Primo Grills
George Samaras discovered his passion for ceramic cooking after military service in 1986. Introduced to a kamado cooker by his father-in-law, he was amazed by the flavor it imparted. His enthusiasm grew, even prompting him to ship cookers to friends in Greece. Recognizing a market opportunity, George decided to create his own line.
In 1996, George founded Primo Ceramic Grills, choosing "Primo" (Italian for "the best"). He started in a modest 700-square-foot rented warehouse, producing only two grills at a time and transporting them for firing. Dedicated to U.S. manufacturing and continuous improvement, George soon realized an oval-shaped grill offered superior cooking versatility and efficiency.
This patented oval-shaped grill's 2002 introduction solidified Primo's market position. Today, Primo Ceramic Grills is renowned as the only American-made ceramic smoker, celebrated for its unrivaled cooking performance among kamado-style smokers.