker, a “cross”. The cross section of ceramics 50 mm ensures the preservation of heat for up to 5 hours.
In the reviews, the owners are satisfied with the quick preparation of dishes with a sufficient layer of heat. For example, chicken skewers are fried in just 20 minutes. Users say that it remains juicy and not overdried like on the grill.
Advantages
reliable fixation of the blower door;
relief patterns;
two ceramic lids;
good equipment.
Disadvantages
a very small bottom reduces the amount of heat when placed in a thin layer;
skewers are not stainless steel.
Technoceramics Alexander
Rating: 4.3
At the end, a barrel-shaped tandoor with a loading opening of 31 cm and dimensions of 95×56 cm. The assembled oriental oven weighs 108 kg. The vat is placed on a forged stand with rounded legs. There are two side rings for rearrangement. The lid lifts quite conveniently due to two protruding handles. The ceramic thickness of 50 mm contributes to the preservation of heat for up to 2-4 hours. According to the instruction manual, it will be possible to cook up to 4 kg of products in one ignition. Many in the reviews like its unique style with a contrasting performance of dark patterns on a light background.
The tandoor is notable for the presence of a steel shell on the lid. Most competitors have such an element only on the vat, but here two rings, interconnected by rivets, securely hold the ceramic structure. Even if, over time, hair cracks begin from heating, the lid will retain its integrity.
Advantages
beautiful forged shell;
is located on its own legs;
rings for rearrangement;
contrast ornament.
Disadvantages
The cover of the blower is not fixed by anything.
Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.