Head-to-head · Best Kamado Grills

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill vs Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.7 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Large gatherings and serious multi-tasking cooks — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Kamado Grills

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill

3.7

3 sourcesall derived$850as of Aug 1

The Big Green Egg MiniMax is a compact kamado-style grill that cooks, smokes, roasts, and bakes. Reviewers noted the 13-inch diameter grid and 133 square inches of cooking space suit intimate gatherings or gourmet experimentation. It uses the same premium ceramic construction as the larger models, so heat and flavor stay consistent. It plugs into Big Green Egg's accessory ecosystem, though the cooking area is obviously smaller than bigger sizes. Small households and anyone short on outdoor space who still wants professional-grade cooking should look here.

Strengths

— Compact design at 19.5 inches tall with 13-inch diameter stainless steel grid
— Delivers consistent heat and flavor like larger models with premium ceramics
— Suitable for intimate gatherings or gourmet experimentation with 133 square inches cooking area

Watch-outs

— Limited to 133 square inches cooking area which may be restrictive for larger groups
— Requires assembly or White Glove service for delivery and setup

$850 · Buy at biggreenegg.com Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill

4.5

1 sourceall derived$63.77as of Jul 31

The Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker cooks a lot of ways, helped by the 2-tier Divide & Conquer system and a patented ash drawer that makes cleanup quick. Reviewers pointed to the Cast Iron Top Vent for precise temperature control and the built-in thermometer for accuracy. Some found the 450 square-inch cooking surface too small for large gatherings, and at 358.9 pounds it's cumbersome to move even with the locking wheels. Serious home cooks who value functionality over portability are the buyers.

Strengths

— 2-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System allows cooking multiple foods at various temperatures simultaneously
— Patented Slide-Out Ash Drawer simplifies cleanup
— Cast Iron Top Vent enables precise temperature control with adjustable airflow

Watch-outs

— Limited cooking space of 450 square inches may not suit large gatherings
— Heavy weight at 358.9 lbs makes mobility difficult despite locking wheels

$63.77 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill

The Big Green Egg MiniMax is more compact than the Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I and Konnected Joe, making it ideal for smaller spaces, but it lacks the 2-tier cooking system and digital controls of those models. While it integrates well with the Big Green Egg ecosystem, it provides less cooking area compared to the Brand-Man Rodeo and lacks the steel construction of the Weber Summit E6.

Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill

The Big Joe Series I offers the largest cooking surface of all models, surpassing the Konnected Joe and Classic Joe in capacity. Unlike the Brand-Man Rodeo, it features the 2-tier Divide & Conquer system and Slide-Out Ash Drawer. While it's more robust than the Outvita and London Sunshine, it's significantly heavier and less portable than the other 13-inch models.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Big Green Egg 13 Inch Egg MiniMax Ceramic Grill	Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill
Dimensions	19.5 in (50 cm)	58.3 in
Weight	76 lb	359 lb
Cooking Surface Area	133 sq in (855 cm²)	450 in²
Temperature Range	200°F to 750°F (93°C to 399°C)	225 - to 750°F
Material	premium ceramics	ceramic
Cooking Methods	grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, and searing	Smoked, Grilled, Seared, Roasted, Baked
Fuel Type	Lump charcoal	Charcoal

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