Head-to-head · Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill vs Kamado Joe Classic Joe I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker

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 narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Large gatherings and serious multi-tasking cooks — read the strengths below before deciding.

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 →

Ranked #3 in Best Kamado Grills

Kamado Joe Classic Joe I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker

4.4

2 sources1 derived$999as of Jul 31

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe I 18-inch grill is premium ceramic cooking with some clever engineering, including the 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system and a Slide-Out Ash Drawer. Reviewers praised the solid build quality, the temperature control, and how well it grills, smokes, sears, and roasts. Thick ceramic walls and stainless steel grates keep it going for years, though the weight and the fragility of ceramic are real drawbacks. Serious outdoor cooks who want a long-lasting, high-performance kamado should buy; anyone needing portability or a very large cooking capacity shouldn't.

Strengths

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

Watch-outs

— Grill is heavy at 227.7 lbs with included cart
— Ceramic construction can be fragile and requires careful handling

$999 · 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

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.

Kamado Joe Classic Joe I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker

The Kamado Joe Classic Joe I stands out with its 2-Tier Divide & Conquer system and Slide-Out Ash Drawer, features not found in the Big Green Egg MiniMax or London Sunshine models. While it shares ceramic construction with the London Sunshine and Outvita, its heavier weight and more robust build make it less portable than the latter. Unlike the Konnected Joe, it lacks digital controls but offers more traditional kamado functionality.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Kamado Joe Big Joe Series I 24-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill	Kamado Joe Classic Joe I Premium 18-inch Ceramic Charcoal Grill and Smoker
Dimensions	58.3 in	46.2 in
Weight	359 lb	228 lb
Cooking Surface Area	450 in²	250 square inches
Temperature Range	225 - to 750°F	225 - 750°F
Material	ceramic	ceramic
Cooking Methods	Smoked, Grilled, Seared, Roasted, Baked	Smoked, Grilled, Seared, Roasted, Baked
Fuel Type	Charcoal	charcoal

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